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from the typical productive wells we drill in
the Barnett Shale area is noteably longer-lived compared to the
typical reserve profile from our wells drilled in our onshore Gulf
Coast area.
We are drilling both vertical and horizontal
wells in the Barnett Shale area. Typical costs to drill and complete
are $550,000 for vertical wells and $1.5 to $2.5 million for horizontal
wells. Our Barnett wells generally have target depths of 6,000 to
8,000 feet. During 2004, we held an average 40 percent, usually
non-operated, working interest participation in the Barnett wells
drilled. For wells drilled in 2005, we plan to retain larger working
interests, generally ranging between 50 and 100 percent, and to
operate a majority of the wells drilled.
Accordingly, we believe that continued development
of producing reserves in the Barnett Shale play will have the potential
to lengthen our overall average reserve life and, on balance, add
a long-lived cash flow stream to help fund our future capital exploration
and development program. In our Barnett Shale area through December
31, 2004, we had acquired approximately 30,717 net acres, drilled
33 gross (13.7 net) wells and increased our total proved reserves
in the Barnett Shale area to 31.7 Bcfe. As of March 1, 2005, our
current net production in the Barnett Shale area was estimated at
4.0 MMcfe/d and we had increased our leasehold and option position
to over 35,000 net acres.
As of December 31, 2004, we operated 92 producing
oil and gas wells, which accounted for 50% of the onshore Gulf Coast
area producing wells in which we had an interest.
During 2001, through our wholly-owned subsidiary,
CCBM, Inc. ("CCBM"), we acquired 50% of the working interests held
by Rocky Mountain Gas, Inc. ("RMG") in approximately 107,000 net
mineral acres prospective for coalbed methane located in the Powder
River Basin in Wyoming and Montana. Subsequently, we participated
in the acquisition and/or drilling of 77 gross wells (21 net) before
jointly contributing with RMG a majority of our coalbed methane
property interests and operations into a newly, formed company,
Pinnacle Gas Resources, Inc. ("Pinnacle"). In exchange for the assets
contributed, CCBM and RMG each received a 37.5% common stock ownership
in Pinnacle and options to purchase additional common stock, or
on a fully diluted basis, CCBM and RMG each received a 26.9% interest
in Pinnacle. Simultaneously with the contribution of these assets,
Credit Suisse First Boston Private Equity entities (the "CSFB Parties")
contributed $17.6 million cash along with a future cash commitment
to Pinnacle in exchange for common stock, warrants and preferred
stock equal to a 46.2% interest on a fully diluted basis. In February
2004, the CSFB Parties contributed additional funds of $11.8 million
into Pinnacle to continue funding the 2004 development program which
increased their ownership to 66.7% on a fully diluted basis should
we and RMG each elect not to exercise our available options. See
"The Pinnacle Transaction" for more information on this transaction.
Historically, the business operations and development
program of Pinnacle has not required us to provide any further capital
infusion. In March 2005, Pinnacle acquired additional undeveloped
acreage with an undisclosed company which would also significantly
increase Pinnacle's development program budget in 2005. Accordingly,
CCBM and the other Pinnacle shareholders have the option to participate
in the equity contribution into Pinnacle needed to finance the acquisition
and the related development program in 2005. Should we elect to
maintain our proportionate ownership interest in Pinnacle, we estimate
that we would be required to contribute $2.5 million. If CCBM opts
not to contribute any or all of its share of the equity contribution,
its fully diluted ownership in Pinnacle would be reduced. CCBM plans
to contribute $2.5 million in April 2005, its share of the equity
capital needed to close the acquisition and fund part of the additional
development program. There can be no assurance regarding CCBM's
level of participation in future equity contributions needed, if
any. On March 29, 2005, we elected to participate and contribute
$2.5 million to Pinnacle in exchange for warrants and preferred
stock.
In addition to our interest in Pinnacle, CCBM
has maintained interests in approximately 162,489 gross acres at
the end of 2004 in the Castle Rock coalbed methane project area
in Montana and the Oyster Ridge project area in Wyoming. During
2004, we opted to exercise our right to cancel one-half of the remaining
note payable to RMG, or approximately $300,000, in exchange for
assigning one-half of our mineral interest in the Oyster Ridge leases
to RMG.
Certain terms used herein relating to the oil
and natural gas industry are defined in "Glossary of Certain Industry
Terms" below.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
Growth Through the Drillbit
Our objective is to create shareholder value
through the execution of a business strategy designed to capitalize
on our strengths. Key elements of our business strategy include:
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