Grizzly Oil Sands ULC Reports Reserves and Resources

OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 3, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grizzly Oil Sands ULC ("Grizzly"), a company in which Gulfport Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: GPOR) holds an approximate 25% interest, announced today an independent reserve and resource assessment of its properties conducted by GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd. ("GLJ").

Effective October 1, 2010, GLJ's assessment report estimates that Grizzly has 98 million barrels of Proved + Probable (2P) reserves attributable to the Algar Lake Project, 1.850 billion barrels of Best Estimate (P50) Contingent Resource and 202 million barrels of Best Estimate (P50) Prospective Resource. Mapping for the independent reserve and resource assessment identified 14.2 billion barrels of discovered bitumen initially in place and 4.5 billion barrels of undiscovered bitumen initially in place. Grizzly's properties to be explored during the upcoming 2010/2011 winter drilling season were not included in GLJ's evaluation.

The following table summarizes GLJ's determination of Grizzly's reserves and resources effective October 1, 2010.

Reserves and Resources          Grizzly Interest
                                                                                Recoverable
                                                                      (Millions of Barrels)
              Proved + Probable (2P) Reserves (Algar Lake Project)                        98
                           Best Estimate (P50) Contingent Resource                     1,850
                          Best Estimate (P50) Prospective Resource                       202
     Best Estimate Contingent + Best Estimate Prospective Resource                     2,052

The GLJ reserve and resource assessment report was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 using the assumptions and methodology outlined in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook.   

Grizzly Oil Sands ULC is a private company focused on the development of oil sands resources using steam assisted gravity drainage and a unique modular method for central plant construction. Grizzly's lease holdings cover approximately 520,000 acres and its 11,300 bpd Algar Lake project application is currently before the regulators. It is expected that construction of the first phase of the Algar Lake Project will commence in the third quarter of 2011. Grizzly will be conducting an extensive exploration program during the first quarter of 2011.

Notes: (1)  Probable reserves are defined in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (the "COGE Handbook") as those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated proved plus probable reserves.   (2)  Contingent Resources are defined in the COGE Handbook as those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations using established technology or technology under development, but which are not currently considered to be commercially recoverable due to one or more contingencies. (3)  Prospective Resources are defined in the COGE Handbook as those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations by application of future development projects. (4)  Best Estimate as defined in the COGE Handbook is considered to be the best estimate of the quantity that will actually be recovered from the accumulation. If probabilistic methods are used, this term is a measure of central tendency of the uncertainty distribution (P50). (5)  It should be noted that reserves, Contingent Resources and Prospective Resources involve different risks associated with achieving commerciality. There is no certainty that it will be commercially viable for Grizzly to produce any portion of the Contingent Resources. There is no certainty that any portion of Grizzly's Prospective Resources will be discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the Prospective Resources. Grizzly's Prospective Resource estimates discussed in this press release have been risked for the chance of discovery but not for the chance of development and hence are considered by Grizzly as partially risked estimates.

About Gulfport

Gulfport Energy Corporation is an Oklahoma City-based independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company with its principal producing properties located along the Louisiana Gulf Coast and the Permian Basin in West Texas. Gulfport recently acquired an acreage position in the Niobrara Shale of Western Colorado. Gulfport also holds a sizeable acreage position in the Alberta Oil Sands in Canada through its interest in Grizzly Oil Sands ULC.  

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Gulfport or Grizzly expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such things as future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), business strategy and measures to implement strategy, competitive strength, goals, expansion and growth of Gulfport's or Grizzly's business and operations, plans, market conditions, references to future success, reference to intentions as to future matters and other such matters are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Gulfport and Grizzly in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with Gulfport's and Grizzly's expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, general economic, market, credit or business conditions; the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by Gulfport or Grizzly; competitive actions by other oil and gas companies; changes in laws or regulations; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Gulfport or Grizzly. Information concerning these and other factors can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurances that the actual results or developments anticipated by Gulfport and Grizzly will be realized, or even if realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on Gulfport, its business or operations. Gulfport has no intention, and disclaims any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise.

CONTACT:  Grizzly Oil Sands ULC
          Investor Relations
          Paul K. Heerwagen IV
          405-242-4888
          pheerwagen@gulfportenergy.com

Image: Gulfport Energy

Released December 3, 2010