EnCana has agreed to pay US$2.55 billion for the Deep Bossier gas interests of Texas-based Leor Energy, the Calgary-based company’s 50-50 partner at the Amoruso field in “one of the fastest-growing” gas trends in North America.

The Canadians have operated the Amoruso development for two years and now produce 215 million cubic feet per day.

Deep Bossier wells cost US$10 million to drill but could recover “between 8 billion and 13 billion cubic feet of gas” for long-term recovery of between 1.3 trillion cf and 1.8 trillion cf "after royalties".

Company managers reckon it will cost US$3.00 per thousand cubic feet to develop Amoruso.

EnCana has seven rigs working the field, of America’s largest. It was understood three more rigs might be ordered for 2008 drilling.