Northern announces that its wholly owned subsidiary Northern Petroleum Nederland B.V (“NPN”) has commenced drilling operations on the exploration well Nieuwendijk-1 in the Andel III licence at 2300 on 20 April 2009 using a newly fabricated rig owned and operated by the Northern Dutch Drilling Company located in Drachten, The Netherlands.

The prospect is close to the Ottoland field. It has a mean estimated size of 56 million barrels of oil in place. Upon completion the activities will move to the Tiendeveen site in the Drenthe III licence in the east of The Netherlands.

Licence and working interests:

NPN: 45%
EBN: 40%
Dyas: B.V. 15%

Post drilling NPN’s interests in the Nieuwendijk and Tiendeveen wells will be 22.5%.

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

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

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

Jefferies International (Joint Broker)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7029 8000
Chris Snoxall / Schuyler Evans

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

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