Less than a year after its launch as a publicly traded independent, Oklahoma City-based Crusader Energy Group Inc. has filed for voluntary bankruptcy protection. Crusader primarily develops unconventional resource plays. Most of its production has focused on the Anadarko Basin, the Barnett Shale, Delaware Basin, Val Verde Basin and the Bakken Shale. Crusader until early 2008 was privately held, but last June it completed a merger with Dallas-based Westside Energy Corp. and began operating as a public company (see Daily GPI, June 30, 2008). At the end of 2007 the combined companies had a net proved reserve base of more than 150 Bcfe, 80% weighted to natural gas, with an estimated reserve life of 15.8 years. Combined production at year-end 2007 was more than 26,000 Mcfe/d, 75% gas. The total leasehold at the end of 2007 was more than 765,000 acres (316,000 net), with 92% undeveloped. The Chapter 11 filing was made in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. Crusader is “continuing its discussions with various parties regarding strategic alternatives, which may include a potential sale of all or substantially all of its assets, a sale of the company or reorganizing the company and its existing capital structure…” Based on its current financial condition, management determined that “it was in the best interest of the company and all of its stakeholders” to seek bankruptcy protection.

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