Acreage Data

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our developed and undeveloped lease acreage as of December 31, 2006. Developed acres refers to acreage on which wells have been drilled or completed to a point that would permit production of oil and gas in commercial quantities. Undeveloped acreage refers to acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit production of oil and gas in commercial quantities whether or not the acreage contains proved reserves.

The table does not include 1,800 gross and 776 net acres under lease option that we had a right to acquire in Texas and Louisiana, pursuant to various seismic and lease option agreements at December 31, 2006. Under the terms of our option agreements, we typically have the right for a period of one year, subject to extensions, to exercise our option to lease the acreage at predetermined terms. Our lease agreements generally terminate if producing wells have not been drilled on the acreage within a period of three years. Further, the table does not include 23,784 gross and 5,946 net acres under lease option in Wyoming that CCBM has the right to earn pursuant to certain drilling obligations and other predetermined terms. We make certain statements in gBusiness and Properties„ŸGeneralh above regarding acreage that we are currently pursuing in various project areas. This acreage is not included in the table above. We have no rights in acreage that we are only pursuing because the acreage is not under lease or option and, in many cases, we are not in negotiations with respect to such acreage. Moreover, there can be no assurance that we will ever acquire such acreage.

Marketing

Our production is marketed to third parties consistent with industry practices. Typically, oil is sold at the wellhead at fieldposted prices plus a bonus and natural gas is sold under contract at a negotiated price based upon factors normally considered in the industry, such as distance from the well to the pipeline, well pressure, estimated reserves, quality of natural gas and prevailing supply and demand conditions.

Our marketing objective is to receive the highest possible wellhead price for our product. We are aided by the presence of multiple outlets near our production in the Texas and Louisiana onshore Gulf Coast area and the Barnett Shale area. We take an active role in determining the available pipeline alternatives for each property based on historical pricing, capacity, pressure, market relationships, seasonal variances and long-term viability.


There are a variety of factors that affect the market for natural gas and oil, including:

demand for natural gas and oil;
the extent of production of natural gas and oil and, in particular, domestic production and imports;
the proximity and capacity of natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities;
the marketing of competitive fuels; and
the effects of state and federal regulations on natural gas and oil production and sales.
See “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Natural gas and oil prices are highly volatile, and lower prices will negatively affect our financial results,” “Item 1A. Risk Factors—We are subject to various governmental regulations and environmental risks,” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors—The marketability of our natural gas production depends on facilities that we typically do not own or control, which could result in a curtailment of production and revenues.”
 
 
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