Patton Boggs LLP
                               1660 Lincoln Street
                                   Suite 1900
                             Denver, Colorado 80264

                                 (303) 830-1776



                                 April 12, 1999

PYR Energy Corporation
1675 Broadway, Suite 1150
Denver, Colorado  80202

Gentlemen and Ladies:

     We have acted as counsel for PYR Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"),  in connection with preparation of the Company's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to Form SB-2 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities
Act of 1933,  as amended,  concerning  registration  of 5,108,334  shares of the
Company's  $.001  par  value  common  stock  (the  "Common  Stock")  by  certain
stockholders of the Company (the "Selling Security Holders").

     We have examined the  Certificate  Of  Incorporation  and the Bylaws of the
Company and the record of the Company's  corporate  proceedings  concerning  the
registration   described  above.  In  addition,  we  have  examined  such  other
certificates,  agreements,  documents  and  papers,  and we have made such other
inquiries and  investigations of law as we have deemed appropriate and necessary
in order to express the opinion set forth in this letter.  In our  examinations,
we have assumed the  genuineness  of all  signatures,  the  authenticity  of all
documents submitted to us as originals, photostatic, or conformed copies and the
authenticity of the originals of all such latter documents.  In addition,  as to
certain matters we have relied upon  certificates  and advice from various state
authorities  and public  officials,  and we have  assumed  the  accuracy  of the
material and the factual matters contained herein.

     Subject  to  the  foregoing   and  on  the  basis  of  the   aforementioned
examinations  and  investigations,  it is our opinion  that the shares of Common
Stock being  transferred  by the Selling  Security  Holders as  described in the
Registration  Statement  have  been  legally  issued  and  are  fully  paid  and
non-assessable.
 
     We hereby consent (a) to be named in the Registration  Statement and in the
prospectus that  constitutes a part of the  Registration  Statement as acting as
counsel in connection with the offering,  including with respect to the issuance
of securities offered in the offering;  and (b) to the filing of this opinion as
an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

     This  opinion is to be used solely for the purpose of the  registration  of
the Common Stock and may not be used for any other purpose.

                                                     Very truly yours,


                                                     /s/ Patton Boggs LLP

                                                     PATTON BOGGS LLP