Puesto Morales Este Block
We acquired our interest in the Puesto Morales Este Block through the Petrolifera acquisition in March 2011. The Puesto Morales Este Block covers 1,483 gross acres. We are the operator of the block with a 100% working interest. The contract was awarded on October 18, 2010, and it has an exploitation phase of 25 years, and a possible five year extension to a maximum of 30 years. We have no outstanding work commitments on this block.
In 2011, we drilled two producing development wells. In 2012, regular field maintenance, workover activities and facilities upgrades are planned.
Rinconada Norte Block
We acquired our interest in the Rinconada Norte Block through the Petrolifera acquisition in March 2011. The Rinconada Norte Block covers 23,475 gross acres. We have a 35% non-operated working interest. Our partner is the operator and has the remaining 65%. This is an exploitation concession which expires January 21, 2016. There was an obligation to drill three exploration wells which was satisfied in 2011. We have no outstanding work commitments on this block.
In 2011, our partner commenced drilling four gross exploration wells. Two wells were completed in 2011, which resulted in an oil discovery, and two were in progress at year-end. In 2012, we will continue evaluating the block and will perform facilities upgrades.
Surubi Block
We purchased the Surubi Block in late 2006. We are the operator of the Surubi Block which covers 90,811 gross acres and have an 85% working interest. In 2008, we drilled the Proa-1 discovery well, which began production in September 2008. The provincial oil company, Recursos Energeticos Formosa S.A., farmed-in to the block for a 15% working interest, and is paying its share of well costs from its share of production from the Proa-1 well. The contract for this block expires in 2026 and we have no outstanding work commitments on this block.
In 2011, we performed regular maintenance and workover activities at the Proa-1 discovery well and site preparation work for the Proa-2 development well and associated facilities. In 2012, we commenced drilling the Proa-2 development well and will perform regular maintenance and workover activities.
We purchased the El Chivil Block in 2006. We are the operator and hold a 100% working interest in the block which covers 30,393 gross acres. The Chivil field was discovered in 1987. The contract for this field expires in 2015 with the option for a ten year extension.
Regular field maintenance and workover activities were performed in 2011 and are planned for 2012.
Palmar Largo Block
We own a 14% non-operated working interest in the Palmar Largo Block, which we purchased in September 2005. Three partners hold the remaining 86% working interest. The Palmar Largo joint venture block covers 186,441 gross acres. During 2011, we relinquished 45.4% of this block. This asset is comprised of several producing oil fields in the Noroeste Basin and is subdivided into three sub-blocks including Balbuena Este. The Palmar Largo Block rights expire in 2017, but provide for a ten-year extension. We have no outstanding work commitments on this block. On expiry of the block rights, ownership of the producing assets will revert to the provincial government.
In 2011, one gross development well was drilled. Regular field maintenance and workover activities were also performed in 2011 and are planned for 2012.
El Vinalar Block
In June 2006, we acquired a 50% operating working interest in the El Vinalar Block, which covers 61,035 gross acres. The El Vinalar rights expire in 2016 with a possible ten year extension. We do not have any outstanding work commitments on this block. On expiry of the block rights, ownership of the producing assets will revert to the provincial government.
In 2011, we performed regular field maintenance and workover activities. In 2012, no significant capital expenditures are planned.
Valle Morado Block
We purchased our original interest in the Valle Morado Block in 2006 and purchased a further 3.4% working interest during 2011.The previous owners had the option to back-in for an 18% working interest under certain circumstances; however, we purchased this from the owners and eliminated this option during 2010. Valle Morado covers 44,446 gross acres and we are the operator with a 96.6% working interest. The Valle Morado GTE.St.VMor-2001 well was first drilled in 1989. A previous operator completed a 3D seismic program over the field and constructed a gas plant and pipeline infrastructure. Production began in 1999 from the GTE.St.VMor-2001 well, but was shut-in in 2001 due to water incursion. During 2008, we performed long-term testing on the well. In July 2010, we commenced a re-entry and sidetrack operation on the well; however, these operations were suspended in February 2011 and the wellbore was abandoned due to operational challenges. We continue to review alternatives associated with the field development. The contract for this block expires in 2034. We have no work outstanding commitments on this block. In 2012, we plan to conduct additional geological and geophysical studies, minor facilities upgrades and civil engineering work.
Santa Victoria Block
We purchased the Santa Victoria Block in 2006. Santa Victoria covers 516,942 gross acres. We have a 50% working interest and are the operator. In 2011, we relinquished 50% of the block as a condition to enter into the second phase. We also farmed out 50% of our working interest to Apache Corporation. The contract’s first exploration phase expired in December 2010; however, we received a 90 day extension to March 29, 2011. During the first phase, a 3D seismic survey was acquired to fulfill the first phase commitment and the extension was used to complete the seismic interpretation. We are in the second of three exploration phases of the contract. This phase requires either one exploration well to be drilled or 720 units of work ($3.6 million) to be completed by March 2013. The exploration phase ends in March 2014. In 2012, we will evaluate the potential to drill a gas exploration well.
We acquired our interest in the Vaca Mahuida Block through the Petrolifera acquisition in March 2011. The Vaca Mahuida Block covers 253,331 gross acres. We have a 25% operated working interest and our three partners share the remaining 75% working interest. After three gas discoveries in 2010, an exploitation concession was requested and we are awaiting approval. We satisfied our obligation to perform long term production gas tests and are evaluating the potential of these prospects and the block. We have no outstanding work commitments on this block.
In 2011, there were no significant capital expenditures and no significant capital expenditures are planned for 2012.
Puesto Guevara Block
We acquired our interest in the Puesto Guevera Block through the Petrolifera acquisition in March 2011. The Puesto Guevera block covers 165,488 gross acres. We are the operator of the block with a 100% working interest. We are in the first exploration phase which requires the drilling of one exploration well by April 24, 2012. We are currently evaluating the geological/economical potential of the block. If no potential exists, we plan to relinquish the block and pay a penalty of $0.6 million. There are two additional optional exploration phases which would expire in April 2015.
We acquired a 100% working interest in the Ipaguazu Block through two transactions. We purchased a 50% working interest in September 2005 and we purchased the remaining 50% working interest in November 2006. In April 2010, production operations at the Ipaguazu-1 well were suspended due to low well productivity. We received approval for relinquishment of this block in 2011.
Gobernador Ayala II Block
We acquired our interest in the Gobernador Ayala II Block through the Petrolifera acquisition in March 2011. We relinquished this block in 2011.
Oil and Gas Properties - Peru
We entered Peru in 2006 through the award by the Government of Peru of two frontier exploration blocks, Block 122 and Block 128, in the Maranon Basin. In September 2010, we acquired a 20% non-operated working interest in three blocks in the Maranon Basin. These three blocks, Block 123, Block 124, and Block 129 are adjacent to Block 122 and Block 128. In December 2010, we further increased our acreage position in the Maranon Basin in Peru by acquiring a 60% working interest in Block 95.
In March 2011, we acquired Petrolifera which added three blocks in the Ucayali Basin in Peru: Block 106, Block 107 and Block 133. Prior to the close of the acquisition, Petrolifera, in consultation with Gran Tierra, notified PeruPetro of the intention not to proceed to the next exploration phase in Block 106. Accordingly, the Block 106 license agreement was terminated in April, 2011.
On January 17, 2012, PeruPetro signed the assignment documents for Block 95, officially transferring 60% of the block and operatorship to Gran Tierra Energy.
All blocks in Peru are subject to a license agreement with PeruPetro. There is a 5-20%, sliding scale, royalty rate on the lands, dependent on production levels. Production less than 5,000 barrels of oil per day is assessed a royalty of 5%, for production between 5,000 and 100,000 barrels of oil per day there is a linear sliding scale between 5% and 20%. Production over 100,000 barrels per day has a flat royalty of 20%. This royalty structure applies to all blocks in Peru that we have an interest in.
Block 95
In December 2010, we acquired a 60% working interest in Block 95. Block 95 has a total area of 1,274,399 gross acres. We are the operator of Block 95. A drilling location has been identified for the first exploration well on Block 95, with civil construction initiated in the third quarter of 2011. Drilling is expected to be undertaken in 2012, pending regulatory approvals. An oil field has already been discovered on Block 95, with the discovery well drilled in 1974 flowing 807 BOPD naturally without pumps. The new exploration well is expected to further delineate this field and explore deeper reservoir horizons not penetrated by the discovery well. We are in the third phase of six of the contract, which has been delayed as a result of force majeure. Once force majeure ends, we plan to apply to extend the current phase to provide sufficient time to complete the well commitment.
Block 123, Block 124 and Block 129
In September 2010, we acquired a 20% working interest in Block 123, Block 124, and Block 129. We relinquished our interest in Block 124 during 2011. The two remaining blocks have a total area of 3,491,240 gross acres and Burlington Resources Peru Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips) is the operator of these blocks. We are in the third phase of five, which expires November 29, 2012 for Block 123 and February 26, 2013 for Block 129. This phase requires the acquisition of seismic totalling 504 kilometers over the 2 blocks.
In 2011, 910 kilometers of 2D seismic was acquired on these blocks. In 2012, we plan to acquire 567 kilometers of 2D seismic.
Block 107
We acquired our interest in Block 107 through the Petrolifera acquisition in March 2011. Block 107 covers 623,504 gross acres. We are the operator of the block with a 100% working interest. A third party has a 3% ORR on the block. We are in the third exploration phase, which ends on May 24, 2012, and have fulfilled our obligations for this phase. The fourth and final phase is from May 25, 2012 to May 24, 2013, during which we are required to drill one exploration well.
In 2011, we conducted environmental studies and advanced permitting for drilling. In 2012, we plan to complete a 390 kilometer infill 2D seismic program and begin construction of a drilling platform.
Block 133
We acquired our interest in Block 133 through the Petrolifera acquisition in March 2011. Block 133 covers 978,663 gross acres. We are the operator of the block with a 100% working interest. This block has a royalty of 20% to 25%. We are in the second exploration phase of four, which ends on February 14, 2013. We are required to acquire 150 kilometers of 2D seismic and then relinquish 20% of the block at the end of phase two. The exploration phase expires in August 2016.
In 2011, we conducted environmental studies. In 2012, we plan to acquire airborne gravity and magnetic surveys and conduct EIAs.
Block 122 and Block 128
We were awarded two exploration blocks in Peru in the last quarter of 2006, Blocks 122 and 128, under a license contract for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons. In 2011, we relinquished our interests in Block 122 and Block 128.
In 2011, we drilled the Kanatari -1 exploration well on Block 128 which was plugged and abandoned.
Oil and Gas Properties - Brazil
We entered Brazil in 2009 with the opening of a business development office. In August 2010, we acquired a 70% working interest in four exploration blocks in the Recôncavo Basin. Final approval from the Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis ("ANP") was received on June 15, 2011 and we became the operator of these blocks effective from that date. With the exception of one block which has a producing well, the remaining blocks are unproved properties. First production contribution from the producing block was recorded in June 2011. In January 2011, Gran Tierra opened an office in Salvador, Brazil to manage the field operations for the Recôncavo Basin blocks.
In September 2011, we announced farmout agreements with Statoil pursuant to which, we would receive an assignment from Statoil of a non-operated 10% working interest in Block BM-CAL-7 and a non-operated 15% working interest in Block BM-CAL-10. At the time of entering into the farmout agreement, Block BM-CAL-10 was in the first exploration phase. In accordance with the terms of the Block BM-CAL-10 farmout agreement, we gave notice to Statoil that we will would not enter into and assume our share of the work obligations of the second exploration period of Block BM-CAL-10. As a result, the Block BM-CAL-10 farmout agreement has terminated and we will not receive any interest in Block BM-CAL-10. We received ANH approval for Block BM-CAL-7 in the first quarter of 2012.
All of our onshore blocks in Brazil are subject to an 11% royalty, which consists of a 10% crown royalty and a 1% landowner royalty. Our offshore blocks are subject to a 10% crown royalty.
Blocks REC-T-129, REC-T-142, REC-T-155, and REC-T-224
Blocks REC-T-129, REC-T-142, REC-T-155 and REC-T-224 are located approximately 70 kilometers northeast of Salvador, Brazil in the Recôncavo Basin. These four blocks cover 27,075 gross acres. We are the operator of these blocks with a 70% working interest. All four blocks are in the second exploratory phase of the contracts which expires in the fourth quarter of 2013. The second exploratory phase requires the drilling of an exploration well on each block.
In 2011, we drilled two gross exploration wells, 1-GTE-01-BA and 1-GTE-02-BA, on Blocks REC-T-142 and REC-T-129, respectively and an appraisal well, 3-GTE-03-BA on Block REC-T-155, was spud in December 2011. Drilling of the 1-GTE-01-BA vertical pilot exploration well was completed in November 2011. Core samples were acquired from the prospective reservoir section of the pilot well and we plan to drill a horizontal sidetrack in mid-2012 to test the productivity of light oil sandstone reservoir targets. Drilling of the 1-GTE-02-BA exploration well is suspended while plans are finalized for drilling a horizontal leg in mid-2012. Drilling of the 3-GTE-03-BA delineation well began on December 1, 2011 and drilling of the 3-GTE-04-BA development well began on January 8, 2012 to further develop the existing discovery on Block REC-T-155. Oil bearing reservoir intervals were encountered and we are moving forward with plans to complete and place this well on production.
The drilling of these wells satisfied each block’s first exploratory phase commitment. We also completed the acquisition of 35 square kilometers of 3D seismic data on Block REC-T-224, which fulfilled our first phase commitment on that block. In 2012, we plan to complete the 3-GTE-03-BA and 3-GTE-04-BA appraisal wells on Block REC-T-155. We also plan to drill two exploration wells, 1-GTE-5-BA and 1-GTE-6-BA, on Block REC-T-155 and Block REC-T-142.
BM-CAL-7 Block
The BM-CAL-7 Block is located in the Camamu Basin, offshore Bahia, Brazil and covers 337,561 gross acres. ANP approval was received in the first quarter of 2012. We have a 10% non-operated working interest in the block. BM-CAL-7 is in the first of two exploration phases. This phase ends in November 2013. The first exploration phase requires the drilling of one exploration well and the acquisition of 1,366 square kilometers of 3D seismic by 2013. Our partner had previously satisfied the seismic commitment and, in 2011, we purchased the existing 3D seismic program. We are awaiting ANP approval to continue the 3D seismic survey during 2012.
BM-CAL-10 Block
The BM-CAL-10 Block is located in the Camamu Basin, offshore Bahia, Brazil and covers 416,557 gross acres. In September of 2011, we announced a farmout agreement with Statoil pursuant to which, subject to ANP approval, we would receive an assignment from Statoil of a non-operated 15% working interest in the block. At the time of entering into the farmout agreement, Block BM-CAL-10 was in the first exploration phase. The ANP has announced the 1-STAT-7-BAS exploration well drilling has been completed after reaching a total measured depth of 3,651 meters. Contractually, we are restricted from discussing the well results. In accordance with the terms of the farmout agreement, we gave notice to Statoil that we would not enter into and assume our share of the work obligations of the second exploration period of Block BM-CAL-10. As a result, the farmout agreement has terminated and we will not receive any interest in Block BM-CAL-10.
The following table sets forth our reserves as of December 31, 2011. The process of estimating oil and gas reserves is complex and requires significant judgment, as discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors”. The reserve estimation process requires us to use significant decisions and assumptions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data for each property. Therefore the accuracy of the reserve estimate is dependent on the quality of the data, the accuracy of the assumptions based on the data, and the interpretations and judgment related to the data.
We have developed internal policies for estimating and evaluating reserves. The policies we have developed are applied company wide, and are comprehensive in nature. Gran Tierra’s internal controls over reserve estimates include reconciliation and review controls, including an independent internal review of assumptions used in the estimation by our reserves committee, and 100% of our reserves are audited by an independent reservoir engineering firm, GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd., at least annually.
The primary internal technical person in charge of overseeing the preparation of our reserve estimates is the General Manager of Engineering and Development Planning. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering and is a professional engineer and member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta. He is responsible for our engineering activities including reserves reporting, asset evaluation, reservoir management, and field development. He has over 30 years of industry experience in various domestic and international engineering and management roles.
The technical person responsible for overseeing the reserves evaluation is a Vice President, Corporate Evaluations of GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering physics and is a registered professional engineer in the Province of Alberta. He has over 20 years of industry experience in various domestic and international engineering and management roles.
By applying our policies we have developed SEC compliant reserve estimates and disclosures. Our policies are applied by all staff involved in generating and reporting reserve estimates including geological, engineering and finance personnel. Calculations and data are reviewed at multiple levels of the organization to ensure consistent and appropriate standards and procedures.
No estimates of reserves comparable to those included herein have been included in a report to any federal agency other than the SEC.
|
|
Reserves
|
|
Reserves Category
|
|
Liquids*
|
|
|
Natural Gas
|
|
(Mbbl)
|
(MMcf)
|
PROVED
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Developed:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colombia
|
|
|
20,899
|
|
|
|
13,927
|
|
Argentina
|
|
|
1,918
|
|
|
|
3,351
|
|
Brazil
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Undeveloped
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colombia
|
|
|
4,526
|
|
|
|
713
|
|
Argentina
|
|
|
3,226
|
|
|
|
331
|
|
Brazil
|
|
|
299
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
TOTAL PROVED
|
|
|
30,922
|
|
|
|
18,322
|
|
PROBABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Developed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colombia
|
|
|
3,752
|
|
|
|
3,037
|
|
Argentina
|
|
|
576
|
|
|
|
522
|
|
Brazil
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Undeveloped
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colombia
|
|
|
2,161
|
|
|
|
18,118
|
|
Argentina
|
|
|
2,813
|
|
|
|
4,039
|
|
Brazil
|
|
|
1,130
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
TOTAL PROBABLE
|
|
|
10,489
|
|
|
|
25,716
|
|
POSSIBLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Developed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colombia
|
|
|
6,780
|
|
|
|
2,828
|
|
Argentina
|
|
|
873
|
|
|
|
1,026
|
|
Brazil
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Undeveloped
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colombia
|
|
|
2,969
|
|
|
|
69,198
|
|
Argentina
|
|
|
4,969
|
|
|
|
43,457
|
|
Brazil
|
|
|
1,971
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
TOTAL POSSIBLE
|
|
|
17,626
|
|
|
|
116,509
|
|
*Liquids include oil and NGLs. We have NGL reserves in small amounts in Colombia and Argentina only. Brazil liquids reserves are 100% oil.
Proved Undeveloped Reserves
At December 31, 2011 we had total proved undeveloped reserves NAR of 8.2 MMBOE (December 31, 2010 - 4.1 MMBOE), including 4.6 MMBOE in Colombia (December 31, 2010 – 3.9 MMBOE), 3.3 MMBOE in Argentina (December 31, 2010 – 0.2 MMBOE) and 0.3 MMBOE in Brazil (December 31, 2010 – nil). Approximately 38% of proved undeveloped reserves are located in our Puesto Morales field in Argentina. This field was acquired as a result of the Petrolifera acquisition in 2011. Additionally, approximately 37% and 15% of proved undeveloped reserves are in our Moqueta and Costayaco fields in Colombia. There was no material change in these amounts during 2011. All of our proved undeveloped reserves are scheduled for development within five years. We have an active exploration program and spent $44.0 million on exploratory items in 2011, including seismic and drilling. We drilled 12 net exploration wells in 2011. Our 2012 work program includes $152 million for exploration activities.
Sensitivity of Reserves to Prices by Principal Product Type and Price Scenario
|
|
Proved Reserves
|
|
|
Probable Reserves
|
|
|
Possible Reserves
|
Price Case
|
|
Liquids
|
|
|
Natural Gas
|
|
|
Liquids
|
|
|
Natural Gas
|
|
|
Liquids
|
|
|
Natural Gas
|
(Mbbl)(1)
|
(MMcf)
|
(Mbbl)
|
(MMcf)
|
(Mbbl)(1)
|
|
(MMcf)
|
WTI +10%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colombia
|
|
|
25,270
|
|
|
|
13,479
|
|
|
|
5,952
|
|
|
|
22,316
|
|
|
|
9,663
|
|
|
72,026
|
Argentina
|
|
|
5,144
|
|
|
|
3,682
|
|
|
|
2,960
|
|
|
|
4,561
|
|
|
|
6,271
|
|
|
44,483
|
Brazil
|
|
|
354
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,208
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,075
|
|
|
-
|
Total
|
|
|
30,768
|
|
|
|
17,161
|
|
|
|
10,120
|
|
|
|
26,877
|
|
|
|
18,009
|
|
|
116,509
|
WTI – 10%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colombia
|
|
|
25,499
|
|
|
|
13,479
|
|
|
|
5,989
|
|
|
|
22,316
|
|
|
|
9,970
|
|
|
72,026
|
Argentina
|
|
|
5,144
|
|
|
|
3,682
|
|
|
|
2,960
|
|
|
|
4,561
|
|
|
|
6,271
|
|
|
44,483
|
Brazil
|
|
|
341
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,158
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
1,986
|
|
|
-
|
Total
|
|
|
30,984
|
|
|
|
17,161
|
|
|
|
10,107
|
|
|
|
26,877
|
|
|
|
18,227
|
|
|
116,509
|
(1) Proved and possible liquid reserves are higher as a result of a 10% decrease in WTI as compared with a 10% increase in WTI. The lower price results in reduced additional government and third party royalties paid, increasing the NAR volumes.
The price cases presented involve changes to the WTI price – first with a 10% increase, the second with a 10% decrease. Natural gas prices are not affected by WTI, therefore the volumes of natural gas reserves do not change. Additionally, the oil price in Argentina is set by the government as described below under the caption “Marketing and Major Customers”. Oil prices in Argentina are not sensitive to changes in WTI prices, therefore the price scenarios considered do not result in changes to oil and natural gas reserves for Argentina. Cost schedules were held constant for the two price cases.
Production Revenue and Price History
Certain information concerning oil and natural gas production, prices, revenues (net of all royalties) and operating expenses for the three years ended December 31, 2011 is set forth in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in the Unaudited Supplementary Data provided following our Financial Statements in Item 8, which information is incorporated by reference here. We prepared the estimate of standardized measure of proved reserves in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 932, “Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas”.
Drilling Activities
The following table summarizes the results of our development and exploration drilling activity for the past three years. Wells labeled as “In Progress” were in progress as of December 31, 2011.
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net
|
|
Colombia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
4.00 |
|
|
|
3.50 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Dry
|
|
|
6.00 |
|
|
|
6.00 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
In Progress
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
|
2.43 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
|
|
|
8.00 |
|
|
|
7.20 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
1.70 |
|
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
|
3.00 |
|
Dry
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
In Progress
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
Total Colombia
|
|
|
17.00 |
|
|
|
15.14 |
|
|
|
12.00 |
|
|
|
10.63 |
|
|
|
8.00 |
|
|
|
6.40 |
|
Argentina
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Dry
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
In Progress
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
|
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Dry
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
In Progress
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
0.93 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total Argentina
|
|
|
10.00 |
|
|
|
7.40 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
0.93 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Brazil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Dry
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
In Progress
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
1.40 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Dry
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
In Progress
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total Brazil
|
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
|
2.10 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Peru
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Dry
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
In Progress
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Dry
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
In Progress
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total Peru
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total
|
|
|
31.00 |
|
|
|
25.64 |
|
|
|
13.00 |
|
|
|
11.56 |
|
|
|
8.00 |
|
|
|
6.40 |
|
As at February 21, 2012, the results of wells in progress at December 31, 2011 are as follows:
|
|
Productive
|
|
|
Dry
|
|
|
Still in Progress
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net
|
|
Colombia
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
Argentina
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
Brazil
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3.00 |
|
|
|
2.10 |
|
Peru
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
6.00 |
|
|
|
3.24 |
|
Well Statistics
The following table sets forth our producing wells as of December 31, 2011.
|
|
Oil Wells
|
|
|
Gas Wells
|
|
|
Total Wells
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net
|
|
Colombia (1)
|
|
|
39.00 |
|
|
|
29.40 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
1.40 |
|
|
|
41.00 |
|
|
|
30.80 |
|
Argentina (1)
|
|
|
115.00 |
|
|
|
89.80 |
|
|
|
7.00 |
|
|
|
7.00 |
|
|
|
122.00 |
|
|
|
96.80 |
|
Brazil
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
Peru
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
Total
|
|
|
155.00 |
|
|
|
119.90 |
|
|
|
9.00 |
|
|
|
8.40 |
|
|
|
164.00 |
|
|
|
128.30 |
|
(1) Includes 4.0 gross and net water injector wells in Colombia and 32.0 gross and 20.68 net water injector wells in Argentina.
Developed and Undeveloped Acreage
The following table sets forth our developed and undeveloped oil and gas lease and mineral acreage as of December 31, 2011.
|
|
Developed
|
|
|
Undeveloped
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Net
|
|
Colombia
|
|
|
374,756 |
|
|
|
308,375 |
|
|
|
3,014,524 |
|
|
|
2,833,440 |
|
|
|
3,389,280 |
|
|
|
3,141,815 |
|
Argentina
|
|
|
469,339 |
|
|
|
250,984 |
|
|
|
964,180 |
|
|
|
515,709 |
|
|
|
1,433,519 |
|
|
|
766,693 |
|
Peru
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
6,367,807 |
|
|
|
3,065,055 |
|
|
|
6,367,807 |
|
|
|
3,065,055 |
|
Brazil
|
|
|
5,786 |
|
|
|
4,051 |
|
|
|
21,289 |
|
|
|
14,902 |
|
|
|
27,075 |
|
|
|
18,953 |
|
Total
|
|
|
849,881 |
|
|
|
563,410 |
|
|
|
10,367,800 |
|
|
|
6,429,106 |
|
|
|
11,217,681 |
|
|
|
6,992,516 |
|
(1) Excluded from undeveloped acreages are farm-out or assignment agreements for which government approval is pending. These pending approvals will result in a decrease of 136,869 net acres in Colombia and an increase of 754,118 gross (96,240 net) acres in Brazil.
Our net developed acreage in Colombia includes acreage in the Santana Block (less than 1%); the Magangue Block (less than 1%); the Guayuyaco Block (1.2%); the Garibay Block (1.2%); the Chaza Block (1.5%); and the Sierra Nevada Block (5.7%). Our net undeveloped acreage in Colombia, not including acreage acquired through agreements still subject to government approval, is in the Mecaya Block (less than 1%); the Rio Magdalena Block (1%); the Azar Block (1.5%); the Turpial Block (1.8%); the Piedemonte Norte (2.5%); the Putumayo 1 Block (2%); the Catguas A Block (2.4%); the Piedemonte Sur Block (2.4%); the Rumiyaco block (2.6%); the Putumayo 10 Block (3.6%); the Catguas B Block (8.2%); the Cauca 6 Block (18.2%); the Magdalena Block (18.9%); and the Cauca 7 block (25.0%).
In Argentina, our net developed acreage includes acreage in the Puesto Morales Este Block (less than 1%); the Rinconada Norte Block (1.1%); the Palmar Largo Block (3.4%); the El Chivil Block (4%); the El Vinalar Block (4%); the Puesto Morales Block (4.1%); the Valle Morado Block (6%); and the Surubi Block (10.1%). Our net undeveloped acreage in Argentina is in the Rinconada Sur (3.7%); the Vaca Mahuida Block (8.3%); the Puesto Guevara Block (21.6%); and the Santa Victoria Block (33.7%).
In Peru, our net undeveloped acreage includes acreage in Block 129 (7.6%); Block 123 (15.2%); Block 107 (20.3%); Block 95 (24.9%); and Block 133 (31.9%).
In Brazil, our net developed acreage includes acreage in the Block REC-T 155 (21.4%). Our net undeveloped acreage, not including that acquired through agreements for which government approval is pending or which was relinquished after year-end, includes acreage in Block REC-T 129 (26.7%); Block REC-142 (25.3%); and Block REC-T 224 (26.6%).
Our plan is to continue to build an international oil and gas company through acquisition and exploitation of under-developed prospective oil and gas assets, and to develop these assets with exploration and development drilling to grow commercial reserves and production. Our initial focus is in select countries in South America, currently Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Brazil; we will consider other regions for future growth should those regions make strategic and commercial sense in creating additional value.
We have applied a two-stage approach to growth, initially establishing a base of production, development and exploration assets by selective acquisitions, and secondly achieving additional reserve and production growth through drilling. We intend to duplicate this business model in other areas as opportunities arise. We pursue opportunities in countries with proven petroleum systems; attractive royalty, taxation and other fiscal terms; and stable legal systems.
A key to our business plan is positioning — being in the right place at the right time with the right resources. The fundamentals of this strategy are described in more detail below:
|
●
|
Position in countries that are welcoming to foreign investment, that provide attractive fiscal terms, that have stable legal systems, that offer opportunities that we believe have been previously ignored or undervalued, and that have an active market with many available deals;
|
|
●
|
Build a balanced portfolio of production, development and exploration assets and opportunities, with a drilling inventory that balances risks and rewards to create value;
|
|
●
|
Retain operatorship of assets whenever possible to retain control of work programs, budgets, prospect generation, drilling operations and development activities; non-operating positions will be taken when operators bring strategic advantage to business growth;
|
|
●
|
Engage qualified, experienced and motivated professionals;
|
|
●
|
Establish an effective local presence, with strong constructive relationships with host governments, ministries, agencies and communities in which we operate;
|
|
●
|
Consolidate land and properties in close proximity to build operating efficiency; and
|
|
●
|
Manage asset and drilling portfolios closely, assessing value to the company and making changes where needed.
|
We have not expended any resources on pursuing research and development initiatives. We use existing technology and processes for executing our business plan.
Marketing and Major Customers
Colombia
Ecopetrol S.A. (“Ecopetrol”), the Colombian majority state owned oil company, is the purchaser of virtually all of our Colombia crude oil production, and the source of the majority of our revenues. Sales to Ecopetrol accounted for 87%, 96% and 94% of our revenues in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. We also sell a small portion of our Colombia crude oil production to Petrobras International Braspetro B.V. (“Petrobras”).
We have entered into agreements to sell to Ecopetrol all of the volume of crude oil production produced in the Chaza Block, Santana Block and Guayuyaco Block owned by our subsidiaries Gran Tierra Colombia Ltd. and Solana Petroleum Exploration (Colombia) Ltd. (the “Putumayo production”). The volume of crude oil does not include the volume of oil owned by the ANH corresponding to royalties. These agreements are subject to renegotiation periodically and generally contain mutual termination provisions with 30 days’ notice. The expiry dates of these agreements have been extended multiple times, and are currently July 31, 2012. In the event that Ecopetrol does not accept a full delivery of this production, we may sell to Petrobras the crude oil not accepted.
We deliver our oil to Ecopetrol through our transportation facilities which include pipelines, gathering systems and trucking. The majority of the oil produced is transported by pipeline. Varying amounts of oil are trucked: (1) from Santana Station to Ecopetrol’s storage terminal at Orito, a distance of approximately 46 kilometers, and (2) from Costayaco to Ecopetrol’s storage terminal at Neiva (Dina Station), approximately 350 kilometers north of the Chaza Block. Oil prices for sales to Ecopetrol are defined by agreements with Ecopetrol based on a “marker” price (generally the average export price for crude oil from that port) with adjustments for specified fees depending on the port, including a port operation fee and a commercialization fee, and in the case where the point of sale is not at the Port of Tumaco, a transportation fee and transportation tax. Oil prices for sales to Petrobras International are based on WTI price less adjustments for quality, transportation, marketing and handling.
Prior to the end of January 2012, the sales point for our sales to Ecopetrol of the Putumayo production to be exported through the Port of Tumaco on the Pacific coast of Colombia was a point in the Putumayo basin. Beginning in February 2012, the sales point was changed to the Port of Tumaco. Due to the change in the sales point for Putumayo production to the Port of Tumaco, we entered into crude oil transportation agreements with Ecopetrol pursuant to which we will pay to Ecopetrol a transportation tariff and transportation tax for the transportation by Ecopetrol of the Putumayo production from the Putumayo Basin to the Port of Tumaco. Under these agreements, Ecopetrol is liable for risk of loss of oil during transportation only if Ecopetrol fails to take reasonable measures to operate the pipeline or is grossly negligent. The agreements have expiration dates of July 29, 2012.
Our oil in Colombia is good quality light oil.
Argentina
We market our own share of production in Argentina. The purchaser of our oil in the Noroeste basin of Argentina is Refineria del Norte S.A. (“Refiner”). Our contract with Refiner expired on January 1, 2008; however, we are continuing sales of our oil under monthly agreements with Refiner. In the Noroeste basin, oil is delivered to the refinery by truck.
Shell C.A.P.S.A. (“Shell”) and YPF S.A. (“YPF”) are the main purchasers of our oil in the Neuquen basin of Argentina. In the Neuquen basin, oil is delivered to the refinery by pipeline.
Sales to Shell, Refiner and YPF accounted for 3%, 3% and 2%, respectively, of our oil and natural gas sales in 2011. Sales to Refiner accounted for 4% of our oil and natural gas sales in 2010 and 6% in 2009. The purchaser of our gas in Argentina is Albanesi S.A., Sales to Albanesi S.A. accounted for less than 1% of our oil and natural gas sales in 2011 and were nil in 2010 and 2009.
In Argentina, export prices for oil are subject to an export withholding tax based on WTI price. This export tax has the effect of limiting the actual realized price for domestic sales. Our oil prices are agreed on a spot basis, based on WTI price less adjustments for quality, transportation and an adjustment equivalent to the export tax. We receive revenues in Argentine pesos, based on U.S. dollar prices at the exchange rate on the payment date.
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A (“Petrobras”) is the purchaser of most of the oil produced from well 1-ALV-02 BA in Block REC-T-155. Oil is trucked 26 miles to the Petrobras Carmo Oil Treatment Station. Oil prices for sales to Petrobras are based on the monthly average Brent DTD price less $14.09 per barrel. The oil sales contract with Petrobras will expire on July 31, 2012, when long term testing at the 1-ALV-02 BA well is completed.
There were no sales in any countries other than Colombia, Argentina and Brazil in 2011, 2010 or 2009.
See “Our Oil Sales Will Depend on a Relatively Small Group of Customers, Which Could Adversely Affect Our Financial Results,” and “Negative Political and Regulatory Developments in Argentina May Negatively Affect our Operations”, “Negative Political Developments in Peru May Negatively Affect our Proposed Operations,” “Our Business is Subject to Local Legal, Political and Economic Factors Which are Beyond Our Control, Which Could Impair Our Ability to Expand Our Operations or Operate Profitably” and other risk factors in Item 1A “Risk Factors” for a description of the risks faced by our dependency on a small number of customers and the regulatory systems under which we operate.
Competition
The oil and gas industry is highly competitive. We face competition from both local and international companies in acquiring properties, contracting for drilling and other oil field equipment and securing trained personnel. Many of these competitors have financial and technical resources that exceed ours, and we believe that these companies have a competitive advantage in these areas. Others are smaller, and we believe our technical and financial capabilities give us a competitive advantage over these companies. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to discover reserves in the future will depend on our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. In addition, there is substantial competition for prospects and resources in the oil and gas industry.
See “Competition in Obtaining Rights to Explore and Develop Oil and Gas Reserves and to Market Our Production May Impair Our Business” in Item 1A “Risk Factors” for risks associated with competition.
Geographic Information
Information regarding our geographic segments, including information on revenues, assets, expenses, and net income can be found in Note 4 to the Financial Statements, Segment and Geographic Reporting, in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”, which information is incorporated by reference here. Long lived assets are Property, Plant and Equipment, which includes all oil and gas assets, furniture and fixtures, automobiles and computer equipment. No long lived assets are held in our country of domicile, which is the United States of America. ‘All Other’ assets include assets held by our corporate head office in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and assets held in Brazil. Because all of our exploration and development operations are in South America, we face many risks attendant with these operations. See Item 1A “Risk Factors” for risks associated with our foreign operations.
Regulation
The oil and gas industry in Colombia, Argentina, Peru and Brazil is heavily regulated. Rights and obligations with regard to exploration, development and production activities are explicit for each project; economics are governed by a royalty/tax regime. Various government approvals are required for property acquisitions and transfers, including, but not limited to, meeting financial and technical qualification criteria in order to be certified as an oil and gas company in the country. Oil and gas concessions are typically granted for fixed terms with opportunity for extension.
Colombia
In Colombia, prior to 2004, Ecopetrol was the administrator of all hydrocarbons and therefore executed contracts with oil companies under different contractual types such as Association Contracts and Shared Risk Contracts. Under Association Contracts, the oil companies (“Associate”) assumed all risk during the exploration phase and Ecopetrol had the obligation to reimburse to the Associate, after the commerciality was accepted by Ecopetrol, all the direct exploration costs which the Associate incurred. If Ecopetrol did not accept the initial commerciality of a field, the Associate could continue the activities at its sole risk and Ecopetrol would retain the right to back-in later, after Ecopetrol reimbursed the Associate for the initial exploitation work and exploration costs plus certain penalties, depending upon at what stage Ecopetrol later declared commerciality of the field.
Effective June 2004, the regulatory regime in Colombia underwent a significant change with the formation of the ANH. The ANH is now the administrator of the hydrocarbons in the country and therefore is responsible for regulating the Colombian oil industry, including managing all exploration lands. Ecopetrol became a public company owned in majority by the state with the main purpose of exploring and producing hydrocarbons similar to any other oil company. However, Ecopetrol continues to have rights under the existing contracts executed with oil companies before ANH was created. Ecopetrol continues to be the major purchaser and marketer of oil in Colombia, and also operates the majority of the oil transportation infrastructure in the country.
In conjunction with this change, the ANH developed a new exploration risk contract that took effect near the end of the first quarter of 2005. This Exploration and Production Contract has significantly changed the way the industry views Colombia. In place of the earlier association contracts in which the contractor assumed all the exploration risk and Ecopetrol had the right to back-in afterwards, the new agreement provides full risk/reward benefits for the contractor. Under the terms of the contract the successful operator retains the rights to all reserves, production and income from any new exploration block, subject to existing royalty and tax regulations. Each contract contains an exploration phase and a production phase. The exploration phase will contain a number of exploration periods and each period will have an associated work commitment. The production phase will last a number of years (usually 24) from the declaration of a commercial hydrocarbon discovery.
Gran Tierra operates in Colombia through three branches – Gran Tierra Colombia, Solana Colombia and Petrolifera Colombia. All are qualified as operators of oil and gas properties by ANH.
When operating under a contract, the contractor is the owner of the hydrocarbons extracted from the contract area during the performance of operations, and pays royalties which are collected by ANH or Ecopetrol, depending on the type of contract. The contractor can market the hydrocarbons in any manner whatsoever, subject to a limitation in the case of natural emergencies where the law specifies the manner of sale.
Argentina
The Hydrocarbons Law 17.319, enacted in June 1967, established the basic legal framework for the regulation of exploration and production of hydrocarbons in Argentina. The Hydrocarbons Law empowers the National Executive Branch to establish a national policy for development of Argentina’s hydrocarbon reserves, with the main purpose of satisfying domestic demand. However, on January 5, 2007, Law 26.197 was passed by the Government of Argentina. This legal framework replaced article one of the Hydrocarbons Law 17.319 and provides for the provinces to assume complete ownership, authority and administration of the oil and natural gas reserves located within their territories, including offshore areas up to 12 marine miles from the coast line. This includes all exploration permits and exploitation and transportation concessions.
On June 3, 2002, the Government of Argentina issued a resolution authorizing the Energy Secretariat to limit the amount of oil that companies can export. The restriction was to be in place from June 2002 to September 2002. However, on June 14, 2002, the government agreed to abandon the limit on oil export volumes in exchange for a guarantee from oil companies that domestic demand will be supplied. Oil companies also agreed not to raise natural gas and related prices to residential customers during the winter months and to maintain gasoline, natural gas and oil prices in line with those in other South American countries.
Near the end of 2007, the Government of Argentina issued decrees changing the withholding export tax structure and further regulating oil exports.
At the end of 2008, the Argentine government launched the Gas Plus and Petroleum Plus programs, programs designed to stimulate investments in and production of natural gas and oil through providing incentives for new production of natural gas or oil, either from new discoveries, enhanced recovery techniques or reactivation of older fields. Companies must apply for the incentives, and qualification is based on a complex set of formulas involving increased production over a calculated base and increases in proved reserves for the year. Gran Tierra has received credits totalling $2.6 million under the Petroleum Plus program related to our production for the first, third and fourth quarters of 2010 and the fourth quarter of 2008. Claims are pending for certain other quarters in 2011, 2010 and 2009. Realization of the credits is contingent on Gran Tierra establishing a contract with a third party to purchase the credits or exporting oil. Gran Tierra recognized revenue of $0.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2011 upon the sale of credits to a third party. We are negotiating with other parties for the sale of other credits.
In October 2010, the Argentine Gas Authority (“ENARGAS”) issued Regulation I-1410 aimed at securing the supply of natural gas to residential consumers and small industry given the decline in gas production and the expected growing demand for gas. The regulation includes all the procedures created by the authorities since 2004 (restrictions of exports, deviation of gas sales to residential consumption) and gives ENARGAS power to control gas marketing in order to assure the supply of gas to residential consumers and small industry. This regulation is being challenged by gas producers on the grounds that it illegally interferes in their gas marketing activities.
After general elections in October 2011, the Government of Argentina decided to remove certain subsidies which were implemented after the 2001/2002 Argentine economic crisis. Consequently, in November 2011, ENARGAS issued Regulation 1982 which broadened the application of a charge to certain industries and services, including oil & gas upstream and natural gas processing activities, and increased the charge. The charge was created in 2008 to fund the importation of natural gas and liquefied natural gas into Argentina. This measure is expected to negatively impact the oil and gas industry in Argentina and has been challenged by some important companies within the industry.
Gran Tierra operates in Argentina through Gran Tierra Energy Argentina S.R.L. and two branches: Petrolifera Petroleum (Americas) Limited - Sucursal Argentina and Petrolifera Petroleum Limited - Sucursal Argentina . Gran Tierra Energy Argentina S.R.L. and Petrolifera Petroleum (Americas) Limited - Sucursal Argentina are qualified by the Federal Secretary of Energy to be titleholders of Exploration Permits and Exploitation Concessions as well as to operate them. Petrolifera Petroleum Limited - Sucursal Argentina is qualified to be a titleholder of Exploration Permits and Exploitation Concessions, but not to operate them.
See “Negative Political and Regulatory Developments in Argentina May Negatively Affect our Operations” in Item 1A “Risk Factors” for a description of the risks associated with Argentine government controls.
Peru
Peru’s hydrocarbon legislation, which includes the Organic Hydrocarbon Law No. 26221 enacted in 1993 and the regulations thereunder (the “Organic Hydrocarbon Law”), governs our operations in Peru. This legislation covers the entire range of petroleum operations, defines the roles of Peruvian government agencies which regulate and interact with the oil and gas industry, provides that private investors (either national or foreign) may also make investments in the petroleum sector, and provides for the promotion of the development of hydrocarbon activities based on free competition and free access to all economic activities. This law provides that pipeline transportation and natural gas distribution must be handled via concession contracts with the appropriate governmental authorities. All other petroleum activities are to be freely operated and are subject only to local and international safety and environment standards.
Under the Peruvian legal system, Peru is the owner of the hydrocarbons located below the surface in its national territory. However, Peru has given the ownership right to extracted hydrocarbons to Perupetro S.A. (Perupetro), a state company responsible for promoting and overseeing the investment of hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities in Peru. Perupetro is empowered to enter into contracts for either the exploration and exploitation or just the exploitation of petroleum and natural gas on behalf of Peru, the nature of which are described further below. The Peruvian government also plays an active role in petroleum operations through the involvement of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the specialized government department in charge of establishing energy, mining and environmental protection policies, enacting the rules applicable to all these sectors and supervising compliance with such policies and rules. We are subject to the laws and regulations of all of these entities and agencies.
Perupetro generally enters into either license contracts or service contracts for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation. Peruvian law also allows for other contract models, but the investor must propose contract terms compatible with Peru’s interests. We only operate under license contracts and do not foresee operating under any services contracts. A company must be qualified by Perupetro to enter into hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation contracts in Peru. In order to qualify, the company must meet the standards under the Regulations Governing the Qualifications of Oil Companies. These qualifications generally require the company to have the technical, legal, economic and financial capacity to comply with all obligations it will assume under the contract based on the characteristics of the area requested, the possible investments and the environmental protection rules governing the performance of its operations. When a contractor is a foreign investor, it is expected to incorporate a subsidiary company or registered branch in accordance with Peruvian corporate law and appoint Peruvian representatives in accordance with the Organic Hydrocarbon Law who will interact with Perupetro.
Gran Tierra operates in Peru through Gran Tierra Energy Peru S.R.L. and Petrolifera Petroleum Del Peru S.A.C. Gran Tierra has been qualified by Perupetro with respect to our contracts for Blocks 95, 123 and 129 and Petrolifera has been qualified by Perupetro with respect to our contracts for Blocks 107 and 133.
When operating under a license contract, the licensee is the owner of the hydrocarbons extracted from the contract area during the performance of operations, and pays royalties which are collected by Perupetro. The licensee can market or export the hydrocarbons in any manner whatsoever, subject to a limitation in the case of national emergency where the law stipulates such manner.
See “Negative Political Developments in Peru May Negatively Affect our Proposed Operations” in Item 1A “Risk Factors” for a description of the risks associated with
the political climate in Peru.
Brazil
In Brazil, Law No. 2004 enacted in 1953 created the state monopoly of the petroleum industry and Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (“Petrobras”), a state-owned legal entity, which was the sole company conducting exploration and production activities in Brazil.
Amendment No. 9 to the Brazilian Constitution, enacted on November 9, 1995, authorized the Brazilian government to contract with state and private companies, with head offices and management located in Brazil, for the exploration and production of oil and natural gas, as well as to grant authorizations for the refining, transportation, import and export of oil, natural gas and its by-products, discontinuing Petrobras’ exclusive right to explore and produce petroleum and natural gas in Brazil.
The regulatory model is governed by Law No. 9478 of August 6, 1997 (the “Petroleum Law”), as amended, which controls the granting of concessions for carrying out exploration and production activities to Brazilian companies. The Petroleum Law, as amended, also established a legal framework for pre-salt layer areas and strategic areas to be defined by the Brazilian government and which will be subject to the Production Sharing Regime.
In accordance with the Petroleum Law, the acquisition of oil and natural gas property and oil and gas operations by state and private companies is subject to legal, technical and economic standards and regulations issued by the ANP, the agency created by the Petroleum Law and vested with regulatory and inspection authority to ensure adequate operational procedures with respect to industry activities and the supply of fuels throughout the national territory.
The ANP has authority for the implementation of the national oil and natural gas policy in accordance with the National Council of Energy Policy (“CNPE”). The ANP conducts bid rounds to award exploration, development and production contracts, as well as to approve the construction and operation of refineries and gas processing units, transportation facilities (including port terminals), import and export of oil and natural gas, as well as supervision of the activities which integrate the petroleum industry and the general enforcement of the Petroleum Law.
During a public bid procedure, any company evidencing technical, financial and legal standards under the applicable regulations may qualify and apply for particular blocks made available for concession contracts. Qualified companies may compete alone or in association with other companies, including through the formation of “consortia” (unincorporated joint-ventures), provided they agree to comply with all the applicable requirements of Brazilian Corporate Law. Blocks awarded and the duration of the exploration and production periods are defined in the contracts which, besides the usual covenants that can be found in oil concessions, such as exploration and development programs, relinquishment of areas, and unitization, include reversion to the state of certain assets at the end of the concession. Contracts may be assigned or transferred to other Brazilian companies that comply with the technical, financial and legal requirements established by ANP.
Oil and natural gas resources in Brazil, whether onshore or offshore, belong to the Brazilian government. However, under the Concession Regime, after the discovery of oil and gas reserves, ownership is assigned to the concessionaire. Under the principles of the Federal Constitution the national territory comprises all land and the continental shelf. Brazil is a signatory of the conventions regulating the economic use of the sea and its subsoil. Brazil is thus entitled to the enjoyment of the resources over the territorial sea and marine platform up to the limits indicated in the pertinent treaties.
Concessionaires are required under Law No. 9478 to pay the government dues and fees, in addition to the charges for sale of pre-bid data and information. ANP has the power to determine the criteria under which the Government Take will be assessed within the limits established by Decree No. 2,705/98. Government Take comprises (i) signature bonus, (ii) royalties, (iii) special participation and (iv) area rentals. Part of the Government Take is passed on to States and Municipalities and other government branches according to law.
Gran Tierra operates in Brazil through Gran Tierra Energy Brasil Ltda (“Gran Tierra Brazil”). Gran Tierra Brazil received approval by the ANP as a Class B operator permitting Grant Tierra Brazil to act as an operator both onshore and in the shallow water offshore Brazil.
See Item 1A “Risk Factors” for information regarding the regulatory risks that we face.
Environmental Compliance
Our activities are subject to existing laws and regulations governing environmental quality and pollution control in the foreign countries where we maintain operations. Our activities with respect to exploration, drilling and production from wells, facilities, including the operation and construction of pipelines, plants and other facilities for transporting, processing, treating or storing oil and other products, are subject to stringent environmental regulation by provincial and federal authorities in Colombia, Argentina, Peru and Brazil. Such regulations relate to environmental impact studies, permissible levels of air and water emissions, control of hazardous wastes, construction of facilities, recycling requirements, reclamation standards, among others. Risks are inherent in oil and gas exploration, development and production operations, and significant costs and liabilities may be incurred in connection with environmental compliance issues. All licenses and permits which we may require to carry out exploration and production activities may not be obtainable on reasonable terms or on a timely basis, and such laws and regulations may have an adverse effect on any project that we may wish to undertake.
In 2012, we plan to spend approximately $8.8 million in Colombia on capital programs related to environmental studies, community consultations, environmental remediation and scouting and basic engineering. In Peru, costs for environmental and social projects will be approximately $8.0 million which mainly relates to environmental and social impact assessments, implementation of environmental management plans, and environmental and social monitoring activities. We plan to spend approximately $0.2 million in Argentina on programs related to environmental matters, including environmental studies, water treatment and chemical storage facilities. In Brazil, we plan to spend approximately $0.9 million on costs for environmental projects.
In 2011, we experienced a limited number of environmental incidents and enacted the following environmental initiatives:
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In the first quarter of 2011, the rollover of an oil transportation truck resulted in the release of 20 barrels of oil. Clean-up costs for this accident were substantially paid for by the transportation contractor since the rollover was due to an error by their driver. During the third and fourth quarters of 2011, heavy rain and flooding caused the release of 20 barrels of oil from the Santana water system station. Clean-up and remediation costs were $75,000. In each of these incidents Gran Tierra completed a full clean-up.
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A number of minor incidents on our blocks occurred during the year, each of which caused small quantities of oil to be spilled. In each incident Gran Tierra completed a full clean up and remediation of the affected area. Approximately 50 barrels of oil in total were lost as a result of these incidents.
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An EIA was conducted for the Proa-2 drilling program.
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In the Surubi Oil field, metal fatigue on the 4” line at Proa-1 resulted in 30 barrels of oil being released. In the El Chivil field, 30 barrels of oil were spilled due to a defective pump valve. In each of these incidents Gran Tierra completed a full clean-up.
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A number of minor incidents on our blocks occurred during the year, each of which caused small quantities of oil to be spilled. In each incident Gran Tierra completed a full clean up and remediation of the affected area. Approximately 107 barrels of oil in total were lost as a result of these incidents.
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In Peru, we started the Environmental Monitoring Program associated with drilling activity planned for Block 95. We also signed an agreement with the Pacaya Samiria Natural Reserve, in which we committed to implement systems to monitor environmental standards, support protection activities and support initiatives designed to provide for the reinvestment and distribution of earnings into the community. We also submitted an Environmental Management Plan for the relocation of four well pads in Block 107, completed the related consultation process for this activity and submitted the necessary environmental abandonment plans for Blocks 122 and 128.
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In Brazil, we received EIA approvals for seismic on Block 224 and for drilling operations on Blocks 155,142 and 129, in the Recôncavo Basin.
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We will continue to strive to be in compliance with all environmental and pollution control laws and regulations in Colombia, Argentina, Peru and Brazil. We plan to continue enacting environmental, health and safety initiatives in order to minimize our environmental impact and expenses. We also plan to continue to improve internal audit procedures and practices in order to monitor current performance and search for improvement.
We expect the cost of compliance with federal, state and local provisions which have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment for the remainder of our operations, will not be material to Gran Tierra.
We have implemented a company wide web based reporting system which allows Gran Tierra to better track incidents and respective corrective actions and associated costs. We have a Corporate Health, Safety and Environment Management System and follow Environmental Best Practices. We have an environmental risk management program in place as well as a waste management system. Air and water testing occur regularly, and environmental contingency plans have been prepared for all sites and ground transportation of oil. We have a regular quarterly comprehensive reporting system, with a schedule of internal audit and routine checking of practices and procedures. Emergency response exercises were conducted in Calgary, Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Brazil.
Community Relations
In 2011, we continued standardized, quarterly reporting on our community relations initiatives. We also continuously monitor the needs of the communities where we operate to ensure that our investments meet their requirements and have the highest impact possible.
In addition to employing local people and hiring local companies as often as feasible in all of our operations, we have a program of community investment in all of our operating areas. Projects completed in 2011 are as follows:
Colombia
In 2011, our most significant community relations initiatives and investments were made in the Costayaco field. We also made voluntary investments in relation to community support during drilling projects in the year, during the Brillante 3D and Verdayaco 3D seismic projects and in the Santana, Guayuyaco, and Guepaje fields. Below is a description of Gran Tierra’s $1.9 million voluntary social investment, responding to the needs identified and prioritized by the communities in those areas in which we operate.
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Provided support for education through various projects, including providing tuition, supplies, transportation and construction of facilities for students in all levels of education.
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Supported community groups in projects that benefited local families with agriculture and fisheries projects.
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Provided fiscal support, construction of facilities, transportation of materials and other expertise to the projects.
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Various projects for the support of cultural identity such as sponsorship of local festivals that celebrate indigenous culture and history; construction of a workshop for local artisans and community centers; sponsorship of local people to attend a conference of indigenous peoples from various areas in the country.
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Various programs for strengthening local infrastructure such as urban and rural road bridge construction.
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Projects related to health, basic sanitation and housing including improving health facilities, providing supplies to health facilities, providing materials for house construction, constructing community kitchens and community centers.
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Provided strong communications with the communities and undertake prior consultation process with ethnic minorities.
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Argentina
In 2011, we invested approximately $0.5 million in the following activities:
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Provided and distributed education materials to over 19 schools in our operated areas.
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Provided training to teachers and students in sex education.
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Provided basic life necessities (food, clothing, health support) to impoverished people in our operating areas.
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Delivered medicines to hospitals and supported medical care of children and pregnant women.
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Provided temporary employment to residents in several of our operating areas.
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Provided funds in support of beekeeping and crafts projects.
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Provided cattle guards to the landowners.
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Delivered drinking water to nearby families.
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Along with our joint venture partners in the Palmar Largo Block, several other initiatives were undertaken, including projects aimed at developing sustainable income for the communities in the area, fuel and security for local hospitals, and construction of reservoirs and water wells. These projects were operated by PlusPetrol S.A.
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Peru
In 2011, we invested approximately $0.7 million in the following activities:
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Negotiated compensation arrangements with communities for use of their lands.
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Provided consultation and education sessions with various communities located on our blocks.
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Provided community training for environmental preservation.
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Provided healthcare support services to communities in our blocks.
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Provided community policing and monitoring services in communities in our blocks.
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Provided temporary employment to residents in our blocks.
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Brazil
In 2011, we invested approximately $150,000 on a compensation program with communities for use of their lands. We started the evaluation and development of a Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) project in the Pojuca Area. An assessment has been completed to identify social initiatives and communities’ needs, as well as stakeholder’s strengths, in municipalities around Block 155. The next step will be to evaluate initiatives for a CSR project implementation.
Employees
At December 31, 2011, we had 446 full-time employees - 39 located in the Calgary corporate office, 254 in Colombia (125 staff in Bogota and 129 field personnel), 90 in Argentina (47 office staff in Buenos Aires and 43 field personnel), 41 in Peru (both field and office staff) and 22 in Brazil (14 office staff in Rio de Janiero and Salvador and 8 field staff). None of our employees are represented by labor unions, and we consider our employee relations to be good.
Available Information
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments to such reports and all other filings pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which we make available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC, are available free of charge to the public on our website www.grantierra.com. To access our SEC filings, select SEC Filings from the investor relations menu on our website, which will provide a list of our SEC filings. Our website address is provided solely for informational purposes. We do not intend, by this reference, that our website should be deemed to be part of this Annual Report. Any materials we have filed with the SEC may be read and/or copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding us. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.SEC.gov.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our Lack of Diversification Will Increase the Risk of an Investment in Our Common Stock.
Our business focuses on the oil and gas industry in a limited number of properties in Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Brazil. Most of our production is in one basin in Colombia and two basins in Argentina. As a result, we lack diversification, in terms of both the nature and geographic scope of our business. Accordingly, factors affecting our industry or the regions in which we operate, including the geographic remoteness of our operations and weather conditions, will likely impact us more acutely than if our business was more diversified.
We May Encounter Difficulties Storing and Transporting Our Production, Which Could Cause a Decrease in Our Production or an Increase in Our Expenses.
To sell the oil and natural gas that we are able to produce, we have to make arrangements for storage and distribution to the market. We rely on local infrastructure and the availability of transportation for storage and shipment of our products, but infrastructure development and storage and transportation facilities may be insufficient for our needs at commercially acceptable terms in the localities in which we operate. This could be particularly problematic to the extent that our operations are conducted in remote areas that are difficult to access, such as areas that are distant from shipping and/or pipeline facilities. In certain areas, we may be required to rely on only one gathering system, trucking company or pipeline, and, if so, our ability to market our production would be subject to their reliability and operations. These factors may affect our ability to explore and develop properties and to store and transport our oil and gas production, and may increase our expenses.
Furthermore, future instability in one or more of the countries in which we operate, weather conditions or natural disasters, actions by companies doing business in those countries, labor disputes or actions taken by the international community may impair the distribution of oil and/or natural gas and in turn diminish our financial condition or ability to maintain our operations.
The majority of our oil in Colombia is delivered by a single pipeline to Ecopetrol and sales of oil could be disrupted by damage to this pipeline or displaced by Ecopetrol’s use of the pipeline itself. Starting in 2012, we will have a new transportation contract with Ecopetrol which will change the point at which Ecopetrol takes delivery of our oil. Previously, Ecopetrol took delivery of our oil at the beginning of the export pipeline. Under the new transportation contract, Ecopetrol will take delivery at the end of the export pipeline. This will create a risk of loss of oil due to sabotage by guerrillas or theft from the pipeline which may result in reduced revenues and increased clean-up or third party costs. We have attempted to mitigate the risk of increased costs with insurance and are investigating potential ways to mitigate the reduced revenue risk. Ecopetrol will maintain responsibility for clean-up of any spilled oil and for pipeline repair.
Problems with these pipelines can cause interruptions to our producing activities if they are for a long enough duration that our storage facilities become full. For example, we experienced disruptions in transportation on this pipeline in March and April of 2008, again in each of June, July and August of 2009, again in June, August, and September 2010, and again in February 2011 as a result of sabotage by guerrillas. In addition, there is competition for space in these pipelines, and additional discoveries in our area of operations by other companies could decrease the pipeline capacity available to us. Trucking is an alternative to transportation by pipeline; however, it is generally more expensive and carries higher safety risks for us, our employees and the public.
As some of our oil production in Argentina is trucked to a local refinery, sales of oil in the Noroeste basin can be delayed by adverse weather and road conditions, particularly during the months November through February when the area is subject to periods of heavy rain and flooding. While storage facilities are designed to accommodate ordinary disruptions without curtailing production, delayed sales will delay revenues and may adversely impact our working capital position in Argentina. Furthermore, a prolonged disruption in oil deliveries could exceed storage capacities and shut-in production, which could have a negative impact on future production capability.
Guerrilla Activity in Colombia Could Disrupt or Delay Our Operations and We Are Concerned About Safeguarding Our Operations and Personnel in Colombia.
Over the years, our profile in Colombia has increased which creates a greater risk for us and our employees to be targeted by guerrilla or other criminal groups. Despite significant recent security gains, Colombia remains a country where safety is a significant concern. For over 40 years, the government has been engaged in a civil war with two main Marxist guerrilla groups: the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN). Both of these groups have been designated as terrorist organizations by the United States and the European Union. In recent years, however, the government has successfully dissolved the AUC militia, a paramilitary group that originally sprouted up to combat the FARC and ELN. The dissolved AUC militia members have reorganized in the form of criminal gangs.
We operate principally in the Putumayo basin in Colombia, and have properties in other basins, including the Catatumbo, Cauca, Llanos, Middle Magdalena and Lower Magdalena basins. The Putumayo and Catatumbo regions have been prone to guerrilla activity. In 1989, our predecessor company’s facilities in one field were attacked by guerrillas and operations were briefly disrupted. Again in October 2010, two of our sites in the Putumayo/Cauca were attacked by FARC guerrillas causing some disruption to operations. Pipelines have also been targets, including the Ecopetrol - operated Trans Andean (OTA) export pipeline which transports oil from the Putumayo region. In March and April of 2008, again in each of June, July, August and October of 2009, again in June, August, and September 2010, and again in February 2011, sections of the Trans Andean pipeline were sabotaged by guerrillas, which temporarily reduced our deliveries to Ecopetrol during the affected periods.
Continuing attempts by the Colombian government to reduce or prevent guerrilla activity may not be successful and guerrilla activity may disrupt our operations in the future. There can also be no assurance that we can maintain the safety of our field and Bogota head office personnel or operations in Colombia or that this violence will not affect our operations in the future and cause significant loss.
Our Business May Suffer If We Do Not Attract and Retain Talented Personnel.
Our success will depend in large measure on the abilities, expertise, judgment, discretion, integrity and good faith of our executive team and other personnel in conducting our business. The loss of any of these individuals or our inability to attract suitably qualified individuals to replace any of them could materially adversely impact our business. We are experiencing difficulties in finding and retaining suitably qualified staff in certain jurisdictions, particularly in Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Calgary, where experienced personnel in our industry are in high demand and competition for their talents is intense.
Our success depends on the ability of our management and employees to interpret market and geological data successfully and to interpret and respond to economic, market and other business conditions to locate and adopt appropriate investment opportunities, monitor such investments and ultimately, if required, successfully divest such investments. Further, our key personnel may not continue their association or employment with us and we may not be able to find replacement personnel with comparable skills. If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel, our business may be adversely affected.
Our Oil Sales Will Depend on a Relatively Small Group of Customers, Which Could Adversely Affect Our Financial Results.
Oil sales in Colombia are mainly to Ecopetrol. While oil prices in Colombia are related to international market prices, lack of competition and reliance on a limited number of customers for sales of oil may diminish prices and depress our financial results.
The entire Argentine domestic refining market is small and export opportunities are limited by available infrastructure. As a result, our oil and gas sales in Argentina will depend on a relatively small group of customers, and currently, on four customers. The lack of competition in this market could result in unfavorable sales terms which, in turn, could adversely affect our financial results. Currently all operators in Argentina are operating without long term sales contracts. We cannot provide any certainty as to when the situation will be resolved or what the final outcome will be.
In Brazil, there are a number of potential customers for our oil, and we are working to establish relationships with as many as possible to ensure a stable market for our oil. Currently all of our production in Brazil is sold to Petrobras.
Our Business is Subject to Local Legal, Political and Economic Factors Which are Beyond Our Control, Which Could Impair Our Ability to Expand Our Operations or Operate Profitably.
We operate our business in Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Brazil, and may eventually expand to other countries in the world. Exploration and production operations in foreign countries are subject to legal, political and economic uncertainties, including terrorism, military repression, social unrest, strikes by local or national labor groups, interference with private contract rights (such as privatization), extreme fluctuations in currency exchange rates, high rates of inflation, exchange controls, changes in tax rates, changes in laws or policies affecting environmental issues (including land use and water use), workplace safety, foreign investment, foreign trade, investment or taxation, as well as restrictions imposed on the oil and natural gas industry, such as restrictions on production, price controls and export controls. For example, starting on November 21, 2008, we were forced to reduce production in Colombia on a gradual basis, culminating on December 11, 2008 when we suspended all production from the Santana, Guayuyaco and Chaza blocks in the Putumayo Basin. This temporary suspension of production operations was the result of a declaration of a state of emergency and force majeure by Ecopetrol due to a general strike in the region. In January 2009, the situation was resolved and we were able to resume production and sales shipments. Starting in 2010, there was an increased presence of illegitimate unionization activities in the Putumayo Basin by the Sindicato de Trabajadores Petroleros del Putumayo, which disrupted our operations from time to time and may do so in the future. During 2011, Argentina has experienced increased union activity and this may create disruptions in our Argentinian operations in the future. South America has a history of political and economic instability. This instability could result in new governments or the adoption of new policies, laws or regulations that might assume a substantially more hostile attitude toward foreign investment, including the imposition of additional taxes. In an extreme case, such a change could result in termination of contract rights and expropriation of foreign-owned assets. Any changes in oil and gas or investment regulations and policies or a shift in political attitudes in Argentina, Colombia, Peru or Brazil or other countries in which we intend to operate are beyond our control and may significantly hamper our ability to expand our operations or operate our business at a profit.
For instance, changes in laws in the jurisdiction in which we operate or expand into with the effect of favoring local enterprises, and changes in political views regarding the exploitation of natural resources and economic pressures, may make it more difficult for us to negotiate agreements on favorable terms, obtain required licenses, comply with regulations or effectively adapt to adverse economic changes, such as increased taxes, higher costs, inflationary pressure and currency fluctuations. In certain jurisdictions the commitment of local business people, government officials and agencies and the judicial system to abide by legal requirements and negotiated agreements may be more uncertain, creating particular concerns with respect to licenses and agreements for business. These licenses and agreements may be susceptible to revision or cancellation and legal redress may be uncertain or delayed. Property right transfers, joint ventures, licenses, license applications or other legal arrangements pursuant to which we operate may be adversely affected by the actions of government authorities and the effectiveness of and enforcement of our rights under such arrangements in these jurisdictions may be impaired.
We Have an Aggressive Business Plan, and if we do not Have the Resources to Execute on our Business Plan, We May Be Required to Curtail Our Operations.
Our capital program for 2012 calls for approximately $367 million to fund our exploration and development, which we intend to fund through existing cash and cash flows from operations. Funding this program relies in part on oil prices remaining high and other factors to generate sufficient cash flow. If we are not able to generate the sales which, together with our current cash resources, are sufficient to fund our capital program, we will not be able to efficiently execute our business plan which would cause us to decrease our exploration and development, which could harm our business outlook, investor confidence and our share price.
Strategic and Business Relationships upon Which We May Rely are Subject to Change, Which May Diminish Our Ability to Conduct Our Operations.
Our ability to successfully bid on and acquire additional properties, to discover reserves, to participate in drilling opportunities and to identify and enter into commercial arrangements will depend on developing and maintaining effective working relationships with industry participants and on our ability to select and evaluate suitable partners and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. These relationships are subject to change and may impair our ability to grow.
To develop our business, we endeavor to use the business relationships of our management and board of directors to enter into strategic and business relationships, which may take the form of joint ventures with other private parties or with local government bodies, or contractual arrangements with other oil and gas companies, including those that supply equipment and other resources that we will use in our business. We also have an active business development program to develop those relationships and foster new relationships. We may not be able to establish these business relationships, or if established, we may choose the wrong partner or we may not be able to maintain them. In addition, the dynamics of our relationships with strategic partners may require us to incur expenses or undertake activities we would not otherwise be inclined to take to fulfill our obligations to these partners or maintain our relationships. If we fail to make the cash calls required by our joint venture partners in the joint ventures we do not operate, we may be required to forfeit our interests in these joint ventures. If our strategic relationships are not established or maintained, our business prospects may be limited, which could diminish our ability to conduct our operations.
In addition, in cases where we are the operator, our partners may not be able to fulfill their obligations, which would require us to either take on their obligations in addition to our own, or possibly forfeit our rights to the area involved in the joint venture. In addition, despite our partner’s failure to fulfill its obligations, if we elect to terminate such relationship, we may be involved in litigation with such partners or may be required to pay amounts in settlement to avoid litigation despite such partner’s failure to perform. Alternatively, our partners may be able to fulfill their obligations, but will not agree with our proposals as operator of the property. In this case there could be disagreements between joint venture partners that could be costly in terms of dollars, time, deterioration of the partner relationship, and/or our reputation as a reputable operator. These joint venture partners may not comply with their responsibilities or may engage in conduct that could result in liability to us.
In cases where we are not the operator of the joint venture, the success of the projects held under these joint ventures is substantially dependent on our joint venture partners. The operator is responsible for day-to-day operations, safety, environmental compliance and relationships with government and vendors.
We have various work obligations on our blocks that must be fulfilled or we could face penalties, or lose our rights to those blocks if we do not fulfill our work obligations. Failure to fulfill obligations in one block can also have implications on the ability to operate other blocks in the country ranging from delays in government process and procedure to loss of rights in other blocks or in the country as a whole. Failure to meet obligations in one particular country may also have an impact on our ability to operate in others.
Disputes or Uncertainties May Arise in Relation to our Royalty Obligations
Our production is subject to royalty obligations which may be prescribed by government regulation or by contract. These royalty obligations may be subject to changes in interpretation as business circumstances change.
In accordance with our Hydrocarbon Exploration and Exploitation Agreement with ANH for the Chaza Block in Colombia our oil production from each Exploitation Area on the Block is subject to the payment of additional compensation to the ANH over and above the basic sliding scale royalty that applies when cumulative gross production from an Exploitation Area exceeds five million barrels. Production from the Costayaco Exploitation Area on the Chaza Block became subject to this additional compensation in the fourth quarter of 2009 after cumulative production from the Costayaco field exceeded five million barrels.
The ANH has requested that the additional compensation be paid with respect to production from the recently drilled wells relating to the Moqueta discovery and has initiated a noncompliance procedure under the Chaza Contract. The Moqueta discovery is not located in the Costayaco Exploitation Area. Further, we view the Costayaco field and the Moqueta discovery as two clearly separate and independent hydrocarbon accumulations. Therefore, it is our view that it is clear that, pursuant to the Chaza Contract, the additional compensation payments are only to be paid with respect to production from the Moqueta wells when the accumulated oil production from any new Exploitation Area created with respect to the Moqueta discovery exceeds five million barrels. We have responded to the ANH in accordance with the provisions of the Chaza contract and are discussing the situation with them. However, no assurance can be made that our interpretation will prevail and, depending on the ultimate size of the cumulative production from the Moqueta field in the future, such amounts may be material if such additional compensation must be paid.
In Brazil, a new regulatory regime was introduced; however, the royalty distribution between producing states has not been approved.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations May Affect Our Financial Results.
We expect to sell our oil and natural gas production under agreements that will be denominated in United States dollars and foreign currencies. Many of the operational and other expenses we incur will be paid in the local currency of the country where we perform our operations. Our production in Argentina is primarily invoiced in United States dollars, but payment is made in Argentine pesos, at the then current exchange rate. As a result, we are exposed to translation risk when local currency financial statements are translated to United States dollars, our functional currency. Since September 1, 2005, exchange rates between the Colombian peso and U.S. dollar have varied between 1,648 pesos to one U.S. dollar to 2,632 pesos to one U.S. dollar, a fluctuation of approximately 60%. Since we began operating in Argentina (September 1, 2005), the rate of exchange between the Argentine peso and U.S. dollar has varied between 3.05 pesos to one U.S. dollar to 4.35 pesos to the U.S. dollar, a fluctuation of approximately 43%. Production in Brazil is invoiced and paid in Brazilian Real. Since September 1, 2005, the exchange rate of the Brazilian Real has varied between 1.56 Real to one U.S. dollar to 2.45 Real to the U.S. dollar, a variance of 57%. Foreign exchange gains were $nil in the year ended December 31, 2011. Realized foreign exchange losses were offset by $1.7 million of unrealized non-cash foreign exchange gains resulting from the translation of a deferred tax liability recorded on the purchase of Solana. The deferred tax liability is denominated in Colombian pesos and the devaluation of 1.5% in the Colombian Peso against the U.S. dollar in the year ended December 31, 2011 resulted in the foreign exchange gain.
Exchange Controls and New Taxes Could Materially Affect our Ability to Fund Our Operations and Realize Profits from Our Foreign Operations.
Foreign operations may require funding if their cash requirements exceed operating cash flow. To the extent that funding is required, there may be exchange controls limiting such funding or adverse tax consequences associated with such funding. In addition, taxes and exchange controls may affect the dividends that we receive from foreign subsidiaries.
Exchange controls may prevent us from transferring funds abroad. For example, the Argentine government has imposed a number of monetary and currency exchange control measures that include restrictions on the free disposition of funds deposited with banks and tight restrictions on transferring funds abroad, with certain exceptions for transfers related to foreign trade and other authorized transactions approved by the Argentine Central Bank. The Central Bank may require prior authorization and may or may not grant such authorization for our Argentine subsidiaries to make dividend payments to us and there may be a tax imposed with respect to the expatriation of the proceeds from our foreign subsidiaries. The Brazilian government has similar regulations in place regarding foreign exchange controls.
Competition in Obtaining Rights to Explore and Develop Oil and Gas Reserves and to Market Our Production May Impair Our Business.
The oil and gas industry is highly competitive. Other oil and gas companies will compete with us by bidding for exploration and production licenses and other properties and services we will need to operate our business in the countries in which we expect to operate. Additionally, other companies engaged in our line of business may compete with us from time to time in obtaining capital from investors. Competitors include larger companies, which, in particular, may have access to greater resources than us, may be more successful in the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and may conduct their own refining and petroleum marketing operations, which may give them a competitive advantage. In addition, actual or potential competitors may be strengthened through the acquisition of additional assets and interests. In the event that we do not succeed in negotiating additional property acquisitions, our future prospects will likely be substantially limited, and our financial condition and results of operations may deteriorate.
Maintaining Good Community Relationships and Being a Good Corporate Citizen may be Costly and Difficult to Manage.
Our operations have a significant effect on the areas in which we operate. To enjoy the confidence of local populations and the local governments, we must invest in the communities where were operate. In many cases, these communities are impoverished and lack many resources taken for granted in North America. The opportunities for investment are large, many and varied; however, we must be careful to invest carefully in projects that will truly benefit these areas. Improper management of these investments and relationships could lead to a delay in operations, loss of license or major impact to our reputation in these communities, which could adversely affect our business.
Our Operations Involve Substantial Costs and are Subject to Certain Risks Because the Oil and Gas Industries in the Countries in Which We Operate are Less Developed.
The oil and gas industry in South America is not as efficient or developed as the oil and gas industry in North America. As a result, our exploration and development activities may take longer to complete and may be more expensive than similar operations in North America. The availability of technical expertise, specific equipment and supplies may be more limited than in North America. We expect that such factors will subject our international operations to economic and operating risks that may not be experienced in North American operations.
Further, we operate in remote areas and may rely on helicopter or other transport methods. Some of these transport methods may result in increased levels of risk and could lead to operational delays, serious injury or loss of life and could have a significant impact on our reputation.
Negative Political and Regulatory Developments in Argentina May Negatively Affect our Operations.
The oil and natural gas industry in Argentina is subject to extensive regulation including land tenure, exploration, development, production, refining, transportation, and marketing, imposed by legislation enacted by various levels of government and, with respect to pricing and taxation of oil and natural gas, by agreements among the federal and provincial governments, all of which are subject to change and could have a material impact on our business in Argentina. The Federal Government of Argentina has implemented controls for domestic fuel prices and has placed a tax on oil and natural gas exports.
In October 2010, ENARGAS issued Regulation I-1410 aiming at securing the supply of natural gas to residential consumers and small industry given the decline in gas production and the expected growing demand for gas. The regulation includes all the procedures created by the authorities since 2004 (restrictions of exports, deviation of gas sales, to residential consumption) and gives ENARGAS power to control gas marketing in order to assure the supply of gas to residential consumers and small industry.
Any future regulations that limit the amount of oil and gas that we could sell or any regulations that limit price increases in Argentina and elsewhere could severely limit the amount of our revenue and affect our results of operations.
Currently most oil and gas producers in Argentina are operating without sales contracts. In 2008, a new withholding tax regime for exports was introduced without specific guidance as to its application. The domestic price was regulated in a similar way, so that both exported and domestically sold products were priced the same. Producers and refiners of oil in Argentina were unable to determine an agreed sales price for oil deliveries to refineries. In our case, the refineries’ price offered to oil producers reflects their price received, less taxes and operating costs and their usual mark up. Along with most other oil producers in Argentina, we are continuing negotiating sales on a spot price basis with one refiner, Refineria del Norte S.A, and the price is negotiated on a month by month basis. As a result of our acquisition of Petrolifera, we are now also selling our oil through short term contracts to Shell Compania Argentina de Petroleo S.A. and YPF S.A. and natural gas to Rafael G. Albenesi S.A. The Provincial governments have also been hurt by these changes as their effective royalty take has been reduced and capital investment in oilfields has declined, and so they are lobbying to change the situation. We are working with other oil and gas producers in the area, as well as Refineria del Norte S.A., to lobby the federal government for change. The government introduced the Petro Plus and Gas Plus programs in 2009, which grant higher prices to producers that sell production from new reserves. This is a positive step forward that will hopefully lead to further opening of price regulation in Argentina.
Negative Political Developments in Peru May Negatively Affect our Proposed Operations.
Peru held a national election in June 2011 after which a new political regime was elected, led by the left-populist candidate, Ollante Humala, who was elected the president. Mr. Humala has noted that the past decade prioritized the strengthening of democracy with economic growth, while the new government will enhance social inclusion to benefit the neediest. This newly elected political regime may adopt new policies, laws and regulations that are more hostile toward foreign investment which may result in the imposition of additional taxes, the adoption of regulations that limit price increases, termination of contract rights, or the expropriation of foreign-owned assets. While we do not have any reserves or any producing wells in Peru at this point, we do hold significant land holdings in Peru and such actions by the newly elected political regime could limit the amount of our future revenue in that country and affect our results of operations.
The United States Government May Impose Economic or Trade Sanctions on Colombia That Could Result In A Significant Loss To Us.
Colombia is among several nations whose eligibility to receive foreign aid from the United States is dependent on its progress in stemming the production and transit of illegal drugs, which is subject to an annual review by the President of the United States. Although Colombia is currently eligible for such aid, Colombia may not remain eligible in the future. A finding by the President that Colombia has failed demonstrably to meet its obligations under international counternarcotics agreements may result in any of the following:
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all bilateral aid, except anti-narcotics and humanitarian aid, would be suspended;
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the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation would not approve financing for new projects in Colombia;
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United States representatives at multilateral lending institutions would be required to vote against all loan requests from Colombia, although such votes would not constitute vetoes; and
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the President of the United States and Congress would retain the right to apply future trade sanctions.
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Each of these consequences could result in adverse economic consequences in Colombia and could further heighten the political and economic risks associated with our operations there. Any changes in the holders of significant government offices could have adverse consequences on our relationship with ANH and Ecopetrol and the Colombian government’s ability to control guerrilla activities and could exacerbate the factors relating to our foreign operations. Any sanctions imposed on Colombia by the United States government could threaten our ability to obtain necessary financing to develop the Colombian properties or cause Colombia to retaliate against us, including by nationalizing our Colombian assets.
Accordingly, the imposition of the foregoing economic and trade sanctions on Colombia would likely result in a substantial loss and a decrease in the price of our common stock. The United States may impose sanctions on Colombia in the future, and we cannot predict the effect in Colombia that these sanctions might cause.
We May Be Unable to Obtain Additional Capital That We Will Require to Implement Our Business Plan, Which Could Restrict Our Ability to Grow.
We expect that our existing cash resources will be sufficient to fund our currently planned activities. We may require additional capital to expand our exploration and development programs to additional properties. We may be unable to obtain additional capital required.
When we require additional capital, we plan to pursue sources of capital through various financing transactions or arrangements, including joint venturing of projects, debt financing, equity financing or other means. We may not be successful in locating suitable financing transactions in the time period required or at all, and we may not obtain the capital we require by other means. If we do succeed in raising additional capital, future financings may be dilutive to our shareholders, as we could issue additional shares of common stock or other equity to investors. In addition, debt and other mezzanine financing may involve a pledge of assets and may be senior to interests of equity holders. We may incur substantial costs in pursuing future capital financing, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, securities law compliance fees, printing and distribution expenses and other costs. We may also be required to recognize non-cash expenses in connection with certain securities we may issue, such as convertibles and warrants, which will adversely impact our financial results.
Our ability to obtain needed financing may be impaired by factors such as the capital markets (both generally and in the oil and gas industry in particular), the location of our oil and natural gas properties in South America, prices of oil and natural gas on the commodities markets (which will impact the amount of asset-based financing available to us), and/or the loss of key management. Further, if oil and/or natural gas prices on the commodities markets decrease, then our revenues will likely decrease, and such decreased revenues may increase our requirements for capital. Some of the contractual arrangements governing our exploration activity may require us to commit to certain capital expenditures, and we may lose our contract rights if we do not have the required capital to fulfill these commitments. If the amount of capital we are able to raise from financing activities, together with our cash flow from operations, is not sufficient to satisfy our capital needs (even to the extent that we reduce our activities), we may be required to curtail our operations.
We May Not Be Able To Effectively Manage Our Growth, Which May Harm Our Profitability.
Our strategy envisions continually expanding our business, both organically and through acquisition of other properties and companies. If we fail to effectively manage our growth or integrate successfully our acquisitions, our financial results could be adversely affected. Growth may place a strain on our management systems and resources. In particular, on March 18, 2011, we acquired Petrolifera (through a plan of arrangement), a company with substantial assets featuring both high working interest and operatorship in three of the four South American countries in which we operate. For the acquisition to be successful, we must be successful at retaining key employees, integrating Petrolifera’s operations and developing Petrolifera’s reserves. Such integration efforts place a significant burden on our management and internal resources. The diversion of management attention and any difficulties encountered in the integration process could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we must continue to refine and expand our business development capabilities, our systems and processes and our access to financing sources. As we grow, we must continue to hire, train, supervise and manage new or acquired employees. We may not be able to:
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expand our systems effectively or efficiently or in a timely manner;
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allocate our human resources optimally;
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identify and hire qualified employees or retain valued employees; or
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incorporate effectively the components of any business that we may acquire in our effort to achieve growth.
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If we are unable to manage our growth and our operations our financial results could be adversely affected by inefficiencies, which could diminish our profitability.
Risks Related to Our Industry
Unless We are Able to Replace Our Reserves, and Develop and Manage Oil and Gas Reserves and Production on an Economically Viable Basis, Our Reserves, Production and Cash Flows May Decline as a Result.
Our future success depends on our ability to find, develop and acquire additional oil and gas reserves that are economically recoverable. Without successful exploration, development or acquisition activities, our reserves and production will decline. We may not be able to find, develop or acquire additional reserves at acceptable costs.
To the extent that we succeed in discovering oil and/or natural gas, reserves may not be capable of production levels we project or in sufficient quantities to be commercially viable. On a long-term basis, our viability depends on our ability to find or acquire, develop and commercially produce additional oil and gas reserves. Without the addition of reserves through exploration, acquisition or development activities, our reserves and production will decline over time as reserves are produced. Our future reserves will depend not only on our ability to develop and effectively manage then-existing properties, but also on our ability to identify and acquire additional suitable producing properties or prospects, to find markets for the oil and natural gas we develop and to effectively distribute our production into our markets. Future oil and gas exploration may involve unprofitable efforts, not only from dry wells, but from wells that are productive but do not produce sufficient net revenues to return a profit after drilling, operating and other costs. Completion of a well does not assure a profit on the investment or recovery of drilling, completion and operating costs. In addition, drilling hazards or environmental damage could greatly increase the cost of operations, and various field operating conditions may adversely affect the production from successful wells. These conditions include delays in obtaining governmental approvals or consents, shut-downs of connected wells resulting from extreme weather conditions, problems in storage and distribution and adverse geological and technical conditions. While we will endeavor to effectively manage these conditions, we may not be able to do so optimally, and we will not be able to eliminate them completely in any case. Therefore, these conditions could diminish our revenue and cash flow levels and result in the impairment of our oil and natural gas interests.
We are Required to Obtain Licenses and Permits to Conduct Our Business and Failure to Obtain These Licenses Could Cause Significant Delays and Expenses That Could Materially Impact Our Business.
We are subject to licensing and permitting requirements relating to exploring and drilling for and development of oil and natural gas, including seismic permits. We may not be able to obtain, sustain or renew such licenses and permits on a timely basis or at all. Regulations and policies relating to these licenses and permits may change, be implemented in a way that we do not currently anticipate or take significantly greater time to obtain. These licenses and permits are subject to numerous requirements, including compliance with the environmental regulations of the local governments. As we are not the operator of all the joint ventures we are currently involved in, we may rely on the operator to obtain all necessary permits and licenses. If we fail to comply with these requirements, we could be prevented from drilling for oil and natural gas, and we could be subject to civil or criminal liability or fines. Revocation or suspension of our environmental and operating permits could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our Exploration for Oil and Natural Gas Is Risky and May Not Be Commercially Successful, Impairing Our Ability to Generate Revenues from Our Operations.
Oil and natural gas exploration involves a high degree of risk. These risks are more acute in the early stages of exploration. Our exploration expenditures may not result in new discoveries of oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities. It is difficult to project the costs of implementing an exploratory drilling program due to the inherent uncertainties of drilling in unknown formations, the costs associated with encountering various drilling conditions, such as over pressured zones and tools lost in the hole, and changes in drilling plans and locations as a result of prior exploratory wells or additional seismic data and interpretations thereof. If exploration costs exceed our estimates, or if our exploration efforts do not produce results which meet our expectations, our exploration efforts may not be commercially successful, which could adversely impact our ability to generate revenues from our operations.
Estimates of Oil and Natural Gas Reserves that We Make May Be Inaccurate and Our Actual Revenues May Be Lower and Our Operating Expenses may be Higher than Our Financial Projections.
We make estimates of oil and natural gas reserves, upon which we will base our financial projections. We make these reserve estimates using various assumptions, including assumptions as to oil and natural gas prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. Some of these assumptions are inherently subjective, and the accuracy of our reserve estimates relies in part on the ability of our management team, engineers and other advisors to make accurate assumptions. Economic factors beyond our control, such as interest rates and exchange rates, will also impact the value of our reserves. The process of estimating oil and gas reserves is complex, and will require us to use significant decisions and assumptions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data for each property. As a result, our reserve estimates will be inherently imprecise. Actual future production, oil and natural gas prices, revenues, taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable oil and gas reserves may vary substantially from those we estimate. If actual production results vary substantially from our reserve estimates, this could materially reduce our revenues and result in the impairment of our oil and natural gas interests.
Exploration, development, production, marketing (including distribution costs) and regulatory compliance costs (including taxes) will substantially impact the net revenues we derive from the oil and gas that we produce. These costs are subject to fluctuations and variation in different locales in which we operate, and we may not be able to predict or control these costs. If these costs exceed our expectations, this may adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, we may not be able to earn net revenue at our predicted levels, which may impact our ability to satisfy our obligations.
If Oil and Natural Gas Prices Decrease, We May be Required to Take Write-Downs of the Carrying Value of Our Oil and Natural Gas Properties.
We follow the full cost method of accounting for our oil and gas properties. A separate cost center is maintained for expenditures applicable to each country in which we conduct exploration and/or production activities. Under this method, the net book value of properties on a country-by-country basis, less related deferred income taxes, may not exceed a calculated “ceiling”. The ceiling is the estimated after tax future net revenues from proved oil and gas properties, discounted at 10% per year. In calculating discounted future net revenues, oil and natural gas prices are determined using the average price during the 12 months period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the balance sheet, calculated as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the month price for each month within such period for that oil and natural gas. That average price is then held constant, except for changes which are fixed and determinable by existing contracts. The net book value is compared with the ceiling on a quarterly basis. The excess, if any, of the net book value above the ceiling is required to be written off as an expense. Under full cost accounting rules, any write-off recorded may not be reversed even if higher oil and natural gas prices increase the ceiling applicable to future periods. Future price decreases could result in reductions in the carrying value of such assets and an equivalent charge to earnings. In counties where we do not have proved reserves, dry wells drilled in a period would directly result in ceiling test impairment for that period. In 2011, we recorded a ceiling test impairment loss of $42.0 million in our Peru cost center related to seismic and drilling costs on two blocks which were relinquished and a ceiling test impairment loss of $25.7 million in our Argentina cost center related to an increase in estimated future operating and capital costs to produce our remaining Argentine proved reserves and a decrease in reserve volumes. In 2010, we recorded a ceiling test impairment loss of $23.6 million, including $17.9 million relating to the abandonment of the GTE.St.VMor-2001 sidetrack operations.
Drilling New Wells and Producing Oil and Natural Gas from Existing Facilities Could Result in New Liabilities, Which Could Endanger Our Interests in Our Properties and Assets.
There are risks associated with the drilling of oil and natural gas wells, including encountering unexpected formations or pressures, premature declines of reservoirs, blow-outs, craterings, sour gas releases, fires and spills. Earthquakes or weather related phenomena such as heavy rain, landslides, storms and hurricanes can also cause problems in drilling new wells. There are also risks in producing oil and natural gas from existing facilities. For example, the Valle Morado GTE.St.VMor-2001 re-entry operations started in the third quarter of 2010, with integrity testing and remediation operations required for the sidetrack operations. Due to operational difficulties, the initial side-track attempt was not successful. The operation was placed on standby pending the arrival of additional side-track equipment and operations recommenced in the fourth quarter of 2010. In February 2011, these operations were suspended and the wellbore has been abandoned due to a number of operational challenges encountered. We continue to review alternatives associated with the field development. Also for example, on February 7, 2009 we experienced an incident at our Juanambu-1 well, involving a fire in a generator, resulting in total damage to equipment estimated at $500,000, and production in the amount of approximately $125,000 being deferred due to shutting down production facilities while dealing with the incident. The occurrence of any of these events could significantly reduce our revenues or cause substantial losses, impairing our future operating results. We may become subject to liability for pollution, blow-outs or other hazards. Incidents such as these can lead to serious injury, property damage and even loss of life. We generally obtain insurance with respect to these hazards, but such insurance has limitations on liability that may not be sufficient to cover the full extent of such liabilities. The payment of such liabilities could reduce the funds available to us or could, in an extreme case, result in a total loss of our properties and assets. Moreover, we may not be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at rates that are considered reasonable. Oil and natural gas production operations are also subject to all the risks typically associated with such operations, including premature decline of reservoirs and the invasion of water into producing formations.
Our Inability to Obtain Necessary Facilities and/or Equipment Could Hamper Our Operations.
Oil and natural gas exploration and development activities are dependent on the availability of drilling and related equipment, transportation, power and technical support in the particular areas where these activities will be conducted, and our access to these facilities may be limited. To the extent that we conduct our activities in remote areas, needed facilities or equipment may not be proximate to our operations, which will increase our expenses. Demand for such limited equipment and other facilities or access restrictions may affect the availability of such equipment to us and may delay exploration and development activities. The quality and reliability of necessary facilities or equipment may also be unpredictable and we may be required to make efforts to standardize our facilities, which may entail unanticipated costs and delays. Shortages and/or the unavailability of necessary equipment or other facilities will impair our activities, either by delaying our activities, increasing our costs or otherwise.
Decommissioning Costs Are Unknown and May be Substantial; Unplanned Costs Could Divert Resources from Other Projects.
We are responsible for costs associated with abandoning and reclaiming some of the wells, facilities and pipelines which we use for production of oil and gas reserves. Abandonment and reclamation of these facilities and the costs associated therewith is often referred to as “decommissioning.” We have determined that we require a reserve account for these potential costs in respect of our current properties and facilities at this time, and have booked such reserve on our financial statements. If decommissioning is required before economic depletion of our properties or if our estimates of the costs of decommissioning exceed the value of the reserves remaining at any particular time to cover such decommissioning costs, we may have to draw on funds from other sources to satisfy such costs. The use of other funds to satisfy decommissioning costs could impair our ability to focus capital investment in other areas of our business.
Prices and Markets for Oil and Natural Gas Are Unpredictable and Tend to Fluctuate Significantly, Which Could Reduce Our Profitability, Growth and Value.
Oil and natural gas are commodities whose prices are determined based on world demand, supply and other factors, all of which are beyond our control. World prices for oil and natural gas have fluctuated widely in recent years. The average price for WTI per barrel was $66 in 2006, $72 in 2007, $100 in 2008, $62 in 2009, $79 in 2010 and $95 in 2011 demonstrating the inherent volatility in the market. Given the current economic environment and unstable conditions in the Middle East, Libya and the United States, the oil price environment is increasingly unpredictable and unstable. We expect that prices will fluctuate in the future. Price fluctuations will have a significant impact upon our revenue, the return from our oil and gas reserves and on our financial condition generally. Price fluctuations for oil and natural gas commodities may also impact the investment market for companies engaged in the oil and gas industry. Furthermore, prices which we receive for our oil sales, while based on international oil prices, are established by contract with purchasers with prescribed deductions for transportation and quality differentials. These differentials can change over time and have a detrimental impact on realized prices. Future decreases in the prices of oil and natural gas may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, the future results of our operations and quantities of reserves recoverable on an economic basis.
In addition, oil and natural gas prices in Argentina are effectively regulated and during 2009, 2010 and 2011 were substantially lower than those received in North America. Oil prices in Colombia are related to international market prices, but adjustments that are defined by contract with Ecopetrol, the purchaser of most of the oil that we produce in Colombia, may cause realized prices to be lower or higher than those received in North America. Oil prices in Brazil are defined by contract with the refinery and may be lower or higher than those received in North America.
Penalties We May Incur Could Impair Our Business.
Our exploration, development, production and marketing operations are regulated extensively under foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations. Under these laws and regulations, we could be held liable for personal injuries, property damage, site clean-up and restoration obligations or costs and other damages and liabilities. We may also be required to take corrective actions, such as installing additional safety or environmental equipment, which could require us to make significant capital expenditures. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may also result in the suspension or termination of our operations and subject us to administrative, civil and criminal penalties, including the assessment of natural resource damages. We could be required to indemnify our employees in connection with any expenses or liabilities that they may incur individually in connection with regulatory action against them. As a result of these laws and regulations, our future business prospects could deteriorate and our profitability could be impaired by costs of compliance, remedy or indemnification of our employees, reducing our profitability.
Policies, Procedures and Systems to Safeguard Employee Health, Safety and Security May Not be Adequate.
Oil and natural gas exploration and production is dangerous. Detailed and specialized policies, procedures and systems are required to safeguard employee health, safety and security. We have undertaken to implement best practices for employee health, safety and security; however, if these policies, procedures and systems are not adequate, or employees do not receive adequate training, the consequences can be severe including serious injury or loss of life, which could impair our operations and cause us to incur significant legal liability.
Environmental Risks May Adversely Affect Our Business.
All phases of the oil and natural gas business present environmental risks and hazards and are subject to environmental regulation pursuant to a variety of international conventions and federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations. Environmental legislation provides for, among other things, restrictions and prohibitions on spills, releases or emissions of various substances produced in association with oil and gas operations. The legislation also requires that wells and facility sites be operated, maintained, abandoned and reclaimed to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities. Compliance with such legislation can require significant expenditures and a breach may result in the imposition of fines and penalties, some of which may be material. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner we expect may result in stricter standards and enforcement, larger fines and liability and potentially increased capital expenditures and operating costs. The discharge of oil, natural gas or other pollutants into the air, soil or water may give rise to liabilities to foreign governments and third parties and may require us to incur costs to remedy such discharge. The application of environmental laws to our business may cause us to curtail our production or increase the costs of our production, development or exploration activities.
Our Insurance May Be Inadequate to Cover Liabilities We May Incur.
Our involvement in the exploration for and development of oil and natural gas properties may result in our becoming subject to liability for pollution, blowouts, property damage, personal injury or other hazards. Although we have insurance in accordance with industry standards to address such risks, such insurance has limitations on liability that may not be sufficient to cover the full extent of such liabilities. In addition, such risks may not in all circumstances be insurable or, in certain circumstances, we may choose not to obtain insurance to protect against specific risks due to the high premiums associated with such insurance or for other reasons. The payment of such uninsured liabilities would reduce the funds available to us. If we suffer a significant event or occurrence that is not fully insured, or if the insurer of such event is not solvent, we could be required to divert funds from capital investment or other uses towards covering our liability for such events.
Challenges to Our Properties May Impact Our Financial Condition.
Title to oil and natural gas interests is often not capable of conclusive determination without incurring substantial expense. While we intend to make appropriate inquiries into the title of properties and other development rights we acquire, title defects may exist. In addition, we may be unable to obtain adequate insurance for title defects, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all. If title defects do exist, it is possible that we may lose all or a portion of our right, title and interest in and to the properties to which the title defects relate.
Furthermore, applicable governments may revoke or unfavorably alter the conditions of exploration and development authorizations that we procure, or third parties may challenge any exploration and development authorizations we procure. Such rights or additional rights we apply for may not be granted or renewed on terms satisfactory to us.
If our property rights are reduced, whether by governmental action or third party challenges, our ability to conduct our exploration, development and production may be impaired.
We Will Rely on Technology to Conduct Our Business and Our Technology Could Become Ineffective Or Obsolete.
We rely on technology, including geographic and seismic analysis techniques and economic models, to develop our reserve estimates and to guide our exploration and development and production activities. We will be required to continually enhance and update our technology to maintain its efficacy and to avoid obsolescence. The costs of doing so may be substantial, and may be higher than the costs that we anticipate for technology maintenance and development. If we are unable to maintain the efficacy of our technology, our ability to manage our business and to compete may be impaired. Further, even if we are able to maintain technical effectiveness, our technology may not be the most efficient means of reaching our objectives, in which case we may incur higher operating costs than we would were our technology more efficient.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
The Market Price of Our Common Stock May Be Highly Volatile and Subject to Wide Fluctuations.
The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors that are beyond our control, including but not limited to:
●
|
dilution caused by our issuance of additional shares of common stock and other forms of equity securities, which we expect to make in connection with acquisitions of other companies or assets;
|
●
|
announcements of new acquisitions, reserve discoveries or other business initiatives by our competitors;
|
●
|
fluctuations in revenue from our oil and natural gas business;
|
●
|
changes in the market and/or WTI or Brent price for oil and natural gas commodities and/or in the capital markets generally;
|
●
|
changes in the demand for oil and natural gas, including changes resulting from the introduction or expansion of alternative fuels;
|
●
|
changes in the social, political and/or legal climate in the regions in which we will operate;
|
●
|
changes in the valuation of similarly situated companies, both in our industry and in other industries;
|
●
|
changes in analysts’ estimates affecting us, our competitors and/or our industry;
|
●
|
changes in the accounting methods used in or otherwise affecting our industry;
|
●
|
announcements of technological innovations or new products available to the oil and natural gas industry;
|
●
|
announcements by relevant governments pertaining to incentives for alternative energy development programs;
|
●
|
fluctuations in interest rates, exchange rates and the availability of capital in the capital markets;
|
●
|
significant sales of our common stock, including sales by future investors in future offerings we expect to make to raise additional capital.
|
In addition, the market price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, which could include the following, among others:
●
|
quarterly variations in our revenues and operating expenses; and
|
●
|
additions and departures of key personnel.
|
These and other factors are largely beyond our control, and the impact of these risks, singularly or in the aggregate, may result in material adverse changes to the market price of our common stock and/or our results of operations and financial condition.
We Do Not Expect to Pay Dividends In the Foreseeable Future.
We do not intend to declare dividends for the foreseeable future, as we anticipate that we will reinvest any future earnings in the development and growth of our business. Therefore, investors will not receive any funds unless they sell their common stock, and shareholders may be unable to sell their shares on favorable terms or at all. Investors cannot be assured of a positive return on investment or that they will not lose the entire amount of their investment in our common stock.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
We have described our properties, reserves, acreage, wells, production and drilling activity in Part I, Item 1. “Business” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which information and descriptions are incorporated by reference here.
Administrative Facilities
Our executive offices are located in Calgary Canada. Our primary executive offices comprise approximately 15,700 square feet, which we lease for approximately $33,000 per month under a lease that expires on October 30, 2015. We also lease additional space in Calgary that we use to supplement our primary executive office space. We lease administrative office space in Colombia, Argentina, Peru and Brazil. We believe that our current executive and administrative offices are sufficient for our purposes or, to the extent that we need additional office space, that additional office space will be readily available to us.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Gran Tierra is subject to a third party 10% net profits interest on 50% of Gran Tierra’s production from the Costayaco field that arises from the original acquisition in 2006 of 50% of Gran Tierra’s interest in the Chaza Block Contract. There is currently a disagreement between Gran Tierra and the third party as to the calculation of the net profits interest. Gran Tierra and the third party have agreed to resolve this issue through arbitration. An arbitration hearing was heard in Texas, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, in the fourth quarter of 2011. We expect to receive the arbitrator’s decision in March 2012.
At this time no amount has been accrued in the financial statements as Gran Tierra does not consider it probable that a loss will be incurred. The disputed amount at December 31, 2011 is $9.6 million. If Gran Tierra is unsuccessful in arbitration this would also increase future net profit interests payable to this third party.
We have several other lawsuits and claims pending for which we currently cannot determine the ultimate result. We record costs as they are incurred or become determinable. We believe the resolution of these matters would not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
End of Item 4
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Set forth below is information regarding our executive officers as of February 20, 2012.
Name
|
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
Dana Coffield
|
|
53
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer; Director
|
|
James Rozon
|
|
48
|
|
Acting Chief Financial Officer
|
|
Martin H. Eden
|
|
64
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
Shane O’Leary
|
|
55
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
David Hardy
|
|
57
|
|
General Counsel, Vice-President Legal, and Secretary
|
|
Rafael Orunesu
|
|
56
|
|
President and General Manager Gran Tierra Energy Argentina
|
|
Duncan Nightingale
|
|
53
|
|
President and General Manager Gran Tierra Energy Colombia
|
|
Julio Cesar Moreira
|
|
50
|
|
President and General Manager Gran Tierra Energy Bra
|
Dana Coffield, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. Before joining Gran Tierra as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director in May, 2005, Mr. Coffield led the Middle East Business Unit for Encana Corporation, at the time North America’s largest independent oil and gas company, from 2003 to 2005. His responsibilities included business development, exploration operations, commercial evaluations, government and partner relations, planning and budgeting, environment/health/safety, security and management of several overseas operating offices. From 1998 through 2003, he was New Ventures Manager for Encana’s predecessor — AEC International — where he expanded exploration operations into five new countries on three continents. Mr. Coffield was previously with ARCO International for ten years, where he participated in exploration and production operations in North Africa, SE Asia and Alaska. He began his career as a mud-logger in the Texas Gulf Coast and later as a Research Assistant with the Earth Sciences and Resources Institute where he conducted geoscience research in North Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Mr. Coffield has participated in the discovery of over 130 million barrels of oil equivalent reserves.
Mr. Coffield graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Masters of Science (MSc) degree and a doctorate (PhD) in Geology, based on research conducted in the Oman Mountains in Arabia and Gulf of Suez in Egypt, respectively. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. Mr. Coffield is a member of the AAPG and the CSPG, and is a Fellow of the Explorers Club.
James Rozon, acting Chief Financial Officer. On December 9, 2011, the Board of Directors of Gran Tierra appointed James Rozon the acting Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of Gran Tierra. Mr. Rozon has served as Gran Tierra’s Corporate Controller from October 1, 2007 to present. He has previous experience in accounting, finance and administration in the petroleum and technology industries in Canada. During his career, his responsibilities have included management of finance related activities of Canadian and American oil and gas exploration and production companies operating in Canada and the United States of America and a software development company operating in Canada, the United States, China and Sweden. He was Controller of Sound Energy Trust, a publicly listed Canadian oil and gas trust from July 2006 to September 2007, at which time it was sold. From October 2002 to June 2006, and previously from July 1995 to February 1998, he was the Corporate Controller of Zi Corporation, a Canadian software development company publicly listed in both Canada and the United States of America. From June 2000 to September 2002, he was the Controller for Energy Exploration Technologies, an American publicly listed oil and gas exploration company operating in Canada and the United States. From April 1998 to May 2000, he was the Manager, Financial Reporting of Summit Resources Limited, a publicly listed Canadian oil and gas exploration and development company with operations in Canada and the United States of America. From June 1990 to June 1995, Mr. Rozon worked in public practice for five years for Deloitte & Touche LLP including one year as an audit manager in the Oil and Gas group in the Calgary, Alberta office. Mr. Rozon holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Saskatchewan.
Martin H. Eden, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Eden joined our company as Chief Financial Officer on January 2, 2007. He is currently on medical leave from Gran Tierra. He has extensive experience in accounting, finance and administration in the petroleum industry in Canada and overseas. During his career his responsibilities have included management of all finance related activities of Canadian oil and gas exploration and production companies operating in Canada, Africa and Central Asia. He was Chief Financial Officer of Artumas Group Inc., a publicly listed Canadian oil and gas company from April 2005 to December 2006 and was a director from June to October 2006. He has been president of Eden and Associates Ltd., a financial consulting firm, from January 1999 to present. From October 2004 to March 2005 he was the Chief Financial Officer of Chariot Energy Inc., a Canadian private oil and gas company. From January 2004 to September 2004, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Assure Energy Inc., a publicly traded oil and gas company listed in the United States. From January 2001 to December 2002, he was Chief Financial Officer of Geodyne Energy Inc., a publicly listed Canadian oil and gas company. From 1997 to 2000, he was Controller and subsequently Chief Financial Officer of Kyrgoil Corporation, a publicly listed Canadian oil and gas company with operations in Central Asia. He spent nine years with Nexen Inc. (1986-1996), including three years as Finance Manager for Nexen’s Yemen operations and six years in Nexen’s financial reporting and special projects areas in its Canadian head office. Mr. Eden has worked in public practice, including two years as an audit manager for Coopers & Lybrand in East Africa. He is currently a director of Touchstone Oil and Gas Ltd., a private company. Mr. Eden holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Birmingham University, England, a Masters of Business Administration awarded by Brunel University, England, on behalf of Henley Management College and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Shane P. O’Leary, Chief Operating Officer. Mr. O’Leary joined the company as Chief Operating Officer effective March 2, 2009. Mr. O’Leary’s regional experience includes South America, North Africa, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, and North America. Prior to joining Gran Tierra, Mr. O’Leary was President and Chief Executive Officer of First Calgary Petroleums Ltd., an oil and natural gas company actively engaged in exploration and development activities in Algeria. In this role, he was responsible for all operating and corporate activities involved in a $2 billion development program for the exploitation of a resource base exceeding 3 Trillion Cubic feet of natural gas equivalent in the Sahara desert, Algeria. Mr. O'Leary led initiatives to explore strategic options which resulted in the sale of the company to ENI SpA for over $1 billion. From 2002 to 2006, Mr. O’Leary worked for Encana Corporation where his positions included Vice President of Development Planning and Engineering, International New Ventures, as well as Vice President Brazil Business Unit. In these roles Mr. O'Leary was responsible for all engineering and development planning for new discoveries of the International New Ventures Division and later leading the Brazil team involved in appraising an offshore discovery subsequently divested for $360 million. Mr. O'Leary was also architect of a technology cooperation agreement with Petrobras involving numerous partnerships in offshore acreage in exchange for assistance to Petrobras in applying Canadian Heavy Oil production technology in Brazil. From 1985 to 2002 he worked for the Amoco Production Company/BP Exploration where he occupied numerous senior finance, planning, and business development positions with assignments in Canada, U.S.A., Azerbaijan and Egypt, culminating in his role as Business Development Manager for BP Alaska Gas. Early in his career Mr. O’Leary worked as a Corporate Banking Officer for Bank of Montreal’s Petroleum group in Calgary, a Reservoir Engineer for Dome Petroleum, and as a Senior Field Engineer for Schlumberger Overseas, S.A. in Kuwait. Mr. O’Leary earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario and his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. He is a member of the Canadian National Committee of the World Petroleum Council and The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists, and Geophysicists of Alberta (P. Eng).
David Hardy, General Counsel, Vice President Legal and Secretary. Mr. Hardy joined Gran Tierra as General Counsel, Vice President Legal and Secretary on March 1, 2010. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the legal profession. Before joining Gran Tierra, he worked for Encana Corporation from 2000 through 2009 where he held various positions, including: Vice President Divisional Legal Services, Integrated Oil and Canadian Plains Divisions; Vice President Regulatory Services, Corporate Relations Division; and Associate General Counsel, Offshore and International Division. For four of his eight years in the Offshore and International Division of Encana, Mr. Hardy led the Legal and Commercial Negotiations Group, where he was responsible for providing strategic legal, commercial and negotiation advice and support to the offshore and international business units. This included dealing with new venture activities and operational, joint venture and host government issues relating to projects in various countries, including Australia, Brazil, Chad, Libya, Oman, Qatar and Yemen. Prior to joining Encana, Mr. Hardy spent over 10 years in private practice and was a partner in a law firm in Calgary, Alberta. He holds a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Calgary (converted from an LL.B Degree in 2011) and is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.
Rafael Orunesu, President and General Manager Gran Tierra Argentina. Mr. Orunesu joined Gran Tierra in March 2005. He brings a mix of operations management, project evaluation, production geology, reservoir and production engineering skills to Gran Tierra, with a South American focus. He was most recently Engineering Manager for Pluspetrol Peru, from 1997 through 2004, responsible for planning and development operations in the Peruvian North jungle. He participated in numerous evaluation and asset purchase and sale transactions covering Latin America and North Africa, discovering 200 million barrels of oil over a five-year period. Mr. Orunesu was previously with Pluspetrol Argentina from 1990 to 1996 where he managed the technical/economic evaluation of several oil fields. He began his career with YPF, initially as a geologist in the Austral Basin of Argentina and eventually as Chief of Exploitation Geology and Engineering for the Catriel Field in the Neuquén Basin, where he was responsible for drilling programs, workovers and secondary recovery projects.
Mr. Orunesu has a postgraduate degree in Reservoir Engineering and Exploitation Geology from Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires and a degree in Geology from Universidad Nacional de la Plata, Argentina.
Duncan Nightingale, President and General Manager Gran Tierra Energy Colombia. Mr. Nightingale joined Gran Tierra in September 2009, where he served in our Calgary, Canada office as our Vice President of Exploration from September 2009 to January 2011. He served in our Bogotá, Colombia office as our Senior Manager Project Planning and Exploration from January 2011 until August 2011, and was promoted to President of Gran Tierra Energy Colombia in August 2011. Prior to joining Gran Tierra, Mr. Nightingale was Senior Vice President, Exploration & Production, at Artumas Group Inc., a Canadian oil and gas company focusing on exploration and development of hydrocarbon reserves in Tanzania and Mozambique, where he was responsible for Artumas Group’s exploration and production operations in Mozambique and Tanzania and management of its gas processing plant and power generation facility in Tanzania. Prior to Artumas Group, Mr. Nightingale was General Manager, Exploration & Production, with Dana Gas PJSC, a leading private sector natural gas company in the Middle East, where Mr. Nightingale was responsible for all of Dana Gas’s exploration and production operations, and was responsible for a multi-million dollar exploration and development program in Kurdistan. Prior to Dana Gas, Mr. Nightingale was with Encana Corporation’s International Division from May 2002 until March 2007. From June 2002 until September 2003, he was the Country Manager in Qatar, responsible for managing Encana’s activities in Qatar, including the execution of exploration programs and new venture activity. From October 2003 until June 2006, he had similar responsibilities in the Sultanate of Oman, where he served as Encana’s Country Manager. Mr. Nightingale has a total of 30 years of corporate head office and resident in-country international operating experience, spanning all aspects of managing exploration programs, development and production operations, new business ventures, portfolio management and strategic planning. Mr. Nightingale graduated from the University of Nottingham in the U.K. with a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Geology.
Julio Cesar Moreira, President and General Manager Gran Tierra Energy Brasil. Mr. Moreira joined our company as President, Gran Tierra Brazil in September 2009. Mr. Moreira has over 25 years of experience working for international companies in Brazil and USA in senior business development and management positions. Most recently, he was Managing Director for IBV Brasil Petroleo Ltda from September 2008 to August 2009 where he managed a portfolio of assets including 10 Exploration Deep Water Blocks located in Sergipe-Alagoas, Espirito Santo, Potiguar and Campos Basins, all in Brazil, and Brazil Country Manager for Encana Corporation from December 2001 to September 2008, where he was instrumental in capturing assets which were later sold for a combined value of over $500 million. Before Encana Corporation, Mr. Moreira was Brazil New Ventures & Business Development Vice President for Unocal Corporation where he successfully completed a $180MM corporate transaction to acquire a Natural Gas / Condensate field in Northeast Brazil and captured Deep Water Exploration assets offshore Brazil. Mr. Moreira holds an Information Technology degree from Universidade Federal Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro, and a post-graduate degree in Marketing from Rio Catholic University. In addition, he attended the Executive MBA Program at UFRJ/Coppead (Brazil), the Executive Management programs in Oil and Gas at Thunderbird (USA) and the Ivey Executive Program at the University of Western Ontario (Canada).
Item 5. Market for Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our common stock trades on the NYSE Amex, and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol “GTE”. In addition, the exchangeable shares in one of our subsidiaries, Gran Tierra Exchangeco, are listed on the TSX and are trading under the symbol “GTX”.
As of February 21, 2012 there were approximately: 40 holders of record of shares of our common stock and 263,961,554 shares outstanding with $0.001 par value; and one share of Special A Voting Stock, $0.001 par value representing approximately 8 holders of record of 6,223,810 exchangeable shares which may be exchanged on a 1-for-1 basis into shares of our Common Stock; and one share of Special B Voting Stock, $0.001 par value, representing 8 holders of record of 8,512,707 shares of Gran Tierra Exchangeco Inc., which are exchangeable on a 1-for-1 basis into shares of our common stock.
For the quarters indicated from January 1, 2010 through the end of the fourth quarter of 2011, the following table shows the high and low closing sale prices per share of our common stock as reported on the NYSE Amex.
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
Fourth Quarter 2011
|
|
$ |
6.47 |
|
|
$ |
4.42 |
|
Third Quarter 2011
|
|
$ |
7.20 |
|
|
$ |
4.68 |
|
Second Quarter 2011
|
|
$ |
8.17 |
|
|
$ |
6.10 |
|
First Quarter 2011
|
|
$ |
9.54 |
|
|
$ |
7.75 |
|
Fourth Quarter 2010
|
|
$ |
8.39 |
|
|
$ |
7.23 |
|
Third Quarter 2010
|
|
$ |
7.72 |
|
|
$ |
5.06 |
|
Second Quarter 2010
|
|
$ |
6.64 |
|
|
$ |
4.70 |
|
First Quarter 2010
|
|
$ |
6.08 |
|
|
$ |
4.68 |
|
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid dividends on the shares of common stock and we intend to retain future earnings, if any, to support the development of the business and therefore do not anticipate paying cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Payment of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including current financial condition, operating results and current and anticipated cash needs. Under the terms of our credit facility we cannot pay any dividends if we are in default under the facility, and if we are not in default then are required to obtain bank approval for any dividend payments made by us exceeding $2 million in any fiscal year.
Performance Graph
|
12/06
|
12/07
|
12/08
|
12/09
|
12/10
|
12/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gran Tierra Energy Inc.
|
100.00
|
220.17
|
235.29
|
481.51
|
676.47
|
403.36
|
Russell Small Cap Completeness
|
100.00
|
104.85
|
63.98
|
88.10
|
111.56
|
107.19
|
Dow Jones US Exploration & Production TSM
|
100.00
|
140.30
|
82.74
|
117.09
|
138.63
|
132.95
|
The Dow Jones US Exploration and Production TSM was previously named the DJ Wilshire Exploration and Production.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
|
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Statement of Operations Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues and other income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and natural gas sales
|
|
$ |
596,191 |
|
|
$ |
373,286 |
|
|
$ |
262,629 |
|
|
$ |
112,805 |
|
|
$ |
31,853 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
|
|
1,174 |
|
|
|
1,087 |
|
|
|
1,224 |
|
|
|
425 |
|
Total revenues and other income
|
|
|
597,407 |
|
|
|
374,460 |
|
|
|
263,716 |
|
|
|
114,029 |
|
|
|
32,278 |
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
|
|
|
86,497 |
|
|
|
59,446 |
|
|
|
40,784 |
|
|
|
19,218 |
|
|
|
10,474 |
|
DD&A expenses
|
|
|
231,235 |
|
|
|
163,573 |
|
|
|
135,863 |
|
|
|
25,737 |
|
|
|
9,415 |
|
G&A Expenses
|
|
|
60,389 |
|
|
|
40,241 |
|
|
|
28,787 |
|
|
|
18,593 |
|
|
|
10,232 |
|
Liquidated damages
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
7,367 |
|
Equity tax
|
|
|
8,271 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Financial instruments (gain) loss
|
|
|
(1,522 |
) |
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
190 |
|
|
|
(193 |
) |
|
|
3,040 |
|
Gain on acquisition
|
|
|
(21,699 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
16,838 |
|
|
|
19,797 |
|
|
|
6,235 |
|
|
|
(78 |
) |
Total expenses
|
|
|
363,160 |
|
|
|
280,054 |
|
|
|
225,421 |
|
|
|
69,590 |
|
|
|
40,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
234,247 |
|
|
|
94,406 |
|
|
|
38,295 |
|
|
|
44,439 |
|
|
|
(8,172 |
) |
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(107,330 |
) |
|
|
(57,234 |
) |
|
|
(24,354 |
) |
|
|
(20,944 |
) |
|
|
(295 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
126,917 |
|
|
$ |
37,172 |
|
|
$ |
13,941 |
|
|
$ |
23,495 |
|
|
$ |
(8,467 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per common share — basic
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
$ |
0.15 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
(0.09 |
) |
Net income (loss) per common share — diluted
|
|
$ |
0.45 |
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
|
$ |
(0.09 |
) |
|
|
As at December 31,
|
|
|
As at December 31,
|
|
|
As at December 31,
|
|
|
As at December 31,
|
|
|
As at December 31,
|
|
Balance Sheet Data
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
351,685 |
|
|
$ |
355,428 |
|
|
$ |
270,786 |
|
|
$ |
176,754 |
|
|
$ |
18,189 |
|
Working capital (including cash)
|
|
|
213,100 |
|
|
|
265,835 |
|
|
|
215,161 |
|
|
|
132,807 |
|
|
|
8,058 |
|
Oil and gas properties
|
|
|
1,036,850 |
|
|
|
721,157 |
|
|
|
709,568 |
|
|
|
765,050 |
|
|
|
63,202 |
|
Deferred tax asset - long term
|
|
|
4,747 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
7,218 |
|
|
|
10,131 |
|
|
|
1,839 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
1,626,780 |
|
|
|
1,249,254 |
|
|
|
1,143,808 |
|
|
|
1,072,625 |
|
|
|
112,797 |
|
Deferred tax liability - long term
|
|
|
186,799 |
|
|
|
204,570 |
|
|
|
216,625 |
|
|
|
213,093 |
|
|
|
9,235 |
|
Total long-term liabilities
|
|
|
207,633 |
|
|
|
210,075 |
|
|
|
221,786 |
|
|
|
218,461 |
|
|
|
12,553 |
|
Shareholders’ equity
|
|
$ |
1,174,318 |
|
|
$ |
886,866 |
|
|
$ |
816,426 |
|
|
$ |
791,926 |
|
|
$ |
76,792 |
|
In November 2008, we acquired Solana Resources Limited (“Solana”) for $671.8 million through the issuance to Solana stockholders of either shares of our common stock or shares of common stock of a subsidiary of Gran Tierra. On March 18, 2011, we completed the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding common shares and warrants of Petrolifera Petroleum Limited (“Petrolifera”) pursuant to the terms and conditions of an arrangement agreement dated January 17, 2011. Petrolifera is a Calgary-based oil, natural gas and NGL exploration, development and production company active in Argentina, Colombia and Peru. See “Business Combination” in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for further details.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This report, and in particular this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Please see the cautionary language at the very beginning of this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding the identification and risks relating to forward-looking statements, as well as Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data as set out in Part II – Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We are an independent international energy company incorporated in the United States and engaged in oil and natural gas acquisition, exploration, development and production. Our operations are carried out in South America in Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Brazil, and we are headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Our reportable segments are Colombia, Argentina and Peru. Brazil is not a reportable segment because the level of activity in Brazil is not significant at this time. For the year ended December 31, 2011, Colombia generated 91% (2010 - 96%; 2009 - 95%) of our revenue and other income.
As of December 31, 2011, we had estimated proved reserves NAR of 34.0 MMBOE, comprising 91% oil and 9% natural gas, of which 76% were proved developed reserves. Our primary source of liquidity is cash generated from our operations.
On March 18, 2011, we completed the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding common shares and warrants of Petrolifera Petroleum Limited (“Petrolifera”) pursuant to the terms and conditions of an arrangement agreement dated January 17, 2011. Petrolifera is a Calgary-based oil, natural gas and NGL exploration, development and production company active in Argentina, Colombia and Peru.
On June 15, 2011, we completed the acquisition of a 70% participating interest in four blocks in Brazil. The agreement had an effective date of September 1, 2010. Purchase consideration totalled $40.1 million. With the exception of one block which has a producing well, the remaining blocks are unproved properties.
In September 2011, we announced two farm-in agreements with Statoil do Brasil Ltda. ("Statoil") in a joint venture with PetróleoBrasileiro S.A. ("Petrobras"), in Brazil’s deepwater offshore Camamu-Almada Basin, subject to obtaining regulatory approval from Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis ("ANP"). ANP approval for the Block BM-CAL-7 farmout agreement was received in first quarter of 2012. The ANP has announced the 1-STAT-7-BAS exploration well has been completed after reaching a total measured depth of 3,651 meters. Contractually, Gran Tierra is restricted from discussing well results. In accordance with the terms of the farmout agreement,we gave notice to Statoil that we will not enter into and assume our share of the work obligations of the second exploration period of Block BM-CAL-10. As a result the farmout agreement for BM-CAL-10 has been terminated and we will not receive any interest in BM-CAL-10.
Inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations in the three years ended December 31, 2011 and is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations in the future.
The price of oil is a critical factor to our business and the price of oil has historically been volatile. Volatility could be detrimental to our financial performance. During 2011, the average price realized for our oil was $96.60 per barrel (2010 - $71.19; 2009 – $56.79).
Business Strategy
Our plan is to continue to build an international oil and gas company through acquisition and exploitation of under-developed prospective oil and gas assets, and to develop these assets with exploration and development drilling to grow commercial reserves and production. Our initial focus is in select countries in South America, currently Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Brazil; we will consider other regions for future growth should those regions make strategic and commercial sense in creating additional value.
We have applied a two-stage approach to growth, initially establishing a base of production, development and exploration assets by selective acquisitions, and secondly achieving additional reserve and production growth through drilling. We intend to duplicate this business model in other areas as opportunities arise. We pursue opportunities in countries with proven petroleum systems; attractive royalty, taxation and other fiscal terms; and stable legal systems.
Highlights
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Proved Oil and Gas Reserves, NAR, at December 31 (MMBOE)(1)
|
|
|
34.0 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
23.8 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
22.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production (BOEPD) (1)(2)
|
|
|
17,408 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
14,448 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
12,684 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prices Realized - per BOE
|
|
$ |
93.83 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
$ |
70.79 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
$ |
56.73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue and Other Income ($000s)
|
|
$ |
597,407 |
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
$ |
374,460 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
$ |
263,716 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income ($000s)
|
|
$ |
126,917 |
|
|
|
241 |
|
|
$ |
37,172 |
|
|
|
167 |
|
|
$ |
13,941 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income Per Share – Basic
|
|
$ |
0.46 |
|
|
|
207 |
|
|
$ |
0.15 |
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income Per Share – Diluted
|
|
$ |
0.45 |
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funds Flow From Operations ($000s) (3)
|
|
$ |
319,046 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
$ |
203,136 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
$ |
159,479 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Expenditures ($000s)
|
|
$ |
327,647 |
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
$ |
177,039 |
|
|
|
101 |
|
|
$ |
88,124 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As at December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2011 |
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
|
2010 |
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash & Cash Equivalents ($000s)
|
|
$ |
351,685 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
355,428 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
$ |
270,786 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working Capital (including cash & cash equivalents) ($000s)
|
|
$ |
213,100 |
|
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
$ |
265,835 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
$ |
215,161 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, Plant and Equipment ($000s)
|
|
$ |
1,044,842 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
$ |
727,024 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
$ |
712,743 |
|
(1) Gas volumes are converted to BOE at the rate of six Mcf of gas per barrel of oil, based on the approximate relative energy content of gas and oil. The conversion ratio does not assume price equivalency and the price for a barrel of oil equivalent for natural gas may differ significantly from the price of a barrel of oil.
(2) Production represents production volumes NAR adjusted for inventory changes.
(3) Funds flow from operations is a non-GAAP measure which does not have any standardized meaning prescribed under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Management uses this financial measure to analyze operating performance and the income generated by our principal business activities prior to the consideration of how non-cash items affect that income, and believes that this financial measure is also useful supplemental information for investors to analyze operating performance and our financial results. Investors should be cautioned that this measure should not be construed as an alternative to net income or other measures of financial performance as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our method of calculating this measure may differ from other companies and, accordingly, it may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Funds flow from operations, as presented, is net income adjusted for depletion, depreciation, accretion and impairment (“DD&A”), deferred taxes, stock-based compensation, (gain) loss on financial instruments, unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss, settlement of asset retirement obligation, equity tax and gain on acquisition. A reconciliation from funds flow from operations to net income is as follows:
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
Funds Flow From Operations - Non-GAAP Measure ($000s)
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
126,917 |
|
|
$ |
37,172 |
|
|
$ |
13,941 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to funds flow from operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DD&A expenses
|
|
|
231,235 |
|
|
|
163,573 |
|
|
|
135,863 |
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
(29,222 |
) |
|
|
(20,090 |
) |
|
|
(15,355 |
) |
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
12,767 |
|
|
|
8,025 |
|
|
|
5,309 |
|
(Gain) loss on financial instruments
|
|
|
(1,354 |
) |
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
277 |
|
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
(1,695 |
) |
|
|
14,786 |
|
|
|
19,496 |
|
Settlement of asset retirement obligation
|
|
|
(345 |
) |
|
|
(286 |
) |
|
|
(52 |
) |
Equity tax
|
|
|
2,442 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Gain on acquisition
|
|
|
(21,699 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Funds flows from operations
|
|
$ |
319,046 |
|
|
$ |
203,136 |
|
|
$ |
159,479 |
|
Operational Highlights for the Year Ended December 31, 2011
·
|
In 2011, oil and natural gas production, NAR and inventory adjustments, averaged 17,408 BOEPD, an increase of 20% over 2010. The increase was due to improved production from the Moqueta, Jilguero and Juanambu fields, production from Petrolifera and the reduced impact of pipeline interruptions. Production NAR from Petrolifera’s properties during 2011 was 1,811 BOEPD.
|
·
|
Estimated proved oil and NGL reserves, NAR, as of December 31, 2011, were 30.9 MMbbl, a 31% increase from the estimated proved reserves as at December 31, 2010. The increase was due primarily to positive technical revisions to Costayaco reserves (based on reservoir performance), the drilling of additional appraisal wells in the Moqueta field, the inclusion of proved reserves associated with the Petrolifera acquisition and the 70% working interest in Block 155 acquired in Brazil, which more than offset 2011 oil production. Estimated probable and possible oil and NGL reserves, NAR, as of December 31, 2011 were 10.5 MMbbl and 17.6 MMbbl, respectively.
|
·
|
Estimated proved gas reserves, NAR, as of December 31, 2011, were 18.3 Bcf compared with 1.2 Bcf as at December 31, 2010. The increase was due to the acquisition of Petrolifera. At December 31, 2011, 75% of proved gas reserves were in the Sierra Nevada Block and 19% were in the Puesto Morales Blocks, both of which were acquired in the Petrolifera acquisition. Estimated probable and possible gas reserves, NAR, as of December 31, 2011 were 25.7 Bcf and 116.5 Bcf, respectively.
|
·
|
In the Moqueta field in the Chaza Block, the Moqueta -4 delineation well was successfully completed and confirmed additional oil bearing reservoirs. We completed two additional development wells in the Moqueta field: Moqueta -5 and Moqueta -6. Construction of the Moqueta-to-Costayaco pipeline was completed with transportation of first oil production from Moqueta commencing in June of 2011. A parallel four-inch gas line was completed that will be used to transport gas from Costayaco to Moqueta for anticipated gas injection for pressure support.
|
·
|
In the Costayaco field, we completed three development wells.
|
·
|
In the Guayuyaco and Garibay Blocks, the Juanambu -3 and Jilguero -2 development wells were completed as producing wells and the Melero -1 exploration well was completed and resulted in an oil discovery.
|
·
|
We entered into a farmout agreement with CEPSA Colombia S.A. (“CEPSAC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Compañia Española de Petróleos S.A. We will earn a 45% non-operated working interest in the Llanos-22 Block (CEPSAC will retain 55% and operatorship) and CEPSAC will farm-in for a 30% working interest on the Piedemonte Norte Block. Under the terms of the farm-in agreements, in addition to the swap of the 30% working interest in Piedemonte Norte block, we will pay $1.5 million towards historical costs and a partial carry on the current well being drilled. The completion of the transfer is subject to approval by Colombia’s Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (National Hydrocarbons Agency) (“ANH”). Our partner began drilling the Ramiriqui-1 oil exploration well in the fourth quarter of 2011.
|
·
|
We drilled exploration wells on the Chaza Block, the Magdalena Block, the Piedemonte Sur Block and the Rumiyaco Block all of which were plugged and abandoned.
|
Argentina
·
|
We completed drilling the first of four new development wells in the Puesto Morales Block, with the purpose of improving recovery and growing production from this mature oil field. We completed workovers on 18 wells, with successful results. We also drilled and completed two producing development wells on the Puesto Morales Este Block.
|
·
|
Our partner drilled four exploration wells in the Rinconada Norte Block which resulted in new discoveries of oil, one of which tested 1,023 BOE gross per day. A wholly-owned subsidiary of America Petrogas Inc. is the operator of the Rinconada Norte Block with a 65% working interest, while we hold a 35% non-operated working interest.
|
·
|
We successfully farmed out a 50% interest in the Santa Victoria Block in the Noroeste Basin of northwestern Argentina to Apache Corporation (“Apache”) in March 2011.
|
Peru
·
|
In January 2012, PeruPetro signed the assignment documents for Block 95, officially transferring 60% of the block to us. A drilling location has been identified for the first exploration well on Block 95, with civil construction initiated in the third quarter of 2011.
|
·
|
In September 2010, we acquired a 20% non-operated working interest in ConocoPhillips operated Block 123, Block 124 and Block 129, subject to government approval. The approval for these blocks was granted in March 2011 with final assignment completed in April 2011. We subsequently relinquished our interest in Block 124.
|
·
|
We drilled the Kanatari -1 exploration well on Block 128 which was plugged and abandoned and subsequently relinquished our interest in Blocks 122 and 128.
|
Brazil
·
|
On June 15, 2011, we received final approvals for the acquisition of a 70% participating interest in Blocks 129, 142, 155 and 224 in the onshore Recôncavo Basin of Brazil and also became the operator of these fields effective from that date.
|
·
|
We drilled two gross exploration wells on Block 142 and Block 129 and spud a delineation well on Block 155.
|
·
|
We announced two farm-in agreements with Statoil in a joint venture with Petrobras, in Brazil’s deepwater offshore Camamu-Almada Basin. The ANP has announced the 1-STAT-7-BAS exploration well has been completed after reaching a total measured depth of 3,651 meters. Contractually, we are restricted from discussing well results. In accordance with the terms of the farmout agreement, we gave notice to Statoil that we will not enter into and assume our share of the work obligations of the second exploration period on one of the two blocks and as a result the farmout agreement for this block was terminated. ANP approval was received for the second block in the first quarter of 2012.
|
Financial Highlights for the Year Ended December 31, 2011
|
●
|
Revenue and other income increased by 60% to $597.4 million in 2011 compared with $374.5 million in 2010 due to increased production and higher oil prices. Average prices realized per BOE in 2011 were $93.83, an increase of 33% compared with $70.79 in 2010.
|
|
●
|
Net income grew by 241% from the prior year to $126.9 million, representing basic net income per share of $0.46 and diluted net income per share of $0.45. This compares with net income of $37.2 million, or $0.15 per share basic and $0.14 per share diluted, in 2010. The increase in net income was the result of increased oil and natural gas sales, a $21.7 million gain on the Petrolifera acquisition and the absence of foreign exchange losses, partially offset by a $42.0 million impairment loss in the Peru cost center, a $25.7 million impairment loss in the Argentina cost center, a Colombian equity tax of $8.3 million and increased operating, DD&A and general and administrative ("G&A") expenses. The equity tax is assessed every four years.
|
|
●
|
Funds flow from operations increased 57% to $319.0 million in 2011 from $203.1 million in 2010. The increase was primarily due to increased oil and natural gas sales and improved oil prices as compared with the prior year, partially offset by a Colombian equity tax and increased operating and G&A expenses in 2011.
|
|
●
|
Cash and cash equivalents was $351.7 million at December 31, 2011 compared with $355.4 million at December 31, 2010. The change in cash and cash equivalents during 2011 was primarily the result of $333.2 million of capital expenditures offset by funds flow from operations of $319.0 million and a decrease in non-cash working capital of $37.8 million during 2011.
|
|
●
|
Working capital (including cash and cash equivalents) was $213.1 million at December 31, 2011, which is a $52.7 million decrease from December 31, 2010, due mainly to a $51.7 million increase in taxes payable due to increased taxable income in Colombia and a $40.9 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, partially offset by a $26.3 million increase in accounts receivable due to increased sales and a $14.5 million increase in taxes receivable. The increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities is a result of operations acquired in the Petrolifera acquisition, the commencement of operations in Brazil and increased royalty payables as a result of increased production and higher realized prices. The increase in taxes receivable primarily relates to an increase in VAT receivable as a result of increased capital expenditures.
|
|
●
|
Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2011 was $1.0 billion, an increase of $317.8 million from December 31, 2010, as a result of the $327.6 million 2011 work program capital expenditures, $219.7 million of additions from the Petrolifera acquisition and $1.7 million of asset retirement obligations; partially offset by $231.2 million of DD&A expenses.
|
Business Combination
On March 18, 2011, we completed the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding common shares and warrants of Petrolifera pursuant to the terms and conditions of an arrangement agreement dated January 17, 2011. Petrolifera is a Calgary-based oil, natural gas and NGL exploration, development and production company active in Argentina, Colombia and Peru. For further details reference should be made to Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements.
The acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method, with Gran Tierra being the acquirer, whereby Petrolifera’s assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values as at the acquisition date and the results of Petrolifera were consolidated with those of Gran Tierra from that date.
The following table shows the allocation of the consideration transferred based on the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired:
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
|
|
|
|
Consideration Transferred:
|
|
|
|
Common shares issued net of share issue costs
|
|
$ |
141,690 |
|
Replacement warrants
|
|
|
1,354 |
|
|
|
$ |
143,044 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocation of Consideration Transferred:
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and gas properties
|
|
|
|
|
Proved
|
|
$ |
58,457 |
|
Unproved
|
|
|
161,278 |
|
Other long term assets
|
|
|
4,417 |
|
Net working capital (including cash acquired of $7.7 million and accounts receivable of $6.4 million)
|
|
|
(17,223 |
) |
Asset retirement obligation
|
|
|
(4,901 |
) |
Bank debt
|
|
|
(22,853 |
) |
Other long term liabilities
|
|
|
(14,432 |
) |
Gain on acquisition
|
|
|
(21,699 |
) |
|
|
$ |
143,044 |
|
As indicated in the allocation of the consideration transferred, the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeded the fair value of the consideration transferred. Consequently, we reassessed the recognition and measurement of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed and concluded that all acquired assets and assumed liabilities were recognized and that the valuation procedures and resulting measures were appropriate. As a result, we recognized a “Gain on acquisition” of $21.7 million in the consolidated statement of operations. The gain reflects the impact on Petrolifera’s pre-acquisition market value resulting from their lack of liquidity and capital resources required to maintain current production and reserves and further develop and explore their inventory of prospects.
Production from the Petrolifera properties from the acquisition date to December 31, 2011 amounted to 1,811 BOEPD NAR with oil and natural gas sales of $32.5 million. For the post acquisition period, Petrolifera recorded an after tax loss of $8.0 million.
Business Environment Outlook
Our revenues have been significantly impacted by the continuing fluctuations in oil prices. Oil prices are volatile and unpredictable and are influenced by concerns about financial markets and the impact of the worldwide economy on oil demand growth. However, based on projected production, prices, costs and our current liquidity position, we believe that our current operations and 2012 capital expenditure program can be maintained from cash flow from existing operations and cash on hand, barring unforeseen events or a severe downturn in oil and gas prices. Should our operating cash flow decline, we would examine measures such as reducing our capital expenditure program, issuance of debt, disposition of assets, or issuance of equity. The continuing uncertainty regarding the Middle East and Libya and continued economic instability in the United States and Europe is having an impact on world markets, and we are unable to determine the impact, if any, these events may have on oil prices and demand.
Our future growth and acquisitions may depend on our ability to raise additional funds through equity and debt markets. Should we be required to raise debt or equity financing to fund capital expenditures or other acquisition and development opportunities, such funding may be affected by the market value of our common stock. If the price of our common stock declines, our ability to utilize our stock to raise capital may be negatively affected. Also, raising funds by issuing stock or other equity securities would further dilute our existing shareholders, and this dilution would be exacerbated by a decline in our stock price. Any securities we issue may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to our existing equity securities. Borrowing money may also involve further pledging of some or all of our assets and will expose us to interest rate risk. Depending on the currency used to borrow money, we may also be exposed to further foreign exchange risk. Our ability to borrow money and the interest rate we pay for any money we borrow will be affected by market conditions, and we cannot predict what price we may pay for any borrowed money.
Consolidated Results of Operations
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
Consolidated Results of Operations
|
|
2011
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2009
|
|
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and natural gas sales
|
|
$ |
596,191 |
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
$ |
373,286 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
$ |
262,629 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
1,216 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
1,174 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
1,087 |
|
|
|
|
597,407 |
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
374,460 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
263,716 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
86,497 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
59,446 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
40,784 |
|
DD&A expenses
|
|
|
231,235 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
163,573 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
135,863 |
|
G&A expenses
|
|
|
60,389 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
40,241 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
28,787 |
|
Equity tax
|
|
|
8,271 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Financial instruments (gain) loss
|
|
|
(1,522 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
(123 |
) |
|
|
190 |
|
Gain on acquisition
|
|
|
(21,699 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
16,838 |
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
19,797 |
|
|
|
|
363,160 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
280,054 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
225,421 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
234,247 |
|
|
|
148 |
|
|
|
94,406 |
|
|
|
147 |
|
|
|
38,295 |
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(107,330 |
) |
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
(57,234 |
) |
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
(24,354 |
) |
Net income
|
|
$ |
126,917 |
|
|
|
241 |
|
|
$ |
37,172 |
|
|
|
167 |
|
|
$ |
13,941 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and NGL's, bbl
|
|
|
6,118,705 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
5,228,554 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
4,621,546 |
|
Natural gas, Mcf
|
|
|
1,411,188 |
|
|
|
425 |
|
|
|
268,776 |
|
|
|
448 |
|
|
|
49,028 |
|
Total production, BOE (1)
|
|
|
6,353,903 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
5,273,350 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
4,629,717 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Prices
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and NGL's per bbl
|
|
$ |
96.60 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
$ |
71.19 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
$ |
56.79 |
|
Natural gas per Mcf
|
|
$ |
3.65 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
$ |
3.90 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
3.93 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Results of Operations ("per BOE")
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and natural gas sales
|
|
$ |
93.83 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
$ |
70.79 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
$ |
56.73 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
0.22 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
0.23 |
|
|
|
|
94.02 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
71.01 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
56.96 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
13.61 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
11.27 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
8.81 |
|
DD&A expenses
|
|
|
36.39 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
31.02 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
29.35 |
|
G&A expenses
|
|
|
9.50 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
7.63 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
6.22 |
|
Equity tax
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Financial instruments (gain) loss
|
|
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
(125 |
) |
|
|
0.04 |
|
Gain on acquisition
|
|
|
(3.42 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3.19 |
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
4.28 |
|
|
|
|
57.14 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
53.10 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
48.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
36.88 |
|
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
17.91 |
|
|
|
117 |
|
|
|
8.26 |
|
Income tax expenses
|
|
|
(16.89 |
) |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
(10.85 |
) |
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
(5.26 |
) |
Net income
|
|
$ |
19.99 |
|
|
|
183 |
|
|
$ |
7.06 |
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
$ |
3.00 |
|
(1) Production represents production volumes NAR adjusted for inventory changes. NGL volumes are converted to BOE on a one-to-one basis with oil. Gas volumes are converted to BOE at the rate of six Mcf of gas per barrel of oil, based upon the approximate relative energy content of gas and oil, which rate is not necessarily indicative of the relationship of oil and gas prices.
Consolidated Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared with the Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2010
Net income was $126.9 million, or $0.46 per share basic and $0.45 per share diluted, in 2011 compared with $37.2 million, or $0.15 per share basic and $0.14 per share diluted, in 2010. Increased oil and natural gas sales due to increased production and higher realized oil prices, a $21.7 million gain on the Petrolifera acquisition and the absence of foreign exchange losses were partially offset by a $42.0 million impairment loss in the Peru cost center, a $25.7 million impairment loss in the Argentina cost center, a Colombian equity tax of $8.3 million and increased operating, DD&A and G&A expenses.
Oil and NGL production, NAR and inventory changes, in 2011 increased to 6.1 MMbbl, a 17% improvement compared with 5.2 MMbbl in 2010. The increase was due to improved production from the Moqueta, Jilguero and Juanambu fields, production from Petrolifera and the reduced impact of pipeline interruptions. Petrolifera’s oil and NGL production for the period since the acquisition date, NAR, was 0.5 MMbbl. Production during the first quarter of 2011 was adversely affected by a maintenance program at the Tumaco Port offloading terminal between December 28, 2010 and February 7, 2011 which reduced sales through the Ecopetrol-operated Trans-Andean oil pipeline (“the OTA pipeline”). During 2010, sections of the OTA pipeline were damaged, which temporarily reduced our deliveries to Ecopetrol for 22 days.
Average realized oil prices in 2011 increased by 36% to $96.60 per barrel from $71.19 per barrel in 2010 reflecting higher West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) oil prices and the premium to WTI received in Colombia during 2011. Average WTI for 2011 was $95.06 as compared with $79.43 in 2010.
Increased production and higher oil prices resulted in a 60% increase in revenue and other income to $597.4 million for 2011 compared with $374.5 million in 2010.
Operating expenses for 2011 amounted to $86.5 million, or $13.61 per BOE, compared with $59.4 million or $11.27 per BOE, in 2010. The increase in operating expenses was mainly due to an increase of $18.3 million in operating costs in Argentina ($15.9 million related to properties acquired from Petrolifera), an increase of $7.7 million in Colombia and $1.0 million in Brazil as a result of expanded operations.
DD&A expenses for 2011 increased to $231.2 million compared with $163.6 million in 2010. DD&A expenses for 2011 includes a $42.0 million ceiling test impairment for our Peru cost center relating to seismic and drilling costs from two blocks which were relinquished, a $25.7 million impairment loss in the Argentina cost center related to an increase in estimated future operating and capital costs to produce our remaining Argentine proved reserves and a decrease in reserve volumes and $18.4 million of depletion, depreciation and accretion related to properties acquired from Petrolifera. DD&A expenses in 2010 included a $23.6 million ceiling test impairment in our Argentina cost center, of which $17.9 million related to the abandonment of the GTE.St.VMor-2001 sidetrack operations. The remaining small increase in DD&A was due to higher production levels and increased future development costs included in the depletable base, partially offset by an increase in year-end reserves as compared with 2010. On a BOE basis, DD&A in 2011 was $36.39 compared with $31.02 for 2010, representing a 17% increase resulting from ceiling test impairment losses and increased future development costs, partially offset by increased reserves.
G&A expenses of $60.4 million for 2011 were 50% higher than in 2010 due to increased employee related costs reflecting the expanded operations in all business segments, $1.2 million of expenses associated with the acquisition of Petrolifera and the inclusion of Petrolifera G&A expenses of $7.3 million (including interest on bank debt of $1.6 million, which was retired in August 2011). G&A expenses per BOE increased 25% to $9.50 per BOE compared with $7.63 per BOE for 2010 due to the same factors.
Equity tax represents a Colombian tax of 6% on a legislated measure which is based on our Colombian segment’s balance sheet equity at January 1, 2011. The equity tax is assessed every four years.
The financial instruments gain primarily relates to the fair value assigned to warrants issued in connection with the acquisition of Petrolifera. These warrants expired unexercised during August 2011.
The gain on acquisition of $21.7 million in 2011 relates to the acquisition of Petrolifera. This gain reflects the impact on Petrolifera’s pre-acquisition market value of its lack of liquidity and capital resources required to maintain production and reserves and further develop and explore its inventory of prospects.
There were essentially no foreign exchange gains in 2011 as a result of an unrealized non-cash foreign exchange gain of $1.7 million being offset by realized foreign exchange losses. The non-cash foreign exchange gain primarily relates to the translation of deferred tax liabilities. This compares to a foreign exchange loss of $16.8 million recorded in 2010, of which $14.8 million was an unrealized non-cash foreign exchange loss. Under GAAP, deferred taxes are considered a monetary liability and require translation from local currency to U.S. dollar functional currency at each balance sheet date. This translation results in the recognition of unrealized exchange losses or gains. The Colombian Peso devalued by 1.5% against the U.S. dollar in the year ended December 31, 2011 resulting in an unrealized foreign exchange gain which was offset by realized foreign exchange losses. In 2010, the Colombian Peso strengthened against the U.S. dollar by 6%.
Income tax expense for 2011 was $107.3 million compared with $57.2 million in 2010. This represents an increase of 88%, primarily as a result of higher net income in Colombia. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the effective income tax rate was 46% compared with 61% in 2010 due to a decrease in non-taxable foreign currency translation adjustments and the non-taxable gain on acquisition in 2011, partially offset by an increase in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets mainly in Peru. The variance in the effective tax rates compared with the 35% U.S. statutory rate is attributable to the same factors and other permanent differences.
Our capital expenditures during 2011 were $327.6 million (after changes in non-cash working capital and net of proceeds from disposition of oil and gas properties) representing a significant increase from capital expenditures in 2010 of $177.0 million. In 2011, we made capital expenditures included drilling and acquisition expenditures of $225.4 million, facilities expenses of $38.0 million, geological and geophysical expenses of $47.8 million and other expenditures of $16.4 million. Additionally, we had $219.7 million of additions to property, plant and equipment from the Petrolifera acquisition.
Consolidated Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared with the Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2009
Net income of $37.2 million, or $0.15 per share basic and $0.14 per share diluted, was recorded in 2010 compared with $13.9 million, or $0.06 per share basic and $0.05 per share diluted, in 2009. A 42% increase in revenue and other income to $374.5 million from $263.7 million recorded in 2009 was partially offset by an $18.7 million increase in operating expenses, a $11.5 million increase in G&A expenses, a $27.7 million increase in DD&A, and a $32.9 million increase in income tax expense.
Revenue and other income increased 42% as a result of a 13% increase in oil production combined with a 25% improvement in oil prices.
Oil and NGL production, NAR, in 2010 increased to 5.2 MMbbl compared with 4.6 MMbbl in 2009, due to increased production from our Colombia operations. Average realized oil prices for 2010 increased to $71.19 per barrel from $56.79 per barrel in 2009, reflecting higher WTI oil prices.
The additional government royalty for the Costayaco Field (described in “Segmented Operations - Colombia”) began in the fourth quarter of 2009 and was paid for only three months of 2009 versus the full year of 2010. As a result, our share of production was reduced by a total of 947,000 BOE’s relating to this additional royalty in 2010 as compared with only 328,000 BOE in 2009. Since our production volumes are reported NAR and this royalty structure was not in place for an equal amount of time in 2009 and 2010, certain changes between these years, including volumes, changes in per BOE operating costs, and per BOE general and administrative costs, are not readily comparable. For instance, the increase in the Costayaco field production does not appear as high in comparison with 2009 as it would appear without the additional royalty volumes deducted. Similarly, the per BOE operating and G&A expenses appear higher on a per BOE basis in 2010 than in 2009 as the costs are divided over a smaller base after royalties are deducted.
Operating expenses for 2010 amounted to $59.4 million, a 46% increase from the prior year total of $40.8 million. The increase in operating expenses occurred primarily in Colombia and was due to an enhanced workover program related to the Costayaco area, an increase in transportation costs related to increased production and pipeline maintenance, and an increase in producing wells in Costayaco. Operating expenses on a BOE basis in 2010 were $11.27, a 28% increase from 2009 reflecting both the increase in total operating costs and the effect of the additional government royalty payable on per BOE calculations, partially offset by an increase in production.
DD&A expenses for 2010 increased to $163.6 million compared with $135.9 million in 2009. The increase in production levels was partially offset by an increase of reserves at year-end and a reduction of future development costs included in the depletable base as compared with 2009. DD&A expenses in 2010 included a $23.6 million ceiling test impairment for our Argentina cost center, of which $17.9 million related to the abandonment of the GTE.St.VMor-2001 sidetrack operations, as compared with a $1.9 million charge in 2009. On a BOE basis, DD&A in 2010 was $31.02 compared with $29.35 for 2009, representing a 6% increase resulting from the ceiling test impairment loss offset partially by increased reserves and decreased future development costs.
G&A expenses of $40.2 million for 2010 were 40% higher than 2009 due to increased employee related costs reflecting the expansion of operations in Peru, Brazil, and Colombia and higher business development costs. G&A expenses per BOE increased 23% to $7.63 per BOE compared with $6.22 per BOE for 2009. The increase in G&A expenses on a per BOE basis over the prior year was compounded by the additional royalty paid in 2010.
The foreign exchange loss of $16.8 million for 2010, of which $14.8 million is an unrealized non-cash foreign exchange loss, compares to $19.8 million recorded in 2009, of which $19.5 million is an unrealized non-cash foreign exchange loss. These losses originate in Colombia and relate to foreign exchange losses resulting from the translation of a deferred tax liability.
Income tax expense for 2010 amounted to $57.2 million compared with $24.4 million recorded in 2009. This represents an increase of 135% in annual income tax expense, primarily as a result of higher profits and the application of a valuation allowance against previously recognized deferred tax assets associated with Argentina. The decrease in the 2010 effective tax rate to 61% from 64% in 2009 is primarily due to a decrease in the valuation allowance associated with losses in our U.S., Canadian, Peru and Brazil business units, partially offset by the increase in the valuation allowance associated with losses in our Argentina business units. The variance from the 35% U.S. statutory rate for 2010 results from foreign currency translation losses that are neither taxable nor deductible for tax purposes in each of the respective jurisdictions, the valuation allowances as described above, enhanced tax depreciation incentive in Colombia, and Colombia third party royalty payments that are not deductible for tax purposes. Similar factors cause the variance from the 35% U.S. statutory rate for 2009.
Estimated Oil and Gas Reserves
Estimated proved oil and NGL reserves, NAR, as of December 31, 2011, were 30.9 MMbbl, a 31% increase from the estimated proved reserves as at December 31, 2010. The increase was due to the acquisition of Petrolifera which had reserves in Argentina and Colombia, positive technical revisions to Costayaco reserves (based on reservoir performance), the drilling of additional appraisal wells in the Moqueta field and the acquisition of a 70% working interest in Block 155 in Brazil, which more than offset 2011 oil production. Estimated probable and possible oil and NGL reserves, NAR, as of December 31, 2011 were 10.5 MMbbl and 17.6 MMbbl, respectively.
Estimated proved gas reserves, NAR, as of December 31, 2011, were 18.3 Bcf compared with 1.2 Bcf at December 31, 2010. The increase was due to the acquisition of Petrolifera. At December 31, 2011, 75% of proved gas reserves were in the Sierra Nevada Block and 19% were in the Puesto Morales Blocks, both of which were acquired in the Petrolifera acquisition. Estimated probable and possible gas reserves, NAR, as of December 31, 2011 were 25.7 Bcf and 116.5 Bcf, respectively.
Estimated proved oil and NGL reserves, NAR, as of December 31, 2010, were 23.6 MMbbl, a 7 % increase from the estimated proved reserves as at December 31, 2009. The increase was generated by our Colombian operations and resulted from our exploration success in Moqueta and from sustained reservoir performance in Costayaco, which led to conversion of probable reserves to proved reserves and which more than offset 2010 production of oil. Estimated probable and possible oil and NGL reserves, NAR, as of December 31, 2010 were 7.4 MMbbl and 16.3 MMbbl, respectively.
Estimated proved gas reserves, NAR, as of December 31, 2010, were 1.2 Bcf, a 37 % decrease from the estimated proved reserves as at December 31, 2009. Estimated probable and possible gas reserves, NAR, as of December 31, 2010 were 0.1 Bcf and 42.1 Bcf, respectively.
2012 Work Program and Capital Expenditure Program
In December 2011, we announced the details of our 2012 capital program. We have planned a 2012 capital budget of $367 million, including $182 million for Colombia, $68 million for Brazil, $53 million for Argentina, $62 million for Peru and $2 million associated with corporate activities. Of this, $246 million is for drilling, $39 million is for facilities, equipment and pipelines and $82 million is for geological and geophysical (“G&G”) expenditures. Of the $246 million allocated to drilling, approximately $152 million is for exploration, and the balance is for delineation and development drilling.
We expect that our committed and discretionary 2012 capital program will be funded from cash flow from operations and cash on hand.
Our 2012 work program is intended to create both growth and value through strategic acquisitions of working interests, by leveraging existing assets to increase reserves and production levels and through the construction of pipelines and facilities in the areas with proved reserves. We are financing our capital program through cash flows from operations and cash on hand, while retaining financial flexibility with a strong cash position and no debt, so that we can be positioned to undertake further development opportunities and to pursue value-add acquisitions. However, as a result of the nature of the oil and natural gas exploration, development and exploitation industry, budgets are regularly reviewed with respect to both the success of expenditures and other opportunities that become available. Accordingly, while we currently intend that funds will be expended as set forth in our 2012 work program, there may be circumstances where, for sound business reasons, actual expenditures may in fact differ.
Excluding potential exploration success, production in 2012 is expected to range between 20,000 and 21,000 BOEPD NAR.
Segmented Results – Colombia
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
Segmented Results of Operations – Colombia
|
|
2011
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2009
|
|
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and natural gas sales
|
|
$ |
543,999 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
$ |
359,302 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
$ |
248,834 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
492 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
460 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
466 |
|
|
|
|
544,491 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
359,762 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
249,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
58,081 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
50,431 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
33,091 |
|
DD&A expenses
|
|
|
141,133 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
133,728 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
127,213 |
|
G&A expenses
|
|
|
25,116 |
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
15,216 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
13,011 |
|
Equity tax
|
|
|
8,271 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
(1,626 |
) |
|
|
(109 |
) |
|
|
17,901 |
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
20,158 |
|
|
|
|
230,975 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
217,276 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
193,473 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
$ |
313,516 |
|
|
|
120 |
|
|
$ |
142,486 |
|
|
|
155 |
|
|
$ |
55,827 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and NGL's, bbl
|
|
|
5,348,885 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
4,944,510 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
4,284,230 |
|
Natural gas, Mcf
|
|
|
267,612 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
268,776 |
|
|
|
448 |
|
|
|
49,028 |
|
Total production, BOE (1)
|
|
|
5,393,487 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
4,989,306 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
4,292,401 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Prices
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and NGL's per bbl
|
|
$ |
101.42 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
$ |
72.45 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
$ |
58.04 |
|
Natural gas per Mcf
|
|
$ |
5.72 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
$ |
3.90 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
3.93 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segmented Results of Operations per BOE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and natural gas sales
|
|
$ |
100.86 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
$ |
72.01 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
$ |
57.97 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
|
100.95 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
72.10 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
58.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
10.77 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
10.11 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
7.71 |
|
DD&A expenses
|
|
|
26.17 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
26.80 |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
29.64 |
|
G&A expenses
|
|
|
4.66 |
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
3.05 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
3.03 |
|
Equity tax
|
|
|
1.53 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
|
(108 |
) |
|
|
3.59 |
|
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
4.70 |
|
|
|
|
42.83 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
43.55 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
45.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
$ |
58.12 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
$ |
28.55 |
|
|
|
120 |
|
|
$ |
13.00 |
|
(1)
|
Production represents production volumes NAR adjusted for inventory changes. Gas volumes are converted to BOE at the rate of 6 Mcf of gas per barrel of oil, based upon the approximate relative energy content of gas and oil, which rate is not necessarily indicative of the relationship of oil and gas prices
|
Segmented Results of Operations – Colombia for the Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared with the Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2010
For the year ended December 31, 2011, income before income taxes from Colombia amounted to $313.5 million compared with income before taxes of $142.5 million recorded in 2010. The increase is mainly due to increased oil sales due to increased production and higher prices and a foreign exchange gain, partially offset by increases in operating, DD&A and G&A expenses and Colombian equity tax of $8.3 million.
In 2011, production of oil and NGLs, NAR, increased by 8% to 5.3 MMbbl compared with 4.9 MMbbl in 2010. The increase in production is primarily due to the development of the Moqueta field with six producing wells, the commencement of production in the Garibay Block from the Jilguero -1 and -2 wells and increased production in the Guayuyaco Block from the new well Juanambu -3 and a full year of production from Juanambu -2. Production from the Costayaco field was consistent with the prior year. Production from two new wells, Costayaco-12 and -13, was offset by the effects of reservoir management intended to slow production declines.
Production during the first quarter of 2011 was adversely affected by a maintenance program at the Tumaco Port offloading terminal between December 28, 2010 and February 7, 2011 which reduced sales through the OTA pipeline. During 2010, sections of the OTA pipeline were damaged, which temporarily reduced our deliveries to Ecopetrol for 29 days (7 days in June and 22 days in September).
As a result of achieving gross field production of five MMbbl in our Costayaco field in the fourth quarter of 2009, we are subject to an additional government royalty payable. This royalty is calculated on 30% of field production revenue over an inflation adjusted trigger point. That trigger point for Costayaco oil was $31.29 for 2011. Production revenue for this calculation is based on production volumes net of other government royalty volumes. Average government royalties at Costayaco with gross production of 17,000 barrels of oil per day and $100 WTI price per barrel are approximately 27.9%, including the additional government royalty of approximately 20.5%. The ANH sliding scale royalty at 17,000 barrels of oil per day is approximately 9.2% and this royalty is deductible prior to calculating the additional government royalty.
Revenue and other income in 2011 increased by 51% to $544.5 million compared with 2010. Oil and natural gas sales were positively impacted by higher net realized oil prices in 2011 and increased production. The average net realized price for oil in 2011 was $101.42 per barrel, an increase of 40% from 2010. We received a premium to WTI during 2011 related to Colombian Pacific Blend prices.
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased to $58.1 million, or $10.77 per BOE, from $50.4 million, or $10.11 per BOE in 2010. Operating expenses per BOE were higher in 2011 due to long-term testing and slickline service costs partially offset by reduced transportation and workover costs. Significant long-term testing costs were incurred at Jilguero -1 and slickline service costs at Costayaco and Moqueta. Transportation costs were 11% lower than the prior year due to lower trucking costs as a result of the reduced impact of pipeline disruptions and pipeline pumping optimization. Workover costs were 45% lower than the prior year mainly due to fewer workovers in the Chaza Block. Petrolifera’s operating expenses for the post acquisition period were $1.2 million.
For 2011, DD&A expenses increased to $141.1 million from $133.7 million in 2010. Petrolifera’s DD&A expense for the post acquisition period was $4.3 million. The remainder of the increase was attributable to higher production levels partially offset by a small reduction in the depletion rate to $26.17 per BOE compared with $26.80 per BOE in 2010. Increased costs in our depletable pools were offset by higher reserves.
G&A expenses increased to $25.1 million ($4.66 per BOE) from $15.2 million ($3.05 per BOE) in 2010. The increase was mainly due to increased salaries and stock-based compensation resulting from an increased headcount, the inclusion of Petrolifera’s G&A expense of $3.2 million and consulting fees related to expanded operations.
Equity tax of $8.3 million in 2011 represents a Colombian tax of 6% on a legislated measure which is based on our Colombian segment’s balance sheet equity at January 1, 2011. The equity tax is assessed every four years. The tax is payable in eight semi-annual installments over four years, but was expensed in the first quarter of 2011 at the commencement of the four-year period.
The results for 2011 include a foreign exchange gain of $1.6 million, of which $0.9 million is an unrealized non-cash foreign exchange gain on the translation of Colombian peso denominated deferred taxes to the U.S. dollar functional currency. For 2010, the foreign exchange loss was $17.9 million, of which $14.6 million was unrealized. The Colombian Peso devalued by 1.5% against the U.S. dollar in the year ended December 31, 2011 resulting in the unrealized foreign exchange gain. In 2010, the Colombian Peso strengthened against the U.S. dollar by 6%. A strengthening in the Colombian peso against the U.S. dollar results in foreign exchange losses, estimated at $94,000 for each one peso decrease in the exchange rate of the Colombian peso to one U.S. dollar.
Segmented Results of Operations – Colombia for the Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared with the Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2009
For the year ended December 31, 2010, income before income taxes from Colombia amounted to $142.5 million compared with income before taxes of $55.8 million recorded in 2009. An increase in production revenue more than offset increased operating, G&A, and DD&A expenses.
For the year ended December 31, 2010, production of oil and NGLs, NAR, increased by 15% to 4.9 MMbbl compared with 4.3 MMbbl in 2009. The increase in production is primarily due to the increase in wells on stream in Costayaco and the success of the Costayaco workover program. Production levels are after government royalties ranging from 8% to 26% and third party royalties of 2% to 10%. The additional government royalty paid in 2010 (discussed above) reduced the increase in total production from the Costayaco field as compared with the prior year.
Our Colombian operating results for the year ended December 31, 2010 were principally driven by the increase in production volumes and the associated increase in workover, transportation, operating, G&A and DD&A expenses. In 2010, Colombia production included Costayaco -1, -2, -3, -4, -8, -9, -10 (January 2010), and -11 (June 2010), Juanambu -1 and -2, and the Santana Block. In 2009, Colombia production included Costayaco –1,-2,-3,-4,-5, -8 (July 2009), -9 (September 2009), and Juanambu -1.
Outages on the OTA pipeline result when sections of the pipeline are damaged. Outages reduced our deliveries to Ecopetrol for 29 days in 2010 (7 days in June and 22 days in September), as compared with 46 days in 2009 (32 days in July and August and 14 days in June). In January 2009, the Juanambu and Costayaco fields were also shut in for 10 days due to a general strike in the region where our operations are located. The overall decrease in sales as a result of the disruptions is estimated to be approximately 2% of total sales in 2010 and 14% of total sales in 2009.
Revenue and interest were positively affected by an increase in net realized oil prices in 2010 compared with 2009. The average net realized prices for oil, which are based on WTI prices, increased by 25% to $72.45 per barrel for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared with 2009. Increased production combined with the increased net realized oil price resulted in our revenue and interest from Colombia for the year ended December 31, 2010 increasing by 44% to $359.8 million from 2009 levels.
As a result of achieving gross field production of five million barrels in our Costayaco field during the month of September 2009, we became subject to an additional government royalty payable. The additional royalty is calculated on 30% of the field production revenue over an inflation adjusted trigger point. That trigger point was $32.13 for 2010 and $30.22 for 2009. Production revenue for this calculation is based on production volumes net of other government royalty volumes. In 2010, the actual government royalties at Costayaco averaged 24% including the additional government royalty of 15%. In 2009, the government royalties for the year averaged 16%, including the additional government royalty, once it became effective September 2009.
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 increased to $50.4 million from $33.1 million in 2009. The increased operating expenses resulted from the Costayaco workover program ($6.6 million higher than in 2009), increased trucking resulting from increased volumes and OTA pipeline maintenance, and an increase in producing wells in Costayaco for 2010. On a per BOE basis, operating expenses for 2010 increased to $10.11 compared with $7.71 incurred in 2009, reflecting higher operating costs partially offset by the effect of the increase in total production. The additional government royalty paid in 2010 as compared with 2009 further increased the per BOE operating cost amounts from 2009.
For 2010, DD&A expenses increased to $133.7 million from $127.2 million in 2009. Increased production levels partially offset by higher oil reserve levels and lower future development costs added to the depletable base, accounted for the increase in DD&A expenses. On a per BOE basis, DD&A expenses in Colombia decreased by 10% to $26.80 for 2010, compared with $29.64 for 2009, due to higher production offset by increased proved reserves and lower future development costs.
Higher G&A expenses incurred to manage the increased level of development and operating activities resulted in G&A expense increasing to $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 from $13.0 million incurred in 2009. On a per BOE basis, G&A expenses in 2010 increased by 1% to $3.05 from $3.03 in 2009, due to higher costs partially offset by higher production. The additional government royalty paid in 2010 as compared with 2009 further increased the per BOE G&A amounts from 2009.
The foreign exchange loss of $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 includes an unrealized non-cash foreign exchange loss of $14.6 million and compares to a foreign exchange loss of $20.2 million in 2009, including an unrealized non-cash foreign exchange loss of $19.3 million. The unrealized non-cash foreign exchange loss resulted primarily from the translation of a deferred tax liability recognized on the purchase of Solana Resources Limited (“Solana”). This deferred tax liability, a monetary liability, is denominated in the local currency of the Colombian foreign operations and as a result, foreign exchange gains and losses have been calculated on conversion to the U.S. dollar functional currency.
Capital Program - Colombia
The Petrolifera acquisition added interests in three blocks in Colombia: the Sierra Nevada Block and the Magdalena Block in the Lower Magdalena Basin and the Turpial Block in the Middle Magdalena Basin.
Capital expenditures in Colombia during 2011 were $202.6 million, an increase of 92% from 2010. The following table provides a breakdown of capital expenditures during 2011, 2010 and 2009:
Segmented Capital Program – Colombia
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
(Millions of U.S. Dollars)
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drilling and completion
|
|
$ |
105.3 |
|
|
$ |
60.2 |
|
|
$ |
46.0 |
|
Facilities and equipment
|
|
|
33.0 |
|
|
|
25.2 |
|
|
|
14.7 |
|
Geological and geophysical
|
|
|
30.0 |
|
|
|
22.0 |
|
|
|
15.1 |
|
Other
|
|
|
34.3 |
|
|
|
(1.9 |
) |
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
202.6 |
|
|
$ |
105.5 |
|
|
$ |
81.4 |
|
The significant elements of our 2011 Capital Program in Colombia were as follows:
|
·
|
Costayaco Field, Chaza Block (100% working interest and Operator)
|
We completed three development wells in the Costayaco field. The Costayaco -12 and -13 development wells were drilled as infill production wells to test the respective northern and southern extensions of the Costayaco field. Production from these wells is intended to assist in maintaining the production plateau at the Costayaco field; these wells will be converted to water-injectors to assist with pressure maintenance in the field later in the Costayaco field life. The Costayaco-14 development well was completed as a water injector well for pressure support in the Costayaco field.
We completed upgrades to the pumping station, battery and support facilities and a project to electrify the field was completed in December 2011.
|
·
|
Moqueta Field, Chaza Block (100% working interest and Operator)
|
We completed three development wells in the Moqueta field, Moqueta -4, -5 and -6. All three wells are currently on production. The Moqueta -4 development well was successfully completed and tested 1,674 BOPD confirming additional oil bearing reservoirs. The Moqueta -5 development well resulted in production rates of 730 barrels of oil per day. The Moqueta -6 development well was drilled and tested 144 BOPD natural flow.
Construction of facilities at the Moqueta field commenced in 2011. In 2011, the 6-inch diameter, 8 km pipeline connecting the Moqueta and Costayaco infrastructure was completed. We also completed a parallel 4-inch gas line that will be used to transport gas or water from Costayaco to Moqueta for anticipated gas injection for pressure support.
We commenced the acquisition of 3D seismic to assist in refining the mapping of the Moqueta field and planning further delineation and development drilling.
|
·
|
Guayuyaco Block (70% working interest and Operator)
|
The Juanambu -3 development well was completed as a producing well. We acquired 77 square kilometers of 3D seismic and acquired pumping equipment.
|
·
|
Garibay Block (50% non-operated working interest) |
The Melero -1 exploration well was drilled and completed and resulted in an oil discovery. The Jilguero -2 development well was also completed as a producing well. Both of these wells will begin long-term testing in the first quarter of 2012. We also completed civil works and upgraded facilities.
During 2011, we completed the following exploration wells: Canangucho -1 and Pacayaco -1ST1 on the Chaza Block, San Angel -1001 on the Magdalena Block, Taruka -1 on the Piedemonte Sur Block and Rumiyaco -1 on the Rumiyaco Block. These wells were plugged and abandoned in 2011. We also drilled the Brillante SE -2 development well on the Sierra Nevada Block, but no reservoir was present, so the well was plugged and abandoned. We also completed a 275 square kilometer 3D seismic survey. Approximately 222 square kilometers of data was acquired in the Sierra Nevada license and 53 square kilometers in the Magdalena license.
Capital expenditures in Colombia for the year ended December 31, 2010 amounted to $105.5 million and included: Costayaco facilities and site preparation and drilling for Costayaco -11, -12 and -13, Moqueta -1, -2, -3 and -4, Pacayaco -1ST1 and Canangucho -1; Juanambu -2 drilling and facilities, Taruka -1, Popa -3 drilling and 3D and 2D seismic.
Outlook - Colombia
The 2012 capital program in Colombia is $182 million with $104 million allocated to drilling, $27 million to facilities and pipelines and $51 million for G&G expenditures. Our planned work program for 2012 includes the following:
Exploration Activities
The 2012 exploration program in Colombia includes four gross exploration wells. Our oil exploration drilling program will target prospects in the Putumayo and Llanos basins. The Ramiriqui-1 oil exploration well on the Llanos-22 Block operated by CEPSA began drilling in the fourth quarter of 2011. The mirador formation has been interpreted as oil bearing. Casing has been set and drilling is continuing in order to evaluate deeper potential reservoirs. We plan to perform testing after the completion of drilling.
We plan to drill the Bordon -1 oil exploration well to the north of the Melero and Jilguero discoveries on the Garibay Block, the Verdeyaco -1 oil exploration well on the Guayuyaco Block and the La Vega Este-1 oil exploration well on the Azar Block.
Development and Delineation Activities
The 2012 development program in Colombia includes seven gross development wells. Our development drilling will focus on the Moqueta, Costayaco and Brillante field developments. In the Costayaco field, we plan to drill two additional water injector wells along with two production wells. In the Moqueta field, we plan to drill one development well, which could be used as an oil producer or water injector depending on the well results, and a further water injector well. We also plan to drill the
Brillante -3 natural gas delineation well in the Sierra Nevada Block.
Facilities and Equipment
Facilities work will include continued electrification of the Moqueta fields, water injection facilities and a production battery at the Jilguero oil discovery.
G&G
G&G work will consist of 3D and 2D seismic planned for the Cauca -6, Cauca -7, Moqueta, Garibay, Piedemonte Norte, Piedemonte Sur, Putumayo -1 and Putumayo -10 Blocks to mature leads and prospects for drilling in 2013 and beyond
Segmented Results – Argentina
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
Segmented Results of Operations - Argentina
|
|
2011
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2009
|
|
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and natural gas sales
|
|
$ |
48,016 |
|
|
|
243 |
|
|
$ |
13,984 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
$ |
13,795 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
154 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
(80 |
) |
|
|
127 |
|
|
|
|
48,082 |
|
|
|
243 |
|
|
|
14,010 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
13,922 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
27,076 |
|
|
|
207 |
|
|
|
8,808 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
7,537 |
|
DD&A expenses
|
|
|
45,506 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
29,416 |
|
|
|
253 |
|
|
|
8,339 |
|
G&A expenses
|
|
|
7,805 |
|
|
|
172 |
|
|
|
2,868 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
2,318 |
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
330 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
493 |
|
|
|
(42 |
) |
|
|
|
80,717 |
|
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
41,257 |
|
|
|
127 |
|
|
|
18,152 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
$ |
(32,635 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
$ |
(27,247 |
) |
|
|
(544 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,230 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and NGL's, bbl
|
|
|
726,762 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
284,044 |
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
337,316 |
|
Natural gas, Mcf
|
|
|
1,143,576 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total production, BOE (1)
|
|
|
917,358 |
|
|
|
223 |
|
|
|
284,044 |
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
337,316 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Prices
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and NGL's per bbl
|
|
$ |
61.10 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
$ |
49.23 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
$ |
40.90 |
|
Natural gas per Mcf
|
|
$ |
3.16 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segmented Results of Operations per BOE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and natural gas sales
|
|
$ |
52.34 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
$ |
49.23 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
$ |
40.90 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
(76 |
) |
|
|
0.38 |
|
|
|
|
52.41 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
49.32 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
41.28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
29.52 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
31.01 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
22.34 |
|
DD&A expenses
|
|
|
49.61 |
|
|
|
(52 |
) |
|
|
103.56 |
|
|
|
319 |
|
|
|
24.72 |
|
G&A expenses
|
|
|
8.51 |
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
10.10 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
6.87 |
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
(583 |
) |
|
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|
|
88.00 |
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
145.25 |
|
|
|
170 |
|
|
|
53.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
$ |
(35.59 |
) |
|
|
(63 |
) |
|
$ |
(95.93 |
) |
|
|
666 |
|
|
$ |
(12.53 |
) |
(1)
|
Production represents production volumes NAR adjusted for inventory changes. Gas volumes are converted to BOE equivalent at the rate of six Mcf of gas per barrel of oil, based upon the approximate relative energy content of gas and oil, which rate is not necessarily indicative of the relationship of oil and gas prices.
|
Segmented Results of Operations – Argentina for the Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared with the Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2010
For the year ended December 31, 2011, loss before income taxes in Argentina amounted to $32.6 million compared with $27.2 million in 2010. Loss before income tax included a ceiling test impairment charge for the Argentina cost center of $25.7 million in 2011 and $23.6 million in 2010. In 2011, increased oil and natural gas sales were more than offset by increased operating, depletion and G&A expenses and an increase in the foreign exchange loss. Results of the Argentina segment were significantly affected by the inclusion of Petrolifera’s results since the acquisition date. The impact of Petrolifera on the financial and operational results of the Argentina segment is discussed below.
Oil and NGL production NAR increased 156% to 0.7 MMbbl compared with 0.3 MMbbl for 2010. The increase resulted from the inclusion of Petrolifera production of 0.5 MMbbl, NAR, in 2011.
Natural gas sales NAR relate solely to Petrolifera’s properties. Natural gas sales amounted to 1.1 Bcf in 2011.
Overall, total production of oil and gas from the Argentina segment increased by 223% to 0.9 MMBOE in 2011.
Due to the Argentinean regulatory regime, the average oil price we received for production from our blocks during 2011 was approximately $61.10 per barrel. Currently most oil and gas producers in Argentina are operating without sales contracts for periods longer than several months. We are continuing deliveries to refineries and are negotiating a price for those deliveries on a regular and short term basis.
Revenue and other income increased by 243% to $48.1 million in 2011 compared with $14.0 million in 2010. The increase was primarily due to higher production due to the inclusion of Petrolifera’s oil and gas production and increased prices. Average regulated oil prices increased by 24% in 2011 compared with 2010. The Argentine segment realized $0.6 million from the sale of Petroleum Plus program credits during the fourth quarter of 2011. These credits are granted by the Argentine government to companies for new production of natural gas or oil, either from new discoveries, enhanced recovery techniques or reactivation of older fields.
Operating expenses in 2011 amounted to $27.1 million compared with $8.8 million in 2010. Petrolifera’s operating expenses were $15.9 million in 2011. Operating expenses were $29.52 per BOE in 2011 compared with $31.01 per BOE in 2010. Transportation costs decreased by $1.91 per BOE a result of a higher percentage of production being from blocks with lower per BOE transportation costs, such as the Puesto Morales Block.
DD&A expenses in 2011 were $45.5 million compared with $29.4 million in 2010. DD&A expenses included a ceiling test impairment charge for the Argentina cost center of $25.7 million in 2011 and $23.6 million in 2010. The impairment loss in 2011 resulted from an increase in estimated future operating and capital costs to produce our remaining Argentine proved reserves and a decrease in reserve volumes. The impairment loss in 2010 included $17.9 million relating to the abandonment of the sidetrack operations at the GTE.St.VMor-2001 well and $5.2 million resulting from reduced reserves due to increases in estimated future operating costs. Petrolifera’s depreciation, depletion and accretion expense was $14.0 million in 2011. DD&A expenses per BOE in 2011 were $49.61, significantly lower than DD&A expenses in 2010 of $103.56 due to the ceiling test impairment charge of $81.28 per BOE compared with $28.02 in 2011.
G&A expenses in 2011 were $7.8 million compared with $2.9 million in 2010. The increase was primarily due to the inclusion of Petrolifera’s G&A for the period after acquisition ($3.2 million, including interest expense on bank debt of $1.6 million which was repaid in August 2011) and increased headcount and consulting fees as a result of expanded operations.
Segmented Results of Operations – Argentina for the Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared with the Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2009
For the year ended December 30, 2010, loss before income taxes in Argentina was $27.2 million compared with $4.2 million in 2009 due to lower production levels and increased operating, depletion and G&A expenses, only partially offset by increased oil prices. Operating expenses increased due primarily to costs associated with Valle Morado, which had limited operating costs in 2009, prior to re-entry in the third quarter of 2010. DD&A included charges for ceiling test impairment of the Argentina cost center of $23.6 million in 2010 and $1.9 million in 2009. General and administrative expenses increased due to an increase in staffing and consulting fees over 2009 levels.
Crude oil and NGL production, net after 12% royalties, decreased 16% to 0.3 mmbbl in 2010 compared with 2009. The decrease resulted from general production declines.
Capital Program - Argentina
Capital expenditures in Argentina amounted to $36.3 million in 2011. Capital expenditures in 2011 included drilling expenditures of $27.1 million, facilities expenses of $4.0 million, G&G expenses of $2.6 million and other expenditures of $2.6 million. These expenditures were partially offset by proceeds of $3.3 million from the farm out of a property and $1.2 million from the sale of a blow-out preventer. The Petrolifera acquisition added interests in seven blocks in the Neuquen Basin in Argentina of which we still hold six.
The significant elements of our 2011 Capital Program in Argentina were as follows:
|
·
|
Puesto Morales Block (100% working interest and Operator)
|
We completed drilling a development well in the Puesto Morales field, with the purpose of improving recovery and growing production from this mature oil field. We completed workovers on 18 wells and completed G&G work to optimize the location of the planned development wells. We also continued facility upgrades.
|
·
|
Puesto Morales Este Block (100% working interest and Operator)
|
We drilled and completed two producing development wells.
|
·
|
Rinconada Norte Block (35% non-operated working interest)
|
Our partner commenced drilling four gross exploration wells. Two wells were completed in 2011, which resulted in an oil discovery, and two were in progress at year-end. A wholly-owned subsidiary of America Petrogas Inc. is the operator of this block with a 65% working interest upon completing certain work program obligations, while we hold a 35% working interest.
|
·
|
Rinconada Sur Block (100% and operator)
|
We started drilling one development well.
|
·
|
Surubi Block (85% working interest and operator)
|
We performed site preparation work for the Proa -2 development well and associated facilities to produce the new well and completed workover activities at the Proa -1 discovery well.
We completed a workover program in El Chivil which helped stabilize production.
|
·
|
Palmar Largo Block (14% non-operated working interest
|
One gross development well was drilled and workover activities were completed.
|
·
|
Santa Victoria Block (50% working interest and Operator
|
We successfully farmed out a 50% interest in the Santa Victoria Block in the Noroeste Basin of northwestern Argentina to Apache in March 2011. The joint venture, with Gran Tierra as operator, is evaluating the gas potential of the acreage, with gas-condensate reserves and production proven in the region. We have agreed to proceed with Apache into the second exploration phase, which has a work commitment that will be fulfilled with one exploration well expected to be drilled before year-end 2012.
|
·
|
Valle Morado Block (96.6% working interest and Operator) |
The sidetrack drilling operation on the Valle Morado GTE.St.VMor-2001 well was suspended in February 2011 and the wellbore was abandoned due to operational challenges.
We also continued to evaluate other blocks and bids for potential acquisitions.
Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2010 amounted to $33.9 million and included exploratory seismic in the Santa Victoria Block for $3.9 million, a $2.7 million workover in El Chivil and $24.4 million related to the re-entry and sidetrack of the GTE.St.VMor-2001 well, including $2.0 million to buy out our partner’s option to back in for an additional working interest.
Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2009 amounted to $4.5 million mainly related to workovers, facility construction, and seismic acquisition.
Outlook – Argentina
The 2012 capital program in Argentina is $53 million with $39 million allocated to drilling, $6 million to facilities and pipelines, and $8 million to G&G expenditures.
Our planned work program for 2012 includes drilling three gross exploration wells, 10 gross development wells and conducting 14 workovers on existing wells in Argentina. Eight gross development wells are planned for the Puesto Morales Field, one on the Surubi Block and one on the Rinconada Sur Block. The intention of the drilling program is to improve recovery of oil in place and grow production. We plan to drill two oil exploration wells on the Rinconada Sur Block and are also evaluating the potential to drill a gas exploration well in the Santa Victoria Block in 2012.
Segmented Results - Peru
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Results of Operations - Peru
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
$ |
140 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
322 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
207 |
|
|
|
149 |
|
|
|
83 |
|
DD&A expenses
|
|
|
42,035 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
G&A expenses
|
|
|
4,249 |
|
|
|
269 |
|
|
|
1,153 |
|
|
|
272 |
|
|
|
310 |
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
(217 |
) |
|
|
(823 |
) |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
46,389 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,430 |
|
|
|
261 |
|
|
|
396 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
$ |
(46,249 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
(1,430 |
) |
|
|
261 |
|
|
$ |
(396 |
) |
Segmented Results of Operations – Peru for the Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared with the Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2010
Due to the significance of losses before income taxes, Peru became a reportable segment in 2011. The comparative amounts for 2010 were disaggregated from the “All Other” category for presentation purposes.
DD&A expenses in 2011 includes a $42.0 million ceiling test impairment for our Peru cost center relating to seismic and drilling costs from two blocks which were relinquished.
The increase in G&A expenses in 2011 from 2010 was due to higher salaries, stock-based compensation and consulting fees resulting from increased activity. We are now the operator of three exploration blocks in Peru and have a non-operated interest in two other blocks.
The Petrolifera acquisition added three blocks in the Ucayali Basin in Peru: Block 106, Block 107 and Block 133. Prior to close of the acquisition, Petrolifera, in consultation with Gran Tierra, notified PeruPetro of the intention not to proceed to the next exploration phase in Block 106. Accordingly, the Block 106 license agreement was terminated in April 2011.
Capital expenditures in Peru during the year ended December 31, 2011 were $36.2 million. The significant elements of our 2011 Capital Program in Peru were as follows:
|
·
|
Blocks 123, 124 and 129 (20% non-operated working interest) |
In September 2010, we acquired a 20% non-operated working interest in ConocoPhillips operated Block 123, Block 124 and Block 129, subject to government approval. The approval for these blocks was granted in March 2011 with final assignment completed on April 26, 2011. We relinquished our interest in Block 124 during 2011. We acquired 910 kilometers of 2D seismic data on these blocks in 2011.
|
·
|
Blocks 107 and 133 (100% working interest and operator) |
Permitting for drilling on Block 107 was advanced. G&G studies are ongoing on the adjacent Block 133 in preparation for seismic geophysical acquisition in 2012.
We drilled the Kanatari -1 exploration well on Block 128 which was plugged and abandoned. We relinquished our interest in Blocks 122 and 128 during 2011.
Capital expenditures in Peru during the year ended December 31, 2010 were $15.0 million and mainly related to the acquisition of seismic data, a $2.0 million deposit on the farm-in of Block 95 in Peru and commencement of drilling on Blocks 122 and 128.
Capital expenditures in Peru during the year ended December 31, 2009 were $1.6 million and included drilling feasibility and geological studies on Block 122 and Block 128.
Outlook - Peru
The Peru budget of $62 million includes drilling one gross exploration well on Block 95 and preparations for drilling a second exploration well in 2013. Drilling costs are anticipated to be $41 million and approximately $21 million is budgeted for seismic acquisition and facility costs.
On January 17, 2012, PeruPetro signed the assignment documents for Block 95, officially transferring 60% of the block to Gran Tierra. A drilling location has been identified for the first exploration well on Block 95, with civil construction initiated. Drilling is expected to be undertaken in 2012.
Results - Corporate Activities and Operations in Brazil
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2009
|
|
Results of Operations - Corporate Activities and Operations in Brazil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and natural gas sales
|
|
$ |
4,176 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
518 |
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
688 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
494 |
|
|
|
|
4,694 |
|
|
|
582 |
|
|
|
688 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
494 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
1,018 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(100 |
) |
|
|
73 |
|
DD&A expenses
|
|
|
2,561 |
|
|
|
558 |
|
|
|
389 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
311 |
|
G&A expenses
|
|
|
23,219 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
21,004 |
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
13,148 |
|
Financial instruments (gain) loss
|
|
|
(1,522 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
123 |
|
|
|
190 |
|
Gain on acquisition
|
|
|
(21,699 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
|
|
1,502 |
|
|
|
219 |
|
|
|
(1,258 |
) |
|
|
291 |
|
|
|
(322 |
) |
|
|
|
5,079 |
|
|
|
(75 |
) |
|
|
20,091 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
13,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
$ |
(385 |
) |
|
|
(98 |
) |
|
$ |
(19,403 |
) |
|
|
50 |
|
|
$ |
(12,906 |
) |
Results of Operations – Corporate Activities and Operations in Brazil for the Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared with the Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009
Corporate activities include costs associated with our headquarters in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and expenses related to technical reviews, business development and compliance and reporting under securities regulations.
Oil and natural gas sales and operating expenses represent sales and operating expense from Block 155 in the onshore Recôncavo Basin of Brazil. We began earning revenue from this block on June 15, 2011, the date regulatory approval was received for the purchase of our 70% participating interest in that block.
DD&A expenses in 2011 of $ 2.6 million included $1.8 million in Brazil. This related primarily to Block 155 which began production during the year.
The increase in G&A expenses of $ 2.2 million between 2011 and 2010 related to increased salary and stock-based compensation expense and increased consulting charges due to expanded operations in all countries. The 2011 expenses included $1.2 million related to the acquisition of Petrolifera. The increase between 2009 and 2010 was due to increased staffing levels to support business development activities and expanded operations and Brazil as well as higher stock based compensation expense due to increased stock option grants.
The financial instruments gain in 2011 primarily related to the fair value of warrants issued in connection with the acquisition of Petrolifera. These warrants expired unexercised during August 2011. In 2010, we recorded a gain of $44,000 compared with a loss of $0.2 million in 2009. We had no derivative contracts outstanding at December 31, 2011 or 2010.
The gain on acquisition related to the acquisition of Petrolifera. The gain reflected the impact on Petrolifera’s pre-acquisition market value of their lack of liquidity and capital resources required to maintain production and reserves and further develop and explore their inventory of prospects.
The foreign exchange loss resulted from the translation of foreign currency denominated transactions to U.S. dollars.
Capital Program – Corporate and Brazil
Capital expenditures in Corporate and Brazil during the year ended December 31, 2011 were $52.6 million and included $28 million for the acquisition of a 70% participating interest in four blocks in the onshore Recôncavo Basin of Brazil, drilling of two exploration and one delineation wells, seismic and site preparation expenses and the cost of drilling materials for future wells.
We hold interests in four blocks in the onshore Recôncavo Basin and one block in the offshore Camamu-Almada Basin. The significant elements of our 2011 Capital Program in Brazil were as follows:
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Blocks 129, 142, 155 and 224, Recôncavo Basin (70% working interest and Operator)
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On June 15, 2011, we received final approvals for the acquisition of a 70% participating interest in Blocks 129, 142, 155 and 224 in the onshore Recôncavo Basin of Brazil and also became the operator of these blocks effective from that date. With the exception of one block which has a producing well, the remaining blocks are unproved properties. First production contribution from the producing block was recorded in June 2011.
We drilled two gross exploration wells, 1-GTE-01-BA and 1-GTE-02-BA, on Blocks 142 and 129, respectively and an appraisal well, 3-GTE-03-BA on Block 155, was spud in December 2011. Drilling of the 1-GTE-01-BA vertical pilot exploration well was completed in November 2011. Core samples were acquired from the prospective reservoir section of the pilot well and we plan to drill a horizontal sidetrack in mid-2012 to test the productivity of light oil sandstone reservoir targets. Drilling of the 1-GTE-02-BA exploration well is suspended while plans are finalized for drilling a horizontal leg in mid-2012. Drilling of the 3-GTE-03-BA delineation well began on December 1, 2011 to further develop the existing discovery on Block REC-T-155. Oil bearing reservoir intervals were encountered and we are moving forward with plans to complete and place this well on production.
We also acquired 35 square kilometers of 3D seismic on Block 155.
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BM-CAL-7 Block, Camamu Basin (10% non-operated working interest; Petrobras 60% is the operator; Statoil 30%;)
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