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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:7pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;"><a name="bm_8_K_Cover"></a>&nbsp;</p>
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<p style="text-align:right;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">UNITED STATES</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Washington, D.C. 20549</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-size:16pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">FORM 8-K</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">CURRENT REPORT</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 21, 2018 </p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-size:16pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">GASTAR EXPLORATION INC.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:10pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)</p>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:2pt;margin-top:2pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">001-35211</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:2pt;margin-top:2pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">38-3531640</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:2pt;margin-top:2pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">(State or other jurisdiction</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:2pt;margin-top:2pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:2pt;margin-top:2pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">(Commission File Number)</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:2pt;margin-top:2pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:2pt;margin-top:2pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">(IRS Employer</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:2pt;margin-top:2pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Identification No.)</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:2pt;margin-top:2pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">1331 LAMAR STREET, SUITE 650</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:2pt;margin-top:2pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">HOUSTON, TEXAS 77010</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:2pt;margin-top:2pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">(Address of principal executive offices)</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">(713) 739-1800</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
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<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" style="border-collapse:collapse; width:100%;">
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<p style="margin-bottom:2pt;margin-top:2pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">[&nbsp;&nbsp; ]</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">[&nbsp;&nbsp; ]</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:6pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">[&nbsp;&nbsp; ]</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-size:6pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">[&nbsp;&nbsp; ]</p></td>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</p></td>
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<p style="margin-top:9pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;&#8201;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;&#8201;240.12b-2 of this chapter).</p>
<p style="margin-top:9pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Emerging growth company&#160;<font style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Segoe UI Symbol;">&#9744;</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.&#160;<font style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Segoe UI Symbol;">&#9744;</font></p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
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<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><a name="bm_8_K_Body"></a><a name="_AEIOULastRenderedPageBreakAEIOU2"></a><font style="font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">SECTION 7 &#8211; REGULATION FD</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosures.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:11.37%;color:#000000;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">On August 21, 2018, the Company distributed a transaction process letter (the &#8220;Process Letter&#8221;) to prospective bidders to invite proposals regarding a potential transaction with the Company.&#160;&#160;A copy of the Process Letter is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:11.37%;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information presented herein under Item 7.01 and set forth in the attached Process Letter included in Exhibit 99.1 to this report is deemed to be &#8220;furnished&#8221; solely pursuant to Item 7.01 of this report and shall not be deemed &#8220;filed&#8221; for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#8220;Exchange Act&#8221;), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information or the exhibit be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">SECTION 9 &#8211; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:10pt;margin-top:10pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:10pt;margin-top:10pt;text-indent:0%;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">(d) Exhibits</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:5.11%;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">The following is a list of exhibits furnished as part of this Form 8-K:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:8.18%;text-indent:-8.18%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Exhibit No.</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Description of Document</p></td>
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="top"  style="width:2%;">
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="bottom"  style="width:85%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"  style="width:13%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">99.1</p></td>
<td valign="top"  style="width:2%;">
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="bottom"  style="width:85%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><a href="gst-ex991_7.htm"><font style="text-decoration:underline;">Process Letter dated August 21, 2018</font></a>.</p></td>
</tr>
</table></div>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;text-indent:8.18%;">&nbsp;</p>
<hr style="page-break-after:always;width:100%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:8.18%;text-indent:-8.18%;font-weight:bold;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;"><a name="_AEIOULastRenderedPageBreakAEIOU3"></a><font style="font-weight:bold;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">SIGNATURES</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:8.18%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">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="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<div>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" style="border-collapse:collapse; width:100%;">
<tr style="height:14pt;">
<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:2pt;width:54.78%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Date: August 21, 2018</p></td>
<td colspan="3" valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:2pt;width:45.22%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-weight:bold;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">GASTAR EXPLORATION INC.</p></td>
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<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:0pt;width:54.78%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:0pt;width:5.22%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:0pt;width:20%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:0pt;width:20%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<tr style="height:14pt;">
<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:0pt;width:54.78%; border-bottom:solid 1pt transparent;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:2pt;width:5.22%; border-bottom:solid 1pt transparent;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">By:</p></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:2pt;width:40%; border-bottom:solid 1pt #000000;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Michael A. Gerlich</p></td>
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<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:0pt;width:54.78%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:0pt;width:5.22%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:2pt;width:20%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Michael A. Gerlich</p></td>
<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:0pt;width:20%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
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<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:0pt;width:54.78%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:0pt;width:5.22%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p></td>
<td colspan="2" valign="bottom"  style="padding-left:0pt;padding-Right:2pt;width:40%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-left:0pt;;text-indent:0pt;;color:#000000;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;">Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p></td>
</tr>
</table></div>
<p style="margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-indent:0%;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;text-transform:none;font-variant: normal;text-indent:8.18%;">&nbsp;</p></body>
</html>
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gst-8k_20180821.htm
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): August 21, 2018
GASTAR EXPLORATION INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
DELAWARE
001-35211
38-3531640
(State or other jurisdiction
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer
of incorporation)
Identification No.)
1331 LAMAR STREET, SUITE 650
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77010
(Address of principal executive offices)
(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 obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[   ]
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))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
☐
SECTION 7 – REGULATION FD
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosures.
On August 21, 2018, the Company distributed a transaction process letter (the "Process Letter") to prospective bidders to invite proposals regarding a potential transaction with the Company.  A copy of the Process Letter is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information presented herein under Item 7.01 and set forth in the attached Process Letter included in Exhibit 99.1 to this report is deemed to be "furnished" solely pursuant to Item 7.01 of this report and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information or the exhibit be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act.
SECTION 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
The following is a list of exhibits furnished as part of this Form 8-K:
Exhibit No.
Description of Document
99.1
Process Letter dated August 21, 2018
.
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: August 21, 2018
GASTAR EXPLORATION INC.
By:
/s/  Michael A. Gerlich
Michael A. Gerlich
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer