The Company announces that pursuant to the authority granted on 5 August 2005 it has issued 62,069 Ordinary Shares of 5 pence to a member of staff who has elected to receive a bonus payment in shares. The shares have been issued at a price of 43.5 pence per share being the mid market price at the close of business on 23 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 1 December 2005.

For further details please contact:

Chris Foss
Northern Petroleum Plc
020 7743 6080

Chris Roberts/Ben Simons
Hansard Communications
020 7245 1100