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 PropertiesGeneralh 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.
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