GILLETTE, Wyo., June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- High Plains Gas, Inc. (OTCBB: HPGS or "HPG" or "the Company") today announced the amendment of the Purchase and Sale Agreement between the Company and J.M. Huber Corporation. The transaction involves certain coalbed methane assets in Wyoming and Montana and has been extended. The amendment expires June 30, 2011, but has provisions which allow the parties to either close or cancel the amendment prior to that date. Details of the transaction were first announced on February 27, 2011.

This amendment grants High Plains Gas, Inc. additional time to close the purchase of Huber's Powder River Basin coalbed methane assets as amended.  Huber has the right to pursue sales to third parties and may terminate the agreement upon written notice and pursue actions that it deems appropriate.  High Plains may notice Huber at anytime of its intentions to close the transaction prior to any termination notice and the transaction may proceed to close. Huber continues to hold non-refundable deposits in the amount of $2 million and 2 million shares of HPGS common stock which may be applied towards the closing price.

Brent Cook, CEO of High Plains Gas, Inc, said, "This extension allows more time to complete  details of the transaction while preserving the parties' options. We look forward to concluding this transaction with Huber in the second quarter of 2011."

ABOUT HIGH PLAINS GAS

High Plains Gas, Inc. is a Gillette, Wyoming based energy company actively engaged in the acquisition, development and production of natural gas primarily in the Powder River Basin.  Through its wholly-owned subsidiary CEP – M Purchase LLC, the Company owns the former Marathon "North & South Fairway" assets.  These assets consist of 1,614 Coal Bed Methane Wells with associated flow lines and over 155,000 net acres. This combined with the company's existing 92 natural gas wells gives the company a strong foundation in the natural gas industry. High Plains Gas will pursue expansion opportunities for the profitable production and transmission of natural gas. High Plains Gas believes it has unique expertise and experience in the refurbishment and reactivation of wells that produce natural gas from coal bed methane formations that helps position it strategically in the Powder River Basin. 

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Statements made about our future expectations are forward-looking statements and subject to risks and uncertainties as described in our most recent filings made with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and are subject to change at any time. Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement.

Contact

High Plains Gas, Inc.

P.O. Box 1564

Gillette, WY 82717

(307) 686-5030

Email: ir@highplainsgas.com

www.highplainsgas.com

Investor Relations

Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates

Mary Magnani

(415) 433-3777

hpg@lhai.com

SOURCE High Plains Gas, Inc.