Pinedale

Noble Energy Inc. is selling oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin to privately held Sheridan Holding Co. II LLC of Houston for $320 million as part of an ongoing divestiture plan, the company said Tuesday.

Questar Corp.’s exploration and production (E&P) unit, whose onshore development extends from the Haynesville Shale to the Pinedale Anticline, is ramping up curtailed and shut-in natural gas wells that it deferred earlier this year, the company said Tuesday.

Houston-based Ultra Petroleum Corp. is exiting the international arena to focus its “full attention” on its legacy asset in the Pinedale Anticline field, CEO Michael D. Watford said. Ultra agreed to sell Sino-American Energy Co., which represents all of its interests in Bohai Bay, China, to SPC E&P (China) Pte Ltd. for $223 million. The reserve volumes sold represent all of Ultra’s international assets and comprise about 1% of its year-end 2006 proved reserves. The sale is expected to close in 4Q2007. Even with the sale of the international assets, Watford said Ultra still expects to deliver more than 20% organic production growth in 2008 and 2009.