Prima Energy Corp. reported last week that it has acquired orgained control of approximately 77,000 gross and 73,000 net acreson the Wasatch Plateau in central Utah, an area that has revealedsignificant coalbed methane (CBM) gas discoveries in the past.

Prima did not disclose the other party to the transaction, nordid it release a price. Prima’s leasehold position sits about 12-15miles northwest of Price, UT, and the prolific Drunkard’s Wash CBMfield. The Drunkard field — which is being actively developed —produces from Ferron coals and is expected to ultimately relinquishin excess of 1.25 Tcf of natural gas. Prima said that the primarytarget on its leasehold is the Emery coal formation.

The block contains total Emery coal thickness of 178 feet inwhich significant gas shows have been reported by operators ofconventional wells that have been drilled in the area. Theindependent oil and gas producer said that the coals occupy amajority of the lease position at depths ranging from 2,500 to5,000 feet.

Prima said in addition to the CBM potential, significant gasshows have been reported from the Ferron sandstones and the Mancosshale. The Clear Creek field four to 10 miles south of the leaseposition has produced more than 126 Bcf of gas from the Ferronsandstone. The company added that the Dakota sandstone has alsobeen productive 25-30 miles south of the block at Flat Canyonfield.

Prima said it plans to begin testing and evaluating the blocklater this year.

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