The Northern Ute Indian Tribe has launched Ft. Duchesne, Utah-based Ute Energy, with John Jurrius as chief executive and Robert Ogle as chief financial officer. The company plans to develop 236,000 acres on its reservation in Utah's Uintah Basin. "Ute Energy is the beginning of a great movement for the Northern Utes," says Maxine Natchees, chairman of the Tribal Business Committee. "This company is part of a progressive financial plan, set in place four years ago, that led us to becoming active partners for the first time in the development of our land and resources. This translates to great things for our tribe, surrounding communities and the state." The Northern Utes have aligned themselves with business partners to successfully develop the tribe's land assets including Questar Gas Co., Fidelity Investors Management LLC, Bill Barrett Corp., and Berry Petroleum Co. During the next year, Ute Energy will participate in some $60 million of mineral development with wells between the Naval Oil Shale Reserve and Brundage areas.