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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>UNITED STATES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">FORM 8-K</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
January 31, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">GASTAR EXPLORATION LTD.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its
Charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

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    <TD STYLE="width: 34%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">ALBERTA, CANADA</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">001-32714</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 34%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">98-0570897</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-weight: bold; text-align: center">DELAWARE</TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-weight: bold; text-align: center">001-35211</TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-weight: bold; text-align: center">38-3531640</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(State or other jurisdiction</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(Commission</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(I.R.S. Employer</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">of incorporation)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">File Number)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">Identification No.)</TD></TR>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>1331 LAMAR STREET, SUITE 650</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">HOUSTON, TEXAS 77010</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">(Address of principal executive offices, including
zip code)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>(713) 739-1800</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">(Registrant's telephone number, including area
code)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

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    <TD STYLE="width: 4%; font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 96%">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</TD>
    <TD>Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</TD>
    <TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</TD>
    <TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD></TR>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">On January 31, 2012, Gastar Exploration Ltd.
(the &ldquo;Company&rdquo;) issued a press release announcing its total proved reserves as of December&nbsp;31, 2011, its capital
budget for 2012, production guidance for the first quarter of 2012 and information regarding preferred share issuances. A copy
of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of
Form 8-K, the information presented herein under Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be &ldquo;filed&rdquo;
for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will not be incorporated by reference into any
filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except to the extent it is included in Item 8.01 below or unless specifically
identified in such filing as being incorporated therein by reference.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Item 8.01. Other Items</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">The information included below include certain
excerpts from the press release regarding the Company&rsquo;s total proved reserves as of December&nbsp;31, 2011, its capital budget
for 2012 and information regarding preferred share issuances, as well as additional information regarding the Company&rsquo;s fourth
quarter guidance.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><B>Proved Reserves</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">The Company reported year-end 2011 proved natural
gas, oil and condensate and natural gas liquids (&ldquo;NGLs&rdquo;) reserves of 119.7 Bcfe estimated in accordance with Securities
and Exchange Commission (&ldquo;SEC&rdquo;) regulations. This represents an increase of 138% over year-end 2010 proved reserves
of 50.3 Bcfe. Of the 119.7 Bcfe, 76.6% were attributable to natural gas, 9.6% to oil and condensate and 13.8% to NGLs. The pre-tax
present value discounted at 10% (&ldquo;PV-10&rdquo;) of the estimated proved reserves increased to $217.1 million from $67.3 million
at year-end 2010. The Appalachian Basin represented 70% of proved reserve volumes and 80% of the PV-10 value with East Texas comprising
the majority of the remainder of proved reserves and PV-10 value.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Proved undeveloped reserves at year-end 2011
represented approximately 34% of total proved reserves compared to approximately 17% at year-end 2010. Proved undeveloped reserves
at year-end 2011 were comprised of 41.2 Bcfe of Appalachia Basin reserves having a PV-10 value of $67.3 million.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">In accordance with SEC regulations, estimates
of proved reserves as of December 31, 2011 were made using the 12-month unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month
price for each month in the period January through December 2011. For natural gas volumes, the average Henry Hub price utilized
was $4.12 per MMbtu, and for oil volumes, the average West Texas Intermediate price utilized was $92.71 per barrel. The natural
gas and oil prices are adjusted for energy content or quality, transportation and regional price differentials by area.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><B>2012 Capital Budget</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">The Company&rsquo;s Board of Directors has approved
a 2012 capital budget totaling $134.2 million. In Appalachia, the Company expects to spend $103.0 million for drilling, completion,
infrastructure, lease acquisition and seismic costs. In East Texas, the Company has budgeted $6.5 million. In addition, the Company
has allocated $19.8 million for a new Mid-Continent oil-focused venture and $4.9 million for capitalized interest and other costs.
Drilling and completion costs represent approximately $100.5 million of the total capital budget, of which $88.9 million, or 89%,
will be spent on activities in the liquids-rich window of the Marcellus Shale, and an additional $7.8 million, or 8%, will be directed
to drilling the new oil venture. The Company anticipates funding this capital activity through existing cash balances, internally
generated cash flow from operating activities, borrowings under the revolving credit facility and possible future at-the-market
issuances of Series A Preferred Stock by Gastar Exploration USA, Inc. (&ldquo;Gastar USA&rdquo;), the Company&rsquo;s first tier
subsidiary and primary operating company. Gastar exited 2011 with $30 million outstanding under its revolving credit facility and
$10.6 million in cash.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Included in the 2012 capital budget are plans
to drill and complete 20 gross (10 net) operated new Marcellus horizontal wells in Marshall County, West Virginia, along with the
completion of 10 gross (4.5 net) additional operated Marcellus horizontal wells that were drilled and awaiting completion as of
December 31, 2011. The Company exited 2011 with 9 gross (4.0 net) operated wells completed.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">As mentioned above, the Company has acquired
an initial lease position in a new oil play located in the Mid-Continent region and plans to build the position, along with its
partner, to approximately 25,000 gross (12,500 net to the Company) acres in 2012. Drilling is planned to commence in the second
half of 2012 in hopes of developing a program focused on low-cost, repeatable horizontal development of conventional oil-bearing
formations. Three gross (1.5 net) initial horizontal wells are planned to be drilled and completed in this area during 2012. The
Company will provide additional details on this new oil play after the Company and its partner have acquired sufficient acreage
to allow a multi-year development plan to be undertaken.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Preferred Share Issuances</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">During the fourth quarter ended December 31,
2011, Gastar USA issued 554,044 preferred shares for net proceeds of $10.5 million resulting in year-end 2011 total preferred shares
issued of 1,364,543 for net proceeds of $27.4 million. To date during January 2012, Gastar USA has issued an additional 499,387
preferred shares for net proceeds of $9.4 million, resulting in inception to date net proceeds of $36.8 million<I>. </I></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Reaffirmation of Fourth Quarter Guidance</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">The Company has reconfirmed that its&nbsp;average
daily production for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011 is estimated&nbsp;to be in a range of 21 to 23 million cubic feet
equivalents&nbsp;(Mmcfe) per day, which would&nbsp;result in average daily production for the full year 2011 of between 20.0&nbsp;and
21.5&nbsp;Mmcfe per day.&nbsp; Of the&nbsp;Company's total&nbsp;estimated gas equivalent production volumes for the fourth quarter
2011, approximately 6 to 10%&nbsp;are expected to&nbsp;consist of&nbsp;condensate and natural gas liquids.&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><B>Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">(d) Exhibits.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0"></P>

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        <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">Exhibit</P>
        <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">No.</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%; vertical-align: top; text-align: center; font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 83%; vertical-align: bottom; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; text-align: center; font-weight: bold">Description</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>99.1</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Press Release dated January 31, 2012.</TD></TR>
</TABLE>


<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.5in">SIGNATURES</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

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    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">Date:&nbsp; January 31, 2012</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt; font-weight: bold">GASTAR EXPLORATION LTD.</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%; text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 35%; text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 10%; text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">By:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">/s/&nbsp; J. Russell Porter</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>J. Russell Porter</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

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    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt; font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt; font-weight: bold">GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC.</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt; font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
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    <TD STYLE="width: 5%; text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 35%; text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 10%; text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">By:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">/s/&nbsp; J. Russell Porter</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: left; line-height: 10pt; tab-stops: -.5in 0in .5in decimal 196.8pt 254.4pt 312.0pt 369.6pt 427.2pt 484.8pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>J. Russell Porter</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">President</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
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LIST</B></FONT></P>

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        <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">Exhibit</P>
        <P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">No.</P></TD>
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    <TD STYLE="width: 83%; vertical-align: bottom; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; text-align: center; font-weight: bold">Description</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>99.1</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Press Release dated January 31, 2012.</TD></TR>
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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "v300900_8k.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 27773}]
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
January 31, 2012
GASTAR EXPLORATION LTD.
GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its
Charter)
ALBERTA, CANADA
001-32714
98-0570897
DELAWARE
001-35211
38-3531640
(State or other jurisdiction
(Commission
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)
File Number)
Identification No.)
1331 LAMAR STREET, SUITE 650
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77010
(Address of principal executive offices, including
zip code)
(713) 739-1800
(Registrant's telephone number, including area
code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On January 31, 2012, Gastar Exploration Ltd.
(the "Company") issued a press release announcing its total proved reserves as of December 31, 2011, its capital
budget for 2012, production guidance for the first quarter of 2012 and information regarding preferred share issuances. A copy
of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of
Form 8-K, the information presented herein under Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be "filed"
for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will not be incorporated by reference into any
filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except to the extent it is included in Item 8.01 below or unless specifically
identified in such filing as being incorporated therein by reference.
Item 8.01. Other Items
The information included below include certain
excerpts from the press release regarding the Company's total proved reserves as of December 31, 2011, its capital budget
for 2012 and information regarding preferred share issuances, as well as additional information regarding the Company's fourth
quarter guidance.
Proved Reserves
The Company reported year-end 2011 proved natural
gas, oil and condensate and natural gas liquids ("NGLs") reserves of 119.7 Bcfe estimated in accordance with Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") regulations. This represents an increase of 138% over year-end 2010 proved reserves
of 50.3 Bcfe. Of the 119.7 Bcfe, 76.6% were attributable to natural gas, 9.6% to oil and condensate and 13.8% to NGLs. The pre-tax
present value discounted at 10% ("PV-10") of the estimated proved reserves increased to $217.1 million from $67.3 million
at year-end 2010. The Appalachian Basin represented 70% of proved reserve volumes and 80% of the PV-10 value with East Texas comprising
the majority of the remainder of proved reserves and PV-10 value.
Proved undeveloped reserves at year-end 2011
represented approximately 34% of total proved reserves compared to approximately 17% at year-end 2010. Proved undeveloped reserves
at year-end 2011 were comprised of 41.2 Bcfe of Appalachia Basin reserves having a PV-10 value of $67.3 million.
In accordance with SEC regulations, estimates
of proved reserves as of December 31, 2011 were made using the 12-month unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month
price for each month in the period January through December 2011. For natural gas volumes, the average Henry Hub price utilized
was $4.12 per MMbtu, and for oil volumes, the average West Texas Intermediate price utilized was $92.71 per barrel. The natural
gas and oil prices are adjusted for energy content or quality, transportation and regional price differentials by area.
2012 Capital Budget
The Company's Board of Directors has approved
a 2012 capital budget totaling $134.2 million. In Appalachia, the Company expects to spend $103.0 million for drilling, completion,
infrastructure, lease acquisition and seismic costs. In East Texas, the Company has budgeted $6.5 million. In addition, the Company
has allocated $19.8 million for a new Mid-Continent oil-focused venture and $4.9 million for capitalized interest and other costs.
Drilling and completion costs represent approximately $100.5 million of the total capital budget, of which $88.9 million, or 89%,
will be spent on activities in the liquids-rich window of the Marcellus Shale, and an additional $7.8 million, or 8%, will be directed
to drilling the new oil venture. The Company anticipates funding this capital activity through existing cash balances, internally
generated cash flow from operating activities, borrowings under the revolving credit facility and possible future at-the-market
issuances of Series A Preferred Stock by Gastar Exploration USA, Inc. ("Gastar USA"), the Company's first tier
subsidiary and primary operating company. Gastar exited 2011 with $30 million outstanding under its revolving credit facility and
$10.6 million in cash.
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Included in the 2012 capital budget are plans
to drill and complete 20 gross (10 net) operated new Marcellus horizontal wells in Marshall County, West Virginia, along with the
completion of 10 gross (4.5 net) additional operated Marcellus horizontal wells that were drilled and awaiting completion as of
December 31, 2011. The Company exited 2011 with 9 gross (4.0 net) operated wells completed.
As mentioned above, the Company has acquired
an initial lease position in a new oil play located in the Mid-Continent region and plans to build the position, along with its
partner, to approximately 25,000 gross (12,500 net to the Company) acres in 2012. Drilling is planned to commence in the second
half of 2012 in hopes of developing a program focused on low-cost, repeatable horizontal development of conventional oil-bearing
formations. Three gross (1.5 net) initial horizontal wells are planned to be drilled and completed in this area during 2012. The
Company will provide additional details on this new oil play after the Company and its partner have acquired sufficient acreage
to allow a multi-year development plan to be undertaken.
Preferred Share Issuances
During the fourth quarter ended December 31,
2011, Gastar USA issued 554,044 preferred shares for net proceeds of $10.5 million resulting in year-end 2011 total preferred shares
issued of 1,364,543 for net proceeds of $27.4 million. To date during January 2012, Gastar USA has issued an additional 499,387
preferred shares for net proceeds of $9.4 million, resulting in inception to date net proceeds of $36.8 million
.
Reaffirmation of Fourth Quarter Guidance
The Company has reconfirmed that its average
daily production for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011 is estimated to be in a range of 21 to 23 million cubic feet
equivalents (Mmcfe) per day, which would result in average daily production for the full year 2011 of between 20.0 and
21.5 Mmcfe per day.  Of the Company's total estimated gas equivalent production volumes for the fourth quarter
2011, approximately 6 to 10% are expected to consist of condensate and natural gas liquids.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit
No.
Description
99.1
Press Release dated January 31, 2012.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date:  January 31, 2012
GASTAR EXPLORATION LTD.
By:
/s/  J. Russell Porter
J. Russell Porter
President and Chief Executive Officer
GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC.
By:
/s/  J. Russell Porter
J. Russell Porter
President
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EXHIBIT
LIST
Exhibit
No.
Description
99.1
Press Release dated January 31, 2012.
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