The Largest Natural Gas Discovery in The Western U.S. in Four Decades
The same team behind Ultra Petroleum's 133,000% stock gain is developing America's last untouched natural gas basin—now projecting $201M annual cash flow by 2027
The Team That Turned 15 Cents Into $200 Per Share Is Back
Marc Bruner knows how to find energy wealth in Wyoming. Twenty-five years ago, he took Ultra Petroleum from a 15-cent penny stock to over $200 per share—developing the massive 49 TCF Jonah-Pinedale gas fields just 100 miles from his current discovery. Early investors watched their investments grow by an astounding 133,000%.
Now Bruner is applying that same expertise to what industry geologists are calling the largest natural gas discovery in the Western U.S. in four decades. This time, he's working with a team that includes Steve Richards, a 37-year Schlumberger veteran who was part of the original team that developed those same Jonah-Pinedale discoveries.
The reason this Wyoming basin remained untouched has nothing to do with geology. Federal restrictions tied to historical uranium mining kept energy companies out for 40 years. When those restrictions were finally lifted three years ago, Bruner got the call.
"We are opening up many of those [facilities] right now... America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other nation will ever have — the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth."— President Trump, Address to Joint Session of Congress, March 4, 2025
Massive "Stacked Pay" Discovery—Like Having 6+ Gas Fields in One Location
Lost Soldier Oil & Gas's discovery spans 27,000 acres in the Wyoming Red Desert. Industry experts have confirmed something remarkable: six separate natural gas formations stacked on top of each other.
The Discovery by the Numbers
This "stacked pay" structure changes everything. Traditional gas fields produce from one formation. Here, producers can drill through multiple zones from a single location—dramatically reducing costs while multiplying production.
The AI Revolution's Energy Problem
While everyone talks about AI's computing power, few understand its energy demands. Training a single AI model like ChatGPT requires enough electricity to power 3,600 American homes for an entire year.
Tech giants are racing to build massive data centers across the American West. Meta's new facility in Utah will consume 2 gigawatts—enough to power a city of 1.5 million people. Microsoft's Wyoming data center complex requires 1.5 gigawatts. Google's expansion in Nevada needs another 2 gigawatts.
Natural gas is the only energy source that can reliably power these facilities 24/7/365. And Lost Soldier's discovery sits directly in the path of this infrastructure boom.
Three Forces Creating a Historic Opportunity
1. "Drill, Baby, Drill" – Policy Shifts Open the Floodgates
The new administration's Executive Order 14008 fast-tracked energy development on federal lands. Lost Soldier's permits, which typically take 3-5 years, were approved in just 6 months. With 70% of their acreage on federal land, this acceleration changes their entire development timeline.
2. AI's Insatiable Energy Appetite – Demand Unlike Anything We've Seen
U.S. natural gas demand will grow by 35 billion cubic feet per day by 2030—a 40% increase. AI data centers alone will consume 20 billion cubic feet daily. Lost Soldier's location near planned data center corridors positions them perfectly to capture premium pricing.
3. Tax Benefits That Turn $1 Into $2.85 – Available Only to Direct Investors
Oil and gas investors can deduct 85% of drilling costs immediately. Combined with depreciation and depletion allowances, investors in the 37% tax bracket can see tax benefits worth $1.85 for every dollar invested—before counting a penny of production revenue.
The Ultra Petroleum Playbook—Applied to Today's Market
When Marc Bruner took over Ultra Petroleum in 1999, natural gas traded at $2.50 per MCF. By 2008, it hit $13.58. Investors who recognized the supply-demand imbalance early watched their shares soar from 15 cents to over $200.
Today's setup looks remarkably similar. Natural gas trades near multi-year lows while demand projections show unprecedented growth. The difference? This time, Bruner already has the discovery in hand.
Why This Opportunity Exists
- • Most investors don't understand the AI energy connection
- • ESG mandates keep institutional money on the sidelines
- • Complex tax benefits favor individual accredited investors
- • Early-stage development offers maximum upside potential
From Discovery to $201 Million Annual Cash Flow by 2027
Lost Soldier's development plan leverages their proven team's experience. Phase 1 begins with 12 wells targeting the most prolific zones. By 2027, they project 75 producing wells generating over 500 million cubic feet per day.
Financial Projections
| Year | Wells | Production (MMCF/day) | Annual Cash Flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 108 | $42M |
| 2026 | 35 | 315 | $123M |
| 2027 | 75 | 525 | $201M |
*Projections based on $3.50/MCF gas price. Actual results may vary.
These projections assume conservative gas prices well below current futures contracts. With AI data centers locked into premium long-term contracts, actual results could exceed these estimates significantly.
Direct Investment Structure Maximizes Both Returns and Tax Benefits
Lost Soldier offers accredited investors direct working interests in their Wyoming wells—not a fund, not a partnership, but actual ownership. This structure provides:
- 100% of tax benefits flow directly to investors
- Monthly distributions once wells begin producing
- No management fees or carried interest
- Direct ownership of reserves
Minimum investment: $100,000. Many investors choose larger positions to maximize tax benefits against their 2025 income.
Important Risk Factors
Oil and gas investments involve substantial risk. Commodity prices can be volatile. Wells may not produce as expected. Tax laws could change. Environmental regulations may impact operations. These investments are suitable only for accredited investors.