By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Jan. 3 -- Bill Barrett Corp., Denver, and Ute Energy LLC, a company affiliated with the Ute Indian Tribe, have entered into an agreement for Barrett to explore and develop 99,000 acres of Ute tribal land and areas of mutual interest at Blacktail Ridge in Utah's Uinta basin (see map, OGJ, Feb 6, 2006, p. 37).
The area is in the Cedar Rim portion of Altamont-Bluebell field, which has produced more than 197 million bbl of oil and 177 bcf of gas, primarily from the deeper Wasatch formation.
Blacktail Ridge is adjacent to and just north of the company's Lake Canyon exploration property, where it currently is drilling the first of a multiwell program following a 2006 Wasatch discovery at its No. 1 DLB well. Barrett recognizes at least 200 locations in Blacktail Ridge on 160-acre spacing, targeting the Wasatch and Green River formations at 5,000-11,000 ft.
Barrett agreed to drill at least 5 test wells in 2007 and 8 test wells each subsequent year to earn a 50% working interest. Ute Energy has the option to participate for as much as 50% working interest in all wells within the prospect boundaries, Barrett said.
