US ENERGY CORP
10-Q, 2000-10-16
METAL MINING
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                                    FORM 10-Q

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D. C. 20549


[X]     Quarterly  report  pursuant  to section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
        Exchange Act of 1934 For the fiscal quarter ended August 31, 2000 or
[ ]     Transition  report  pursuant  to section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
        Exchange Act of 1934 For the transition period from ____ to ____

Commission file number  0-6814

                                U.S. ENERGY CORP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact Name of Company as Specified in its Charter)

         Wyoming                                                83-0205516
------------------------------------------------        ------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

877 North 8th West, Riverton, WY                                  82501
------------------------------------------------        ------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)

Company's telephone number, including area code:              (307) 856-9271
                                                        ------------------------

                                 Not Applicable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      (Former name, address and fiscal year, if changed since last report)

     Check whether the Company:  (1) has filed all reports  required to be filed
by  Section  13 or 15(d)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  during  the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Company was required to
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the
past 90 days.


                            YES     X               NO
                                  -----                 -----

     State the number of shares  outstanding of each of the issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

                Class                            Outstanding at October 15, 2000
--------------------------------------------     -------------------------------
    Common stock, $.01 par value                        9,041,261 Shares




<PAGE>



                        U.S. ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES

                                      INDEX
<TABLE>
<S>             <C>                                                     <C>

                                                                        Page No.
PART I.         FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.         Financial Statements.

                Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                August 31, 2000 and May 31, 2000.............................3-4

                Condensed Consolidated Statements of
                Operations Three Months Ended
                August 31, 2000 and 1999.......................................5

                Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                Three Months Ended August 31, 2000 and 1999....................6

                Notes to Condensed Consolidated
                Financial Statements...........................................7

ITEM 2.         Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                Financial Condition and Results of Operations...............8-10

PART II.        OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.         Legal Proceedings.............................................11

ITEM 6.         Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K..............................11

                Signatures....................................................12

</TABLE>

                                        2

<PAGE>



                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.         Financial Statements.

                        U.S. ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                                     ASSETS
<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>           <C>

                                                        August 31,      May 31,
                                                           2000          2000
                                                       ------------   ----------
                                                        (Unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS:
    Cash and cash equivalents                           $1,179,900   $ 916,400
    Accounts receivable
        Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts    1,076,800   1,055,000
        Affiliates                                         168,900     508,900
    Current portion of long-term notes receivable, net      91,800         -
    Assets held for resale & other                         964,700     846,800
    Inventory                                              128,900     129,700
                                                       -----------   -----------
        Total current assets                             3,611,000   3,456,800

INVESTMENTS AND ADVANCES
    Affiliates                                              12,500       9,600
    Restricted investments                               9,367,900   9,361,000
                                                       -----------   -----------
        Total investments and advances                   9,380,400   9,370,600

PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT                                27,516,800  27,705,800
    Less accumulated depreciation,
        depletion and amortization                     (10,799,700) (10,948,900)
                                                       -----------   -----------
        Total properties and equipment                  16,717,100   16,756,900

OTHER ASSETS:
    Accounts and notes receivable:
        Real estate sales                                   54,100       58,600
        Employees                                          304,200      295,200
    Deposits and other                                     886,600      938,000
                                                       -----------   -----------
        Total other assets                               1,244,900    1,291,800
                                                       -----------   -----------
                                                       $30,953,400  $30,876,100
                                                       ===========   ===========

</TABLE>


            See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                        3

<PAGE>



                        U.S. ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>

                                                     August 31,        May 31,
                                                       2000              2000
                                                ----------------  --------------
                                                    (Unaudited)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses            $1,923,200      $1,683,800
    Deferred GMMV purchase option                     4,000,000       4,000,000
    Current portion of long-term debt                   452,900         284,100
    Line of credit                                      850,000         650,000
                                                  --------------   -------------
        Total current liabilities                     7,226,100       6,617,900

LONG-TERM DEBT                                        1,158,900         900,100

RECLAMATION LIABILITY                                 8,906,800       8,906,800

OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES                             2,984,800       3,073,500

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY                                1,144,800       1,144,800

MINORITY INTERESTS                                    1,129,000       1,124,600

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

FORFEITABLE COMMON STOCK,
    $.01 par value; 396,608 shares issued,
    forfeitable until earned                          2,584,600       2,584,600

PREFERRED STOCK,
    $.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized
    200 shares issued or outstanding;                 1,840,000       1,840,000

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
    Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000 shares authorized;
      8,763,155 shares issued                            87,700          87,700
    Additional paid-in capital                       37,797,700      37,797,700
    Accumulated deficit                             (30,776,600)    (30,071,200)
    Treasury stock at cost, 944,725 shares           (2,639,900)     (2,639,900)
    Unrealized gain on investments                          -               -
    Unallocated ESOP contribution                      (490,500)       (490,500)
                                                  --------------   -------------
        Total shareholders' equity                    3,978,400       4,683,800
                                                  --------------   -------------
                                                    $30,953,400     $30,876,100
                                                  ==============   =============
</TABLE>


            See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                        4

<PAGE>



                        U.S. ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>                     <C>

                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                           August 31,
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                  2000                   1999
                                                  ----                   ----

REVENUES:
    Contract drilling and construction           $2,119,000          $    -
    Commercial operations                         1,424,200           1,083,300
    Management fees and other                       135,600             119,700
    Gain (loss) on sales of assets                  134,600               -
    Oil sales                                        40,200              10,900
    Mineral sales                                    33,300              34,300
    Interest                                         56,200             225,900
                                            ---------------      ---------------
                                                  3,943,100           1,474,100

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
    Contract drilling and construction operations 1,691,400               2,700
    Commercial operations                         1,038,000             925,600
    General and administrative                      980,000           1,165,800
    Oil production                                   21,200               1,900
    Mineral operations                              899,300             549,400
    Interest                                         35,200               4,900
                                             --------------       --------------
                                                  4,665,100           2,650,300
                                             --------------       --------------

(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST
    AND EQUITY LOSS OF AFFILIATES                  (722,000)         (1,176,200)

MINORITY INTEREST IN LOSS (GAIN) OF
    CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES                        27,300              65,000

EQUITY IN LOSS OF AFFILIATES                            -                  (400)
                                            ---------------       --------------

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                           (694,700)         (1,111,600)

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                              -                   -
                                             --------------       --------------

NET LOSS                                          $(694,700)        $(1,111,600)

PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS                           (10,700)                -
                                             --------------      ---------------

NET LOSS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS                   $(705,400)        $(1,111,600)
                                             ==============       ==============

NET LOSS PER SHARE, BASIC                            $(0.09)             $(0.15)
                                             ==============       ==============

NET LOSS PER SHARE, DILUTED                          $(0.09)             $(0.15)
                                             ==============       ==============

BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE
    SHARES OUTSTANDING                            7,818,430           7,258,291
                                            ===============       ==============

DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE
    SHARES OUTSTANDING                            8,215,038           7,258,291
                                             ==============      ===============

</TABLE>

            See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                        5

<PAGE>



                        U.S. ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>

                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                             August 31,
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                         2000          1999
                                                         ----          ----
                                                      (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net (loss) income                                   $(705,400)    $(1,111,600)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
      used in operating activities:
      Minority interest in loss of
         consolidated subsidiaries                      (27,300)        (65,000)
      Issuance of stock for additional investment in YSFC   -           207,100
      Depreciation                                      106,700         121,200
      Equity in loss from affiliates                        -               400
      Gain on sale of assets                           (134,600)            -
      Other                                              41,700          47,900
      Net changes in assets and liabilities             306,900        (351,400)
                                                ----------------  --------------
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY
  OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                 (412,000)     (1,151,400)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Development of mining properties                       (4,400)         (8,800)
  Development of gas properties                        (158,300)            -
  Proceeds from sale of property and equipment          274,100             -
  Increase in restricted investments                     (6,900)       (117,400)
  Purchase of property and equipment                    (43,700)       (212,600)
  Changes in notes receivable, net                          -            (9,400)
  Investments in affiliates                             (12,900)       (167,500)
                                                ---------------   --------------
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY
   INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                  47,900        (515,700)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from long-term debt                          526,400         181,300
  Net (repayment on) proceeds from lines of credit      200,000             -
  Repayments of long-term debt                          (98,800)        (54,500)
                                                 ---------------  --------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY
  FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                  627,600         126,800
                                                 ---------------  --------------

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN
   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                            263,500      (1,540,300)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                   916,400      10,173,000
                                                ---------------   --------------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT
  END OF PERIOD                                      $1,179,900      $8,632,700
                                                ===============   ==============

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
   Income tax paid                                   $      -        $      -
                                                ===============   ==============

   Interest paid                                        $35,200          $4,900
                                                ===============   ==============

</TABLE>

            See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                        6

<PAGE>



                        U.S. ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES

              Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     1) The  Condensed  Consolidated  Balance  Sheet as of August 31, 2000,  the
Condensed  Consolidated  Statements of  Operations  and Cash Flows for the three
months ended August 31, 2001 and 2000 have been prepared by the Company  without
audit.  The Condensed  Consolidated  Balance Sheet as of May 31, 2000,  has been
taken from the audited  financial  statements  included in the Company's  Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the period  then ended.  In the opinion of the  Company,
the accompanying  financial  statements  contain all adjustments  (consisting of
only  normal  recurring  accruals)  necessary  to present  fairly the  financial
position of the Company as of August 31, 2000 and May 31,  2000,  the results of
operations and cash flows for the three months ended August 31, 2000 and 1999.

     2) Certain  information  and  footnote  disclosures  normally  included  in
financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United  States have been  condensed or omitted.  It is suggested
that these  financial  statements be read in conjunction  with the Company's May
31, 2000 Form 10-K.  The results of operations  for the periods ended August 31,
2000 and 1999 are not  necessarily  indicative of the operating  results for the
full year.

     3) The consolidated financial statements of the Company include 100% of the
accounts of USECB Joint Venture  ("USECB" or "USECC")  which is owned 50% by the
Company  and 50% by the  Company's  subsidiary,  Crested  Corp.  (Crested).  The
consolidated  financial  statements  also  reflect  100% of the  accounts of its
majority-owned and controlled  subsidiaries:  Energx Ltd. (90%),  Crested (52%),
Plateau  Resources  Limited (100%),  Sutter Gold Mining Co. (63%),  Yellow Stone
Fuels Corp. ("YSFC") (35.9%), Four Nines Gold, Inc. (50.9%), Ruby Mining Company
(91%),  Northwest  Gold,  Inc.  (96%) and Rocky  Mountain Gas, Inc.  (82%).  All
material intercompany profits and balances have been eliminated.

     4) Accrued reclamation obligations and standby costs of $11,891,600 are the
reclamation  liability at the SMP mining  properties and the Shootaring  Uranium
Mill.  The  reclamation  work may be performed  over several years and is bonded
with either cash or certain of the Company's real estate assets.


                                        7

<PAGE>



                        U.S. ENERGY CORP. & SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations.

     The  following  is  Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  significant
factors  which have  affected the  Company's  liquidity,  capital  resources and
results of operations during the periods included in the accompanying  financial
statements. For a detailed explanation of the Company's Business Overview, it is
suggested that Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
Results  of  Operations  for  the  quarter  ended  August  31,  2000  be read in
conjunction with the Company's Form 10K for the year ended May 31, 2000.
Overview of Business

     The Company is engaged in the mineral development and extraction  business.
The Company has interests in a uranium mine and mill in southern  Utah,  uranium
mines in  central  Wyoming,  a gold  property  in  California,  coalbed  methane
properties  in the Powder  River Basin in Wyoming  and Montana and various  real
estate operations including a motel operation near Lake Powell, Utah.

     All  these  business  are  operated  in  conjunction   with  the  Company's
subsidiary  Crested Corp. . ("Crested")  through a joint venture between the two
companies, USECB Joint Venture ("USECB").
Liquidity and Capital Resources

     The  Company's  working  capital  deficit  at May 31,  2000  of  $3,161,000
increased to a working  capital  deficit of $3,615,100 at August 31, 2000.  This
increase  of $454,100 in the  working  capital  deficit was caused by  increased
accounts  payable of $239,400,  additional  drawing down of the letter of credit
$200,000,  and  increases  in the  current  portion  of long  term debt to third
parties of $168,800.

     Accounts payable increased as a result of the Company's  continued drilling
of  Coalbed  Methane  wells and the  construction  of  infrastructure  for third
parties. Due to late payments from third parties, the Company's accounts payable
amounts  increased  during  the  quarter.  Current  portion  of long  term  debt
increased as a result of financing the Company's annual insurance premiums and a
financing on the Company's real estate operations in southern Utah.

     These  increases  in the working  capital  deficit were offset by increased
cash on hand,  $263,500 increased accounts  receivable from third parties in the
Coalbed Methane business, $21,800, and an increase in other assets, $117,900.

     During the three months ended August 31, 2000, operations consumed $412,000
while  investing  and  financing   activities  generated  $47,900  and  $627,600
respectively  for a net increase in cash of $263,500.  The increase in cash from
financing  activities was a result of financing the Company's  annual  insurance
premiums,  $219,400,  additional  draw  downs on the  Company's  line of credit,
$200,000,  and a financing on the Company's  real estate  operations in southern
Utah,  $307,000.  These  increases  in long term debt were offset by payments of
$98,800 on the debt.  Investing  activities resulted in increased cash primarily
as a  result  of the  sale of the  shop  and  associates  land to an  affiliated
company.  The Company sold the shop to provide for short term capital needs. The
Company has the option to repurchase the shop.

Capital Resources

     The primary  source of the  Company's  capital  resources are cash on hand;
collection of receivables from contract  construction and drilling operations at
August 31, 2000,  projected  equity  financing of its Coalbed methane  affiliate
Rocky Mountain Gas, ("RMG"); sale of mine,  construction and drilling equipment;
sale of partial  ownership  interest in mineral  properties,  proceeds under the
line of credit;  receipt of cash from the GMMV settlement;  potential settlement
discussions  with Phelps Dodge regarding a dispute on a molybdenum  property and
final determination of the SMP arbitration/litigation. The Company also will

                                        8

<PAGE>



continue to receive  revenues  from its  commercial  operations in southern Utah
along with the rental and fixed base airport operations in Wyoming.

     The Company has a  $1,000,000  line of credit with a commercial  bank.  The
line of  credit is  secured  by  various  real  estate  holdings  and  equipment
belonging to the Company.  At August 31, 2000, the line of credit had been drawn
down by  $850,000.  The line of credit  is being  used for  short  term  working
capital needs associated with  operations.  The Company also has a $500,000 line
of credit through their affiliate Plateau Resources.  This line of credit is for
the  development  of the Ticaboo town site in southern  Utah.  Plateau has drawn
down this financing facility $300,000 which is repayable over 10 years.

     The Company  entered  into a settlement  agreement  with  Kennecott  Energy
("Kennecott") on September 11, 2000. This settlement  agreement was entered into
to resolve all issues in a legal  dispute  among the companies who were partners
in the Green Mountain  Mining Venture  ("GMMV").  As a result of the settlement,
the Company  received from Kennecott  $1,375,000 five days after the closing and
will receive  $1,625,000  in January  2001.  Kennecott  assumed the  reclamation
liabilities  on the Sweetwater  uranium mill and mining  properties of the GMMV.
The Company is responsible for the reclamation  clean up of the GMIX plant which
had been used in the recovery of uranium by other companies.

     The  Company  believes  that these cash  resources  will be  sufficient  to
sustain operations during fiscal 2001. The capital resources at August 31, 2000,
will  not  be  sufficient,   however,  to  provide  funding  for  the  Company's
maintenance and development of its coalbed methane gas business.  RMG is seeking
additional  equity financing or an industry  partner  arrangement to develop its
coalbed methane leases.

Capital Requirements

     The Company funds the holding costs of the Sheep  Mountain  uranium  mines;
the Plateau  uranium mine and mill,  real estate  commercial  operations and the
development of the coalbed methane gas properties.

     In September 2000, the Company  determined  that the contract  drilling and
construction  work that it had been doing in the Powder  River  Basin of Wyoming
and Montana for others was not profitable and the payment for services performed
was too slow.  As a result of this decision all  operations on a contract  basis
were  stopped.  The  Company is  currently  in the process of  evaluating  which
equipment will be needed to develop the RMG properties. Any surplus equipment is
being  sold or will be  auctioned.  This  decision  to  curtail  operations  has
dramatically reduced personnel and operational expenses.

     The Company  through RMG is  responsible  to make delay rental  payments on
coalbed methane  leases.  During the balance of fiscal 2001, the Company will be
required to fund $285,300 in delay rentals and option payments.  In addition RMG
is committed to pay Quantum Energy  ("Quantum")  one final payment of $1,300,000
on or before December 31, 2000. If RMG does not make this final payment, it must
assign 12% of its undivided 50% working  interest in the  properties to Quantum.
Quantum  at its  sole  discretion,  may  elect to have RMG  drill  and  complete
additional  wells for the equivalent  cost of $1,300,000.  If Quantum  exercises
this option,  RMG would own a 50% working interest (40%NRI) in the wells drilled
with those funds, but only after Quantum has received $1,300,000 in net revenues
from those wells.

     The Company has attended  appeals  hearings with the IRS in Denver Colorado
to discuss  resolving  issues raised in audits for fiscal 1995 and 1996. A final
settlement  agreement  has not yet been  approved  but it is  believed  that the
settlement will not have a material affect on the Company.

     It is not  anticipated  that any of the Company's  working  capital will be
used  in  fiscal  2001  for  the  reclamation  of any of  its  mineral  property
interests. The future reclamation costs on the Sheep Mountain properties and the
GMIX  plant are  covered by a  reclamation  bond which is secured by a pledge of
certain of the Company's real estate assets and cash bonds. The reclamation bond
amount is reviewed annually by the state regulatory agencies.




                                        9

<PAGE>



Results of Operations

     Revenues for the quarter ended August 31, 2000,  increased  $2,469,000 over
revenues for the same period of the previous year to  $3,943,100.  This increase
was primarily as a result of operations in the coalbed methane contract drilling
and construction  businesses.  During the three months ended August 31, 2000 the
Company  recorded  $2,119,000  in  revenues  from these  operations.  During the
quarter ended August 31, 1999 no revenues were recorded in the contract drilling
and  construction  business.  Increases  in revenue  were also  recorded  in the
quarter ended August 31, 2000 in  Commercial  operations,  $340,900,  Oil sales,
$29,300,  and the gain on the sale of an asset,  $134,600.  These increases were
offset by a  reduction  in interest  revenue  $169,700,  and  mineral  revenues,
$1,000.

     Costs and expenses  increased by  $2,014,800  during the three months ended
August 31, 2000 over the same period of the prior year.  This  increase was as a
result of work done in the coalbed methane  business.  Operations in the coalbed
methane contract  drilling and construction  work resulted in costs and expenses
of $1,691,400.  In additional  mineral  operations  increased by $349,900 due to
work  performed on  equipment  used in the  contract  drilling and  construction
operations. General and administrative expenses decreased by $185,800 during the
three  months  ended  August 31, 2000 due to  overhead  being  allocated  to the
drilling and construction business.

     As a result of a decision  which was made in September 2000 the Company and
USE curtailed all contract  drilling and  construction  work for third  parties.
Associated with these reductions were significant  personnel  reductions as well
as many reductions in corporate  overhead.  These reductions  should account for
significant reductions in costs during the balance of the fiscal 2001.

     Operations  for the three months ended August 31, 2000,  resulted in a loss
of $705,400 as compared to a loss of $1,111,600 for the same three months in the
previous year.

     As a result of the  settlement  agreement  with  Kennecott the Company will
recognize  its portion of the cash  payments  from  Kennecott  in the second and
third quarters of fiscal 2001. In addition the Company will be allowed to record
the Deferred GMMV Option of $4,000,000 as income in the second quarter of fiscal
2001.




                                       10

<PAGE>



                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings

     Dennis Selley et al vs U.S.  Energy Corp.,  Crested Corp. et al. On May 14,
1999, Dennis Selley  personally and as personal  representative of the Estate of
Hannah Selley and his wife Mary B. Selley, filed a Civil Action No. 30869 in the
Ninth Judicial  District Court of Fremont  County,  Wyoming  against U.S. Energy
Corp. and Crested Corp.,  Plateau Resources Limited and USECC the joint venture,
alleging that the  defendants  were  negligent as a landlord in renting a double
wide  trailer  (converted  to a bunkhouse)  near  Ticaboo,  Utah to  plaintiffs'
daughter Hannah Selley and sought various unspecified damages. Hannah Selley was
employed by U.S. Energy Corp. ("USE") at the Ticaboo Lodge in June 1998. Because
no housing was available for employees,  she and five other USE employees rented
rooms in the  bunkhouse  provided by USE. At about 4:00 a.m. the morning of June
6, 1998, a fire started in the  bunkhouse.  All occupants were awakened and left
the living quarters during the fire except Ms. Selley who perished in the fire.

     On September  19,  2000,  after a mediation  hearing,  the  litigation  was
settled by the insurers of U.S. Energy Corp., Crested Corp. et al.

     Declaratory  Judgment  Action.  The Workers  Compensation  Fund of Utah had
filed a complaint for declaratory  relief on or about July 26, 1999 against U.S.
Energy Corp., Crested Corp.,  Plateau Resources Limited,  Dennis and Mary Selley
and others in Civil Action No. 99090 7500 before the Utah Third  Judicial  Court
of Salt  Lake  County,  Utah.  The  parties  settled  the above  Selley  case on
September 19, 2000 and agreed to dismiss this Declaratory Judgment Action.

GMMV LITIGATION

     On November  10,  1999,  Kennecott  Uranium  Company and  Kennecott  Energy
Company ("Kennecott") filed a civil action against defendants U.S. Energy Corp.,
Crested Corp. and USECC in the Sixth Judicial  District Court,  Campbell County,
Wyoming,  No.  22406.  Kennecott  was seeking to dissolve the GMMV joint venture
with USECC and  judicial  approval of a plan to sell the GMMV or  liquidate  its
assets plus attorney fees and costs.  Defendants  filed a motion to change venue
to the District Court in Fremont County, Wyoming and the Sixth Judicial District
Court granted the motion.  The case was then  transferred  to the Ninth Judicial
District Court of Fremont County,  Wyoming in Civil Action No. 31322. USECC file
answers,  counterclaims and a cross complaint against  Kennecott's  parent,  Rio
Tinto plc.

     The parties entered into settlement negotiations and on September 11, 2000,
the  parties  executed a  settlement  agreement  and related  documentation  and
releases  (the  "Settlement").  Under  the  Settlement,  USECC  sold  all of its
interests  in the  GMMV  and the  GMMV  properties,  including  those  within  a
described  Area  of  Interest  to  an  affiliate  of  Kennecott.   The  purchase
consideration  was $3,250,000 in cash and a 4% net profits  royalty  interest in
certain of the mining claims at the Big Eagle and Jackpot Mines.  USECC retained
certain  mining  equipment  and supplies,  and has the right to receive  certain
mining  claims  that  may be  abandoned  by  Kennecott.  Kennecott  assumes  the
reclamation  obligations  (to  the  extent  required  by  applicable  regulatory
authority) at the GMMV properties and USECC retains liabilities  relating to its
activities  only as a  contractor  to the GMMV.  The  Settlement  provides  that
Kennecott  is  under no  obligation  to  develop  any of the  properties  or the
underlying claims and may instead choose to sell the properties and claims or to
abandon  the claims as they are no longer  required.  USECC,  Kennecott  and Rio
Tinto plc dismissed the case with prejudice on September 12, 2000.


ITEM 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
         --------------------------------

(a)  Exhibits. None.

(b)  Reports  on Form 8-K.  The  Company  did not file any  Reports  on Form 8-K
     during the quarter ended August 31, 2000.


                                       11

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                                U.S. ENERGY CORP.
                                                (Company)


Date:  October 15, 2000                   By:   /s/ John L. Larsen
                                                --------------------------------
                                                JOHN L. LARSEN,
                                                Chief Executive Officer
                                                and Chairman



Date:  October 15, 2000                   By:   /s/ Robert Scott Lorimer
                                                --------------------------------
                                                ROBERT SCOTT LORIMER,
                                                Principal Financial Officer and
                                                Chief Accounting Officer

                                       12

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