Minimizing Emissions

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.

Pillar 1: Transparent Reporting

Gran Tierra Energy’s environmental policy calls for the Company to track its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and take steps to reduce them wherever economically feasible.

Since 2016, Gran Tierra has voluntarily retained a respected expert in the field of air quality, to create an assessment of its greenhouse gas emissions in Colombia. This assessment involves collecting, analyzing and quantifying annual air emissions data from GTE’s operations. It was conducted according to the guidelines and standards adopted by the following organizations: International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA), International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP), American Petroleum Industry (API), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). You can find our most recent report here.

An updated assessment using 2022 air emissions data will be released in 2023.

Pillar 2: Nature Based Solutions

Costayaco Forestry Centre: A Unique Resource for Reforestation

The Costayaco Forestry Centre (CFC), established by Gran Tierra Energy in coordination with the regional environmental regulator, and Corpoamazonia is one of the most innovative reforestation efforts in South America. The CFC contains 314.5 hectares of new and maturing forested areas, contributing to an important corridor that connects the Amazon rainforest to the nearby Andes Piedmont areas. These two ecosystems are some of the most biodiverse in the world.

In total GTE has planted approximately 1,470,000 trees and has conserved, preserved, or reforested approximately 3,870 hectares of land through all of the Company’s environmental efforts since 2018. Careful management ensures that the once-delicate saplings grow into sturdy, mature trees that contribute to the national emissions reduction strategy goals.

Through the CFC, Gran Tierra has planted over 250,000 trees across the Putumayo and Cauca Departments, and over 59,000 trees have been donated to local communities and educational centres. The Centre also works to increase environmental awareness by providing educational opportunities for communities to learn about the importance of protecting the forests and environment.

Reforestation Project with Conservation International

Gran Tierra prioritizes the protection and conservation of the environment and works with organizations that share similar values. Gran Tierra, in partnership with respected International NGO Conservation International, has contributed USD $13 million over eight years to a major reforestation and conservation project that is contributing to the restoration and protection of the Andres-Amazon corridor, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.

Given that nature-based approaches including conservation and restoration of tropical forests can provide 30% of the solution to climate change Gran Tierra believes that projects and partnerships such as this are contributing positively. It is expected that the actions developed by NaturAmazonas will contribute to reducing the rate of deforestation in the Amazonian foothills by at least 20%.

To read more about the NaturAmazonas project, click here.

Pillar 3: Gas-to-Power Reduces Emissions

Gran Tierra’s ongoing effort to reduce direct emissions by converting excess gas produced from its wells into an energy source for its operations, continues to generate results. Additionally, converting gas to electricity significantly reduces the demand on municipal utilities, increases fiscal resilience by lowering unit production costs, and provides a more stable energy supply, while reducing flaring and greenhouse gas emissions.

With all major fields fully converted, GTE has turned its attention towards generating gas power at its smaller locations, with service now in place at Cohembi and Los Angeles. In 2022, the Company expects to be able to see excess power from its Costayaco facilities to supply the local grid.


Reciprocating Gas Engine Generators at the Gran Tierra Moqueta Field

 

Emissions reduction, Scope 1 and Scope 2 statistics reflect Gran Tierra’s 2021 data.


Electrical Power Use

In 2021, Gran Tierra’s total operations electrical power use was 216,685,964kWh. The percentage of GTE’s energy consumed from the grid in 2021 was 12% and the Company continues to develop Gas-to-Power projects to decrease its use of electrical power from the local grid.

FIELD GAS-TO-POWER (kWh) GAS USED (scf) SAVINGS (USD)
COSTAYACO1 68,781,969 468,745,820 $1,272,466
MOQUETA2 148,827 1,479,600 $18,864
ACORDIONERO3 69,731,909 932,986,000 $17,467,843
MONO ARAÑA3 978,559 8,505,848 $50,885
VONU1 4,142,465 30,743,300 $405,474
LOS ANGELES 218,396 4,293,200 $393,550
COHEMBU 1,594,924 18,225,670 -

1Savings are calculated vs. National Power Grid 383 - 214 =169 COP/kWh  (0,051 USD/kWh)
2Savings are calculated vs. National Power Grid  372 - 321 =51 COP/kWh (0,015 USD/kWh)
3Savings are calculated vs. Diesel operation until August 900-311 =589 COP/kWh (0,178 USD/kWh)