"Frontera's ratings and outlook reflect its small and concentrated production profile and weak proved developed producing reserve life of 2.6 years as of year-end 2022," stated Fitch.
Frontera board chair Gabriel de Alba called the discovery another positive development for the company's "potentially transformational investments in Guyana."
If the block proves to have the "significant potential" that the company expects, Frontera could upgrade its exploration license to the development phase.
GeoPark's fossil fuel reserves have fallen below seven years, something Fitch says the firm would be unable to “dramatically reverse” within the next 12 months.
"Companies, civil society and governments must continue to work together for the conservation and restoration of our forests," said Nicole Schwab, director of 1t.org.