Exhibit 99.1

                     PYR ENERGY PROVIDES OPERATIONAL UPDATE

        DENVER, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PYR Energy Corporation (Amex:
PYR) today provided an operational update on recent drilling activity.

        At the Cumberland Prospect in Uinta County, Wyoming, the Cumberland
#1-16 State well has reached a total drilling depth of 10,860 feet in the Nugget
Sandstone. Based on preliminary log analysis, the Nugget zone of interest
appears to be nonproductive, and the well will be plugged and abandoned. Further
evaluation of the log data will be analyzed and studied to determine any
remaining prospective targets within our 6,233 net leasehold area of mutual
interest ("AMI"). PYR participated in the drilling of the initial test well with
a 10% working interest and a 22.5% carried interest to casing point.

        At our Nome Prospect, located in Jefferson County, Texas, the Sun Fee #1
well reached payout status on October 13, 2004. As a result of reaching payout,
PYR has backed-in for an 8.33% working interest in addition to our approximately
1.5% overriding royalty interest (ORRI) in the project. For the past three
months (Oct - Dec), the well has averaged daily production of 15.34 MMcfe per
day. Cumulative production, through the end of December, is approximately 2.5
Bcfe. Although PYR is still in dispute with the operator regarding certain
pooling issues, the well is now accruing substantial cash flow to the Company
which is anticipated to be paid upon resolution of the dispute.

        At the Madison Prospect, located in the northern part of the
Constitution Field, the Maness Gas Unit #1 well averaged daily production in
December of 5.05 MMcfe per day. The well has not reached payout status to date,
but when payout is reached, PYR's 0.5% ORRI converts to a 12.5% working interest
in the well. The operator is preparing to drill an offset location which is
expected to commence drilling operations in late January. PYR will participate
in the drilling of this well with a 12.5% working interest.

        At our Canadian River Project, located in Oklahoma, we are preparing to
drill a Cromwell development well. PYR has a 28.98% WI in the well, and drilling
activities are expected to begin by late January.

        The Rogers Pass Project, located in the Montana Foothills, is operated
by Suncor Energy Natural Gas America, Inc. ("SENGAI"). We had hoped to spud
before year end, but due to rig availability delays, the operator now expects to
commence drilling operations in late February or early March. PYR will have no
capital participation in the drilling of the test well, and has retained a 12.5%
ORRI in the project.

        PYR expects to release financial results for its first quarter by the
end of the week.

        Denver based PYR Energy is an independent oil and gas company primarily
engaged in the exploration for and the development and production of natural gas
and crude oil. At the current time, PYR's activities include select areas of the
Rocky Mountain region, the San Joaquin Basin of California, East Texas, and the
Gulf Coast. Additional information about PYR Energy Corporation can be accessed
via the Company's web site at www.pyrenergy.com.

        This release contains forward-looking statements regarding PYR Energy
Corporation's future plans and expected performance based on assumptions the
Company believes to be reasonable. A number of risks and uncertainties could
cause actual results to differ materially from these statements, including,
without limitation, the success rate of exploration efforts and the timeliness
of development activities, fluctuations in oil and gas prices, and other risk



factors described from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the SEC.
In addition, the Company operates in an industry sector where securities values
are highly volatile and may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond
the Company's control. This press release includes the opinions of PYR Energy
and does not necessarily include the views of any other person or entity. This
release may not have been reviewed or approved by the operator and/ or
participants in any of the projects discussed.

SOURCE PYR Energy Corporation
        -0-                             01/12/2005
        /CONTACT: Tucker Franciscus VP, or Scott Singdahlsen, President, both of
both of PYR Energy Corporation, +1-303-825-3748, fax +1-303-825-3768/
        /Web site: http://www.pyrenergy.com /