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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

/X/ Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2003

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Transition Period Ended______________________

Commission File Number 2-784441

STERLING GAS DRILLING FUND 1982

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

New York

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

13-3147901

(IRS employer identification number)

One Landmark Square, Stamford Connecticut 06901

(Address and Zip Code of principal executive offices)

(203) 358-5700

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (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 Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer ( as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Acts). Yes ___ NO /X/

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PART I

Sterling Gas Drilling Fund 1982

Index to Form 10Q

Part 1:
Item 1. Financial Statements
Balance Sheets September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002.	3
Statements of Operations for the Nine and Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.	4-7
Statements of Changes in Partners' Equity for theNine and Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.	8-9
Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.	10
Note to the Financial Statements	11

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	12-14

Item 4. Controls and Procedures	15

Part II. Other Information	16

Signature	17

STERLING DRILLING FUND 1982

(A New York Limited Partnership)

Balance Sheets

		September 30, 2003		December 31, 2002
		(unaudited)		(audited)
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	158,595	$	145,872
Due from affiliates		26,266		20,358
		-----------------		--------------
Total current assets		184,861		166,230
		-----------------		--------------
Oil and Gas properties - successful efforts method:
Leasehold costs		466,804		466,804
Well and related facilities		11,970,091		11,970,091
less accumulated depreciation, depletion and
amortization		(11,905,901)		(11,882,791)
		-----------------		--------------
Total Oil and Gas Properties		530,994		554,104
		-----------------		--------------
Total assets	$	715,855	$	720,334
		==========		========


Partners Equity
Limited partners	$	919,233	$	926,249
General partners		(203,378)		(205,915)
		-----------------		--------------
Total Partners Equity	$	715,855	$	720,334
		==========		========

See accompanying footnote to the financial statements

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1982

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Operations

(unaudited)

Nine Months Ending

September 30, 2003

		Limited Partners		General Partners		Total
Revenue:
Operating revenue	$	274,226	$	51,652	$	325,878
Interest income		1,225		12		1,237
		--------------		--------------		--------------
Total Revenue		275,451		51,664		327,115
		--------------		--------------		--------------
Costs and Expenses:
Production expense		147,689		27,818		175,507
General and administrative to a related party		63,617		11,983		75,600
General and administrative		12,357		2,328		14,685
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		22,879		231		23,110
		--------------		--------------		--------------
Total Costs and Expenses		246,542		42,360		288,902
		--------------		--------------		--------------
Net Income	$	28,909	$	9,304	$	38,213
		========		========		========
Net Income per equity unit	$	2.01
		========

See accompanying footnote to the financial statements

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1982

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Operations

(unaudited)

Nine Months Ending

September 30, 2002

		Limited Partners		General Partners		Total
Revenue:
Operating revenue	$	180,211	$	33,944	$	214,155
Other income		64,804		12,206		77,010
Interest income		809		8		817
		-------------		-------------		-------------
Total Revenue		245,824		46,158		291,982
		-------------		-------------		-------------

Costs and Expenses:
Production expense		96,316		18,142		114,458
General and administrative to a related party		63,617		11,983		75,600
General and administrative		11,531		2,172		13,703
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		23,887		241		24,128
		-------------		-------------		-------------
Total Costs and Expenses		195,351		32,538		227,889
		-------------		-------------		-------------
Net Income	$	50,473	$	13,620	$	64,093
		========		========		========
Net Income per equity unit	$	3.51
		========

See accompanying footnote to the financial statements

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1982

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Operations

(unaudited)

Three Months Ending

September 30, 2003

		Limited Partners		General Partners		Total
Revenue:
Operating revenue	$	94,285	$	17,759	$	112,044
Interest income		343		3		346
		-------------		-------------		-------------
Total Revenue		94,628		17,762		112,390
		-------------		-------------		-------------
Costs and Expenses:
Production expense		45,192		8,512		53,704
General and administrative to a related party		21,205		3,995		25,200
General and administrative		3,428		646		4,074
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		7,626		77		7,703
		-------------		-------------		-------------
Total Costs and Expenses		77,451		13,230		90,681
		-------------		-------------		-------------
Net Income	$	17,177	$	4,532	$	21,709
		=======		=======		=======
Net Income per equity unit	$	1.20
		=======

See accompanying footnote to the financial statements

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1982

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Operations

(unaudited)

Three Months Ending

September 30, 2002

		Limited Partners		General Partners			Total
Revenue:
Operating revenue	$	76,760	$	14,459	$		91,219
Other income		12,875		2,425		15,300
Interest income		335		3		338
		------------		------------			------------
Total Revenue		89,970		16,887			106,857
		------------		------------			------------

Costs and Expenses:
Production expense		48,462		9,129			57,591
General and administrative to a related party		21,205		3,995			25,200
General and administrative		2,318		437			2,755
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		7,963		80			8,043
		------------		------------			------------
Total Costs and Expenses		79,948		13,641			93,589
		------------		------------			------------
Net Income	$	10,022	$	3,246	$		13,268
		=======		=======			=======
Net Income per equity unit	$	0.70
		=======

See accompanying footnote to the financial statements

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1982

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Changes in Partners Equity

(unaudited)

Nine Months Ending

September 30, 2003

		Limited Partners		General Partners				Total

Balance at beginning of period	$	926,249	$	(205,915)			$	720,334
Distribution to partners		(35,925)		(6,767)				(42,692)
Net Income		28,909		9,304				38,213
		-------------		-------------				-------------
Balance at end of period	$	919,233	$	(203,378)			$	715,855
		========		========				========

						Nine Months Ending September 30, 2002


		Limited Partners			General Partners				Total

Balance at beginning of period	$	859,261	$		(223,798)		$		635,463
Net Income		50,473			13,620				64,093
		-------------			-------------				-------------
Balance at end of period	$	909,734			(210,178)		$		699,556
		========			========				========

See accompanying footnote to the financial statements

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1982

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Changes in Partners Equity

(unaudited)

Three Months Ending

September 30, 2003

				Limited Partners			General Partners		Total

Balance at beginning of period	$			902,056		$	(207,910)	$	694,146
Net Income				17,177			4,532		21,709
				-------------			-------------		-------------
Balance at end of period	$			919,233		$	(203,378)	$	715,855
				========			========		========



					Three Months Ending September 30, 2002


			Limited Partners				General Partners		Total

Balance at beginning of period		$	899,712			$	(213,424)	$	686,288
Net Income			10,022				3,246		13,268
			-------------				-------------		-------------
Balance at end of period		$	909,734			$	(210,178)	$	699,556
			========				========		========

See accompanying footnote to the financial statements

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STERLING DRILLING FUND 1982

(a New York Limited Partnership)

Statement of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

		Nine months Ended September 30, 2003			Nine months Ended September 30, 2002

Net cash provided by operating activities	$	55,415	$		84,677
		--------------			-------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Distribution to partners		(42,692)		-
		--------------		-------------
Net cash used in financing activities		(42,692)		-
		--------------		-------------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		12,723			84,677

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		145,872			24,038
		--------------			-------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	158,595	$		108,715
		========			========

See accompanying footnote to the financial statements

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STERLING GAS DRILLING FUND 1982

(a New York limited partnership)

Note to Financial Statements

September 30, 2003

1. The accompanying statements for the period ending September 30, 2003 are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of operations.

PART I

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

1. Liquidity -

The oil and gas industry is intensely competitive in all its phases. There is also competition among this industry and other industries in supplying energy and fuel requirements of industrial and individual consumers. It is not possible for the Registrant to calculate its position in the industry as Registrant competes with many other companies having substantially greater financial and other resources. In accordance with the terms of the Prospectus, the General Partners of the Registrant will make cash distributions of as much of the Partnership cash, credited to the capital accounts of the Partners, as the General Partners have determined is not necessary or desirable for the payment of any contingent debts, liabilities or expenses or for the conduct of the Partnership's business. As of September 30, 2003, the General partners have distributed to the Limited partners $1,438,431 or 10.01%of the total Limited Partner capital contributions to the Limited partners.

In accordance with FASB Statement No. 69, December 31, 2002 market prices were determined using the daily oil price or daily gas sales price ("spot price") adjusted for oilfield or gas gathering hub and wellhead price differentials (e.g. grade, transportation, gravity, sulfur, and BS&W) as appropriate. Also, in accordance with SEC and FASB specifications, changes in market prices subsequent to December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 were not considered. The spot price for gas at December 31, 2001 was $2.63 per MMBTU. The range of spot prices during the year 2001 was a low of $1.77 and a high of $10.29 and the average was $3.94. The spot price for gas at December 31, 2002 was $4.58 per MMBTU. The range of spot prices during the year 2002 was a low of $1.98 and a high of $5.05 and the average was $3.38. The range during the first nine months of 2003 has been from $4.34 to $12.20 with an average of $5.57. The average recent futures market prices have been in the range of $4.38 to $4.93.

The present value of unescalated future net revenue (S.E.C. case) associated with such reserves, discounted at 10% as of December 31, 2001 was approximately $788,035 as compared to December 31, 2002, of about $1,347,682. While it may reasonably be anticipated that the prices received by Sterling Gas Drilling Fund 1982 for the sale of its production may be higher or lower than the prices used in this evaluation, as described above, and the operating costs relating to such production may also increase or decrease from existing levels, such possible changes in prices and costs were, in accordance with rules adopted by the SEC, omitted from consideration in making this evaluation for the SEC case. Actual volumes produced, prices received and costs incurred by the partnership may vary significantly from the SEC case.

Capital Resources

The Registrant was formed for the sole intention of drilling oil and gas wells. The Registrant entered into a drilling contract with an independent contractor in December 1982 for $11,400,000. Pursuant to the terms of this contract, fifty-one wells have been drilled resulting in fifty producing wells and one dry hole. The Registrant has had a reserve report prepared which details reserve value information, and such information is available to the Limited Partners pursuant to the buy-out provisions of the Prospectus as previously filed.

During 2002, PrimeEnergy Management negotiated a Farmout Agreement with Ardent Resources Inc. covering leasehold interests in acres located in Calhoun County, West Virginia. Pursuant to this agreement, Ardent has the right but not the obligation to select acreage and drill a deep well on the selected acreage, subject to an overriding royalty interest due to the leasehold owners. If a test well is not spudded by February 13, 2005 this agreement terminates. Acerage held by Sterling Gas Drilling Fund 1982 was included in the Farmout Agreement, PrimeEnergy Management may discuss the possibility of farming out additional deep rights held by the Partnership under the same terms with other parties, however, there is no guarantee that any agreement will be entered into.

Results of Operations

Overall operating revenue increased from $214,155 in 2002 to $325,878 in 2003. The Partnership experienced an increase in gas and a minor reduction in oil production, from 57,384 MCF and 1,031 BBLS in 2002 to 60,770 MCF and 679 BBLS in 2003. The average prices changed from $3.36 per MCF and $20.48 per barrel in 2002 to $5.06 per MCF and $27.04 BBLS in 2003.

In December 2002 the Partnership entered into a contract to sell approximately seventy-five percent of the amount of its gas sold under a fixed contract price subject to transportation cost. The remaining gas to be sold by the Partnership will be sold at current spot market prices. This combination allows the Partnership to sell its gas and avoid some of the more significant negative swings that could occur in the spot market. The production volume variations can be a result of changes in transportation line pressures, miscellaneous shut-ins for maintenance and natural declines.

Production expenses increased from $114,458 in 2002 to $175,507 in 2003. The production expenses include variable costs associated with volume and price changes, repairs and labor costs associated with the wells and well sites. The production costs for both years include normal maintence at the well and the well-sites.

The Partnership did not receive any other income during the first nine months of 2003 and other income received in 2002 is a result of a cash bonus paid to the Partnership under the farmout agreement, previously discussed.

General and administrative expenses have been segregated on the financial statements to reflect expenses paid to PrimeEnergy Management Corporation, a general partner. These expenses are charged in accordance with guidelines set forth in the Registrant's Management Agreement and are attributable to the affairs and operations of the Partnership and shall not exceed an annual amount equal to 5% of the Limited Partners capital contributions. Amounts related to both 2002 and 2003 are substantially less than the amounts allocable to the Registrant under the Partnership Agreement. Management continues to work on reducing third party costs and use in-house resources to provide efficient and timely services to the Partnership.

The Partnership records additional depreciation, depletion and amortization to the extent that net capitalized costs exceed the undiscounted future net cash flows attributable to the Partnership properties. The Partnership was not required to revise the property basis in either 2003 or 2002. Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense was consistent with the current property basis and the rates applied.

Item 4: Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Managing General Partner's management including the Managing General Partner's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Partnership has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(c)) within 90 days of the filing date of this quarterly report, and, based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects, including those to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Managing General Partner's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow for timely disclosure. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

PART II Other Information:

Items 1 through 5 have been omitted in that each item is either Inapplicable or the answer is negative.

Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibit 31.1 Chief Executive Officer certification under Section 302

of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(b) Exhibit 31.2 Chief Financial Officer certification under Section 302

of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Pursuant To Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(d) Exhibit 32.2: Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted

Pursuant To Section 906 Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(e)Form 8-K: The Partnership was not required to file any reports on Form 8-K and no

such form was filed during the period covered by this report.

S I G N A T U R E

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

STERLING GAS DRILLING FUND 1982

(Registrant)

BY: /S/ Charles E. Drimal Jr.

Charles E. Drimal, Jr.

General Partner

November 12, 2003

(Date)

STERLING GAS DRILLING FUND 1982 10-Q