High Plains Gas Announces Progress Towards Completion of Agreement With J.M. Huber Corporation

GILLETTE, Wyo., July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- High Plains Gas, Inc. (OTC: HPGS, "the Company") announced that it has secured a final commitment for the collateral required to obtain the bonding necessary to complete the closing of the acquisition of its Purchase and Sale Agreement with J.M. Huber Energy Corporation to purchase its oil and gas assets located in the Powder River Basin.

Brent Cook: "By obtaining the bonding, we are now close to getting this transaction completed.  We are in final stages of documentation for the required funding which would be the last step to get the deal closed.  We continue to believe this transaction makes substantial financial and operational sense for the overall benefit of High Plains and its shareholders. We appreciate the continued support of all parties involved as well as our shareholders. We have a very limited time to complete the final steps of this transaction and are fully focused on doing just that."

High Plains also announced that it has engaged Cutler Law Group in Houston, Texas as legal counsel to complete the registration statement with the SEC which would be required in connection with closing the proposed financings, and that counsel had agreed to take 100% of its consideration in stock of the Company.  Richard Cutler of Cutler Law Group advised that, "We are very pleased to work with High Plains and believe the upside potential of the Company's common stock is exciting, which is why we are happy to participate on an equity basis."

Mr. Cook advised that, "We continue to look forward to reporting a successful close of the Huber transaction."

The Huber transaction, originally announced on February 7, 2011, includes 1,735 producing coalbed methane wells in Sheridan, Johnson, and Campbell Counties, Wyoming and covers 313,000 net leased acres.  The transaction also includes the purchase of 250,000 net acres of deep mineral rights, which may be prospective for multi-zone oil or gas development, that are currently held by existing production.

About the Company

High Plains Gas, Inc. is a Gillette, Wyoming based energy company actively engaged in the acquisition, development and production of natural gas primarily in the Powder River Basin.  The Company recently acquired the former Marathon "North & South Fairway" assets.  These assets consist of 1614 coalbed methane wells with associated flow lines and over 155,000 net acres. This combined with the company's existing 92 natural gas wells gives the company a strong foundation in the natural gas industry. High Plains Gas will pursue expansion opportunities for the profitable production and transmission of natural gas. High Plains Gas believes it has unique expertise and experience in the refurbishment and reactivation of wells that produce natural gas from coalbed methane formations that helps position it strategically in the Powder River Basin.

Safe Harbor

Statements made about our future expectations are forward-looking statements and subject to risks and uncertainties as described in our most recent filings made with the US Securities and Exchange commission, and are subject to change at any time. Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement.

Company Contact:
High Plains Gas, Inc.
Tim Ondrak
(406) 239-1214
Email: [email protected]
www.highplainsgas.com

IR Agency Contact:
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
John Heilshorn
(212) 838-3777
[email protected]

SOURCE High Plains Gas, Inc.