Magnum Hunter Announces New Joint Operating Deal with Eclipse for Marcellus, Utica Shales

Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation

announced today a new Joint Operating Agreement ("Agreement") with Eclipse Resources I, LP ("Eclipse"), a privately-held company headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania. The contract area covers an existing mineral leasehold position currently owned by both companies in the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale Formations located in Monroe County, Ohio. Terms of the new Agreement include Magnum Hunter's wholly-owned subsidiary, Triad Hunter, LLC ("Triad Hunter") and Eclipse, collectively working together within the contract area on an equal and joint basis on approximately 1,950 net mineral acres with the objective of drilling approximately twelve horizontal wells in the Marcellus Shale and twelve horizontal wells in the Utica Shale over the next three years. It is estimated that the total combined capital costs associated with this development effort in the contract area will exceed $200 million. Triad Hunter has been designated Operator within the contract area and each company will own approximately 47% working interest under the Agreement. The balance of the working interest within the contract area is owned by industry third parties. Eclipse has also agreed to commit its share of production from the contract area to a new pipeline system currently under construction by Magnum Hunter's subsidiary, Eureka Hunter Pipeline, LLC.