Bill Barrett Corporation
A former Denver-based independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company focused on the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Bill Barrett Corporation was an independent United States energy company headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Its principal business was the exploration and development of oil and natural-gas resources, with operations concentrated in the Rocky Mountain region. The company was established in January 2002 by William J. "Bill" Barrett after the acquisition of his earlier company, Barrett Resources, by The Williams Companies in August 2001. The new enterprise therefore carried forward an executive and operating tradition associated with Rocky Mountain exploration while being organized as a separate company. The company became publicly traded in December 2004. Its business model centered on identifying, developing, and producing hydrocarbon reserves rather than operating as an integrated oil major. Its principal known commodities were natural gas and crude oil, and its geographic emphasis was the United States, particularly resource plays in the Rocky Mountain area. One of Bill Barrett Corporation's most publicly discussed projects involved natural-gas reserves on the West Tavaputs Plateau in and around Nine Mile Canyon in Utah's Uinta Basin. The development attracted industry attention because of the scale and significance of the discovery, as well as public debate concerning energy development in a landscape known for archaeological and cultural resources. The discovery received Oil and Gas Investor's 2005 Excellence Award for Best Discovery. The project illustrates the company's focus on regional exploration and on developing unconventional or otherwise technically significant Rocky Mountain resources. Leadership changed in 2006, when founder Bill Barrett stepped down as chairman and chief executive officer. He was succeeded by his son, Fredrick J. Barrett. The available reference material does not establish the complete subsequent executive history or provide detailed production, reserve, revenue, or share-price data. Bill Barrett Corporation ultimately ceased to exist as an independent company through a 2017 merger with HighPoint Resources Corp. HighPoint later merged with Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. Accordingly, Bill Barrett Corporation is a defunct former corporate brand rather than an active exploration and production company. Its historical identity is associated with independent oil and gas development in the Rocky Mountains, especially Utah's Uinta Basin, and with the corporate lineage that followed the sale of Barrett Resources.
History
Bill Barrett Corporation was formed in January 2002 by William J. "Bill" Barrett. Its creation followed the August 2001 acquisition of Barrett Resources by The Williams Companies. The new company was headquartered in Denver and continued the founder's association with independent Rocky Mountain oil and gas exploration. The company focused on finding, developing, and producing crude oil and natural gas in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. It became a public company in December 2004. Unlike an integrated energy major, its principal role was upstream exploration and production, with its activities centered on developing regional hydrocarbon reserves. A significant project was the development of natural-gas reserves on the West Tavaputs Plateau in and around Nine Mile Canyon in Utah's Uinta Basin. The discovery received Oil and Gas Investor's 2005 Excellence Award for Best Discovery. At the same time, the development generated public debate because Nine Mile Canyon is associated with archaeological and cultural resources, making the project part of broader discussions about the relationship between energy development and landscape preservation. In 2006, Bill Barrett relinquished his positions as chairman and chief executive officer. His son, Fredrick J. Barrett, succeeded him in those roles. The available reference does not provide a complete account of later management changes, operating performance, or financial results. The company ultimately merged into HighPoint Resources Corp in 2017. HighPoint subsequently merged with Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. Bill Barrett Corporation therefore became defunct as a standalone company. Its historical significance rests on its role as a Denver-based independent producer, its concentration on Rocky Mountain resources, and its involvement in the West Tavaputs Plateau development in Utah.
- 2017
Merger into HighPoint Resources
[1]Bill Barrett Corporation merged into HighPoint Resources Corp and ceased operating as an independent company.
- 2006
Founder leaves top leadership roles
[1]Bill Barrett stepped down as chairman and chief executive officer, with Fredrick J. Barrett succeeding him.
- 2005
West Tavaputs Plateau discovery is recognized
[1]Oil and Gas Investor named the West Tavaputs Plateau natural-gas discovery its Best Discovery in the publication's 2005 Excellence Awards.
- 2004
Public listing
[1]The company went public in December.
- 2002
Bill Barrett Corporation is founded
[1]William J. "Bill" Barrett founded the company in January as a new independent energy enterprise.
- 2001
Barrett Resources is acquired
[1]The Williams Companies acquired Barrett Resources in August, preceding the formation of Bill Barrett Corporation.
Products and positioning
Independent exploration and production company focused on oil and natural-gas resources in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.
Upstream hydrocarbon production
Crude oil
Crude oil was one of the company's principal produced commodities. Bill Barrett Corporation pursued oil exploration and development as part of its broader upstream portfolio in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.
Upstream hydrocarbon production
Natural gas
Natural gas was a core focus of Bill Barrett Corporation's exploration and development activities. The company's best-known project was the West Tavaputs Plateau discovery in Utah's Uinta Basin, which received an industry award in 2005.
Brand decisions
2017
Merger into HighPoint ResourcesM&ABackground
After operating as an independent Rocky Mountain exploration and production company, Bill Barrett Corporation entered a transaction that resulted in its merger into HighPoint Resources Corp.
Action taken
The company merged into HighPoint Resources in 2017.
Aftermath
Bill Barrett Corporation ceased to exist as a standalone company. HighPoint Resources later merged with Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.
Recent events
- 2017
Bill Barrett Corporation merges into HighPoint Resources[1]
M&A
Bill Barrett Corporation merged into HighPoint Resources Corp, ending its existence as an independent company.
- 2006
Leadership passes from Bill Barrett to Fredrick J. Barrett[1]
Leadership change
Founder Bill Barrett left the chairman and chief executive roles, and Fredrick J. Barrett succeeded him.
- 2005
West Tavaputs Plateau discovery receives industry award[1]
Other
The company's natural-gas discovery in and around Utah's West Tavaputs Plateau received Oil and Gas Investor's Excellence Award for Best Discovery.
- 2004
Bill Barrett Corporation completes public offering[1]
Other
The company became publicly traded in December 2004.
- 2002
Bill Barrett Corporation is founded after the sale of Barrett Resources[1]
Other
William J. "Bill" Barrett established Bill Barrett Corporation in January 2002 after Barrett Resources was acquired by The Williams Companies in August 2001.
Sources1 sources
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