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<P STYLE="margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM 8-K</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
</B><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">February 3, 2012</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B><U>GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.</U></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>(Exact name of Registrant as specified in
its charter)</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

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    <TD STYLE="width: 52%; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">Nevada</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 48%; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">98-0479924</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>Commission file number:</B> 001-34018</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">300, 625 11th
Avenue S.W. </FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">Calgary, Alberta,
Canada T2R 0E1</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in"><B>(Address of principal
executive offices and zip code)</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>Registrant's telephone number, including
area code: </B><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">(403) 265-3221</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction
A.2. below):</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
Act (17 CFR 230.425)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election
of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Cash Compensation</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B><I>Cash Bonuses</I></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">On February 3, 2012, the
Board of Directors of Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (the &ldquo;<B><I>Company</I></B>&rdquo; or &ldquo;<B><I>Gran Tierra Energy</I></B>&rdquo;),
upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approved the following cash bonuses for the following Named Executive Officers
of the Company with respect to performance for fiscal year 2011:<FONT STYLE="color: black"><B> </B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="width: 45%; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold">Name</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 55%; vertical-align: top; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify">2011 Bonus</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Dana Coffield</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>President and Chief Executive Officer</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify">$200,000* ($195,925 USD)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Shane O&rsquo;Leary</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Chief Operating Officer</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify">$160,000* ($156,740 USD)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Martin Eden(1)</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Chief Financial Officer</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify">$135,000* ($132,249 USD)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Rafael Orunesu</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>President, Gran Tierra Energy Argentina</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify">$122,704 USD</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>J&uacute;lio C&eacute;sar Moreira</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>President, Gran Tierra Energy Brazil</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify">$166,815** ($88,930 USD)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Duncan Nightingale</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>President, Gran Tierra Energy Columbia</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt"><B>$</B>130,000<B>*</B> ($127,351 USD)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>James Rozon</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Acting Chief Financial Officer</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify">$64,900*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ($63,578 USD)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 6pt 0"><FONT STYLE="color: black"><SUP>*</SUP></FONT>Denotes amount in
Canadian dollars. Amount in parentheses denotes U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of CAD$1.0208 as at December 31, 2011.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 6pt"><FONT STYLE="color: black"><SUP>**</SUP></FONT>Denotes amount in
Brazilian reals. Amount in parentheses denotes U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of R$1.87580 as at December 31, 2011.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">(1)</FONT> <FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Effective
December 9, 2011, Martin Eden, the Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of Gran Tierra Energy
Inc., was placed on a medical leave from his duties at Gran Tierra Energy while he recovers from emergency surgery. On December
9, 2011, the Board of Directors of Gran Tierra Energy Inc. appointed James Rozon the acting Chief Financial Officer and Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer of Gran Tierra Energy, who will continue to serve in that role until the return of Mr. Eden.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Fiscal Year 2012 Compensation Arrangements</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">On February 3, 2012, the Board of Directors
of the Company approved, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the following 2012 base salaries and target bonuses
for the following Named Executive Officers of the Company, effective as of January 1, 2012:</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold">Name</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; vertical-align: top; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">Base Salary</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 35%; vertical-align: top; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><B>Target Bonus<SUP>(2)</SUP></B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Dana Coffield</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>President and Chief Executive Officer</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">$425,000*</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">($416,340 USD)</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">80%</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Shane O&rsquo;Leary</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Chief Operating Officer</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">$360,000*</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">($352,665 USD)</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">70%</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Martin Eden</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Chief Financial Officer</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">$300,000*</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">($293,887 USD)</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">70%</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Rafael Orunesu</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>President, Gran Tierra Energy Argentina</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">$296,535 USD</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">60%</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>J&uacute;lio C&eacute;sar Moreira</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>President, Gran Tierra Energy Brazil</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">$558,830**</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">($297,916 USD)</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">60%</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Duncan Nightingale</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>President, Gran Tierra Energy Columbia</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">$310,000*</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">($303,683 USD)&nbsp;</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">60%</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>James Rozon</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Acting Chief Financial Officer</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">$230,000*</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">($225,313 USD)<SUP>(1)</SUP></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">70%</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 6pt 0"><FONT STYLE="color: black"><SUP>*</SUP></FONT>Denotes amount in
Canadian dollars. Amount in parentheses denotes U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of CAD$1.0208 as at December 31, 2011.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 6pt"><FONT STYLE="color: black"><SUP>**</SUP></FONT>Denotes amount in
Brazilian reals. Amount in parentheses denotes U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of R$1.87580 as at December 31, 2011.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 6pt"><SUP>(1)</SUP> On December 9, 2011, the Board of Directors of Gran
Tierra Energy Inc. appointed James Rozon the acting Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of Gran
Tierra Energy. The salary and target bonus reflected for Mr. Rozon is the salary (on an annualized basis) and target bonus that
he is earning while he is serving in the position of acting Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
of Gran Tierra Energy.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><SUP>(2) </SUP>Target bonus amounts are expressed
as a percentage of the corresponding 2012 base salary.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Equity Grants</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">On February 3, 2012, the
Board of Directors of the Company approved, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, under the Company&rsquo;s 2007
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, the following grants of non-statutory stock options (&ldquo;<B><I>NSOs</I></B>&rdquo;) for shares
of common stock of the Company to the following Named Executive Officers of the Company:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 24%; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-weight: bold">Name</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 17%; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">Number of shares underlying stock option</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 22%; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">Grant Date</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 19%; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">Vesting Date</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 18%; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>Exercise Price</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Dana Coffield</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>President and Chief Executive Officer</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">375,000</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(3)</SUP></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Shane O&rsquo;Leary</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Chief Operating Officer</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">275,000</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(3)</SUP></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Martin Eden</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Chief Financial Officer</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">200,000</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(3)</SUP></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Rafael Orunesu</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>President, Gran Tierra Energy Argentina</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">50,000</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(3)</SUP></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>J&uacute;lio C&eacute;sar Moreira</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>President, Gran Tierra Energy Brazil</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">50,000</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(3)</SUP></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Duncan Nightingale</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>President, Gran Tierra Energy Colombia</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">50,000</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(3)</SUP></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="background-color: rgb(204,255,204)">
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>James Rozon</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Acting Chief Financial Officer</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">35,000</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(1)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(2)</SUP></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><SUP>(3)</SUP></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="background-color: White">
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: super; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 6pt 0; text-align: justify"><SUP>(1) </SUP>The grant date will occur on
the third business day after general public release of the Company&rsquo;s annual revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2011 unless the trading window is closed for any reason on such date in which case the grant date will occur on the first day such
trading window is reopened.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 6pt; text-align: justify"><SUP>(2) </SUP>The option will have a three-year
vesting period commencing on the grant date, 1/3rd of the shares vest and become exercisable one year after the grant date; 1/3rd
of the shares vest and become exercisable two years after the grant date and 1/3rd of the shares vest and become exercisable three
years after the grant date.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><SUP>(3) </SUP>The exercise price will be determined
on the grant date.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURE</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">Pursuant to the requirements of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">Date:&nbsp; February 9, 2012</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; width: 50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; width: 5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; width: 45%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">By:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">/s/ Dana Coffield</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">Dana Coffield</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt/10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt/10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>



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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "v301891_8k.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 35292}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "GRAN TIERRA ENERGY, INC.", "cik": "0001273441", "assigned-sic": "1311", "irs-number": "000000000", "state-of-incorporation": "NV", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-34018", "film-number": "12587506"}, "business-address": {"street1": "300, 611-10TH AVENUE S.W.", "city": "CALGARY", "state": "A0", "zip": "T2R 0B2", "phone": "(403) 265-3221"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "300, 611-10TH AVENUE S.W.", "city": "CALGARY", "state": "A0", "zip": "T2R 0B2"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "GOLDSTRIKE INC", "date-changed": "20040113"}, {"former-conformed-name": "GOLKSTRIKE INC", "date-changed": "20031216"}]}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
February 3, 2012
GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in
its charter)
Nevada
98-0479924
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Commission file number:
001-34018
300, 625 11th
Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta,
Canada T2R 0E1
(Address of principal
executive offices and zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including
area code:
(403) 265-3221
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction
A.2. below):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election
of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Cash Compensation
Cash Bonuses
On February 3, 2012, the
Board of Directors of Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (the "
Company
" or "
Gran Tierra Energy
"),
upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approved the following cash bonuses for the following Named Executive Officers
of the Company with respect to performance for fiscal year 2011:
Name
2011 Bonus
Dana Coffield
President and Chief Executive Officer
$200,000* ($195,925 USD)
Shane O'Leary
Chief Operating Officer
$160,000* ($156,740 USD)
Martin Eden(1)
Chief Financial Officer
$135,000* ($132,249 USD)
Rafael Orunesu
President, Gran Tierra Energy Argentina
$122,704 USD
Júlio César Moreira
President, Gran Tierra Energy Brazil
$166,815** ($88,930 USD)
Duncan Nightingale
President, Gran Tierra Energy Columbia
$
130,000
*
($127,351 USD)
James Rozon
Acting Chief Financial Officer
$64,900*    ($63,578 USD)
*
Denotes amount in
Canadian dollars. Amount in parentheses denotes U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of CAD$1.0208 as at December 31, 2011.
**
Denotes amount in
Brazilian reals. Amount in parentheses denotes U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of R$1.87580 as at December 31, 2011.
(1)
Effective
December 9, 2011, Martin Eden, the Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of Gran Tierra Energy
Inc., was placed on a medical leave from his duties at Gran Tierra Energy while he recovers from emergency surgery. On December
9, 2011, the Board of Directors of Gran Tierra Energy Inc. appointed James Rozon the acting Chief Financial Officer and Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer of Gran Tierra Energy, who will continue to serve in that role until the return of Mr. Eden.
2
Fiscal Year 2012 Compensation Arrangements
On February 3, 2012, the Board of Directors
of the Company approved, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the following 2012 base salaries and target bonuses
for the following Named Executive Officers of the Company, effective as of January 1, 2012:
Name
Base Salary
Target Bonus
(2)
Dana Coffield
President and Chief Executive Officer
$425,000*
($416,340 USD)
80%
Shane O'Leary
Chief Operating Officer
$360,000*
($352,665 USD)
70%
Martin Eden
Chief Financial Officer
$300,000*
($293,887 USD)
70%
Rafael Orunesu
President, Gran Tierra Energy Argentina
$296,535 USD
60%
Júlio César Moreira
President, Gran Tierra Energy Brazil
$558,830**
($297,916 USD)
60%
Duncan Nightingale
President, Gran Tierra Energy Columbia
$310,000*
($303,683 USD)
60%
James Rozon
Acting Chief Financial Officer
$230,000*
($225,313 USD)
(1)
70%
*
Denotes amount in
Canadian dollars. Amount in parentheses denotes U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of CAD$1.0208 as at December 31, 2011.
**
Denotes amount in
Brazilian reals. Amount in parentheses denotes U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of R$1.87580 as at December 31, 2011.
(1)
On December 9, 2011, the Board of Directors of Gran
Tierra Energy Inc. appointed James Rozon the acting Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of Gran
Tierra Energy. The salary and target bonus reflected for Mr. Rozon is the salary (on an annualized basis) and target bonus that
he is earning while he is serving in the position of acting Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
of Gran Tierra Energy.
(2)
Target bonus amounts are expressed
as a percentage of the corresponding 2012 base salary.
Equity Grants
On February 3, 2012, the
Board of Directors of the Company approved, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, under the Company's 2007
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, the following grants of non-statutory stock options ("
NSOs
") for shares
of common stock of the Company to the following Named Executive Officers of the Company:
3
Name
Number of shares underlying stock option
Grant Date
Vesting Date
Exercise Price
Dana Coffield
President and Chief Executive Officer
375,000
(1)
(2)
(3)
Shane O'Leary
Chief Operating Officer
275,000
(1)
(2)
(3)
Martin Eden
Chief Financial Officer
200,000
(1)
(2)
(3)
Rafael Orunesu
President, Gran Tierra Energy Argentina
50,000
(1)
(2)
(3)
Júlio César Moreira
President, Gran Tierra Energy Brazil
50,000
(1)
(2)
(3)
Duncan Nightingale
President, Gran Tierra Energy Colombia
50,000
(1)
(2)
(3)
James Rozon
Acting Chief Financial Officer
35,000
(1)
(2)
(3)
(1)
The grant date will occur on
the third business day after general public release of the Company's annual revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2011 unless the trading window is closed for any reason on such date in which case the grant date will occur on the first day such
trading window is reopened.
(2)
The option will have a three-year
vesting period commencing on the grant date, 1/3rd of the shares vest and become exercisable one year after the grant date; 1/3rd
of the shares vest and become exercisable two years after the grant date and 1/3rd of the shares vest and become exercisable three
years after the grant date.
(3)
The exercise price will be determined
on the grant date.
4
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto
duly authorized.
Date:  February 9, 2012
GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.
By:
/s/ Dana Coffield
Dana Coffield
President and Chief Executive Officer
5