Fort Worth-based independent XTO Energy Inc. said Wednesday it has added an estimated 83 Bcf of proved reserves in several transactions that increased its positions in Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico and Colorado.

In total, XTO spent $100 million on the properties, funding them with existing credit facilities. XTO said the assets are 60% proved developed, and will contribute about 12.7 MMcf/d during the fourth quarter.

“Our acquisition efforts continue to yield tactical assets for XTO’s long-term strategy,” said CEO Bob R. Simpson. “We are adding high-quality properties, long-lived with strong margins and low-risk upsides, in our key operating areas. When combined with the largest development inventory in the company’s history, the result is an outlook for steady growth.”

In East Texas, XTO purchased 42 Bcfe of reserves (38% proved developed) in Freestone and Limestone counties. Gas sales from these properties currently total 4.0 MMcf/d net. The 11,000 gross acres acquired also includes a processing plant with 35 MMcf/d in capacity. And in the Arkoma Basin, XTO added 19 Bcfe of reserves (88% proved developed) in Franklin, Logan, Pope and Sebastian counties. The Arkoma interests produce about 4.3 MMcf/d net production with the focus in the Aetna Field. Both transactions were effective Oct. 1.

XTO added another 22 Bcfe of reserves (78% proved developed) And in the San Juan Basin of New Mexico and Colorado. Effective last July 15, the interests contribute 4.4 MMcf/d net of production, with about 70% attributable to the prolific Fruitland Coal formation.

The property package “reflects our acute focus on acquiring the right properties for the company,” said Steffen E. Palko, president. “In East Texas, we are adding 11,000 gross, or 8,000 net acres, of development potential to our prolific Freestone Trend. The purchase in the Arkoma Basin increases our ownership in growth assets and the San Juan Basin interests build on our stronghold of producing properties in both conventional and coalbed methane gas production. Altogether, these acquisitions provide attractive economics, production decline management and new inventory to drill.”

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