Emerald Oil (EOX) Announces $75.2M Acquisition of Delaware Basin Acreage

Emerald Oil (NYSE: EOX) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with undisclosed sellers to acquire core Delaware Basin acreage in Lea and Eddy Counties, New Mexico. The total purchase price for the asset package is approximately $75.2 million in cash, and the acquisition is expected to close at the end of May 2015.

Acquisition of Delaware Basin Properties and Updated Guidance

• Approximately 10,746 net acres (80% working interest; 100% operated) in Lea and Eddy Counties, New Mexico;
• Multi-stacked, oil-weighted pay zones which are prospective for the Avalon shale, Bone Spring sand and Wolfcamp shale;
• Approximately 400 potential drilling locations in the Avalon shale, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Bone Spring sand, and Wolfcamp shale, with additional development potential through downspacing and delineating other horizontal zones;
• Delaware Basin assets can deliver returns above the cost of capital at existing commodity prices;
• Acreage has de-risked drilling inventory with attractive economics based on extensive production data from offset operators, including EOG Resources, Inc., Cimarex Energy, Co., Concho Resources Inc., and Matador Resources Company;
• Plan to drill 5 net Delaware Basin wells for $33-$38 million in the remainder of 2015;
• Ready access to midstream and transportation infrastructure;
• Increasing Q4:2015 production guidance range from 4,000 - 4,300 Boe/d to 4,600 - 4,900 Boe/d;
• For additional details, please see our updated corporate presentation at www.emeraldoil.com.

Updated 2015 Production and CAPEX Guidance
Assumes Emerald's variable one rig program for 2015 in the Williston Basin, and the addition of one operated rig beginning operations in the Delaware Basin in the third quarter of 2015. Incremental production guidance for Delaware Basin assets based on the Company's analysis of offset operator production results as well as available geologic data.

                                                                            

                               Previous Boe/d Range    Updated Boe/d Range  

                             ----------------------- -----------------------

                               Low End     High End    Low End     High End 

                             ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

1Q 2015 Average                    4,000       4,300       4,000       4,300

2Q 2015 Average                    4,500       4,800       4,500       4,800

3Q 2015 Average                    4,300       4,600       4,300       4,600

4Q 2015 Average                    4,000       4,300       4,600       4,900

                                                                            

2015 Average                       4,200       4,500       4,350       4,650

Estimated year over year                                                    

 average production growth           18%         27%         23%         31%

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                                    2015 Capital Expenditures Range ($mm)   

                                 -------------------------------------------

                                     Previous Range        Updated Range    

                                 --------------------- ---------------------

                                   Low End   High End    Low End   High End 

                                 ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------

2015 Williston Basin Drilling &                                             

 Completion Budget                      $62        $81        $52        $71

2015 Delaware Basin Drilling &                                              

 Completion Budget                      N/A        N/A        $33        $38

2015 Land Budget                         $1         $5         $1         $5

                                                                            

Net Operated Well Count*               6.5*       8.5*      11.5*      13.5*

                                                                            

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*Includes 5 net wells in the Delaware Basin, and 5 drilled and completed    

 wells and the completion of 8 previously drilled wells in the Williston    

 Basin                                                                      

                                                                            

Financing

Emerald is currently evaluating multiple financing options including public and private debt and equity to fund the acquisition and associated increases in capital expenditures. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

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