Environment

Gran Tierra Energy is focused on emissions reductions in three key pillars: first through consistent, transparent and expanded reporting, secondly through our nature-based solutions and lastly, through Gas-to-Power projects. GTE also implements a Corporate Environmental Management Plan that addresses all aspects of environmental protection, including emissions, that guides our environmental policy. GTE’s emissions reductions strategy is also integrated into our Beyond Compliance policy. As a company we strive to be an industry leader and leave the environment in a better condition than when we found it. The following stories expand on the three key pillars that GTE is undertaking to minimize its environmental footprint. View our 2022 Study of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

GTE recognizes the importance of protecting biodiversity and preserving the balance of ecosystems in the areas where we operate. We are committed to conducting our operations responsibly to minimize our environmental impact. This commitment extends to the protection of wildlife habitats, aquatic ecosystems, and the overall biodiversity of the regions in which we operate. The Andes-Amazonia corridor is a strategic zone in the Putumayo Department that hosts the greatest diversity of ecosystems in the Colombian Amazon. This biological diversity of fauna and flora is complemented by great cultural richness represented by the presence of Indigenous communities and Afro-descendants. As the largest oil and gas operator in the Putumayo, Gran Tierra is committed to protecting the area’s biodiversity and has adopted a strategy to coordinate its efforts with other organizations to maximize their regional impact. This strategy has led GTE to enter into partnerships and alliances with organizations with similar goals. The following stories detail the ways that GTE protects the important biodiversity in the regions where we operate.

Gran Tierra has maintained a long-term commitment to responsible resource development, requiring that its activities support a healthy environment and prosperous communities. GTE stands proudly as an industry leader in Environmental Stewardship, both in its compliance with regulations and international best practices, and through its voluntary initiatives that address local, national and international environmental issues. One of the areas where we have had a particular focus is through our reforestation efforts in the Andean-Amazon rainforest. For more information on this work, read the two stories below on the NaturAmazonas project and the Costayaco Forestry Center.

Gran Tierra Energy understands and shares the Colombian and Ecuadorian people’s desire to protect their country’s rivers, lakes and other water resources. With that in mind, GTE is implementing stringent water protection and remediation policies, many of which exceed regulatory requirements. Gran Tierra believes that the protection of freshwater is an essential part of responsible oil and gas exploration and production. The Company is committed to the following four priorities to ensure that its operations do not have an impact on groundwater and aquifers: Proven Technology to isolate drilling operations from the environment. Constant Monitoring of groundwater quality where the company operates. Regular testing of 472 groundwater & surface water monitoring wells on a regular basis, 111 in the Middle Magdalena Valley, 347 in Putumayo and 14 in Ecuador. We have collected and tested nearly 1,000 water samples throughout our water monitoring programs in 2022. Confirmed Results—Independent monitoring and testing to confirm that Gran Tierra has fully safeguarded groundwater quality throughout its history of drilling operations in Colombia. In addition to its four priorities, Gran Tierra has also made a target of zero use and disposal of water from all surface sources. Gran Tierra’s efforts in this area have resulted in significant reductions of surface water per barrel of oil produced, even as the Company has increased its overall production. Gran Tierra is committed to protecting local water sources. Read the stories below to learn more about the ways in which GTE protects, preserves and conserves water.

Protecting the environment is a key component of Gran Tierra’s development plans and operations. The Company attaches great importance to minimizing its impact on the environment and voluntarily supports environmental education, conservation and prevention programs. South America is a beautiful, biodiverse region with a natural heritage that must be protected. Gran Tierra understands that it is a guest in Colombia and Ecuador and that to be a responsible guest, it must meet or exceed both national and international standards in a way that is transparent. Protecting the environment is a key component of Gran Tierra’s development plans and operations. Prior to entering any new areas, and in accordance with Colombian and Ecuadorian environmental regulations, Gran Tierra performs rigorous environmental impact assessments of its proposed projects. These assessments enable project planners to understand the environmental conditions of the area; determine the interactions between a project and the ecosystem; identify potential impacts; and propose appropriate environmental strategies and any needed mitigation, correction or compensation measures. In addition, during the environmental impact assessment process, GTE takes into account the participation of the local communities and authorities. GTE’s environmental goals are two-fold: leveraging the Company’s resources to meaningfully address some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing South America, while minimizing the environmental impacts of its own operations. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, Gran Tierra will: Develop and implement an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) that addresses all aspects of environmental protection and sets out specific plans and measures to avoid or limit harmful impacts. Ensure that wastes are minimized and disposed of properly. Implement an effective spill prevention program and quickly and thoroughly clean up any spills that do occur. Track greenhouse gas emissions and take steps to reduce them where economically feasible. Ensure consistent and capable environmental expertise and oversight to educate and train employees and contractors to properly implement the EMP. Voluntarily support projects and events focused on the protection of environmental resources such as water sources, native wildlife, forests and waste management.  Gran Tierra Energy’s Conservation Footprint Gran Tierra Energy’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) states that GTE will minimize the footprint of project activities throughout the operations and that full remediation and reclamation will follow the cessation of operations. The plan also mandates that the company respect land use by local communities and that the company’s daily work activities shall minimize impacts on local land uses. Up until the end of 2022 Gran Tierra’s conservation footprint, including land reforested, conserved and preserved totaled 3,875 hectares compared to our operations footprint of only 145 hectares. Read the following stories to learn more about Gran Tierra's Environmental Management Plan and Waste Management Plan.

Recognitions such as certificates and awards play a pivotal role in recognizing excellence within Gran Tierra Energy. They are a testament to our commitment to economic development, safety, social investment, environmental stewardship, and governance. These accolades highlight our adherence to industry-leading standards and practices, providing assurance to our stakeholders that we are a Company that is always willing to do the right thing. Our dedicated workforce, innovative strategies, and sustainable practices have earned us numerous certificates and prestigious awards, reinforcing our Beyond Compliance philosophy throughout our business over the years. We will continue to strive for excellence and demonstrate our commitment to leading the industry into a sustainable future. To learn more about GTE's Awards and Certifications, including being ISO 14001 certified for its Environmental Management Systems read on. Award NameAwarded BySustainability Award for Biodiversity Protection InitiativesThe Colombian Oil & Gas Association (ACP) Award NameAwarded ByEmprender Paz AwardFundación Grupo Social Award NameAwarded ByGender Equality AwardMinistry ofMining and Energy, National Hydrocarbons Agency(ANH) and National Mining AgencyFirst place in the Fauna category at the LatinAmerica Green AwardsGreen Awards NGOMachín de Oro Award 2020 for Community Based InitiativesSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Colombia Award NameAwarded ByMachín de Oro Award forSupport of Technical and Social ProgramsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) ColombiaWomen in Energy Award for Excellence in Environmental ManagementSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) ColombiaCommitment to Projects Supporting Colombia’s Reincorporation effortsColombian Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN)Beneficial Practices in Environmental and Social ManagementColombian National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) Award NameAwarded ByKey Partners Program as an Excellent Supply Chain StrategyColombian National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH)“From Challenges to Opportunities” as the top example of a labour practice strengthening sustainable local development and community relations.Colombian National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH)ACIPET Innovation Award – Emprender Paga ProjectACIPETContributions to Zoology AwardColombian Zoology AssociationWomen Breaking Boundaries AwardSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Colombia YearAward NameAwarded By2023Sustainability Award for Biodiversity Protection InitiativesThe Colombian Oil & Gas Association (ACP)2021Emprender Paz AwardFundación Grupo Social2020Gender Equality AwardMinistry of Mining and Energy, National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) and National Mining AgencyFirst place in the Fauna category at the Latin America Green AwardsGreen Awards NGOMachín de Oro Award 2020 for Community Based InitiativesSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Colombia2019Machín de Oro Award for Support of Technical and Social ProgramsSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) ColombiaWomen in Energy Award for Excellence in Environmental ManagementSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) ColombiaCommitment to Projects Supporting Colombia’s Reincorporation effortsColombian Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN)Beneficial Practices in Environmental and Social ManagementColombian National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH)2018Key Partners Program as an Excellent Supply Chain StrategyColombian National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH)“From Challenges to Opportunities” as the top example of a labour practice strengthening sustainable local development and community relations.Colombian National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH)ACIPET Innovation Award – Emprender Paga ProjectACIPETContributions to Zoology AwardColombian Zoology AssociationWomen Breaking Boundaries AwardSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Colombia