Northern announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Northern Petroleum (UK) Limited, has today commenced 2D seismic operations in its six West Sicily thrust belt licences G.R17.NP, G.R18.NP, G.R19.NP, G.R20.NP, G.R21.NP and G.R22.NP, and also in its permit C.R147.NP off Pantelleria island in the Sicily channel.

A total of over 2500km of seismic data will be acquired in these licences, with over 2000km covering the West Sicily thrust belt and approximately 500km in C.R147.NP. The survey is expected to last about six weeks.

The seismic acquisition in the West Sicily licences is part of the work programme to being funded by Shell Italia as part of the farm-in arrangement announced in December 2008. The aim of the survey is to obtain a better definition of the substantial leads identified in the previous seismic campaign.

A contract for the acquisition program has been signed with Bergen Oilfield Services (“BOS”) and the data is being acquired using the vessel ‘BOS Angler’.

For further information please contact:

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

Investec
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7597 5000
Michael Ansell / Patrick Robb

Blue Oar
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7448 4400
Jerry Keen / Toby Gibbs

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

Buchanan Communications (Analysts)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000
Tim Thompson / Ben Romney