The Board of Northern Petroleum Plc announce the appointment of BDO Stoy Hayward LLP as auditors to the Company with immediate effect. This event has been triggered by the Company’s Audit Committee being unable to agree an acceptable audit fee with Ernst & Young LLP. As a result Ernst & Young LLP tendered their resignation as auditors.

The Audit Committee considered a number of possible replacement firms and unanimously chose BDO Stoy Hayward LLP based on its quality of personnel and both its AIM and sector credentials. Shareholders will have the opportunity to consider the appointment of BDO Stoy Hayward LLP as auditors to the Company at the 2004 Annual General Meeting.

The Board thanks Ernst & Young LLP for its services as auditor and its wider assistance to the Company and its shareholders.

For further details please contact:

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director
Chris Foss, Company Secretary
020 7743 6080

Jeffrey Coburn
John East & Partners
020 7628 2200

Chris Roberts/Ben Simons
Hansard Communications
020 7245 1100