News Release / For Release at 9:00 AM EST, Wednesday, February 5, 2003

Gasco Riverbend Compression Installation Complete

DENVER - (PR Newswire) - February 05, 2003 - Gasco Energy,  Inc.  (OTCBB:  GASE)
today  announced that a new compressor is operating on its Riverbend  Project in
Utah's Uinta Basin.  The additional  compression  capacity allows the company to
begin  producing  from wells that were  shut-in or flowing  through  constricted
orifices and should meet the Company's projected  compression needs for the next
12  months.  Production  was  curtailed  last  fall due to  inadequate  pipeline
compressor capacity on the system that is owned by another independent operator.

The  wells  placed  on line are the  Federal  23-29  (Gasco-operated;  Gasco 25%
working interest [WI] and the Federal 42-29 (Gasco-operated; Gasco approximately
65% WI). After 48 hours, the Federal 42-29 is currently producing 1,336 thousand
cubic  feet per day  (Mcfd)  and 240  barrels of water per day (BWD) at 1400 psi
flowing casing  pressure on a 16/64" choke to the sales line.  Seven  additional
completion intervals remain behind pipe in the 42-29.

After 48 hours, the Federal 23-29 is currently  producing 806 Mcfd and 10 BWD at
1300 psi flowing tubing pressure on a 14/64" choke in a fully completed wellbore
to the sales line. The Federal 23-21 (Gasco-operated; Gasco, 50% minimum WI) has
been hooked up to the sales line and  production  facilities  are installed with
completion to commence  immediately.  The Lytham Federal 22-22  (Gasco-operated;
Gasco  minimum  50% WI)  remains  shut-in  pending  hookup to the sales line and
completion.

"We are  pleased  with the  performance  of the two wells in these first days of
production," said Mike Decker, Gasco's COO. "The 42-29 is currently producing at
higher  water  volumes as we recover  our  fracture  stimulation  fluid from the
completions  and we  expect  this  to  decline  as the  well  cleans  up.  These
production  results  are  further  confirmation  of our belief  that  commercial
development of our Riverbend project is feasible."

About Gasco Energy

Gasco  Energy,  Inc.  is a  Denver-based  natural gas and oil  exploitation  and
development  company  that  focuses on  natural-gas-rich  prospects in the Rocky
Mountain area of the United States. The Company currently is active in the Uinta
Basin in Utah and in the Greater  Green  River Basin of Wyoming.  To learn more,
visit www.gascoenergy.com.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements set forth in this press release relate to management's future
plans,  objectives and expectations.  Such statements are forward-looking within
the  meanings  of Section 27A of the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended,  and
Section 21E of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  All statements
other than  statements  of  historical  facts  included  in this press  release,
including,  without  limitation,   statements  regarding  the  Company's  future
financial position,  potential resources,  business strategy, budgets, projected
costs and  plans  and  objectives  of  management  for  future  operations,  are
forward-looking  statements. In addition,  forward-looking  statements generally
can be  identified  by the use of  forward-looking  terminology  such as  "may,"
"will," "expect," "intend," "project," "estimate,"  "anticipate,"  "believe," or
"continue"  or  the  negative  thereof  or  similar  terminology.  Although  any
forward-looking  statements contained in this press release are to the knowledge
or in the judgment of t he officers and directors of the Company, believed to be
reasonable, there can be no assurances that any of these expectations will prove
correct  or  that  any  of  the  actions   that  are  planned   will  be  taken.
Forward-looking  statements  involve known and unknown  risks and  uncertainties
that may cause the Company's actual  performance and financial results in future
periods to differ materially from any projection, estimate or forecasted result.
Some of the key  factors  that may cause  actual  results to vary from those the
Company expects include inherent  uncertainties in interpreting  engineering and
reserve or  production  data;  operating  hazards;  delays or  cancellations  of
drilling  operations  because of weather and other natural and economic  forces;
fluctuations  in oil and  natural  gas prices in  response to changes in supply;
competition from other companies with greater resources; environmental and other
government  regulations;  defects  in  title  to  properties;  increases  in the
Company's cost of borrowing or inabilit y or unavailability of capital resources
to fund capital expenditures;  and other risks described under "Risk Factors" in
Part I, Item 1 of the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission.  Contact for Gasco Energy,  Inc.:  Investor
Relations: 800-645-9254