News

Pacific Drilling S.A. (PDSA) announced the pricing of the initial public offering of 6,000,000 common shares at a price to the public of $8.25 per share for gross proceeds of $49.5 million. The principal purposes of this offering are to increase Pacific’s visibility in the marketplace and create a liquid public market in the United States for the Company’s common shares. Net proceeds of this offering are primarily for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, general and administrative matters and capital expenditures. A portion of these proceeds may be used to make the down payment for a seventh drillship if Company determines to exercise option with SHI. Pacific Drilling is an international ultra-deepwater offshore drilling company with a fleet consisting of six ultra-deepwater drillships. The Company currently operates three recently delivered drillships, expects delivery of its fourth drillship by end of 2011, and has two additional drillships on order at Samsung to be delivered in 2013. Pritchard Capital served as a selling syndicate member for this transaction.

Basic Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE: BAS) (“Basic”) announced that it has closed a public offering of 5,750,000 shares of its common stock, which includes the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option of 750,000 shares, at $32.50 per share, resulting in deal value of approximately $187 million. Since the offering consisted of secondary shares, Basic received no proceeds. Pritchard Capital served as a Co-Manager for the transaction. DLJ Merchant Banking (Credit Suisse) was the selling shareholder.

Pioneer Drilling Co. (AMEX: PDC) (“Pioneer”) announced that it has commenced a public offering of 6,900,000 shares of its common stock, which includes the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option of 900,000 shares, at $14.50 per share, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $100.1 million. Pioneer expects to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund new-build rigs, pay down its credit facility, and other general corporate purposes. Pritchard Capital served as a Co-Manager for the transaction.

Mitcham Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIND) (“Mitcham”) announced the pricing of its public offering of 2,000,000 shares of its common stock at $14.50 per share. The underwriter has a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 300,000 shares of common stock, on the same terms and conditions, to cover over-allotments, if any. Mitcham expects that the gross proceeds from the offering will be approximately $29.0 million ($33.4 million if the underwriter exercises its over-allotment option in full). Mitcham intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay borrowings under their revolving credit facility, purchase lease pool equipment, and other general corporate purposes. Pritchard Capital served as a member of the Selling Syndicate on the transaction.

Triangle Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: TPLM) (“Triangle”) announced that it has commenced a public offering of 18,975,000 shares of its common stock, which includes the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option of 2,475,000 shares, at $7.50 per share, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $142.3 million. Triangle expects to use the net proceeds from this offering along with cash on hand to fund its drilling and development expenditures, leasehold acquisitions, including its recently announced proposed leasehold acquisitions, and general corporate purposes, including working capital. Pritchard Capital served as a Co-Manager for the transaction.

Lipari Energy, Inc. (TSX:LIP) (“Lipari”) successfully completed an Initial Public Offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange of 15,384,615 shares of common stock at a price to the public of C$3.25 per share. Lipari, a high-quality thermal coal producer in Kentucky, will use the net proceeds to repay debt and for general corporate purposes. Pritchard Capital served as exclusive Financial Advisor to Lipari Energy.

GMX Resources (GMXR) announced that it has priced a public offering of 21,075,000 shares of its common stock at $4.75 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $100.1MM. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering (i) to fund an offer to purchase up to $50.0 million of its outstanding 5.00% convertible senior notes due 2013, (ii) to repay the current outstanding balance under its secured revolving credit facility, (iii) to fund the purchase price of pending acquisitions of undeveloped oil and gas leases, (iv) to fund its exploration and development program and (v) for other general corporate purposes. Pritchard Capital acted as co-manager for this transaction.

Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. (KOG) announced the closing of its previously announced public offering of 28,750,000 shares of common stock, which includes the full exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option of 3,750,000 shares. All shares were sold at a price of $5.50 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $158.1 million. Kodiak intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to repay debt outstanding under its revolving credit facility, to fund capital expenditures related to drilling, development and infrastructure, principally in the Bakken play located in North Dakota, and for general corporate purposes, including financing the potential acquisition of oil and gas properties in certain core areas, such as the Bakken play. Pritchard Capital acted as co-manager for this transaction.

Concho Resources Inc. (CXO) (“Concho”) today announced that it has priced an offering of 2,875,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $82.50 per share. Concho intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under its credit facility. Pritchard Capital acted as Co-Manager for the common stock offering.

PDC Energy (PETD) announced that it has upsized and priced its previously announced underwritten public offering of its common stock. The size of the offering has been increased from the previously announced 3,000,000 shares of common stock to 3,600,000 shares of common stock at a price to the public of $32.00 per share. PETD also announced the pricing of its offering of $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2016 in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The notes will pay interest semiannually and will be convertible prior to November 15, 2015 only upon specified events and during specified periods and, thereafter, at any time, in each case at an initial conversion rate of 23.5849 per $1,000 principal amount of the notes, which is equal to a conversion price of approximately $42.40 per share. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offerings to fund an acquisition of additional assets in the Wolfberry Trend in the Permian Basin of West Texas, which is expected to close on or about November 19, 2010; its previously announced acquisitions of the 2004 and 2005 drilling partnerships; and other acquisitions and for general corporate purposes, including drilling capital expenditures associated with the development of the horizontal Niobrara oil play and in the Wolfberry oil trend and to fund refractures and recompletions on wells acquired from the Company's drilling partnerships. Pritchard Capital served as co-manager for both transactions.

Energy XXI (Bermuda) Limited (EXXI) announced a public offering of $286 million (13.8 million shares) of its common stock and $288 million (1.15 million shares) of 5.625% convertible perpetual preferred stock. The company intends to use $132.2 million of the net proceeds from these offerings to redeem $119.7 million aggregate principal amount of its 16% Second Lien Junior Secured Notes due 2014 and $91.5 million of the net proceeds to repay amounts outstanding under its wholly owned subsidiary's revolving credit facility. Pritchard Capital acted as co-manager for the common stock offering.

San Saba Resources, LLC, a West Texas focused E&P company, completed a $35 million private placement consisting of $15 million in private equity and $20 million in senior secured first lien notes. The net proceeds were used to fund the company’s drilling program and provide for working capital needs. Pritchard Capital served as sole placement agent for this transaction.

Rebel Well Testing, an oilfield service company specializing in well testing and flowback services for high pressure oil and gas wells, was acquired by Select Energy Services, LLC. Rebel, founded in 2005 and based in Troup, TX, has developed a solid reputation for providing quality equipment and superior technical service on complex wells. Select Energy Services, formed in 2008, offers a suite of services including wellsite rentals, water management operations, pipeline construction, production services, and hauling services throughout various Shale plays including the Barnett, Woodford, Haynesville, Fayetteville, and Marcellus. Pritchard Capital served as the sell-side financial advisor.

Penn Virginia GP Holdings, L.P. (PVG) announced today that Penn Virginia Resource LP Corp., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Penn Virginia Corporation (PVA), has priced the underwritten public offering of 10,000,000 common units representing limited partner interests at $18.45 per unit. The selling unitholder has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 1,500,000 additional common units to cover over-allotments, if any. PVG will not receive any of the proceeds from the offering. Pritchard Capital acted as a selling syndicate member for this transaction.

Pisces Energy, LLC, a Gulf of Mexico focused E&P company, completed a $133 million recapitalization consisting of $50 million in first lien term notes and of $83 million in second lien term notes and equity interests. The net proceeds were used to refinance the company's existing first lien facility and provide for working capital needs. Pritchard Capital served as financial advisor and sole placement agent for this transaction.

Pioneer Drilling Company (PDC) announced that it has priced a private offering of $250 million of senior unsecured notes due 2018, which will bear interest at a rate of 9.875% per annum. The notes were priced at a discount to provide estimated net proceeds to Pioneer, after fees and expenses, of $234.8 million. Certain of Pioneer's existing and future domestic subsidiaries will fully and unconditionally guarantee the notes. Pioneer intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to repay a portion of the amount outstanding under its senior secured revolving credit facility. The notes are being offered inside the United States to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. Pritchard Capital acted as junior co-manager for this transaction.

Rex Energy Corporation (REXX) announced that it has priced an underwritten public offering of 6.0 million shares of common stock at a public offering price of $12.25 per share. Rex Energy has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 900,000 additional shares to satisfy any over-allotments. The net proceeds to Rex Energy from the offering will be approximately $69.7 million. Rex Energy intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to fund a portion of its capital expenditure program for 2010 and for other general corporate purposes. Pending these uses, Rex Energy intends to use a portion of the net proceeds to fully repay outstanding borrowings under its senior credit facility, which as of December 31, 2009 totaled $23.0 million, and invest the remainder in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities. Rex Energy will then from time to time reborrow amounts under its senior credit facility as capital expenditures exceed its overnight investments and cash flow from operations in periods subsequent to the offering. Pritchard Capital acted as co-manager for this transaction.

Geokinetics Inc. (GOK) announced that its public offering of 4,000,000 shares was priced at $9.25 per share to the public. Geokinetics expects to receive net proceeds from the offering of approximately $34.8 million. The company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund a portion of the cash purchase price of the acquisition of the on-shore seismic and multi-client seismic library business of Petroleum Geo-Services ASA, and any remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which could include the costs to mobilize Geokinetics' seismic crews. Pritchard Capital acted as co-manager for this transaction.

GMX Resources Inc. (GMXR) announced that it has priced a public offering of 6,950,000 shares of its common stock, which was previously announced at 5,750,000 shares, at $15.00 per share as well as a public offering of $75 million aggregate principal amount of its convertible senior notes due 2015, which was previously announced at $70 million aggregate principal amount, and expects the issuance and delivery of the shares and the notes to occur on October 28, 2009, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the aggregate net proceeds from these offerings to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under its revolving bank credit facility, to repay all of its outstanding senior secured notes and for general corporate purposes. Pritchard Capital acted as co-manager for the offering of common stock.

Hercules Offshore, Inc. (HERO) announced that it has priced an underwritten public offering of 17,500,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $5.00 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $87 million. The Company has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 2,625,000 additional shares to cover over-allotments, if any. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, including the proceeds from any exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option, to repay indebtedness outstanding under the Company's term loan facility and for general corporate purposes, which may in the future include repaying indebtedness, among other things. Pritchard Capital acted as co-manager for this transaction.

ATP Oil & Gas Corporation (ATPG) announced that it has priced its public offering of 5.3 million shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $18.50 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $98 million. ATP has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 0.795 million additional shares of common stock to cover any over-allotments. ATP intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund capital expenditures, primarily at its Telemark location in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, to reduce indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. Pritchard Capital acted as co-manager for this transaction.

Penn Virginia Corporation (PVA) announced that Penn Virginia Resource GP Corp., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary, has priced the underwritten public offering of 8,695,655 common units representing limited partner interests in Penn Virginia GP Holdings, L.P. (PVG) at $12.30 per unit. The underwriters have also been granted a 30-day option to purchase up to 1,304,345 additional common units to cover over-allotments, if any. PVA intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of approximately $102.7 million to repay the outstanding balance under its revolving credit facility of $50 million, with the remaining proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes, including future capital expenditures. Pritchard Capital acted as a member of the selling syndicate for this transaction.

Vantage Drilling Company (VTG) announced that it has entered into a definitive loan agreement to finance the Aquamarine Driller. Under the terms of the loan agreement, the lender has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to provide the company with a $100.0 million term loan. Vantage will use the proceeds from this loan to fund the construction, completion, commissioning, and initial start-up costs of the Aquamarine Driller. Pritchard Capital acted as sole placement agent for this transaction.

BPZ Resources, Inc. announced that it closed its previously announced sale of approximately 18.8 million shares of its common stock at $4.66 per share in a registered offering of common stock. Net proceeds to the Company from the offering, after payment of placement agent fees and offering expenses, were approximately $84 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering primarily to fund the ongoing oil development in the Corvina and Albacora oil fields in the Company's offshore Block Z-1, a second platform for the Corvina field, certain capital expenditures needed to meet obligations related to the license contracts in the Company's Blocks XIX, XXII and XXIII, and general corporate purposes consistent with the Company's operating plan as described in its public filings. Pritchard Capital acted as co-placement agent for this transaction.

BPZ Resources, Inc. (BPZ) announced that it closed the previously announced private placement of common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $43.6 million. The Company sold approximately 14.3 million shares to institutional and accredited investors at a price of $3.05 per share pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of February 19, 2009. Additionally, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) holds a right to participate in the offering which, if exercised in full, would result in the sale of an additional 1.4 million shares of common stock, increasing the total shares issued in the offering to approximately 15.7 million and the gross proceeds to the Company of the offering to approximately $48.0 million. Proceeds from offering will be used primarily to fund the ongoing oil development in the Corvina and Albacora oil fields in the Company's offshore Block Z-1, including payment of accounts payable incurred in connection with such development, and general corporate purposes consistent with the Company's operating plan as described in its public filings. Pritchard Capital acted as sole placement agent for this transaction.

Pritchard Capital Partners Expands Equity Research Group
Mark Brown Joins As Senior Analyst Focusing on Oilfield Services

MANDEVILLE, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pritchard Capital Partners, an energy investment bank, today announced the addition of Mark Brown as a senior analyst to the firm’s established equity research group. He will be responsible for coverage of the oilfield services sector. Mr. Brown has over 15 years financial experience and most recently spent the pervious two years as a research analyst at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. covering oil services & equipment.

Mr. Brown joins the firm’s equity research group, which is recognized by Institutional Investor as an “All-Star Research Boutique Team,” with more than 40 energy companies under coverage in the areas of E&P and oilfield services. The addition of Mr. Brown is part of a continued effort to expand Pritchard Capital’s equity research group by increasing the number of companies under coverage by more than double in 2008.

“Mark is a highly regarded analyst and infuses value in the coverage of this segment and will enhance our niche energy expertise,” said Thomas Pritchard, Managing Partner and Founder of Pritchard Capital Partners. “His market insight and access to companies’ management fits perfectly into Pritchard Capital’s core capabilities and offering.”

Added Brown: “I look forward to being a part of an experienced team of professionals with a unique perspective and native understanding of the sector. Pritchard Capital’s differentiated approach and position to capitalize on changes in the investment community and the energy industry was appealing to be a part of.”

While at Bear Stearns, Brown provided financial analysis on stocks in the oil services and equipment sector and initiated his own coverage of companies. He also authored a predictive report detailing the increase in M&A activity in the oilfield services sector, which earned him recognition as one of the top five“Calls of the Year” in 2007 by the institutional sales force. Previously, he was an investment banker at Merrill Lynch & Co. and J.P. Morgan, responsible for various M&A, equity and convertible transactions as well as coordinating IPO offerings in the diversified industrials and healthcare sectors. He began his career as a senior consultant for Bain & Co. Mr. Brown has an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a BA in Economics and Computer Sciences from Harvard.

Brown will be based in Pritchard Capital’s New York office.

About Pritchard Capital Partners LLC

Founded in 2001, Pritchard Capital Partners is an independent energy investment bank and institutional financial services firm, focused on idea generation and intelligence in the oil, gas and power markets. With an emphasis across all segments of the energy sector – exploration and production (E&P), oilfield services and clean and alternative energy – Pritchard Capital Partners has quickly proven to be a recognized leader and provider of value-added financial advisory expertise in corporate finance, institutional sales and equity research.

Pritchard Capital is headquartered in Mandeville, Louisiana and has offices in Atlanta, Houston, New York and Washington D.C. For more information, please visit www.pritchardcapital.com

Range Resources Corporation (RRC) announced that it has priced an offering of 4.2 million shares of common stock at a price to the public of $66.38 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $278 million. Range intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to pay down a portion of the outstanding balance of Range’s senior credit facility. Pritchard Capital acted as co-manager for this transaction.

XTO Energy, Inc. (XTO) announced that it completed a previously announced stock offering, of 23 million shares priced at $55.00 for gross proceeds of approximately $1.3 billion. The total included 3 million shares sold pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of their overallotment option. Pritchard Capital acted as a member of the selling syndicate for this transaction.

Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc. (CRZO) announced that it has priced an offering of 2.25 million shares at $54.50 apiece for gross proceeds of approximately $123 million. Underwriters have an option to buy another 337,500 shares to cover overallotments. The oil and gas explorer and producer plans to use proceeds primarily for leasing and drilling, particularly to accelerate activities in the Barnett Shale area in southeast Tarrant County, Texas. Carrizo will use another portion to repay outstanding debt under its revolving credit facility. Pritchard Capital acted as co-manager for this transaction.

Pritchard Capital Partners Kicks Off Energy Conference

SAN FRANCISCO, Ca.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pritchard Capital Partners, LLC, launched its 5th Annual Energy Conference - ENERGIZE 2008 - today at the Westin San Francisco Market Street Hotel in San Francisco. The conference is taking place January 9 - 11, 2008 featuring over 90 industry-leading oil, natural gas, oilfield service, and alternative energy companies. It is expected to be attended by over 250 institutional investors.

Thomas Pritchard, Managing Partner and Founder of Pritchard Capital Partners, commented, "We are glad to be hosting the largest group of institutional investors and companies we have had at our yearly conferences. This year, we have added a third track of meetings and presentations solely focused on alternative energy companies. This is a testament not only to the quality of this conference, but the continued importance investors are placing on all facets of the energy sector."

For more information about the Pritchard Capital Partners Energy Conference, please contact Pritchard Capital at 800-871-0608 or 985-809-7000.

Challenger Energy Corp. (CHQ) announced that it closed a private placement by issuing approximately 1.9 million special warrants at a price of $1.80 per Special Warrant for gross proceeds of approximately $3.4 million, each whole Special Warrant being exercisable, for no additional consideration, into one common share in the capital of Challenger Energy. The proceeds of this private placement are being used to further the activities of Challenger Energy in the drilling of the first of three exploration wells; the "Victory" exploration well located 60 miles off the southeast coast of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and for general corporate purposes. Pritchard Capital acted as introducing broker for this transaction.

ATP Oil & Gas Corporation (ATPG) announced that it has priced a public offering of 5,000,000 shares of its common stock at $47.00 per share to the public. Estimated gross proceeds of $235MM will be used to prepay term loans under ATP’s credit agreement, to fund capital expenditures related to its drilling and development activities, including a potential second MiniDOC at its Telemark Hub and potential new wells at Wenlock, Canyon Express Hub and Green Canyon Block 37, and for general corporate purposes. The underwriters have been granted by Chairman and President of ATP, T. Paul Bulmahn, a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 750,000 shares of ATP’s common stock to cover over-allotments, if any. Pritchard Capital acted as a member of the selling syndicate for this transaction.

Kerogen Resources, Inc., a privately-held shale gas company, closed a $25.0 million private placement of its common stock with select institutional investors. Pritchard Capital acted as introducing broker for this transaction.

Arena Resources, Inc. announced that it has entered into definitive agreements with selected institutional investors to sell up to 2,050,000 shares of its common stock through a registered direct offering for $49.00 per share. Total gross proceeds for this transaction were approximately $100.5 million. Pritchard Capital acted as co-placement agent for this transaction.

Contango Oil & Gas Company announced today that it has entered into agreements to sell $30.0 million of its Series E Preferred Stock. The Series E Preferred Stock is perpetual and is convertible at any time into shares of Contango common stock at a price of $38.00 share. The dividend on the Series E Preferred Stock can be paid quarterly in cash at a rate of 6.0% per annum or paid-in-kind at a rate of 7.5% per annum. Pritchard Capital acted as joint lead placement agent for this transaction.

Cheniere Energy, Inc. announced today the pricing of the initial public offering of 13,500,000 common units representing limited partner interests in Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. at $21 per common unit. The offering was priced at the top of the range and raised gross proceeds of $283.5 million. Pritchard Capital Partners acted as co-manager for this offering.

Pritchard Capital Partners Expands Energy Research Team

MANDEVILLE--(BUSINESS WIRE )--Pritchard Capital Partners, LLC, is pleased to announce the addition of Jeffrey Hayden and Stephen Berman to its energy equity research team as senior research analysts primarily focusing on independent oil and gas exploration & production companies. Mr. Hayden brings more than eight years of energy-focused research and investing experience with both buy and sell-side Wall Street institutions. Mr. Berman has worked for over twenty years on both the buy and sell-sides as a research analyst in equities and fixed income.

Mr. Hayden was most recently Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager of Fischer-Seitz Capital Partners, LLC, an oil and gas E&P focused investment firm. Prior to that Mr. Hayden was Director of E&P Research for Pickering Energy Partners, Inc. He has also held associate positions with JPMorgan Fleming Asset Management, Inc. and Banc of America Securities, LLC. Mr. Hayden graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame with a B.B.A. in Finance and Business Economics. He is also a holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Prior to joining Pritchard Capital Partners, LLC, Mr. Berman was a partner at Promethean Investment Group where he performed analytical work on energy companies for investment in both public and private portfolios. He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a bachelor's degree in accounting, and then attended the Rutgers Graduate School of Management where he received an MBA in Finance. He is also a holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Thomas W. Pritchard, Managing Director and Founder of Pritchard Capital, said, “We couldn't be more pleased to add these two outstanding equity analysts to the Pritchard Capital research team. Jeff and Steve each are acknowledged experts in their fields, and will provide investors timely, meaningful and insightful analysis relating to the oil & gas industry. We believe their joining Pritchard Capital illustrates the firm's continued commitment to providing investors timely and actionable research pertaining to this very important sector.”

Pritchard Capital Partners is an energy-boutique investment banking firm headquartered in the New Orleans area with offices in Houston, New York, Washington, and Atlanta. The firm focuses on institutional sales and trading, research, and corporate finance activities relating to all aspects of the energy business.

Pritchard Capital Partners Announces Energy Conference

MANDEVILLE, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pritchard Capital Partners, LLC, announced today that its 4th Annual Energy Conference - ENERGIZE 2007: New Year, New Realities - will be held January 8 – 11, 2007, at the Omni San Francisco Hotel in San Francisco, California. Over 80 industry-leading oil, natural gas, oilfield service, and energy technology companies will be featured at the conference, which is expected to be attended by over 200 energy-savvy institutional investors.

Thomas Pritchard, Managing Partner and Founder of Pritchard Capital Partners, commented, “We are pleased to be able to kick-off 2007 by hosting the first energy-focused equity conference of the year. This is a perfect way for investors and issuers alike to convene to share their views on all facets of the oil & natural gas business as well as their outlook for the coming year. The record number of presenting companies and investors expected to attend this year is testament to the quality of the conference and importance of the energy sector.”

For more information about the Pritchard Capital Partners Energy Conference, please contact Pritchard Capital at 800-871-0608 or 985-809-7000.

Pritchard Capital Partners is an energy-boutique investment banking firm headquartered in the New Orleans area with offices in Houston, New York, Washington, and Atlanta. The firm focuses on institutional sales and trading, research, and corporate finance activities relating to all aspects of the energy business.

Gastar Exploration, Ltd. announced that it closed its previously announced private placement of 25,000,000 of its common shares at $2.00 per share for gross proceeds of $50 million. Pritchard Capital Partners acted as lead placement agent for this offering.

Far East Energy Corporation announced that it has consummated offerings of 18,862,221 shares of its common stock for total gross proceeds of $16.98 million. Pritchard Capital Partners acted as introducing broker for this offering.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation announced that it has priced its public offering of 25 million shares of its common stock at $29.05. The offering includes an over-allotment option to purchase a maximum of 3.75 million additional shares of its common stock resulting in total gross proceeds of $835 million. Chesapeake Energy Corporation also announced that it has priced its previously announced public offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2013, which carries an interest rate of 7.625%. Pritchard Capital Partners is acting as co-manager for both of these offerings.

Gulfport Energy Corporation announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 6,050,000 shares of common stock at a price of $14.00 per share. The offering included an over-allotment option of 790,000 shares for a total transaction value of approximately $96 million. Pritchard Capital Partners acted as co-manager for this offering.

Rentech, Inc. announced that is has closed its concurrent public offerings of 16 million shares of common stock priced at $3.40 per share and $50 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.0% convertible senior notes due 2013. The underwriters exercised in full their over-allotment options by purchasing an additional 2.4 million shares of common stock resulting in gross proceeds of $62.6 million for the common stock offering. Pritchard Capital Partners acted as co-manager of the common stock offering.

Challenger Energy Corp. announced that it has closed the first tranche of its private placement, issuing 5,951,920 units at a price of Cdn.$2.25 per unit for gross proceeds of approximately Cdn.$13.4 million. Pritchard Capital Partners acted as lead placement agent for this offering.