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<TITLE>PRIMA ENERGY CORPORATION</TITLE>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November&nbsp;7, 2002
</FONT>
<P align="right"><FONT size="2">Registration No.&nbsp;333-<u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u></FONT>

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<P align="center"><FONT size="4">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</FONT>


<DIV align="center"><FONT size="3">WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</FONT></DIV>


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<P align="center"><FONT size="5">FORM S-8</FONT>


<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</FONT></DIV>

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PRIMA ENERGY CORPORATION</FONT>


<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></DIV>

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        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Delaware<BR>
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
84-1097578<BR>
(IRS Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
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        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">1099 Eighteenth Street, Suite&nbsp;400, Denver, Colorado<BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
80202<BR>
(ZIP Code)</FONT></TD>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="6">
PRIMA ENERGY CORPORATION<BR>
2001 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN</FONT>


<DIV align="center"><FONT size="2">
(Full title of the plan)</FONT></DIV>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Richard H. Lewis, President<BR>
Prima Energy Corporation<BR>
1099 Eighteenth Street, Suite&nbsp;400<BR>
Denver, Colorado 80202</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>(303)&nbsp;297-2100</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Copies to:</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Thomas H. Maxfield, Esq.<BR>
Baker &#038; Hostetler LLP<BR>
303 East Seventeenth Avenue, Suite&nbsp;1100<BR>
Denver, Colorado 80203</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
</FONT>
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        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="13%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
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        <TD colspan="17"><hr size="3" noshade></TD>
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        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>maximum offering</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title of securities</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount to be</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>price</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>maximum aggregate</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount of</B></FONT></TD>
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        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>to be registered</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>registered(1)</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>per share(2)</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>offering price(2)</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>registration fee(2)</B></FONT></TD>
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        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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        <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">Common Stock</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3" align="center"><FONT size="2">1,300,000 Shares</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">23.54</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">30,602,000</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">$</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right"><FONT size="2">2,815</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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      <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(1)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement shall cover such indeterminate
number of additional shares of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock as may be issued as a result of stock dividends,
stock splits, recapitalizations or similar transactions prior to the termination of this registration statement.</FONT></TD>
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      <TD width="1%" align="left" nowrap><FONT size="2">(2)</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="3%"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD width="96%"><FONT size="2">Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457(h) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of the average of the high and low sale prices of the
Registrant&#146;s Common Stock on November&nbsp;5, 2002 as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market.</FONT></TD>
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&nbsp;</FONT>
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<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

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<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#010">Exhibit&nbsp;Index</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d00980exv5w1.txt">EX-5.1 Opinion re Legality (with Consent)</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d00980exv23w1.txt">EX-23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP</A></TD></TR>
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<!-- link1 "PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">PART I
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Information required by Part I to be contained in the Section&nbsp;10(a)
prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule
428 adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended and the Note to Part I of Form&nbsp;S-8.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">
I-1</FONT>
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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">PART II<BR>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->
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<P><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c),
14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange
Act&#148;), subsequent to the date of the filing of this Registration Statement and
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment indicating that all
securities registered hereunder have been sold or that deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date
of the filing of such documents. The documents listed in (a)&nbsp;through (h)&nbsp;below
are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp; The Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K of the Registrant for the fiscal year
ended December&nbsp;31, 2001, filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;29, 2002;
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp; Registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated March&nbsp;4, 2002 and filed
with the Commission on March&nbsp;15, 2002;
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp; Registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated March&nbsp;20, 2002 and
filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;27, 2002;
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp; Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended
March&nbsp;31, 2002, filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;14, 2002;
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e)&nbsp; Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 2002, filed with the Commission on August&nbsp;14, 2002;
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f)&nbsp; The Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated August&nbsp;6, 2002 and
filed with the Commission on August&nbsp;12, 2002;
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g)&nbsp; The Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated August&nbsp;14, 2002 and
filed with the Commission on August&nbsp;14, 2002;
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h)&nbsp; All other reports filed by the Registrant with the Commission
pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since December&nbsp;31, 2001;
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp; Description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock contained in the
Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;8-A, which became effective on
November&nbsp;3, 1980; and
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j)&nbsp; Description of the Registrant&#146;s Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
contained in the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;8-A, which became
effective on June&nbsp;6, 2001.
</FONT>
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II-1</FONT>
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<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities." -->
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<P><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</FONT>
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<P><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The validity of the shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock offered hereby
are being passed upon for the Registrant. Members of that firm currently own
4,500 shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock.
</FONT>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
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<P><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following subparagraphs briefly describe indemnification provisions
for directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant against
liability, including liability under the Securities Act of 1933:
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under provisions of the Bylaws of the Registrant, each person who is
or was a director, officer or controlling persons of the Registrant will be
indemnified by the Registrant as a matter of right to the extent permitted or
authorized by law. The effects of the Bylaws and the Delaware General
Corporation Law may be summarized as follows:
</FONT>
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        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;Under Delaware law, to the extent that such a person is
successful on the merits in defense of a suit or proceeding brought
against him by reason of the fact that he is a director or officer of the
Registrant, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including
attorneys&#146; fees) reasonably incurred in connection with such action;</FONT></TD>
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        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;In other circumstances, a director or officer of the Registrant
may be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees)
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in and
not opposed to the best interest of the Registrant, and, with respect to
a criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful; however, in an action or suit by or in the right of
the Registrant to procure a judgment in its favor, such person will not
be indemnified if he has been adjudged to be liable to the Registrant
unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the
court in which such action or suit was brought determines upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of
all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or
such other court deems proper. A determination that indemnification of a
director or officer is proper will be made by a disinterested majority of
the Registrant&#146;s Board of Directors, by independent legal counsel, or by
the stockholders of the Registrant; and</FONT></TD>
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        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Certificate of Incorporation contains a
provision which eliminates, to the fullest extent permitted by the
Delaware General Corporation Law, the liability of directors of the
Registrant from monetary damages arising from any breach of fiduciary
duties as a member of the Registrant&#146;s Board of Directors. This
provision will not eliminate liability, for among other matters, breaches
of duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or knowing
violations of law, unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock
purchases or redemption or any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit. In addition, this provision will
not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or
omission occurring prior to the date of the Registrant&#146;s reincorporation
in the state of Delaware.</FONT></TD>
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II-2</FONT>
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<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed." -->
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<P><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</FONT>
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<P><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following exhibits are filed herewith:
</FONT>

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        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Item 601 Cross</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Reference</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Document as Form S-8 Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
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        <TD valign="top" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT size="2">4.1</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
4
</FONT></TD>
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        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Article&nbsp;Five of the Certificate of
Incorporation of Prima Energy Corporation
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q of
Prima Energy Corporation for the six months
ended June&nbsp;30, 2001, Commission file No.
0-9408.)</FONT></TD>
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        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">4.2</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
4
</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Stockholder Rights Plan dated May&nbsp;23, 2001
between Prima Energy Corporation and
Computershare Trust Company, Inc., as rights
agent (incorporated by reference to Current
Report on Form&nbsp;8-K for Prima Energy
Corporation dated May&nbsp;23, 2001 and filed June
6, 2001).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">4.4</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
4
</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Prima Energy Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive
Plan (incorporated by reference to Quarterly
Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q of Prima Energy
Corporation for the three months ended March
31, 2002).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
5
</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Opinion re Legality (with Consent)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top" align="center"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
23
</FONT></TD>
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant hereby undertakes:
</FONT>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
        <TD width="6%"></TD>
        <TD width="94%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:</FONT></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
        <TD width="10%"></TD>
        <TD width="90%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;to include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of 1933;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
        <TD width="10%"></TD>
        <TD width="90%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;to reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information
set forth in the Registration Statement; and</FONT></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
        <TD width="10%"></TD>
        <TD width="90%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;to include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration
Statement or any material change to such information in the
Registration Statement.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
        <TD width="10%"></TD>
        <TD width="90%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do
not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">
II-3</FONT>
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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>


<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
        <TD width="10%"></TD>
        <TD width="90%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant
to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 that are incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
        <TD width="6%"></TD>
        <TD width="94%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;That, for the purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
        <TD width="6%"></TD>
        <TD width="94%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
the termination of the offering.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
        <TD width="6%"></TD>
        <TD width="94%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp;That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report
pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s
annual report pursuant to Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">
II-4</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">SIGNATURES
</FONT>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Denver, State of Colorado on the 7th day of
November, 2002.
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="55%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="86%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
PRIMA ENERGY CORPORATION</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">By:</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
/s/  Richard H. Lewis<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Richard H. Lewis<BR>
Chairman of the Board and President</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed as of November&nbsp;7, 2002 by the following
persons in the capacities indicated:
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="36%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="59%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/  Richard H. Lewis<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Richard H. Lewis</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Chairman of the Board and President<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/  Neil L. Stenbuck<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Neil L. Stenbuck</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Executive Vice President &#151; Finance<BR>
(Principal Financial Officer), Treasurer and<BR>
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/  Sandra J. Irlando<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Sandra J. Irlando</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Vice President of Accounting (Principal<BR>
Accounting Officer)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/  James R. Cummings<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
James R. Cummings</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/  Douglas J. Guion<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Douglas J. Guion</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/  Catherine James Paglia<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Catherine James Paglia</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/  George L. Seward<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
George L. Seward</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Director</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">
II-5</FONT>
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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<!-- link1 "Exhibit&nbsp;Index" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;Index</B></FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="85%">
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="37%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
        <TD width="46%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><FONT size="1"><B>Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><FONT size="1"><B>Number</B></FONT></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Document as Form S-8 Exhibit</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD colspan="2"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD colspan ="2" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3" align="left"><FONT size="2">Opinion re Legality (with Consent)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
        <TD colspan="2" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></DIV></TD>
        <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
        <TD colspan="3" align="left"><FONT size="2">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">
1</FONT>




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PRIMA ENERGY CORPORATION
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2002
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
PRIMA ENERGY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
84-1097578
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
1099 Eighteenth Street, Suite 400, Denver, Colorado
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
80202
(ZIP Code)
PRIMA ENERGY CORPORATION
2001 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
Richard H. Lewis, President
Prima Energy Corporation
1099 Eighteenth Street, Suite 400
Denver, Colorado 80202
(Name and address of agent for service)
(303) 297-2100
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Thomas H. Maxfield, Esq.
Baker & Hostetler LLP
303 East Seventeenth Avenue, Suite 1100
Denver, Colorado 80203
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
maximum offering
Proposed
Title of securities
Amount to be
price
maximum aggregate
Amount of
to be registered
registered(1)
per share(2)
offering price(2)
registration fee(2)
Common Stock
1,300,000 Shares
$
23.54
$
30,602,000
$
2,815
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement shall cover such indeterminate
number of additional shares of the Registrant's Common Stock as may be issued as a result of stock dividends,
stock splits, recapitalizations or similar transactions prior to the termination of this registration statement.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of the average of the high and low sale prices of the
Registrant's Common Stock on November 5, 2002 as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
Exhibit Index
EX-5.1 Opinion re Legality (with Consent)
EX-23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
Table of Contents
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Information required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a)
prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule
428 adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.
I-1
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), subsequent to the date of the filing of this Registration Statement and
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment indicating that all
securities registered hereunder have been sold or that deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date
of the filing of such documents. The documents listed in (a) through (h) below
are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
(a)  The Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2001, filed with the Commission on March 29, 2002;
(b)  Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 4, 2002 and filed
with the Commission on March 15, 2002;
(c)  Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 20, 2002 and
filed with the Commission on March 27, 2002;
(d)  Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2002, filed with the Commission on May 14, 2002;
(e)  Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 2002, filed with the Commission on August 14, 2002;
(f)  The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 6, 2002 and
filed with the Commission on August 12, 2002;
(g)  The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 14, 2002 and
filed with the Commission on August 14, 2002;
(h)  All other reports filed by the Registrant with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since December 31, 2001;
(i)  Description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in the
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, which became effective on
November 3, 1980; and
(j)  Description of the Registrant's Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, which became
effective on June 6, 2001.
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Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
The validity of the shares of the Registrant's common stock offered hereby
are being passed upon for the Registrant. Members of that firm currently own
4,500 shares of the Registrant's common stock.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The following subparagraphs briefly describe indemnification provisions
for directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant against
liability, including liability under the Securities Act of 1933:
1.     Under provisions of the Bylaws of the Registrant, each person who is
or was a director, officer or controlling persons of the Registrant will be
indemnified by the Registrant as a matter of right to the extent permitted or
authorized by law. The effects of the Bylaws and the Delaware General
Corporation Law may be summarized as follows:
(a) Under Delaware law, to the extent that such a person is
successful on the merits in defense of a suit or proceeding brought
against him by reason of the fact that he is a director or officer of the
Registrant, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) reasonably incurred in connection with such action;
(b) In other circumstances, a director or officer of the Registrant
may be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in and
not opposed to the best interest of the Registrant, and, with respect to
a criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful; however, in an action or suit by or in the right of
the Registrant to procure a judgment in its favor, such person will not
be indemnified if he has been adjudged to be liable to the Registrant
unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the
court in which such action or suit was brought determines upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of
all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or
such other court deems proper. A determination that indemnification of a
director or officer is proper will be made by a disinterested majority of
the Registrant's Board of Directors, by independent legal counsel, or by
the stockholders of the Registrant; and
(c) The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation contains a
provision which eliminates, to the fullest extent permitted by the
Delaware General Corporation Law, the liability of directors of the
Registrant from monetary damages arising from any breach of fiduciary
duties as a member of the Registrant's Board of Directors. This
provision will not eliminate liability, for among other matters, breaches
of duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or knowing
violations of law, unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock
purchases or redemption or any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit. In addition, this provision will
not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or
omission occurring prior to the date of the Registrant's reincorporation
in the state of Delaware.
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Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed herewith:
Exhibit
Item 601 Cross
Number
Reference
Document as Form S-8 Exhibit
4.1
4
Article Five of the Certificate of
Incorporation of Prima Energy Corporation
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of
Prima Energy Corporation for the six months
ended June 30, 2001, Commission file No.
0-9408.)
4.2
4
Stockholder Rights Plan dated May 23, 2001
between Prima Energy Corporation and
Computershare Trust Company, Inc., as rights
agent (incorporated by reference to Current
Report on Form 8-K for Prima Energy
Corporation dated May 23, 2001 and filed June
6, 2001).
4.4
4
Prima Energy Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive
Plan (incorporated by reference to Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q of Prima Energy
Corporation for the three months ended March
31, 2002).
5.1
5
Opinion re Legality (with Consent)
23.1
23
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
Item 9. Undertakings.
1.     The Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) to reflect in the Prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information
set forth in the Registration Statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration
Statement or any material change to such information in the
Registration Statement.
Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do
not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
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contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant
to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 that are incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement.
(b) That, for the purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
the termination of the offering.
(d) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
2.     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Denver, State of Colorado on the 7th day of
November, 2002.
PRIMA ENERGY CORPORATION
By:
/s/  Richard H. Lewis
Richard H. Lewis
Chairman of the Board and President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed as of November 7, 2002 by the following
persons in the capacities indicated:
/s/  Richard H. Lewis
Richard H. Lewis
Chairman of the Board and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/  Neil L. Stenbuck
Neil L. Stenbuck
Executive Vice President — Finance
(Principal Financial Officer), Treasurer and
Director
/s/  Sandra J. Irlando
Sandra J. Irlando
Vice President of Accounting (Principal
Accounting Officer)
/s/  James R. Cummings
James R. Cummings
Director
/s/  Douglas J. Guion
Douglas J. Guion
Director
/s/  Catherine James Paglia
Catherine James Paglia
Director
/s/  George L. Seward
George L. Seward
Director
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number
Document as Form S-8 Exhibit
5.1
Opinion re Legality (with Consent)
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
1