Berry adds to Uinta Basin acreage

Allen Baker

Petroleum News contributing writer

Berry Petroleum Co. has signed an agreement with the Ute Indian Tribe to explore and develop about 125,000 acres in the Uinta basin of Utah, the company announced July 19. The deal also involves another industry partner that Berry did not name.

Berry, based in Bakersfield, Calif., has also agreed to buy an interest in 46,000 acres of fee lands near or adjacent to the tribal parcel, giving it a block of 171,000 acres immediately west of Berry’s Brundage Canyon field. Berry’s production from that field is about 4,500 barrels of oil equivalent daily. The development plan for the block calls for Berry to act as operator and have an interest of up to 75 percent down to 6,500 feet, and up to a 25 percent in the deeper zones. The tribe will hold a 25 percent working interest throughout.