8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 5, 2016 (February 4, 2016)

GASTAR EXPLORATION INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

DELAWARE	001-35211	38-3531640
(State or other jurisdiction	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer
of incorporation)		Identification No.)

1331 LAMAR STREET, SUITE 650

HOUSTON, TEXAS 77010

(Address of principal executive offices)

(713) 739-1800

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[   ]	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[   ]	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[   ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[   ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

SECTION 5 – CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

As previously disclosed, on January 29, 2016, Gastar Exploration Inc. (the “Company”) announced that Mr. Michael McCown retired from his position as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective February 1, 2016.  Mr. McCown will receive all accrued salary, bonuses for 2015 (which have not yet been determined by the Company) and benefits owed, up to and including February 1, 2016.  

On February 4, 2016, in lieu of other severance payments under his employment agreement, Mr. McCown entered into an Employee Separation and Release Agreement (such agreement, the “Release Agreement”). Pursuant to the Release Agreement, Mr. McCown will receive a severance payment of $525,000, less required withholdings.  In addition, the Company has agreed to reimburse Mr. McCown COBRA premiums for a period of up to 18 months and to accelerate the vesting of Mr. McCown’s 111,590 restricted shares, before tax forfeitures, on January 30, 2016.  

A copy of the Release Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K and is hereby filed. The description of the Release Agreement in this Form 8-K is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of such agreement.

SECTION 7 - REGULATION FD

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On February 5, 2016, the Company announced that it has declared a monthly cash dividend on its 8.625% Series A Preferred Stock and its 10.75% Series B Preferred Stock for February 2016.  A copy of the Company's press release, dated February 5, 2016, is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information presented herein under Item 7.01 and set forth in the attached press release included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report is deemed to be “furnished” solely pursuant to Item 7.01 of this report and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information or the exhibit be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act.

SECTION 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

The following is a list of exhibits filed or furnished as part of this Form 8-K:

Exhibit No.	Description of Document
10.1	Employee Separation and Release Agreement, dated February 4, 2016.
99.1	Press release dated February 5, 2016 announcing that the Company has declared a monthly cash dividend for February 2016.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: February 5, 2016	GASTAR EXPLORATION INC.
	By:	/s/  J. Russell Porter
		J. Russell Porter
		President and Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description of Document
10.1	Employee Separation and Release Agreement, dated February 4, 2016.
99.1	Press release dated February 5, 2016 announcing that the Company has declared a monthly cash dividend for February 2016.

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYEE SEPARATION AND RELEASE

This release confirms the terms of your separation from employment with Gastar Exploration, Inc. (the “Company”) and Insperity PEO Services, L.P. (“Insperity”).

You are entitled to a bonus payment as previously agreed to between you and the Company, which will be paid to you, less required withholdings, in accordance with the Company’s normal practice regarding the payment of a bonus. The bonus payment will be paid even if you choose not to sign this release and you have notified the Company of your decision not to sign. You understand that this payment is due solely from the Company and that Insperity has no obligation to make the payment, even though it may be processed through Insperity.

The Company has vested you in 89,080 performance based shares, before tax forfeitures, on January 30, 2016, representing all shares due you under that plan.

Except as stated above, you agree that you have been paid all wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, expense reimbursements, and any other amounts that you are owed, if any. You also agree that you have been paid what you are owed for any vacation time, sick time, paid time off or paid leave of absence, or in connection with any severance or deferred compensation plan, if eligible, and that you have been given all time off to which you were entitled under any policy or law, including but not limited to leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

The Company will also pay you a lump-sum payment of FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND and 00/100 DOLLARS ($525,000.00), less required withholdings, in connection with your separation from the Company and Insperity. In addition, the Company will accelerate the vesting of your 111,590 restricted shares, before tax forfeitures, on January 30, 2016. You agree that this payment and the accelerated vesting is something of value and that you are not already entitled to payment of this additional compensation and the accelerated vesting of your shares.

The Company will also reimburse you COBRA premiums to continue your coverage under the Insperity Group Health Plan, should you be eligible for and elect COBRA coverage (equal to the amount paid during your employment) until the earlier of (a) 18 months from the effective date of termination of employment; (b) the date on which you commence regular, full-time employment pursuant to which you are eligible for health and dental insurance; or (c) the date on which you become ineligible to receive COBRA benefits. Please note that it is solely your responsibility to enroll in COBRA and to make the monthly premium payments on a timely basis. If you do not timely enroll in and pay for COBRA, you will not be eligible to receive COBRA reimbursement. You can submit a request for reimbursement to the Company within ninety (90) days after each premium payment is made. The Company will reimburse you within 20 days of receipt of your request.

You agree that the additional compensation to be paid under this release is due solely from the Company and that Insperity has no obligation to pay the additional compensation, even though its payment may be processed through Insperity.

You are solely responsible for any and all tax obligations or other obligations under federal and/or state law pertaining to the receipt of the additional compensation in this release,

and you hereby agree to hold the Company and Insperity and their respective affiliates harmless from any and all liability relating to such obligations. 

In exchange for providing you with this additional compensation, you agree to fully release the Company and Insperity and their respective current and former parent companies, subsidiaries, and other affiliated companies as well as any of their respective current and former insurers, directors, officers. agents, shareholders, and employees (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any claims you may have against them as of the date you sign the release, whether such claims arise from common law, statute, regulation, or contract. This release includes but is not limited to rights and claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and any state leave or workers’ compensation retaliation law. By accepting the additional compensation, you have agreed to release the Released Parties from any liability arising out of your employment with and separation from the Company and Insperity, including any payment or benefit under the Employment Agreement between you and the Company, dated June 19, 2014 (the “Employment Agreement”). This would include, among other things, claims alleging breach of contract, defamation, emotional distress, harassment, retaliation, or discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, national origin, disability or any other status under local, state, or federal law.

RIGHTS RESERVED: This release does not prevent you from pursuing any workers’ compensation benefits to which you may be entitled. This release does not prevent you from filing an administrative charge or participating in an investigation before any governmental agency charged with enforcement of any law, including, but not limited to, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, any similar state or local agency, or the National Labor Relations Board. This release does not prevent you from engaging in any concerted activity for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid and protection. You do agree, however, that by signing this release, you waive any right to recover monetary damages or other individual relief in connection with any such charge you file or investigation in which you participate.

You agree that this release does not alter any agreements or promises you made prior to or during your employment concerning intellectual property, confidentiality, non-solicitation, or non-competition, including, but not limited to, your Employment Agreement.

You agree that you are the only person who is able to assert any right or claim arising out of your employment with or separation from the Company and Insperity. You promise that you have not assigned, pledged or otherwise sold such rights or claims, nor have you relied on any promises other than those contained in this release.

You agree that neither this release nor the payment of the additional compensation being offered to you for this release is an admission by the Company or Insperity of any liability or unlawful conduct of any kind. You agree that the additional compensation being offered in exchange for your release of claims and rights is sufficient.

Page 2 of 4(McCown, Michael / 1924664 / 2/2/2016 / 3502300)

You agree that you will not seek employment with either the Company or Insperity in the future. Both the Company and Insperity have reserved the right to waive this restriction independent of each other.

You agree not to disparage the Company or to do anything that portrays the Company, its products or personnel in a negative light or that might injure the Company’s business or affairs. This would include, but is not limited to, disparaging remarks about the Company as well as its shareholders, officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, partners, affiliates, consultants, products, formulae, business processes, corporate structure or organization, and marketing methods. Nothing in this paragraph affects your rights under the paragraph in this release entitled “Rights Reserved.”

You agree to return to the Company, before you sign this release, all property belonging to either the Company or Insperity. This would include, for example, documents, files, forms, customer information and lists, confidential business information, keys, computer equipment such as laptop computers and printers, electronic equipment, cell phones and similar handheld devices, pagers and Company-issued credit cards.

You agree to keep this release strictly confidential and not to discuss its terms or existence with any person, except with your immediate family, tax preparers, and attorneys, provided that any person with whom you discuss the release also agrees to keep it confidential. You agree to assume responsibility for any such person’s confidentiality obligations. You may, however, fully respond to questions from governmental entities or discuss this release if required to do so by law.

You agree that, if you violate the terms of this release, you will reimburse the Released Parties for any attorneys’ fees, costs, or other damages arising from your breach of the release, unless you are challenging your waiver of claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. You agree that, if any portion of this release is found to be unenforceable, the remainder of the release will remain enforceable.

Before signing this release, you should make sure that you understand what you are signing, what benefits you are receiving, and what rights you are giving up, including your rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. You should also consult an attorney about the contents and meaning of this release. You have 21 days to consider this release, which will expire if not executed within that period. You must deliver or mail the timely executed release to Jason Blansett, Insperity HR Specialist, within 25 days of the date this release is presented to you. If mailing, please use the attached self-addressed and stamped envelope. Also, after you have signed the release, you may revoke the release at any time within seven days of your signing it by mailing written notice of your revocation to Jason Blansett, Insperity HR Specialist at 3 Waterway Square Place, Suite 425, The Woodlands, TX 77380. The additional compensation being offered to you will be paid after the seven day period, if you do not revoke the release, but no later than April 1, 2016.

Any modifications to this release do not become part of this release unless expressly agreed to in writing by you and the Company.

Page 3 of 4(McCown, Michael / 1924664 / 2/2/2016 / 3502300)

If this release fully and accurately describes the complete agreement concerning your separation of employment and your agreement to release the Released Parties for any acts occurring prior to the date you sign this release, please confirm this agreement by signing and dating this release before a notary public. By signing this release, you agree that your waiver of rights and claims is knowing and voluntary. You further confirm that you fully understand the benefits you are receiving and the rights and claims you are waiving under this release and that you have accepted those benefits and waived those rights and claims of your own free will.

This release was presented to Michael McCown on February 4, 2016.

ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

/s/ Michael McCownFebruary 4, 2016

Michael McCownDate

THE STATE OF WV                   ________§

§ACKNOWLEDGMENT

COUNTY OF Wood   _________________§

This instrument was acknowledged before me on February 4                ________, 2016, by Michael McCown.

[Seal]/s/ David W. Perkinson

Notary Public, State of WV

My Commission Expires: 6-11-2020

Notary’s Name (Typed, Stamped or Printed)

David W. Perkinson

Page 4 of 4(McCown, Michael / 1924664 / 2/2/2016 / 3502300)

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

  For Immediate Release    NEWS RELEASE   Contacts: Gastar Exploration Inc. J. Russell Porter, Chief Executive Officer 713-739-1800 / rporter@gastar.com   Investor Relations Counsel: Lisa Elliott / lelliott@DennardLascar.com Dennard-Lascar Associates: 713-529-6600

Gastar Exploration Inc. Declares Monthly Cash Dividend on

8.625% Series A Preferred Stock and 10.75% Series B Preferred Stock

HOUSTON, February 5, 2016 - Gastar Exploration Inc. (NYSE MKT: GST) (“Gastar”) announced today that it has declared monthly cash dividends on its 8.625% Series A Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) and its 10.75% Series B Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) for February 2016.

The dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock is payable on February 29, 2016 to holders of record at the close of business on February 16, 2016.  The February 2016 dividend payment will be an annualized 8.625% per share, which is equivalent to $0.179688 per share, based on the $25.00 per share liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock.  The Series A Preferred Stock is currently listed on the NYSE MKT and trades under the ticker symbol “GST.PRA.”

The dividend on the Series B Preferred Stock is payable on February 29, 2016 to holders of record at the close of business on February 16, 2016.  The February 2016 dividend payment will be an annualized 10.75% per share, which is equivalent to $0.223958 per share, based on the $25.00 per share liquidation preference of the Series B Preferred Stock.  The Series B Preferred Stock is currently listed on the NYSE MKT and trades under the ticker symbol “GST.PRB.”

About Gastar

Gastar Exploration Inc. is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil, condensate, natural gas and natural gas liquids in the United

States. 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. In Oklahoma, Gastar is developing the primarily oil-bearing reservoirs of the Hunton Limestone horizontal play and is testing other prospective formations on the same acreage, including the Meramec Shale and the Woodford Shale, which is referred to as the STACK Play and emerging prospective plays in the shallow Oswego formation and in the Osage formation, a deeper bench of the Mississippi Lime located below the Meramec Shale. In West Virginia, Gastar has developed liquids-rich natural gas in the Marcellus Shale and has drilled and completed two successful dry gas Utica Shale/Point Pleasant wells on its acreage.  Gastar has engaged Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. to market certain of its Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale/Point Pleasant assets located in Marshall and Wetzel Counties, West Virginia.  For more information, visit Gastar's website at www.gastar.com.

Safe Harbor Statement and Disclaimer

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 risks inherent in oil and natural gas drilling and production activities, including risks with respect to continued low or further declining prices for oil and natural gas that could result in downward revisions to the value of proved reserves or otherwise cause Gastar to further delay or suspend planned drilling and completion operations or reduce production levels, which would adversely impact cash flow; risks relating to the availability of capital to fund drilling operations that can be adversely affected by adverse drilling results, production declines and declines in oil and natural gas prices; risks regarding Gastar’s ability to meet financial covenants under its indenture or credit agreements or the ability to obtain amendments or waivers to effect such compliance; risks of fire, explosion, blowouts, pipe failure, casing collapse, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, environmental hazards, and other operating and production risks, which may temporarily or permanently reduce production or cause initial production or test results to not be indicative of future well performance or delay the timing of sales or completion of drilling operations; delays in receipt of drilling permits; risks relating to unexpected adverse developments in the status of properties; borrowing base redeterminations by Gastar’s banks; risks relating to the absence or delay in receipt of government approvals or third-party consents; risks relating to Gastar’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits from acquired assets; and other risks described in Gastar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with

the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.  Gastar’s actual sales production rates can vary considerably from tested initial production rates depending upon completion and production techniques and its primary areas of operations are subject to natural steep decline rates. 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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