Crimson Exploration Inc. (NasdaqGM:CXPO) today announced the commencement of drilling operations on the Mosley #1H (~86% WI), its first well targeting the oil-rich Woodbine formation in Madison County, Texas, the successful completion of the Schwarz #3 (64% WI) in Liberty County, Texas and its 2012 capital program of $74 million that is currently planned to include 15 gross wells (13 operated) focusing on the oil and/or liquids-rich Eagle Ford Shale and Woodbine formations.

Drilling Update

The Mosley #1H (~86 % WI) recently began drilling operations, targeting the Woodbine formation, and is planned for a total measured depth of 16,900 feet, including an 7,500 foot lateral with 20 - 24 stages of frac. Drilling of this well is anticipated to take approximately 35 days, completion operations are expected to commence mid-February and initial production, given success, is expected to begin in early March. Industry activity has accelerated in the area with one private company having a very successful drilling program immediately to the west/southwest of our 15,500 net acre position in Madison and Grimes Counties, and larger industry players competing for acreage positions to the north and east of our position. Given success of the Mosley #1H, we expect to have a rig active for the balance of 2012 drilling Woodbine wells in this area.

In Liberty County, Texas, the Schwarz #3 (64% WI) commenced production at a gross daily rate of 9.3 Mmcfe, or 6.3 Mmcf, 87 barrels of oil and 412 barrels of condensate on a 16/64th choke and 9,593 psi of flowing tubing pressure. The well was drilled to a total vertical depth of 14,750 feet and completed in the Lower Cook Mountain formation.

2012 Capital Budget

Crimson's 2012 capital budget is currently targeted at approximately $74 million and is designed to continue our transformation from a predominately natural gas producer to a more balanced oil/gas profile by drilling our opportunities in the Eagle Ford and Woodbine formations. Currently included in these plans are ten wells targeting the oil-rich Woodbine formation in Madison and Grimes counties, Texas and five wells in the Eagle Ford Shale formation in Karnes, Zavala, Dimmit and Bee counties, Texas.

Though Crimson currently has approximately $85 million of availability on its revolving credit facility, the Company plans to limit its capital budget to its internally generated cash flow for the year. The amount ultimately to be spent during the year, and the projects pursued, will be constantly monitored for appropriate revision, upward or downward, based on actual drilling success, production and cash flow.

We will continue to monitor industry activity in the oil weighted Niobrara Shale in the DJ basin of Colorado and the liquids-rich James Lime Shale play in East Texas. Planned drilling activity by large operators in and around our positions in both plays, allows Crimson the ability to have each play de-risked prior to having to expend drilling capital. Results of these wells will determine Crimson's strategy and activity level in these plays in 2012; and given competitor success, we may adjust our capital budget to capitalize on opportunities on our acreage positions.

Upcoming Event

Crimson will present at the Pritchard Capital Energize 2012 Conference in San Francisco, CA on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 1:15 PM PST. A live audio webcast of the presentation can be accessed at http://www.wsw.com/webcast/pritch4/cxpo/ or by visiting the Company's website at http://crimsonexploration.com. A copy of the presentation will be posted to the website in the "Investor Relations" section prior to the start of the Company's presentation and a replay of the audio will be archived until Thursday, January 12, 2012.

Crimson Exploration is a Houston, TX-based independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, development, exploitation and production of crude oil and natural gas, primarily in the onshore Gulf Coast regions of the United States. The Company owns and operates conventional properties in Texas, Louisiana, Colorado and Mississippi, including approximately 5,400 net acres in the Haynesville Shale, Mid-Bossier, and James Lime plays in San Augustine and Sabine counties in East Texas, approximately 8,000 net acres in the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, approximately 15,500 net acres in Madison and Grimes counties in Southeast Texas and approximately 11,000 net acres in the Denver Julesburg Basin of Colorado.

Additional information on Crimson Exploration Inc. is available on the Company's website at http://crimsonexploration.com.

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and applicable securities laws. Such statements include those concerning Crimson's strategic plans, expectations and objectives for future operations. All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Crimson expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions Crimson made based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Crimson's control. Statements regarding future production, revenue, cash flow operating results, leverage, drilling rigs operating, drilling locations, funding, derivative transactions, pricing, operating costs and capital spending, tax rates, and descriptions of our development plans are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the exploration for and development and production of oil and gas. These risks include, but are not limited to, commodity price changes, inflation or lack of availability of goods and services, environmental risks, the proximity to and capacity of transportation facilities, the timing of planned capital expenditures, uncertainties in estimating reserves and forecasting production results, operating and drilling risks, regulatory changes and the potential lack of capital resources. All forward-looking statements are based on our forecasts for our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to our filings with the SEC, including our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and subsequent filings for a further discussion of these risks. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Crimson Exploration Inc., Houston, TX
E. Joseph Grady, 713-236-7400