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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Gran Tierra to acquire Petrolifera

Gran Tierra to acquire Petrolifera

Calgary — Gran Tierra Energy Inc. will acquire Petrolifera Petroleum Ltd. in a stock deal valued at $195-million (U.S.), including assumed debt, under a friendly agreement announced by the Calgary-based companies Monday.

Based on Monday's stock price, the offer is worth $1.03 per Petrolifera share – a 29 per cent premium to the market price for the company's stock.

Petrolifera is a mid-sized oil and gas producer focused on South America – in Colombia, Peru and Argentina.

Gran Tierra, which is also active in the region, will issue 19 million of its shares – or about 8 per cent of its outstanding stock – to acquire all of Petrolifera's outstanding shares and warrants.

The offer of 0.1241 of a Gran Tierra share for each Petrolifera share is being supported unanimously by Petrolifera's board of directors.

The transaction will require approval from Petrolifera's shareholders.