Northern (AIM:NOP) is an oil and gas production, development, exploration and asset trading company with a political exposure limited to countries in the European Union.

Northern is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, NP Weald Limited, and its partner Providence Resources (GB) Limited (“Providence”), a subsidiary of Providence Resources P.l.c., have been offered Block SU91 under the UK’s 13th Landward Licensing Round, which was announced on 28 May. Northern and Providence, who are 50/50 partners, have identified a number of exploration and development opportunities within the block, principally the Baxter’s Copse oil discovery and the Burton Down exploration prospect.  Providence, who holds a 99.125% interest in the nearby Singleton oil field, will act as the Operator for the group.

Northern has also received notification of the award of a licence on the Isle of Wight within blocks SZ38 and SZ48 to its subsidiary Northern Petroleum (GB) Limited, who will act as Operator. The blocks are adjacent to Northern operated PEDL 098 and it was these licence group partners that applied for the acreage over a prospect identified as extending into the awarded acreage.

PEDL 098 partners are:

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director of Northern said:

“We are very pleased to have been offered Block SU91 in partnership with Providence. The block lies adjacent to the existing PEDL 126 licence which we operate, and on which we have recently received planning approval to drill an eastward extension of the producing Horndean field, and the producing Singleton field, operated by Providence. We look forward to working with our new partner in advancing the opportunities on this acreage.

“The offer of the award of the licence on the Isle of Wight with our current partners in PEDL 098 will allow Northern to continue the evaluation of what we interpret to be a large prospective structure.”

In accordance with the AIM Rules – Guidance for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies, the information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and signed off by the Exploration and Technical Director of Northern, Mr Graham Heard CGeol FGS, who has over 30 years experience as a petroleum geologist.

For further information please contact:

Northern Petroleum Plc
Derek Musgrove, Managing Director
Chris Foss, Finance Director
Graham Heard, Exploration and Technical Director
Tel: +44 (0)20 7469 2900

Investec
Paul Brett / Patrick Robb
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7597 5000

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

Bishopsgate Communications Limited
Maxine Barnes / Nick Rome
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7562 3350