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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event
reported): </B><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">March 27, 2012</FONT></P>

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

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

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

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

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center">Nevada</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; 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: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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

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

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

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

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

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

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under
the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

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

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

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

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

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

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 6pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top; text-align: justify">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD>
</TR></TABLE>

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

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">On March 27, 2012,
the Board of Directors of Gran Tierra Energy Inc., on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approved revisions to the
severance arrangements reflected in the respective employment agreements with each of the following executive officers of Gran
Tierra Energy:</P>

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><I>Martin
Eden, Former Chief Financial Officer<SUP>1</sup></i>
&mdash; An increase in the severance to which Mr. Eden is entitled in the event of a termination of his employment by Gran Tierra
Energy without cause, or his resignation of employment with Gran Tierra Energy for good reason, from 12 months to 18 months Total
Cash Compensation. &ldquo;Total Cash Compensation&rdquo; is defined as the annualized amount of base salary plus bonus payment
for the prior 12-month period.</FONT></P>

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in"><I>David Hardy, General Counsel, Vice President Legal,
and Secretary</I> &mdash; An increase in the severance to which Mr. Hardy is entitled in the event of a termination of his employment
by Gran Tierra Energy without cause, or his resignation of employment with Gran Tierra Energy for good reason, from 12 months to
18 months Total Cash Compensation. &ldquo;Total Cash Compensation&rdquo; is defined as the annualized amount of base salary plus
bonus payment for the prior 12-month period.</P>

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify"><I>James Rozen, Acting Chief
Financial Officer</I> &mdash; An increase in the number of months of advance notice (or payment in lieu of advance notice) to which Mr.
Rozen is entitled prior to the termination of his employment by Gran Tierra Energy without cause, from 3 months to 9 months.</P>

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">Mr. Eden&rsquo;s employment
agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.58 to Gran Tierra Energy&rsquo;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on August 11,
2008, Mr. Hardy&rsquo;s employment agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Gran Tierra Energy&rsquo;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q,
filed with the SEC on May 10, 2011, and Mr. Rozen&rsquo;s employment agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.57 to Gran Tierra Energy&rsquo;s
Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2012. Gran Tierra Energy expects to enter into amendments to each
of these employment agreements to reflect the revisions to the severance arrangements approved on March 27, 2012.</P>

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

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

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<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in; text-align: left">1</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify"><FONT STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Effective
December 9, 2011, Martin Eden, the Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of Gran Tierra Energy,
was placed on a medical leave from his duties at Gran Tierra Energy while he recovered from emergency surgery, and the Board of
Directors of Gran Tierra Energy appointed James Rozon the acting Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer of Gran Tierra Energy. While Mr. Eden had returned to work, he has not resumed his duties as Chief Financial Officer.</FONT></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

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

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

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 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; text-align: left; text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 6pt">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;Date: March 30, 2012</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2">GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 4%">By:&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 46%">/s/ Shane O&rsquo;Leary</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-top: #000000 1px solid">Shane O&rsquo;Leary<BR>Chief Operating Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 6pt">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: left; text-indent: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 6pt"></P>


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

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

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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "v308005_8k.htm", "description": "CURRENT REPORT", "secsgml_size_bytes": 15034}]
{"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": "12729240"}, "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):
March 27, 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
On March 27, 2012,
the Board of Directors of Gran Tierra Energy Inc., on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approved revisions to the
severance arrangements reflected in the respective employment agreements with each of the following executive officers of Gran
Tierra Energy:
Martin
Eden, Former Chief Financial Officer
1
— An increase in the severance to which Mr. Eden is entitled in the event of a termination of his employment by Gran Tierra
Energy without cause, or his resignation of employment with Gran Tierra Energy for good reason, from 12 months to 18 months Total
Cash Compensation. "Total Cash Compensation" is defined as the annualized amount of base salary plus bonus payment
for the prior 12-month period.
David Hardy, General Counsel, Vice President Legal,
and Secretary
— An increase in the severance to which Mr. Hardy is entitled in the event of a termination of his employment
by Gran Tierra Energy without cause, or his resignation of employment with Gran Tierra Energy for good reason, from 12 months to
18 months Total Cash Compensation. "Total Cash Compensation" is defined as the annualized amount of base salary plus
bonus payment for the prior 12-month period.
James Rozen, Acting Chief
Financial Officer
— An increase in the number of months of advance notice (or payment in lieu of advance notice) to which Mr.
Rozen is entitled prior to the termination of his employment by Gran Tierra Energy without cause, from 3 months to 9 months.
Mr. Eden's employment
agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.58 to Gran Tierra Energy's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on August 11,
2008, Mr. Hardy's employment agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Gran Tierra Energy's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q,
filed with the SEC on May 10, 2011, and Mr. Rozen's employment agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.57 to Gran Tierra Energy's
Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2012. Gran Tierra Energy expects to enter into amendments to each
of these employment agreements to reflect the revisions to the severance arrangements approved on March 27, 2012.
1
Effective
December 9, 2011, Martin Eden, the Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of Gran Tierra Energy,
was placed on a medical leave from his duties at Gran Tierra Energy while he recovered from emergency surgery, and the Board of
Directors of Gran Tierra Energy appointed James Rozon the acting Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer of Gran Tierra Energy. While Mr. Eden had returned to work, he has not resumed his duties as Chief Financial Officer.
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: March 30, 2012
GRAN TIERRA ENERGY INC.
By:
/s/ Shane O'Leary
Shane O'Leary
Chief Operating Officer