Gran Tierra Energy Appoints New President of Gran Tierra Energy, Colombia

Julian Garcia to Lead Colombia Management Team

CALGARY , Nov. 24 /CNW/ - Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (NYSE Amex: GTE; TSX: GTE), a company focused on oil exploration and production in South America , today announced it has appointed Mr. Julian Garcia as President of Gran Tierra Energy, Colombia . Based in Bogota , Mr. Garcia will lead the in-country operations team and manage exploration, production and new venture activities, including a 10-well exploration drilling program commencing in the fourth quarter of 2009 and continuing through 2010.

"With extensive experience in Colombian exploration and production and a proven track record of creating value for shareholders in Colombia , Mr. Garcia is a welcome addition to our corporate team," said Dana Coffield , President and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition to playing a critical role in managing our 2009 and 2010 drilling program, Mr. Garcia will also lead our continuing growth strategy in the country."

Mr. Garcia has more than 25 years of petroleum industry experience in Colombia and internationally. He has extensive experience in all aspects of the petroleum industry, including exploration and production operations, commercial, finance, project management and strategic leadership. He has held a range of progressively senior positions, technical and financial, at companies including Ecopetrol, BP, and the National Hydrocarbon Agency, where he was Technical Director. Most recently, Julian was General Manager for Emerald Energy Plc Colombia , where the company grew reserves 10-fold in less than five years. Mr. Garcia holds a Bachelors of Civil Engineering and a Masters in Economics from Universidad de Los Andes, a Masters in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University USA, and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Birmingham UK.

Mr. Garcia will be replacing Mr. Eddie Dyes who, after a 35 year career in the oil and gas industry, including 23 years in Colombia , will be retiring in December, 2009.

"Eddie Dyes has had a remarkable career in Colombia , making a significant contribution to the oil and gas sector through the building and development of an organization staffed with talented and motivated Colombian professionals with a sustained record of discovering and developing reserves and production. In addition, Eddie has been a sustained supporter of education, health, employment and farming initiatives in communities in the Putumayo region. Most recently, Eddie led the team that discovered and developed the Costayaco field, the largest oil discovery in the Putumayo in decades, and one of the largest in Colombia in recent years," said Mr. Coffield . "On behalf of the Board of Directors and employees of Gran Tierra Energy we wish Eddie continued success with his new adventures."

About Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

Gran Tierra Energy Inc. is an international oil and gas exploration and production company, headquartered in Calgary , Canada , incorporated in the United States , trading on the NYSE Amex Exchange (GTE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (GTE), and operating in South America . Gran Tierra Energy holds interests in producing and prospective properties in Argentina , Colombia and Peru , and has opened a business development office in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil . Gran Tierra Energy has a strategy that focuses on establishing a portfolio of producing properties, plus production enhancement and exploration opportunities to provide a base for future growth. Additional information concerning Gran Tierra Energy is available at www.grantierra.com.

Gran Tierra Energy's Securities and Exchange Commission filings are available on a web site maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov and on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com.

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