Exhibit 99.1

Gastar Exploration to Improve Cash Position with $10.1 Million Litigation Settlement

HOUSTON, August 31, 2016 – Gastar Exploration Inc. (NYSE MKT: GST) (“Gastar” or the “Company”) announced that it has executed a release and settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) regarding the Company’s claim for reimbursement under its directors and officers liability insurance coverage to recover settlement and legal defense expenses incurred by the Company in connection with litigation settled in December  2010.  Gastar expects to receive $10.1 million within fourteen business days of execution of the Settlement Agreement.

The Company currently has approximately $40.6 million in available cash and cash equivalents and, after giving pro forma effect to receipt of the settlement funds, will have $50.7 million in available cash and cash equivalents.

About Gastar Exploration

Gastar Exploration Inc. is a pure play Mid-Continent independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil, condensate, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Gastar’s principal business activities include the identification, acquisition, and subsequent exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties with an emphasis on unconventional reserves, such as shale resource plays. Gastar holds a concentrated acreage position in what is believed to be the core of the STACK Play, an area of central Oklahoma which is home to multiple oil and natural gas-rich reservoirs including the Meramec, Oswego, Osage, Woodford and Hunton formations. For more information, visit Gastar's website at www.gastar.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward looking statements give our current expectations, opinion, belief or forecasts of

future events and performance.  A statement identified by the use of forward looking words including “may,” “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” and certain of the other foregoing statements may be deemed forward-looking statements.  Although Gastar believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future activities and results to be materially different from those suggested or described in this news release.  These include the risk of receipt of the settlement funds; and other risks described in Gastar's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. By issuing forward looking statements based on current expectations, opinions, views or beliefs, Gastar has no obligation and, except as required by law, is not undertaking any obligation, to update or revise these statements or provide any other information relating to such statements. 

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