Northern announces that its wholly owned subsidiary Northern Petroleum Nederland B.V ('NPN') has commenced drilling operations on the exploration well Tiendeveen in the Drenthe III licence on 12 August 2009.

Tiendeveen is sited in the east of The Netherlands, 3.8 kilometers northwest of Northern's Geesbrug gas field development. The estimated mean potential gas in place is 60bcf with an upside P10 potential of 98bcf. The well is expected to take 50 days to reach 3842m measured depth (about 3500m true vertical depth) and log the well.

Licence and working interests:
NPN: 45%
EBN: 40%
Dyas: B.V. 15%

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 2900/61
Derek Musgrove, Managing Director
Sophie Hull, Head of Corporate Communications

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