Northern Petroleum Plc is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced on the first exploration well in The Netherlands in partnership with the joint Shell and ExxonMobil subsidiary Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V., ('NAM'). Rig mobilisation was completed quicker than anticipated and drilling of the Steenwijk well commenced on Sunday, 22nd October.

For further information please contact:

Northern Petroleum Plc
Derek Musgrove
Tel: +44(0) 20 7743 6080

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