The Company announces that pursuant to the authority granted on 05 August 2005 it has issued 14,868 Ordinary Shares of 5 pence to certain staff in lieu of salary payments. The shares have been issued at a price of 56.5 pence per share being the closing mid market price at the close of business on 09 November 2005. Each new ordinary share will rank pari passu with existing ordinary shares. Application has been made for the shares to be admitted to trading on AIM and dealings are expected to commence on 17 November 2005.

As a result of the above issue, Chris Foss, Finance Director, has increased his holding to 7,248 Ordinary Shares of 5 pence each, representing 0.01 per cent of the then enlarged issued share capital of the Company.

For further details please contact:

Chris Foss
Northern Petroleum Plc
020 7743 6080

Chris Roberts/Ben Simons
Hansard Communications
020 7245 1100