The Company announces that pursuant to the authority granted on 05 August 2005 it has issued 3,346 ordinary shares of 5 pence each to certain staff in lieu of salary payments. The shares have been issued at a price of 125.50 pence per share being the mid market price at the close of business on 19 June 2006. 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 23 June 2006.

The newly enlarged issued share capital of the Company now totals 69,619,079 ordinary shares of 5p each.  

For further information please contact:

Northern Petroleum Plc
Chris Foss, Finance Director
Tel: +44(0) 20 7743 6080

Investec
Andrew Chen
Tel: +44(0)20 7597 5000

Panmure Gordon & Co
Katherine Roe
Tel: +44(0)20 7459 3600

Hansard Communications
Chris Roberts
Ben Simons
Tel. +44(0) 20 7245 1100