Share Capital - Schedule of Common Stock (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning Balance (in shares)	387,079,027
Options exercised (in shares)	0
Ending Balance (in shares)	366,981,556	387,079,027
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning Balance (in shares)	387,079,027	385,191,042	390,807,194
Options exercised (in shares)		549,189
Shares repurchased and canceled (in shares)	(20,097,471)	(4,772,869)	(7,704,381)
Exchange of exchangeable shares		6,111,665	2,088,229
Ending Balance (in shares)	366,981,556	387,079,027	385,191,042
Common Stock | Exchangeable Shares of Gran Tierra Exchangeco Inc.
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning Balance (in shares)	0	4,422,776	4,812,592
Options exercised (in shares)		0
Shares repurchased and canceled (in shares)	0	0	0
Exchange of exchangeable shares		(4,422,776)	(389,816)
Ending Balance (in shares)	0	0	4,422,776
Common Stock | Exchangeable Shares of Gran Tierra Goldstrike Inc.
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning Balance (in shares)	0	1,688,889	3,387,302
Options exercised (in shares)		0
Shares repurchased and canceled (in shares)	0		0
Exchange of exchangeable shares		(1,688,889)	(1,698,413)
Ending Balance (in shares)	0	0	1,688,889