Compton closes additional portion of overriding royalty sale

CALGARY , Jan. 4 /CNW/ - Compton Petroleum Corporation (TSX - CMT, NYSE - CMZ) is pleased to announce the exercise of the option by a purchaser to acquire the remaining 2.5% of the previously announced 5.0% overriding royalty ('ORR'). The purchaser has acquired half the optioned 2.5% ORR for proceeds of $23.8 million and has expressed its intention to acquire the remaining portion of the optioned 2.5% ORR by January 31, 2010 for additional proceeds of $23.8 million subject to completion of due diligence and financing.

The aggregate sale price of the ORR from initial sale plus the exercise of the option total $95.0 million and represents a 5% ORR on the gross production revenue on the Corporation's existing land base less certain transportation costs and marketing fees, calculated on a monthly basis. The sales concluded to date resulted in a realized sale price of $71.3 million and represent an ORR of 3.75%. Scotia Waterous Inc. acted as a financial advisor to Compton with respect to the transactions.

The total proceeds will be used to reduce the Corporation's bank debt. Compton's bank debt is approximately $105 million at December 31, 2009 , a reduction of $245 million from the peak bank debt level in 2009.

"The exercise of this portion of the sale of the overriding royalties provides additional funds to reduce our debt level," said Tim Granger , President and Chief Executive Officer. "Added to our previous debt reduction initiatives this year, we now have a stronger financial footing to carry out our 2010 budget and operating plans, which represents an increased drilling and capital program over 2009. We anticipate that our activities in 2010 will demonstrate the value of our substantial asset base."

Advisories

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information regarding the Corporation contained herein constitutes forward-looking information and statements and financial outlooks (collectively, "forward-looking statements") under the meaning of applicable securities laws, including Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance, or other statements that are not statements of fact, including statements regarding (i) cash flow and capital and operating expenditures, (ii) exploration, drilling, completion, and production matters, (iii) results of operations, (iv) financial position, and (v) other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the reports and filings made by Compton with securities regulatory authorities. Although Compton believes that the assumptions underlying, and expectations reflected in, such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such assumptions and expectations will prove to have been correct. There are many factors that could cause forward-looking statements not to be correct, including risks and uncertainties inherent in the Corporation's business. These risks include, but are not limited to: crude oil and natural gas price volatility, exchange rate fluctuations, availability of services and supplies, operating hazards, access difficulties and mechanical failures, weather related issues, uncertainties in the estimates of reserves and in projection of future rates of production and timing of development expenditures, general economic conditions, and the actions or inactions of third-party operators, and other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the reports and filings made with securities regulatory authorities by Compton. Statements relating to "reserves" and "resources" are deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on estimates and assumptions, that the reserves and resources described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated, and can be profitably produced in the future.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release solely for the purpose of generally disclosing Compton's views of its overriding royalty sales and restructuring activities. Compton may, as considered necessary in the circumstances, update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, but Compton does not undertake to update this information at any particular time, except as required by law. Compton cautions readers that the forward-looking statements may not be appropriate for purposes other than their intended purposes and that undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statement. The Corporation's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

About Compton Petroleum Corporation

Compton Petroleum Corporation is a public company actively engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas, natural gas liquids, and crude oil in western Canada . Our strategy is focused on creating value for shareholders by providing appropriate investment returns through the effective development and optimization of assets. The Corporation's operations are located in the deep basin fairway of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. In this large geographical region, we pursue three deep basin natural gas plays: the Basal Quartz sands at High River in southern Alberta, the Gething/Rock Creek sands at Niton and Caroline in central Alberta, and the shallower Plains Belly River sand play in southern Alberta. In addition, we have an exploratory play at Callum/Cowley in the Foothills area of southern Alberta. Natural gas represents approximately 86% of reserves and production. Compton's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CMT and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CMZ.

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For further information: Susan J. Soprovich, Director, Investor Relations, Ph: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [email protected], Website: www.comptonpetroleum.com