<Page>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                    EVERGREEN RESOURCES SELLS $100 MILLION OF

                         4.75% SENIOR CONVERTIBLE NOTES

Denver, Colorado, December 13, 2001 ...EVERGREEN RESOURCES, INC. (NYSE: EVG)
announced today that it agreed to privately place $100 million aggregate
principal amount of 4.75% senior convertible notes due 2021.

The notes will be unsecured obligations, convertible into Evergreen common stock
at the option of the holder under certain circumstances at a conversion price of
$50.00 per share. The notes will rank on parity in right of payment with all of
the company's existing and future senior indebtedness, and senior in right of
payment with all future subordinated indebtedness. Holders may require the
company to repurchase the notes on December 20, 2006, December 15, 2011 and
December 15, 2016 at a repurchase price of 100% of the principal amount of notes
plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, the notes contain certain
repurchase provisions upon a change of control. On December 20, 2006, the
company may pay the repurchase price in cash, in shares of Evergreen common
stock, or in any combination of cash and common stock. On December 15, 2011 and
December 15, 2016, the company must pay the repurchase price in cash.

The placement of the notes is expected to close on December 18, 2001. Evergreen
intends to use the net proceeds of this offering to repay borrowings under its
credit facility.

This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to
buy any of these securities.

The notes and the common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes have not
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), or any state securities laws and are being offered only to qualified
institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Unless
so registered, the notes and common stock issued upon conversion of the notes
may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state
securities laws.

Evergreen Resources, Inc. is an independent energy company engaged in the
exploration, development, production, operation and acquisition of
unconventional natural gas properties. Evergreen Resources' common stock is
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EVG."

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
federal securities laws, including forward-looking statements regarding the
company's future performance. These statements are subject to various
uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking
statements as a result of a variety of risks, including, among others, risks
that production and reserve estimates are inaccurate or gas prices change such
that reserves become uneconomic. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that
actual results will be as projected in these forward-looking statements.

                         CONTACT:  John B. Kelso, Manager of Investor Relations
                                   (303) 298-8100