Following the completion of the acquisition by Westhouse Holdings plc of Arbuthnot Securities Limited on 20 January 2012, the business of Westhouse Securities Limited has been transferred to Arbuthnot Securities Limited.

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Northern is pleased to announce that NP Solent Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary, has been awarded part blocks 98/13 and 98/14 in the UK 26th Licensing Round.

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Related licence map (PDF file)

Northern has completed an extended well test of the Ottoland oil discovery drilled in 2007 and hydraulically fractured in 2009. Permission was received to conduct the test utilising a “jet pump” to assist the flow of oil.

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Northern announces the sale of its interest in the Vinkega gas field for approximately €3.2 million.

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Northern announces that on 29th November 2011 it completed a 600km 2D seismic survey in offshore Southern Adriatic covering two licences - F.R39.NP & F.R40.NP.

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Northern is pleased to announce the appointment of Westhouse Securities Limited as Joint Broker with immediate effect. Cenkos Securities plc continue to act as NOMAD and Joint Broker to the Company.

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Notification of Shareholding – TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

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Notification of Shareholding – TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

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Notification of Shareholding – TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

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Northern announces that earlier today, Tullow Oil Plc (“Tullow”) in their Interim Management Statement provided the following update on well GM-ES-1, in the Guyane Maritime Permit, in which Northern has a 1.25% interest:

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Notification of Shareholding – TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

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Notification of Shareholding – TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

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In conformity with the FSA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, Northern would like to notify the market of the following:

As of 31 October 2011 the Company's issued share capital consists of 93,518,160 ordinary shares of 5 pence each with voting rights. Northern does not currently hold shares in Treasury. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in Northern is 93,518,160.

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The Company announces that, following the exercise of warrants yesterday by a former employee, it has made an application for the admission of 50,000 ordinary shares of 5 pence each ("Shares") to trading on AIM. Each new Share will rank pari passu with existing Shares. Following the admission, the total number of Shares in issue will be 93,518,160.

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Northern Petroleum Plc, an independent oil and gas exploration, development and production company announces its condensed interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2011.

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(AIM: NOP)

Northern Petroleum Plc announce that on 9 September 2011 Tullow Oil plc (Tullow) issued a news release stating ”that the Zaedyus exploration well (GM-ES-1), offshore French Guiana, has made an oil discovery having encountered 72 metres of net oil pay in two turbidite fans. Results of drilling, wireline logs and samples of reservoir fluids show that the well has encountered good quality reservoir sands on prognosis. 

The objective of the Zaedyus well was to test whether the Jubilee-play, successfully established in West Africa, was mirrored on the other side of the Atlantic. This discovery therefore opens a new hydrocarbon basin within which several neighbouring prospects have been mapped. This result also reduces the exploration risk associated with Tullow’s prospect inventory offshore French Guiana, Suriname and Guyana. An appraisal programme and extensive follow-up exploration activities will now be considered.

The Zaedyus well is being drilled in the Guyane Maritime licence using the ENSCO 8503 deepwater semi submersible. The well was drilled in water depths of 2,048 metres and has been drilled to a depth of 5,711 metres. Drilling operations will now continue and the well will be deepened to over 6,000 metres to calibrate the deeper geology. The well will then likely be sidetracked to enable cores to be obtained over the reservoir sections. 

Tullow (27.5%) operates the Guyane Maritime license and is partnered by Shell (45%), Total (25%) and Northpet (2.5%), a company owned 50% by Northern Petroleum plc and 50% by Wessex Exploration plc.”  

- Ends -

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors:

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com.

(“Northern” or the “Company”)

Northern Petroleum plc is pleased to announce that it has started operations for an extended well test of the Markwells Wood oil discovery in West Sussex. The test will enable Northern Petroleum and its joint venture partners – Magellan Petroleum (UK) Limited and Egdon Resources U.K. Limited - to evaluate the potential and scheme for future development of the Markwells Wood oil accumulation.

The Workover rig arrived on site on Tuesday 06 September 2011. The production string is being installed prior to the installation of testing facilities to enable testing operations to begin in early October 2011.

Production testing may take 40 days and will utilise a Linear Reciprocal Pump that has a lower height profile, lower noise emission and a smaller footprint than the more traditional ‘Nodding Donkey’ pump.

Depending on the results of those initial tests, acid stimulation may be applied to the reservoir formation.

Interests in Licence 126 are as follows:

Northern Petroleum (GB) Limited                        50%

Magellan Petroleum (UK) Limited                        40%

Egdon Resources U.K. Limited                        10%

Derek Musgrove, the Managing Director of Northern Petroleum stated:

“Oil was encountered during the drilling of Markwells Wood towards the end of 2010. A core sample in the Great Oolite reservoir formation was successfully recovered and subsequently subjected to many laboratory tests. These established petrophysical characteristics of the formation and preferred stimulation treatments if required. Following completion of this work, the current programme was designed and contracts issued.”

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 & Technical Director of Northern, Mr. Graham Heard CGeol. FGS, who has over 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist.

- Ends -

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors:

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com.
 

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:

Northern Petroleum Plc

2. Reason for the notification (please place an X inside the appropriate bracket/s):

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: ( X )

An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: (    )

An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: (   )

Other (please specify): (   )

3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):

The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached if different):

30/08/2011

6. Date on which issuer notified:

31/08/2011

7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:

5%

8. Notified details:

……………..

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

Total (A+B)

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable^:

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

RFS Holdings B.V.

RBS Holdings N.V.

The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:

……………..

11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:

……………..

12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:

……………..

13. Additional information:

This Notification is based upon the Voting Rights figure of 93,468,160 obtained from your Regulatory Announcement dated 1^st August 2011.

14. Contact name:

Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs

15. Contact telephone number:

020 7469 2900

---ENDS---

Notes to Editors:

For further information on Northern visit www.northpet.com.

Northern is pleased to announce the appointment to the Board, with immediate effect, of Dr Rex William Gaisford CBE as a new Non Executive Director of the Company.

Rex, aged 70, has worked in oil and gas businesses worldwide for over 35 years. During his career to date he has been CEO, MD, director, project manager, engineer and negotiator,with many large international oil companies and led major multi-billion dollar exploration, development and production operations world-wide as well as opened up new business opportunities in the UK, US, Denmark, Norway and Brazil. 

During an intense period of 20 years he has been inter alia, Managing Director & Executive Vice President for American independent oil company, Amerada Hess International, and Project Director & General Manager Engineering for Britoil Plc. Rex was very active on the organisational aspects of the industry, publishing and presenting many technical/managerial papers. He was the founder and original chairman of the CRINE initiative which revolutionised key aspects of the UK oil industry. The CRINE message rapidly then spread across the world. In 1995 he was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).

For the last ten years, Rex as CEO of consulting company RCM Consulting Limited, has been an adviser to, and taken active roles in, the international energy industry.

Richard Latham, Chairman of Northern, commented:

"It gives me the greatest pleasure to welcome Rex to the Board of Northern Petroleum. His vast experience in every aspect of the E&P business is almost without parallel and will be of great value to Northern as we continue to build the Company into a significant position within the European industry. We all look forward to working with Rex and benefitting from his experience and insight.”

The following information is disclosed pursuant to Schedule 2 (g) of the AIM Rules:

Current Directorships:

Carbonet Limited

RCM Consulting Limited

RCM Group Limited

Past Directorships:

None

There is no other information to disclose in accordance with Schedule 2 (g) of the AIM Rules.

Current shareholding in Northern: 

12,500 shares 

- Ends -

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors:

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:

Northern Petroleum Plc

2. Reason for the notification (please place an X inside the appropriate bracket/s):

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: ( X )

An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: (    )

An acquisition or disposal of instruments with similar economic effect to qualifying financial instruments: ( X )

An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: (   )

Other (please specify): (   )

3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:

BlackRock, Inc

4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):

5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached if different):

24/08/2011

6. Date on which issuer notified:

25/08/2011

7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:

Holding has gone above 5%

8. Notified details:

……………..

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

B: Qualifying Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

C: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect to Qualifying Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

Total (A+B+C)

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable^:

BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited – 5,055,972 (5.41%)

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:

……………..

11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:

……………..

12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:

……………..

13. Additional information:

……………..

14. Contact name:

Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs

15. Contact telephone number:

020 7469 2900

---ENDS---

Notes to Editors:

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com.

In conformity with the FSA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, Northern would like to notify the market of the following:

As of 31 July 2011 the Company's issued share capital consists of 93,468,160 ordinary shares of 5 pence each with voting rights. Northern does not currently hold shares in Treasury. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in Northern is 93,468,160.

The above figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the ordinary shares of Northern under the FSA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

- Ends -


For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors:

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com

The Company announces that, following the exercise of warrants earlier today by a former employee, it has made an application for the admission of 250,000 ordinary shares of 5 pence each ("Shares") to trading on AIM. Each new Share will rank pari passu with existing Shares. Following the admission, the total number of Shares in issue will be 93,468,160.

It is expected that dealings in the 250,000 Shares will commence on 5 August 2011.

The Shares were issued pursuant to corporate authorities granted by shareholders in 2005.


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

About Northern: 

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com

Northern announces that certain warrants due to lapse on 31 July, 31 October 2011 and 31 December 2011 (the “Warrants”), held by certain Directors and staff, have all had their terms extended. The Board of Directors of Northern resolved yesterday to extend the exercise period of the Warrants until 29 February 2012. The Company’s Nominated Adviser has also been consulted on this matter. The Company received notification on 28 July 2011 from all class Warrant holders concerned agreeing to the variation.

The Warrants held by Directors and staff which have been subject to this extension are:

- Ends -


For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors:

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com

In conformity with the FSA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, Northern would like to notify the market of the following:

As of 29 July 2011 the Company's issued share capital consists of 93,218,160 ordinary shares of 5 pence each with voting rights. Northern does not currently hold shares in Treasury. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in Northern is 93,218,160.

The above figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the ordinary shares of Northern under the FSA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules.


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors:

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com

(“Northern”, “the Group” or “the Company”)

Northern (AIM:NOP) announces an update on its Southern Adriatic permits containing the Rovesti and Giove oil discoveries, which hold a combined 53.2 million barrels of 2P reserves.

Highlights:

- Approval of increase in work programme on each of Southern Adriatic permits F.R 39.NP and F.R 40.NP to include 3D seismic of up to a maximum of 600 sqkm by Ministry of Economic Development;

- Contract signed for a 2D seismic survey over permits F.R39.NP and F.R40.NP, with survey scheduled to commence in late Q3 / early Q4 2011 to assist with de-risking of significant exploration prospects; and

- Planning for two 3D seismic surveys scheduled for Q4 2011 will now intensify, targeting the Rovesti and Giove oil discoveries and a significant exploration prospect within the F.R39.NP and F.R40.NP permits.

Northern has been advised by the Ministry of Economic Development (the “Ministry”) that it has approved an increase in the work programmes for permits F.R39.NP and F.R40.NP from 300km of 2D seismic to include in addition up to a maximum of 600 sqkm of 3D seismic acquisition on each permit.

The first operation to be conducted under this enhanced work programme will be the acquisition of 2D seismic, which Northern has just contracted CGG Veritas Service SA (“CGG Veritas”) to undertake. This survey is planned to enable the de-risking of several exploration prospects within the two permits, and compliment the planned 3D seismic acquisition focused on the Rovesti and Giove oil discoveries. Subject to receipt of necessary approvals, the CGG Veritas 2D survey is scheduled to commence in late Q3 / early Q4 2011.

The Ministry approval allows us to now intensify our planning of the next phase of work on these permits. A 3D seismic survey is scheduled, subject to receipt of necessary approvals, for Q4  2011 to cover the Rovesti and Giove oil discoveries and is also aimed at the de-risking of one significant prospect within the F.R39.NP and F.R40.NP permits. This 3D seismic acquisition, and the processing of the resultant data, will be the first activity funded entirely by Azimuth Limited (“Azimuth”), a specialist global E&P business, under the terms of the agreement first announced on 25 March 2011.

The Giove and Rovesti oil fields have previously been independently assessed by Blackwatch Petroleum Services to have 53.2 million barrels of 2P oil reserves. In addition, as a result of work undertaken to date, Northern recognises the potential both for oil prospects with a mean of over 3 billion barrels of oil in place and gas prospects with a mean of over 2 Tcf of gas in place, which is over 1 billion barrels oil equivalent of prospective resource in the two permits, split approximately equally between oil and gas prospects.

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director of Northern, commented:

“Exploration of the Southern Adriatic area is a major priority for Northern, so I am delighted to be able to report greater visibility on our forward plans as a consequence of the approval of our enhanced work programmes for the F.R39.NP and F.R40.NP permits. CGG Veritas should be commencing a 2D survey in late Q3 / early Q4, and we look forward to also firming up the 3D surveys, the first activities with our new partner, Azimuth, within our 2011 programme.

“I further note the recent offshore permit award announced by ADX Energy, which after a twelve month hiatus I am hopeful is a positive sign of the start of the award of new offshore permits to both Northern and other applicants.”

Aaron D’Este, CEO of Azimuth, commented:

“Receiving Ministry approval for the enhanced work program is excellent news. We already know that there is an active petroleum system in the Adriatic basin and 3D seismic is the natural next step to highlight commercial accumulations. Working closely with our partner, we will complete the planned surveys as quickly and safely as possible, and then move on to defining drillable targets early in the New Year.”

Glossary

2P - Proved and Probable

2D, 3D - Two/three dimensional (in relation to seismic surveys)

Probable - Probable reserves are those unproved reserves which analysis of geological and engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recoverable in this context and when probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 per cent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves.

Proved - Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable, from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.

Tcf - Trillion cubic feet

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 & Technical Director of Northern, Mr. Graham Heard CGeol. FGS, who has over 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist.
 

-ENDS-
 

For further information please contact:

Northern Petroleum Plc
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7469 2900
Derek Musgrove, Managing Director
Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs

Cenkos Securities (NOMAD and Joint Broker)
Jon Fitzpatrick, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7397 8900

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

Financial Dynamics
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7318 3113
Billy Clegg / Edward Westropp

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


Notes to Editors:


About Northern
Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual and interim reports and Company presentations are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com

About Azimuth
Azimuth Ltd is a specialist E&P business backed by both Petroleum Geo-Services and Seacrest.
 

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:
   Northern Petroleum Plc
    
2. Reason for the notification (please place an X inside the appropriate bracket/s):
   
   An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: ( X )
   
   An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: (   )
   
   An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: (   )
   
   Other (please specify): (  )
    
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:
   The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
    
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):
   The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.
    
5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or  reached if different):
   20/07/2011
    
6. Date on which issuer notified:
   21/07/2011
    
7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:
   5%
     
8. Notified details:
   ……………..
    

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

Total (A+B)

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:
   The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
   RFS Holdings B.V.
   RBS Holdings N.V.
   The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.
   
    

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:
    ……………..
     
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:
    ……………..
     
12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:
    ……………..
     
13. Additional information:
    This Notification is based upon the Voting Rights figure of 93,218,160 obtained from your Regulatory Announcement dated 1st July 2011.
     
14. Contact name:
    Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs
     
15. Contact telephone number:
    020 7469 2900

--ENDS--

For further information on Northern visit www.northpet.com.

(“Northern”, “the Group” or “the Company”)

Northern (AIM:NOP) announces an update to its preliminary examination, dated 2 July 2010, of the environmental proposals as first detailed in a posting on the official Ministry of the Environment web-site in late  June 2010 and attributed to Environment Minister Stefania Prestigiacomo. Legislative Decree 128/10 came into force with effect from 26 August 2010.

In summary, Legislative Decree 128/10 (“the Decree”):

- Has no impact on Northern’s current reported reserves of 53.2 mmboe in Italy;

- Has no significant effect on the exploration prospectivity of the Southern Adriatic;

- Continues to have no significant impact on the exploration prospectivity of the West of Sicily Thrust Belt, however a successful application was submitted to reshape part of one application which fell within the zone covered by the Decree; and

- Has had a greater, but largely limited, effect upon other offshore areas where near shore gas is the predominant target.

The new legislation covers liquid hydrocarbons activities within five nautical miles of the coast baseline and all hydrocarbon activities within twelve nautical miles of a marine or coastal protected area. The majority of Northern’s permit areas are further offshore.

Acting in consideration of the above, the specific updates covering the effects of the Decree upon the Group’s activities in each of the areas offshore Italy are outlined below.

Southern Adriatic (9 permits and applications)

The Decree has no impact upon the established reserves held within Northern’s two permits or the exploration prospectivity of the Southern Adriatic as a whole.

No communications have been received from the Ministry of Economic Development or the Ministry of Environment regarding either of these awarded permits.

In respect of the permit applications, Northern has successfully submitted amendments to reshape part of application d149D.R-.NP to the extent to which it fell within the zone covered by the Decree, while three further applications, namely d61F.R-.NP, d71F.R-.NP and d72F.R-.NP which were marginally affected, have been slightly modified by the Ministry of Economic Development in order to stay clear of the zone covered by the decree. The remaining applications, namely d60F.R-.NP, d65F.R-.NP and d66F.R-.NP remain totally unaffected.

West of Sicily Thrust Belt (10 permits and applications)

For the six permit area closest to the Tunisian boundary there is a minor effect in terms of area upon only one of the six blocks, being the eastern part of G.R20.NP. Northern continues to evaluate that the prospectivity of the permit area remains untouched, while the interpretation of the Decree still remains unclear as far as awarded permits. No communications have been received from the Ministry of Economic Development or the Ministry of Environment regarding any of the awarded permits.

An application to suspend permits G.R17.NP, G.R18.NP and G.R19.NP has been made by the partners as part of a prudent licence management process for the entire West of Sicily Thrust Belt area.

Northern has successfully submitted amendments to reshape application d25G.R-.NP to the extent to which it fell within the zone covered by the Decree, while the Ministry of Economic Development has slightly modified the shape of application d362C.R-.NP to exclude a small area that was intersecting the restricted zone. Application d21G.R-.NP is substantially affected by the restrictions introduced, but as of today no communications have been received from any Ministry regarding this block. The remaining application d26G.R-.NP remains totally unaffected.

Sicily Channel (7 permits and applications)

There remains no effect upon permit C.R146.NP and the adjacent application d351C.R-.NP, which contain the very large Vesta prospect.

Permit C.R147.NP, which is located north of Pantelleria Island and in close proximity to the recent ADX Energy Lambouka discovery, remains affected by areal extent, but four identified prospects are within areas of the licence that remain unaffected and only two prospects fall within the restricted zone. However the interpretation of the Decree still remains unclear as far as awarded permits. No communications have been received from the Ministry of Economic Development or the Ministry of Environment regarding the C.R146.NP and C.R147.NP permits.

Permits C.R146.NP and C.R147.NP have also been successfully suspended at Northern’s request as a prudent licence management measure.

Closer to the coast of Sicily, the Company has four further applications.

Northern’s previous interpretation of the impact on application d358C.R-.EL was that the area of greatest interest would not be materially affected. However the Operator of this application, a subsidiary of Petroceltic International (“Petroceltic”), has recently received a letter from the licensing authority (the Ministry of Economic Development) rejecting this application. Both Northern and Petroceltic disagree with the Ministry of Economic Development’s interpretation of aspects of the Decree that have given rise to the rejection decision, and the Operator is considering an appeal against this decision, as is an applicant’s statutory right.

Northern has successfully submitted amendments to reshape application d29G.R-.NP to the extent to which it fell within the zone covered by the Decree. Application d347C.R-.NP is substantially affected by the restrictions, but no communication from the Ministry of Economic Development or the Ministry of Environment has been received as of today, and therefore no action has been taken regarding this block. The remaining application d30G.R-.NP remains totally unaffected.

Ionian Sea (6 applications)

The greatest effect to Northern of the Decree remains in this area, as previously reported.

The new legislation excluded most of the area of two preliminary awards d59F.R-.NP and d64F.R-.NP, and following a period of consultation with the Ministry of Economic Development, Northern has now received notification rejecting these applications. Northern disagrees with the Ministry of Economic Development’s interpretation of aspects of the Decree that have given rise to the rejection decision, and has immediately instructed its Italian legal counsel to appeal against these decisions, as is our statutory right.

Two further applications, d63F.R-.NP and d75F.R-.NP are also substantially affected by the restricted zone, but no communication from the Ministry of Economic Development or the Ministry of Environment has been received as yet, and therefore no action has been taken regarding these blocks. Application d77F.R-.NP is marginally affected by the restricted zone (less than 1% of the area of the application), and the area covered by application d78F.R-.NP is completely unaffected. As yet, no communication from the Ministry of Economic Development or the Ministry of Environment has been received. However both these applications are within the area where liquid hydrocarbons exploration has been banned and Northern has therefore submitted work programme modifications aimed at refocusing the exploration on these blocks to gas only, in order to progress the application process.

Impact on Permit Awards

Given the lack of advance consultation by the Ministry of Environment with the licensing authority in advance of the initial announcement of this initiative, one of the immediate responses of the licensing authority was, in the absence of legislation, to place a moratorium of the award of new offshore permits. Northern’s plans for a 2D seismic survey in Q4 of last year were as a consequence postponed. As of 30 June 2011, one year on, no new offshore permits have been issued since these proposals were first announced.

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director of Northern, commented:

“I believe that, Northern has not been badly affected save in the Ionian Sea, which is not one of our most significant core areas. We have always conducted our offshore operations with due consideration to marine parks, sensitive coastal areas and the environment in general, and this will remain a priority.

“One 2D and two 3D seismic surveys are in planning for the second half of 2011 on our Southern Adriatic permits. This will allow not only for the progression of the Rovesti and Giove oil discoveries, which hold a combined 53.2 million barrels of probable reserves, but also enable the de-risking of the significant exploration potential within these two permits.

“I am hopeful that further permit awards in the Southern Adriatic may soon be forthcoming. Should this be the case then Northern would expect to start planning additional seismic activity shortly thereafter.

“We continue to focus much of our human resources towards progressing the Southern Adriatic, the West of Sicily Thrust and Fold Belt where we are partnered with Shell, and the Sicily Channel and Ionian Sea areas. Our objective remains to enter into agreements to bring new partners into these areas.”

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:

Northern Petroleum Plc
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7469 2900
Derek Musgrove, Managing Director
Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs

Cenkos Securities (NOMAD and Joint Broker)
Jon Fitzpatrick, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7397 8900

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

Financial Dynamics
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7318 3113
Billy Clegg / Edward Westropp

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

Notes to Editors:

About Northern
Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual and interim reports and Company presentations are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com
 

The Company announces that, following the exercise of warrants yesterday by a former employee, it has made an application for the admission of 150,000 ordinary shares of 5 pence each ("Shares") to trading on AIM. Each new Share will rank pari passu with existing Shares. Following the admission, the total number of Shares in issue will be 93,218,160.

It is expected that dealings in the 150,000 Shares will commence on 6 July 2011.

The Shares were issued pursuant to corporate authorities granted by shareholders in 2005.


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

About Northern: 

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com

Northern Petroleum Plc – (“Northern” or “the Company”)

Northern (AIM:NOP), the independent oil and gas exploration, development and production company, announces that all resolutions proposed at the Annual General Meeting (the “AGM” or the “Meeting”) held earlier today were duly passed by the members.

Before and after the formal meeting the Company’s management gave presentations to shareholders, which will be made available on the Company’s website, www.northpet.com, later today.


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

About Northern: 

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com

Northern Petroleum Plc – (“Northern”, “the Group” or “the Company”)

Northern Petroleum Plc (AIM:NOP), the independent oil and gas exploration, development and production company announces that at the Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) held today, the Chairman of the meeting, Richard Latham will make the following statement:

“Your Company holds, after recently announced adjustments, a little over 89 million barrels of oil equivalence of proven and probable reserves, and has forecasted a production range of 1,550 to 1,650 barrels of oil equivalence per day (“boepd”) for 2011. This would still be the best year for production yet, being significantly in excess of the 1,195 boepd produced in 2010.

“Activity over the next twelve months will be largely focused on progressing and de-risking two asset types; those included within this substantial reserve base and those that offer the Group’s highest potential exploration. Long term tests on the Markwells Wood and Ottoland oil discoveries will commence this summer.  The Papekop-2 and Geesbrug-2 wells are being planned for drilling in late 2011 / early 2012. Gas from Geesbrug-2 can be put on-stream immediately from existing facilities.

“The first stage of the determination of possible interventions to resolve the issues seen at Wijk en Aalburg has been completed. The down-hole gauges placed in the well on 25 May 2011 were removed on 24 June 2011, during which time pressure build up was recorded at the well-head. While the results from the gauges are analysed, the well has been placed back on production, but a prudent decision has been taken to limit production until the results have been fully evaluated.

“One 2D and two 3D seismic surveys are planned in the second half of 2011 on our Southern Adriatic permits, alongside our new 15% partner Azimuth, which will allow not only for the progression of the Rovesti and Giove oil discoveries, which combined hold 53.2 million barrels of probable reserves, but also enable the de-risking of the significant exploration potential within our two awarded permits.

“The Southern Adriatic is just the largest example of the offshore Italian projects that have upside potential that is of a significantly different order of magnitude to our assets in The Netherlands and the UK. Shareholders should therefore expect us to focus much of our human resources towards progressing the Southern Adriatic, the West of Sicily Thrust and Fold Belt where we are partnered with Shell, and the Sicily Channel and Ionian Sea areas. The objective is to enter into agreements to bring new partners with deeper pockets than Northern into these areas.

“The drilling of the 300-700 million barrel Zaedyus prospect offshore Guyane, with Tullow, Shell and Total as partners, is ongoing. The well is now currently expected by the operator to finish drilling in early August 2011. If successful, this well could open up a new petroleum province where currently at least six similar structures have been mapped.

“I am pleased to be able to provide shareholders with a further update on oil shale potential in The Netherlands by way of the following quote extracted from the NuTech Energy Alliance report following the analysis of eight wells in the Northern operated licences in the West Netherlands Basin:

“In further analysing the shale, the histograms comparing the various aspects of the shale with the Eagle Ford and the Niobrara – two of the best shales in the US – are so favourable that we consider this to be an even better quality of shale for production purposes. The hydrocarbon potential certainly looks to be mostly oil, and with very high porosity and permeability in the shale by comparison to the US plays.”

Further work is being undertaken to quantify the oil resource potential of this shale which is present in all the Northern licences in the West Netherlands Basin; Andel III, Engelen, Waalwijk and Utrecht.

“Your Company is well positioned to withstand unforeseen events. The balance sheet remains strong, with the Group’s year end net cash of €21.4 million having risen to €24.5 million as of 27 June 2011. Northern has no external debt, but has the production and reserve base to in due course obtain debt on appropriate terms. The Company will, as it has always done, continue to expend shareholders’ funds in a prudent manner.”

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist.


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

About Northern: 

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com

Northern Petroleum Plc (AIM:NOP) announces that the Company’s Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2010 and Notice of AGM are today being distributed to shareholders and will remain available online, where they were first published on 8 June, on the home page of the Company's website, www.northpet.com.

As previously announced, the AGM of the Company will be held at Stationers' Hall, Ave Maria Lane, London, EC4M 7DD on 29 June 2011 at 10.30am (BST).


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:

Northern Petroleum Plc

2. Reason for the notification (please place an X inside the appropriate bracket/s):

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: ( X )

An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: (    )

An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: (  )

Other (please specify): (   )

3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):

The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached if different):

09/06/2011

6. Date on which issuer notified:

10/06/2011

7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:

5%

8. Notified details:

……………..

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

Total (A+B)

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable^:

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

RFS Holdings B.V.

RBS Holdings N.V.

The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:

……………..

11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:

……………..

12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:

……………..

13. Additional information:

This Notification is based upon the Voting Rights figure of 93,068,160 obtained from your Regulatory Announcement dated 31^st March 2011.

14. Contact name:

Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs

15. Contact telephone number:

020 7469 2900

---ENDS---

Notes to Editors:

For further information on Northern visit www.northpet.com.

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:

Northern Petroleum Plc

2. Reason for the notification (please place an X inside the appropriate bracket/s):

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: ( X )

An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: (    )

An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: ( X )

Other (please specify): (   )

3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):

The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached if different):

08/06/2011

6. Date on which issuer notified:

09/06/2011

7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:

5%

8. Notified details:

……………..

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

Total (A+B)

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable^:

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

RFS Holdings B.V.

RBS Holdings N.V.

The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:

……………..

11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:

……………..

12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:

……………..

13. Additional information:

This Notification is based upon the Voting Rights figure of 93,068,160 obtained from your Regulatory Announcement dated 31^st March 2011.

14. Contact name:

Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs

15. Contact telephone number:

020 7469 2900

---ENDS---

Notes to Editors:

For further information on Northern visit www.northpet.com.

Northern is pleased to announce that the 2010 Annual Report, incorporating the Notice of Annual General Meeting (“AGM”), is now available on the Company’s website (www.northpet.com) and will shortly be posted to shareholders.

The text of the AGM Notice is reproduced in full below:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at Stationers' Hall, Ave Maria Lane, London, EC4M 7DD on 29 June 2011 at 10.30am for the following purposes:

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions to be proposed as Ordinary Resolutions:

1. To receive the report of the Directors and the audited accounts for the year ended 31 December 2010.

2. To re-appoint KPMG Audit Plc as auditors and to authorise the Directors to fix their remuneration.

3. To re-elect A N Brewer (who retires from office in accordance with Article 108 of the Company's Articles) as a Director of the Company.

4. To authorise the Directors, pursuant to and in accordance with section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”) to exercise all powers of the Company to allot ordinary shares in the capital of the Company and grant rights to subscribe for or convert any security into ordinary shares up to a maximum aggregate nominal value of £1,162,500 (being approximately 25% of the Company’s issued share capital as at the date of this notice), provided that such authority shall expire at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company, except that the Directors may, before such expiry, make offers or agreements which would or might require ordinary shares to be allotted or rights to be granted after such expiry and allot ordinary shares or grant rights in pursuance of such offers or agreements.

To consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolutions to be proposed as Special Resolutions:

5. To authorise the Directors, pursuant to and in accordance with section 570 and 573 of the Act, to allot equity securities (as defined in section 560 of the Act) for cash as if sub-section 561 of the Act did not apply to the allotment of equity securities pursuant to the authority conferred on them under section 551 of the Act up to the aggregate nominal value of £465,000 (being approximately 10% of the Company’s issued share capital as at the date of this notice), such power to expire on the earlier of the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company and 15 months after the date of the resolution (but so as to enable the Company, before the expiry of such power, to make offers or agreements which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and to enable them to allot equity securities for cash pursuant  to such offers or agreements as if the power conferred thereby had not expired).

6. To authorise the Company, generally and unconditionally, to make market purchases (within the meaning of section 693(4) of the Act) pursuant to and in accordance with section 701 of the Act of fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of the Company upon and subject to the following conditions but otherwise unconditionally:

a) the maximum number of ordinary shares hereby authorised to be purchased is 4,650,000, which is  approximately 5% of the ordinary share capital of the Company as at the date of this notice;

b) the maximum price which may be paid for each such ordinary share shall be an amount no more than 105% of the average of the middle market quotations for an ordinary share as derived from the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange for the five business days immediately preceding the day on which such ordinary share is contracted to be purchased (excluding expenses) and the minimum price which may be paid for such ordinary share shall be the nominal value of such ordinary share at the time of such purchase (excluding expenses); and

c) unless previously varied, revoked or renewed, the authority conferred by this resolution shall expire on the earlier of the date 15 months after the passing of this resolution and at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Company after the date on which this resolution is passed, provided that the Company may before such expiry date enter into a contract to purchase ordinary shares under this authority which will or may be completed or executed wholly or partly after the expiration of such authority and may make a purchase of ordinary shares in pursuance of such contract.

By order of the Board

C J Foss
Secretary

Registered Office:

2^nd Floor, Martin House
5 Martin Lane
London
EC4R 0DP

Dated 7 June 2011

Notes:

1. A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the meeting convened by this Notice may appoint a proxy to attend and vote on a poll in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. A member may appoint more than one proxy provided that such appointment is in respect of voting rights attaching to different shares.

2. To be valid, the enclosed Form of Proxy must be completed and lodged together with the Power of Attorney or any other authority (if any) under which it is signed, or a notarially certified copy thereof, at the offices of the Company’s Registrars, Neville Registrars Limited, Neville House, 18 Laurel Lane, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 3DA not less than forty eight hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting.

3. Completion of the proxy does not preclude a member from attending and voting at the meeting if they so wish.

4. The Company, pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001, hereby specifies that only those shareholders registered on the Register of Members of the Company at 10.30am on 27 June 2011 shall be entitled to attend or vote at the meeting in respect of shares registered in their name at the time. Changes to entries on the relevant Register of Members after this time shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend or vote at the meeting, notwithstanding any provisions in any enactment, the articles of association of the Company or other instrument to the contrary.


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com

Following Northern Petroleum Plc’s announcement as of 07.00am, Wednesday 8 June 2011, the issuer wishes to advise that the announcement has been corrected to replace “£610 million” in the Chairman’s quote on the fifth page with “$610 million”.

The full revised announcement is as follows:
 

Northern Petroleum Plc, an independent oil and gas exploration, development and production company announces its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2010.

Highlights:

Operational:

• Average production for the year increased to 1,195 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“boepd”) compared to a 2009 average of 365 boepd;

• At 31 December 2010 the Group had 89.4 million barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) of net proven and probable reserves (approximately 89.2 million boe of which is independently assessed by RPS Energy and Blackwatch Petroleum);

• Two further gas fields placed on production in the Netherlands in 2010, bringing total fields in production to six;

• Completion of 1,520 km2 3D seismic survey, and processing and interpretation thereof, over four permits in partnership with Shell Italia covering the Thrust and Fold Belt offshore Sicily;

• Shell Italia appointed as “Rappresentante Unico” (the sole representative with respect to the Italian authorities), while Northern remains Operator, allowing Shell Italia to advance discussion with the Italian authorities concerning future activities on the Thrust and Fold Belt permits;

• New partner, Azimuth Limited, in southern Adriatic permits containing 53.2 million barrels of probable reserves;

• Farmout to Orca Exploration Group Inc. of La Tosca prospect in the Po Valley; and

• Oil discovery announced at Markwells Wood, soon to be tested.

Financial:

• The Group achieved record revenues of €15 million;

• Northern made a pre tax loss of €0.02 million for the year, as a consequence of additional non cash depletion and impairment charges of approximately €3 million;

• The Group made capital investments of €13.7 million to develop its reserves and resources; and

• At the end of 2010 Northern had €21.4 million of cash, plus €2.4 million of working capital; and

• As at 3 June 2011 Northern had €23 million of cash.

Outlook:

• The forecasted range for 2011 Group production is 1,550 to 1,650 boepd, given the assumption of  approximately three months of downtime to allow for remedial action at Wijk en Aalburg;

• As 2012 production depends on outcome of Wijk en Aalburg remedial action and future testing and drilling operations, Northern is planning on providing guidance later in 2011;

• One 2D and two 3D seismic surveys planned in 2011 on Southern Adriatic permits, allowing for the progression of Rovesti and Giove discoveries alongside our new partner Azimuth;

• Northern is planning the Papekop-2 and Geesbrug-2 wells for drilling late 2011 / early 2012;

• Long term testing of Ottoland and Markwells Wood discoveries in planning for summer 2011;

• Result from Tullow operated Guyane well likely in August;

• Drilling of the La Tosca prospect in late 2011; and

• Ongoing investigation of considerable potential for oil shales identified in southwest of The Netherlands.

Read further details and download the Report

For further information please contact:

Northern Petroleum Plc
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7469 2900
Derek Musgrove, Managing Director
Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs
Graham Heard, Exploration and Technical Director
Sophie Hull, Head of Corporate Communications

Cenkos Securities (NOMAD and Joint Broker)
Jon Fitzpatrick, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7397 8900
Ken Fleming/Beth McKiernan, Tel: +44 (0) 131 220 6939

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

Financial Dynamics
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7318 3113
Billy Clegg / Edward Westropp
 

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

Notes to Editors:

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com
 

Northern Petroleum Plc, an independent oil and gas exploration, development and production company announces its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2010.

Highlights:

Operational:

• Average production for the year increased to 1,195 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“boepd”) compared to a 2009 average of 365 boepd;

• At 31 December 2010 the Group had 89.4 million barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) of net proven and probable reserves (approximately 89.2 million boe of which is independently assessed by RPS Energy and Blackwatch Petroleum);

• Two further gas fields placed on production in the Netherlands in 2010, bringing total fields in production to six;

• Completion of 1,520 km2 3D seismic survey, and processing and interpretation thereof, over four permits in partnership with Shell Italia covering the Thrust and Fold Belt offshore Sicily;

• Shell Italia appointed as “Rappresentante Unico” (the sole representative with respect to the Italian authorities), while Northern remains Operator, allowing Shell Italia to advance discussion with the Italian authorities concerning future activities on the Thrust and Fold Belt permits;

• New partner, Azimuth Limited, in southern Adriatic permits containing 53.2 million barrels of probable reserves;

• Farmout to Orca Exploration Group Inc. of La Tosca prospect in the Po Valley; and

• Oil discovery announced at Markwells Wood, soon to be tested.

Financial:

• The Group achieved record revenues of €15 million;

• Northern made a pre tax loss of €0.02 million for the year, as a consequence of additional non cash depletion and impairment charges of approximately €3 million;

• The Group made capital investments of €13.7 million to develop its reserves and resources; and

• At the end of 2010 Northern had €21.4 million of cash, plus €2.4 million of working capital; and

• As at 3 June 2011 Northern had €23 million of cash.

Outlook:

• The forecasted range for 2011 Group production is 1,550 to 1,650 boepd, given the assumption of  approximately three months of downtime to allow for remedial action at Wijk en Aalburg;

• As 2012 production depends on outcome of Wijk en Aalburg remedial action and future testing and drilling operations, Northern is planning on providing guidance later in 2011;

• One 2D and two 3D seismic surveys planned in 2011 on Southern Adriatic permits, allowing for the progression of Rovesti and Giove discoveries alongside our new partner Azimuth;

• Northern is planning the Papekop-2 and Geesbrug-2 wells for drilling late 2011 / early 2012;

• Long term testing of Ottoland and Markwells Wood discoveries in planning for summer 2011;

• Result from Tullow operated Guyane well likely in August;

• Drilling of the La Tosca prospect in late 2011; and

• Ongoing investigation of considerable potential for oil shales identified in southwest of The Netherlands.

Read further details and download the Report

For further information please contact:

Northern Petroleum Plc
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7469 2900
Derek Musgrove, Managing Director
Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs
Graham Heard, Exploration and Technical Director
Sophie Hull, Head of Corporate Communications

Cenkos Securities (NOMAD and Joint Broker)
Jon Fitzpatrick, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7397 8900
Ken Fleming/Beth McKiernan, Tel: +44 (0) 131 220 6939

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

Financial Dynamics
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7318 3113
Billy Clegg / Edward Westropp
 

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

Notes to Editors:

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com
 

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:

Northern Petroleum Plc

2. Reason for the notification (please place an X inside the appropriate bracket/s):

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: ( X )

An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: (    )

An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: ( X )

Other (please specify): (   )

3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):

The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached if different):

06/06/2011

6. Date on which issuer notified:

07/06/2011

7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:

5%

8. Notified details:

……………..

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

Total (A+B)

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable^:

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

RFS Holdings B.V.

RBS Holdings N.V.

The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:

……………..

11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:

……………..

12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:

……………..

13. Additional information:

This Notification is based upon the Voting Rights figure of 93,068,160 obtained from your Regulatory Announcement dated 31^st March 2011.

14. Contact name:

Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs

15. Contact telephone number:

020 7469 2900

---ENDS---

Notes to Editors:

For further information on Northern visit www.northpet.com.

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:

Northern Petroleum Plc

2. Reason for the notification (please place an X inside the appropriate bracket/s):

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: ( X )

An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: (    )

An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: ( X )

Other (please specify): (   )

3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):

The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached if different):

03/06/2011

6. Date on which issuer notified:

06/06/2011

7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:

5%

8. Notified details:

……………..

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

Total (A+B)

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable^:

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

RFS Holdings B.V.

RBS Holdings N.V.

The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:

……………..

11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:

……………..

12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:

……………..

13. Additional information:

This Notification is based upon the Voting Rights figure of 93,068,160 obtained from your Regulatory Announcement dated 31^st March 2011.

14. Contact name:

Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs

15. Contact telephone number:

020 7469 2900

---ENDS---

Notes to Editors:

For further information on Northern visit www.northpet.com.

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:

Northern Petroleum Plc

2. Reason for the notification (please place an X inside the appropriate bracket/s):

An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: ( X )

An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: (    )

An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: ( X )

Other (please specify): (   )

3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):

The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or reached if different):

01/06/2011

6. Date on which issuer notified:

02/06/2011

7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:

5%

8. Notified details:

……………..

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

Total (A+B)

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable^:

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc

RFS Holdings B.V.

RBS Holdings N.V.

The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:

……………..

11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:

……………..

12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:

……………..

13. Additional information:

This Notification is based upon the Voting Rights figure of 93,068,160 obtained from your Regulatory Announcement dated 31^st March 2011.

14. Contact name:

Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs

15. Contact telephone number:

020 7469 2900

---ENDS---

Notes to Editors:

For further information on Northern visit www.northpet.com.

Northern (AIM:NOP) announces that it will be revising its 2011 production forecasts and is making changes to reserve estimates in the Netherlands. The adjustments concern three of the five gas fields operated by Northern.

The revisions to reserves follow an ongoing economic and technical evaluation. Reprocessing of the 3D seismic data over Geesbrug and Wijk en Aalburg fields, plus much of the rest of the Netherlands acreage has been underway for some time. When it has been received and interpreted, the static and dynamic field models will be updated with the production data later this year, it will then be possible to make a further assessment of the reserves. Northern has not as yet had the opportunity to review these reserve adjustments with joint venture partners but believes it to be prudent to make a reserves revision now.

The revisions are as follows:

The above revisions reduce the Group’s 2P reserves by 75.24 Bscf, which is the equivalent of 12.97 million barrels of oil equivalence. When the Company issued its results for the six months ended 30^th June 2010, it reported Group 2P reserves of 102.67 million barrels of oil equivalence.

Following these changes to reserve estimates for Geesbrug, Grolloo and Wijk en Aalburg, the Company now expects to report a loss after tax for the year ended 31^st December 2010 as a consequence of the resulting additional non cash depletion and impairment charges to the income statement.

Average production for 2010 was approximately 1,200 barrels oil equivalence per day. The Company expects to report 2010 revenue of approximately €15 million, broadly in line with market expectations.

Average production for the first four months of 2011 has been just over 1,900 barrels oil equivalence per day.

On average Dutch gas prices have increased by approximately 13% over the first four months of 2011.   

At Grolloo, which started commercial production in late 2009, the initial plan had been to install compression and or other surface equipment to aid and increase production once the pressure had stabilised and there was an observable influx of supplementary gas flow from the lower permeability reservoir matrix, allowing for the basis of design for the equipment. Until now no such stabilisation has been observed.

Northern considers that it is not feasible to add compression in time to make a material impact to 2011 gas production. In conjunction with preparation of the Annual Report and Accounts for 2010 and for the purposes of production projection and reserve assessment for the Grolloo gas field, Northern has taken the decision to adopt what is considered to be the more conservative view that pressure support from lower permeability reservoir matrix will not occur.

At Wijk en Aalburg, which came into commercial production in December 2010, Northern has experienced the production of increasing quantities of oil, followed by increasing quantities of water, which has now affected production levels.

There are several possible explanations for such behaviour. A possibility could be a near borehole build up of asphaltenes inhibiting flow. The well also has a geological fault intersecting the base of the reservoir sequence which may be acting as a conduit for the influx of liquids. It could also be a delay to influx of lower permeability reservoir matrix gas, as at Grolloo. The issues are being addressed and instruments were placed in the well on 25^th May as a first step in the determination of possible interventions. The carrying value of the Wijk en Aalburg field as at 31^st December 2010 is approximately €8 million. If the well interventions are ultimately unsuccessful, then Northern would expect to see significant non cash depletion and impairment charges to the income statement within the results for the year ending 31^st December 2011, the exact quantum of which would depend on, inter alia, future field performance and gas prices.

At Geesbrug, a far larger gas field which was placed on-stream in December 2009, the production performance has been analysed in conjunction with the disappointing results of the Tiendeveen-1 well five kilometres away. An updated static reservoir model has been constructed that forms the current basis of the revised reserves assessment prior to updating the dynamic model.

There has been a change to production decline interpreted as lower permeability reservoir matrix feed, but there will be a delay before an appropriate compressor can be procured given that further production data are required to design the appropriate compressor. The Tiendeveen-1 well results also lead Northern towards a new interpretation of reservoir distribution for the Geesbrug field. Reprocessing of all applicable 3D seismic coverage was deemed essential for placing future development wells and was initiated last year as part of the development plan for the field. The planned 2011 Geesburg-2 new production well will now most likely be delayed into early 2012 to utilise the reprocessed 3D seismic data to determine the most appropriate location of the well. This is designed to be a 3000-4000 foot lateral reservoir intersection with multi-stage fracturing operations which are designed to result in a greater ability for higher production rates than near vertical wells.

Equipment and services for the Ottoland long term oil test have been selected and when all the permits are in place operations can commence. The test is currently expected to be in the third quarter of this year.

The first Papekop oil development well is planned for later this year. Reprocessed 3D seismic data will be available for planning the final well trajectory which will include a horizontal hydraulically fractured intersection of the reservoir.  

At Markwells Wood in the UK, plans are well advanced for the production test to commence this summer of the oil discovery made in December 2010. The test design has been completed and the required equipment and services have been selected. The test is planned to commence in late July/early August.

Progress continues to be made in Italy to move towards the drilling of some of the high impact exploration prospects. In the Southern Adriatic plans are advanced to acquire a 2D seismic survey over permits F.R39.NP and F.R40.NP that contain the Giove and Rovesti discoveries and it is intended that in addition two 3D seismic surveys will be acquired over these two oil fields and a number of exploration prospects later this year. Blackwatch Petroleum Services in 2007 reported 2P Reserves of 53.16 million barrels for the two fields and assigned a Post-Tax Net Present Value (NPV@10%) of £610 million at a $70 oil price based on developing the fields independently, each with a new build FPSO. Northern and our new partner Azimuth Limited (15% interest) will be seeking additional partners to assist with the development of the fields and the drilling of exploration wells. Northern has mapped prospects in the two permits with over one billion barrels of oil equivalence prospective resource, split approximately equally between oil and gas.

It is intended that a further update, including guidance on average 2011 production levels in light of the revisions to reserves, will be provided with the announcement of the results for the full year ended 31st December 2010.

- Ends -

For further information please contact:

Glossary

1P, 2P - Proved/Proved and Probable

2D, 3D - Two/three dimensional (in relation to seismic surveys)

Bscf - Billion standard cubic feet

FPSO - Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel

MMstb - Million stock tank barrels

Probable - Probable reserves are those unproved reserves which analysis of geological and engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recoverable in this context and when probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 per cent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves.

Proved - Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable, from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist. He has compiled, read and approved the technical disclosure in this regulatory announcement. The technical disclosure in this announcement complies with the SPE/WPC standard.

Notes to Editors: 

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. www.northpet.com

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:
   Northern Petroleum Plc
    
2. Reason for the notification (please place an X inside the appropriate bracket/s):
   
   An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: ( X )
   
   An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: (   )
   
   An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: ( X )
   
   Other (please specify): (  )
    
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:
   The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
    
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):
   The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.
    
5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or  reached if different):
   15/03/2011
    
6. Date on which issuer notified:
   15/04/2011
    
7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:
   5%
     
8. Notified details:
   ……………..
    

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

Total (A+B)

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:
   The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
   RFS Holdings B.V.
   RBS Holdings N.V.
   The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.
   
    

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:
    ……………..
     
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:
    ……………..
     
12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:
    ……………..
     
13. Additional information:
    This Notification is based upon the Voting Rights figure of 92,047,060 obtained from your Regulatory Announcement dated 31st January 2011.
     
14. Contact name:
    Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs
     
15. Contact telephone number:
    020 7469 2900

--ENDS--

For further information on Northern visit www.northpet.com.

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:
   Northern Petroleum Plc
    
2. Reason for the notification (please place an X inside the appropriate bracket/s):
   
   
   An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: (   )
   
   An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: (   )
   
   An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: (   )
   
   Other (please specify): ( X ) Reduction in shareholding percentage following admission of shares on 5 April 2011 pursuant to the exercise of 931,100 warrants
    
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:
   Barry James Lonsdale
    
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):
    
5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or  reached if different):
   05 April 2011
    
6. Date on which issuer notified:
   08 April 2011
    
7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:
   6%
     
8. Notified details:
   ……………..
    

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

Total (A+B)

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:
    

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:
    ……………..
     
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:
    ……………..
     
12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:
    ……………..
     
13. Additional information:
    Based on total shares in issue of 93,068,160 as per Total Voting Rights announcement dated 31 March 2011.
     
14. Contact name:
    Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs
     
15. Contact telephone number:
    020 7469 2900

--ENDS--

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, including all press releases, annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern’s website at www.northpet.com.

Following the release of this announcement at 17.54 on 4 April 2011 the Company is re-releasing the announcement at the requested embargo time – 07.00 on 5 April 2011. The content of the announcement remains unchanged.

Northern announces that Northern Petroleum (UK) Limited (“NPUK”) has applied to the Italian authorities for the transfer to Shell Italia E&P S.p.A (“Shell”) the role of Rappresentante Unico (“Operator”) for six permits offshore west of Sicily; G.R17.NP, G.R18.NP, G.R19.NP, G.R20.NP, G.R21.NP and G.R22.NP, located in the thrust and fold belt to the west of Sicily. The transfer would enable Shell to progress work required to apply for drilling approvals in advance of the final decision as to whether an exploration well is to be drilled in the permits. The joint venture is currently finalising the subsurface evaluation.

Northern has acted as Operator of the permits during the 2D and 3D seismic phases of the exploration programme, the costs of which were met by Shell. Under the terms of the farm-in agreement Shell holds 55% in G.R17.NP, G.R18.NP, G.R19.NP and 70% in G.R20.NP, G.R21.NP and G.R22.NP, with NPUK holding the remaining equity interest in the permits.
 

- Ends -
 

For further information please contact:

Glossary

2D, 3D Two / three dimensional (in relation to seismic surveys).

boe Barrels of oil equivalent.

Probable Probable reserves are those unproved reserves which analysis of geological and engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recoverable in this context and when probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 per cent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves.

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist. He has compiled, read and approved the technical disclosure in this regulatory announcement. The technical disclosure in this announcement complies with the SPE/WPC standard.
 

Notes to Editors: 

About Northern
Northern Petroleum Plc (NOP) is an oil and gas company with exploration, development and production assets in the Netherlands, Italy, UK and Guyane. The Company’s strategy is to acquire low entry cost exploration, production and development assets. Through undertaking geological, geophysical and engineering work, Northern adds value to shareholders both from production and asset sales.

Northern currently has gas production from six fields in The Netherlands four of which it has recently as operator developed into production. In addition Northern has a small share in oil production from two fields in the South of England. Northern is well capitalised, has a track record of partnering with oil majors and is run by a senior and experienced management team.

Northern in Italy
It is in Italy that the Company manages its largest licensed exploration area, predominantly offshore, but includes five onshore permits in the Po Valley gas and oil province in the north of the Italy. Exploratory evaluation of six offshore thrust belt licences, on which Northern acquired in 2010 a 1520 km² 3D seismic survey, is being undertaken in partnership with Shell Italia E&P S.p.A.

In December 2010 Northern concluded an agreement for Orca Exploration Group Inc. to finance the drilling of the La Tosca prospect in the Longastrino permit in the eastern Po Valley Basin.

Also in 2010 ADX Energy Limited reported an oil discovery in Tunisian waters near to Northern’s CR147 permit offshore of the Italian island of Pantelleria. Northern has mapped several prospects up-dip of the Lambouka-1 discovery well and outside the new 12 nautical mile zone of drilling exclusion.

The Italian assets contribute to 53.2 million boe of the reported net Probable oil reserves. Upon completion of the agreement with Azimuth, Northern’s net Probable reserves will be reduced to 45.2 million boe.

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. www.northpet.com
 

In conformity with the FSA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, Northern would like to notify the market of the following:

As of 31 March 2011 the Company's issued share capital consists of 93,068,160 ordinary shares of 5 pence each with voting rights. Northern does not currently hold shares in Treasury. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in Northern is 93,068,160.

The above figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the ordinary shares of Northern under the FSA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules.


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com

The Company announces that, following the exercise of warrants today by a number of members of staff, it has made an application for the admission of 892,500 ordinary shares of 5 pence each ("Shares") to trading on AIM. Each new Share will rank pari passu with existing Shares. Following the admission, the total number of Shares in issue will be 93,068,160.

It is expected that dealings in the 892,500 Shares will commence on
5 April 2011.

The Shares were issued pursuant to corporate authorities granted by shareholders in 2005 (400,000 Shares) and 2008 (492,500 Shares).


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com

The Company announces that, following the exercise of warrants at 68.5 pence today by both Graham Heard, Northern’s Exploration & Technical Director, and also by a member of staff, it has made an application for the admission of 38,600 ordinary shares of 5 pence each ("Shares") to trading on AIM. Each new Share will rank pari passu with existing Shares. Following the admission, the total number of Shares in issue will be 92,175,660.

It is expected that dealings in the 38,600 Shares will commence on 5 April 2011.

The Shares were issued pursuant to corporate authorities granted by shareholders in 2008.

Mr Heard has today transferred his resultant new 18,600 ordinary shares to his SIPP at a price of 128.125p per share. Following this warrant exercise and transfer, Mr Heard’s total beneficial shareholding has increased by 18,600 to 587,497 ordinary shares, which represents 0.64 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company. Today’s transactions do not however result in any change in Mr Heard's beneficial interest in the diluted share capital of Company as a result of the transfer to his SIPP.


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com

The Company announces that, following the exercise of warrants on 25 March by a third party consultant, it has made an application for the admission of 50,000 ordinary shares of 5 pence each ("Shares") to trading on AIM. Each new Share will rank pari passu with existing Shares. Following the admission, the total number of Shares in issue will be 92,137,060.

It is expected that dealings in the 50,000 Shares will commence on 1 April 2011.

The Shares were issued pursuant to corporate authorities granted by shareholders in 2008.


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com

Northern announces that it has signed an agreement involving Italian permits F.R39.NP and F.R40.NP which contain the Rovesti and Giove oil discoveries and ten mapped prospects. The objective of the agreement is to work with Azimuth Limited (“Azimuth”) a specialist global E&P business, to define and delineate suitable appraisal and exploration drilling targets. Azimuth will become a 15% interest partner in both permits by funding a promoted share of future work programmes prior to the drilling phase.

The future assignment of permit interests to Azimuth, and implementation of aspects of the agreement, are subject to receiving approvals from the Italian authorities.

The Giove and Rovesti oil fields have been independently assessed by Blackwatch Petroleum Services (“Blackwatch”) to have 53.2 million barrels of probable oil reserves. In addition, as a result of work undertaken, Northern recognises the potential both for oil prospects with a mean of over 3 billion barrels of oil in place and gas prospects with a mean of over 2 Tcf of gas in place, which is over 1 billion barrels oil equivalent of prospective resource in the two permits, split approximately equally between oil and gas prospects.

Matt Haartsen, commenting on behalf of Azimuth, said:

“Azimuth is excited by the opportunity to work with Northern Petroleum and looks forward to unlocking commercial reserves across the permits”.

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director of Northern Petroleum Plc, commented:

“This deal brings additional resources and skills to assist Northern to progress the future development of reserves and drilling of exploration prospects in the permits in one of our key areas in the Italian offshore.

“The Rovesti field was discovered in 1978 by Eni and the nearby Giove field was discovered in 1998 by Enterprise Oil Plc. Blackwatch have assigned P2 oil reserves of 33.6 million barrels to Rovesti and 19.6 million barrels to Giove and support the view that there is high potential within the two permits. We have surmised that the decisions by previous companies not to move these two discoveries towards development could be attributed to the depth of water of Rovesti in the context of the then prevailing oil industry capabilities and costs, and that Giove was found to be smaller than originally mapped and at the time low oil prices prevailed.”
 

- Ends -
 

For further information please contact:

Glossary

2D, 3D Two / three dimensional (in relation to seismic surveys)

boe Barrels of oil equivalent

boepd Barrels of oil equivalent per day

E&P Exploration and production

P2 Proven plus Probable reserves

Probable Probable reserves are those unproved reserves which analysis of geological and engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recoverable in this context and when probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 per cent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves.

Proved Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable, from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.   

Tcf Trillion cubic feet

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist. He has compiled, read and approved the technical disclosure in this regulatory announcement. The technical disclosure in this announcement complies with the SPE/WPC standard.
 

Notes to Editors: 

About Northern
Northern Petroleum Plc (NOP) is an oil and gas company with exploration, development and production assets in the Netherlands, Italy, UK and Guyane. The Company’s strategy is to acquire low entry cost exploration, production and development assets. Through undertaking geological, geophysical and engineering work, Northern adds value to shareholders both from production and asset sales.


At present Northern has independently assessed reported P2 reserves of in excess of 102 million barrels of oil equivalence (“mmboe”). In The Netherlands, where Northern has P2 reserves of 42.5 mmboe, the Company has six gas fields in production. In Italy, where Northern has reported P2 reserves of 53.16 million barrels of oil (“mmbbl”), Northern is a joint venture with Shell covering six permits and is pursuing a farm-out strategy. In the UK, Northern has 7.02 mmbbl of reported P2 reserves. In Guyane, Northern is a partner with Tullow, Shell and Total. Northern’s reserve position is detailed within the Company’s 2010 Interim Report dated 29th September 2010 which is available on Northern’s website.

Northern is well capitalised, has a track record of partnering with oil majors and is run by a senior and experienced management team.

Now that Wijk en Aalburg is in production, Northern is forecasting a production rate of between 2,200-2,300 boepd. This rate of production will increase as additional oil and gas fields in the Netherlands come on stream.

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. www.northpet.com

Northern in Italy
It is in Italy that the Company manages its largest licensed exploration area, predominantly offshore, but includes five onshore permits in the Po Valley gas and oil province in the north of the Italy. Exploratory evaluation of six offshore thrust belt licences, on which last year Northern acquired a 1520 km² 3D seismic survey, is being undertaken in partnership with Shell Italia E&P S.p.A.

In December 2010 Northern concluded an agreement for Orca Exploration Group Inc. to finance the drilling of the La Tosca prospect in the Longastrino permit in the eastern Po Valley Basin.

Also in 2010 ADX Energy Limited reported an oil discovery in Tunisian waters near to Northern’s CR147 permit offshore of the Italian island of Pantelleria. Northern has mapped several prospects up-dip of the Lambouka-1 discovery well and outside the new 12 nautical mile zone of drilling exclusion.

The Italian assets contribute to 53.2 million boe of the reported net P2 reserves. Upon completion of the agreement with Azimuth, Northern’s net Probable reserves in Italy will be reduced to 45.2 million boe.
 

About Azimuth Limited
Azimuth Limited is a specialist E&P business created to acquire prospective oil and gas assets worldwide.

Azimuth has purchased a licence to view, under certain terms and conditions, a global multi client data library which contains approximately 400,000km² of 3D seismic data and approximately 200,000km of 2D seismic data across the world’s most prospective oil and gas basins.  

Drawing on a pool of 85 technical experts, Azimuth is well positioned to discover and analyse E&P assets and to support its joint venture partners in their search for commercial reserves.
 

The Company announces that, following the exercise of warrants on 21 March by an employee of one of its subsidiaries, it has made an application for the admission of 12,500 ordinary shares of 5 pence each ("Shares") to trading on AIM. Each new Share will rank pari passu with existing Shares. Following the admission, the total number of Shares in issue will be 92,087,060.

It is expected that dealings in the 12,500 Shares will commence on
29 March 2011.

The Shares were issued pursuant to corporate authorities granted by shareholders in 2008.


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com

Northern announces that operations have commenced on drilling the Zaedyus prospect, with well GM-ES-1, in the Guyane Maritime Permit. Tullow Oil (“Tullow”), the Operator, believes the well has the potential to open up a major new oil province in Guyane (French Guiana) with a significant number of further prospects and leads already identified. Tullow has stated that the Zaedyus prospect has an estimated P10 prospective resource of 700 million barrels and is geologically analogous to its Jubilee field, located off the coast of Ghana.

Tullow [27.5%] is Operator of of the Guyane Maritime Permit in which Northern holds a 1.25% beneficial interest. The other Joint Venture partners are Shell E&P France SAS [45%] (“Shell”), Total E&P Guyane Francaise SAS [25%] (“Total”) and Wessex Exploration (1.25% beneficial).

The GM-ES-1 well is located offshore Guyane some 50 kilometres from the boundary with Brazil. The ENSCO 8503 rig will drill the well, GM-ES-1, to a total depth of approximately 6500 metres subsea, with the well targeting one of several prospects in major undrilled Late Cretaceous deep water channel fan systems identified from the extensive 3D seismic survey acquired in 2009-10.

Graham Heard, Exploration & Technical Director of
Northern, commented:

“At Northern we are very excited that drilling operations have commenced on this first exploration well on the Guyane Maritime Permit. This is an unusual opportunity for us as a company to participate alongside a successful explorer such as Tullow and two major oil companies, Shell and Total, in the first well targeting a new exploration area of importance. This basin has significant exploration potential and we keenly anticipate the results from the Zaedyus prospect which will determine future exploration activity in the area.” 
 

- Ends -
 

For further information please contact:

Glossary

boepd barrel(s) of oil equivalence per day

P10 Reserves are with those with a notional 10% probability – “Possible” of being produced using current or likely technology at current prices, with current commercial terms and government consent

P2 Proven plus Probable reserves

Probable Probable reserves are those unproved reserves which analysis of geological and engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recoverable in this context and when probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 per cent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves.

Proved Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable, from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.   

mmbo Million barrels of oil

mmboe Million barrels of oil equivalence

2D,3D two / three dimentional (in relation to seismic surveys)

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist. He has compiled, read and approved the technical disclosure in this regulatory announcement. The technical disclosure in this announcement complies with the SPE/WPC standard.

Notes to Editors: 

Northern Petroleum Plc (NOP) is an oil and gas company with exploration, development and production assets in the Netherlands, Italy, UK and Guyane. The Company’s strategy is to acquire low entry cost exploration, production and development assets. Through undertaking geological, geophysical and engineering work, Northern adds value to shareholders from production and asset sales.

Northern has total P2 reserves of in excess of 102 million barrels of oil equivalence (“mmboe”). In The Netherlands, where Northern has P2 reserves of 42.5 mmboe, Northern has six gas fields in production. In Italy, where Northern has P2 reserves of 53.16 mmboe, Northern is partnered with Shell and is pursuing a farm-out strategy. In the UK, Northern has 7.02 mmboe of P2 reserves. In Guyane, Northern is partnered with Tullow, Shell and Total. Northern’s reserve position is detailed within the Company’s 2010 Interim Report dated 29^th September 2010 which is available on Northern’s website.

Northern is well capitalised, has a track record of partnering with oil majors and is run by a senior and experienced management team.

Now that Wijk en Aalburg is in production, Northern is forecasting a production rate of between 2,200-2,300 boepd. This rate of production will increase as additional oil and gas fields in the Netherlands come on stream.

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. www.northpet.com
 

The Company announces that, following the exercise of warrants yesterday by a former employee of one of its subsidiaries, it has made an application for the admission of 10,000 ordinary shares of 5 pence each ("Shares") to trading on AIM. Each new Share will rank pari passu with existing Shares. Following the admission, the total number of Shares in issue will be 92,074,560.

It is expected that dealings in the 10,000 Shares will commence on
9 March 2011.

The Shares were issued pursuant to corporate authorities granted by shareholders in 2008.


- Ends -


For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com

In conformity with the FSA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, Northern would like to notify the market of the following:

As of 28 February 2011 the Company's issued share capital consists of 92,064,560 ordinary shares of 5 pence each with voting rights. Northern does not currently hold shares in Treasury. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in Northern is 92,064,560.

The above figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the ordinary shares of Northern under the FSA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules.
 

- Ends -
 

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors:

Further information on Northern is available at  www.northpet.com

The Company announces that, following the exercise of warrants at 67 pence per share to subscribe for ordinary shares by a consultant, it has made an application pursuant to the authority granted on 30 June 2008 for the admission of 17,500 ordinary shares of 5 pence each to trading on AIM. Each new ordinary share will rank pari passu with existing ordinary shares. Following the admission, the total number of ordinary shares in issue will be 92,064,560.

It is expected that dealings in the 17,500 shares will commence on
21 February 2011.


- Ends -

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com

Northern announces that pursuant to the authority granted on 30 June 2010 it has issued today 22,115 ordinary shares of 5 pence to fifteen staff in respect of the share settled element of the Company’s 2010 bonus scheme. The shares have been issued at a price of 133.50 pence per share, being the average mid market closing price for the three weeks ending 21 January 2011. Each new ordinary share will rank pari passu with existing ordinary shares. Application has been made for the shares to be admitted to trading on AIM and dealings are expected to commence on 7 February 2011. Following the admission, the total number of ordinary shares in issue will be 92,047,060.

In conformity with the FSA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, Northern would like to notify the market of the following:

As of 31 January 2011 the Company's issued share capital consists of 92,047,060 ordinary shares of 5 pence each with voting rights. Northern does not currently hold shares in Treasury. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in Northern is 92,047,060.

The above figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the ordinary shares of Northern under the FSA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules.
 

- Ends -

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com

Northern notes that in respect of the Guyane Maritime Block in which Northern holds a 1.25% interest, Tullow Oil plc (“Tullow”) in their Trading Statement and Operational Update dated 27 January 2011 stated:

“Following the acquisition and processing of a large 3D seismic programme in late 2009/early 2010 in the Guyane Maritime Block (Tullow 27.5%), a portfolio of Upper Cretaceous Jubilee-type prospects and leads have been identified. The partnership has contracted the ENSCO 8503 rig and expects to commence drilling the Zaedyus prospect in Q1 2011.”

The Partners in the Guyane Maritime licence are:
 

“It is encouraging that Tullow has recognised prospects that have similarities to their operated Jubilee Field in Ghana which has reported mid case reserves of 370 mmbo. The Zaedyus prospect has, as estimated by the Operator, P10 gross upside reserves of 700 mmbo and is an exciting prospect in this untested basin with significant follow up exploration potential” commented Graham Heard, Exploration and Technical Director of Northern.

- Ends -
 

For further information please contact:

Glossary

boepd barrel(s) of oil equivalence per day

P10 Reserves are with those with a notional 10% probability – “Possible” of being produced using current or likely technology at current prices, with current commercial terms and government consent

P2 Proven plus Probable reserves

Probable Probable reserves are those unproved reserves which analysis of geological and engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recoverable in this context and when probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 per cent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves.

Proved Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable, from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.   

mmbo Million barrels of oil      

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist. He has compiled, read and approved the technical disclosure in this regulatory announcement. The technical disclosure in this announcement complies with the SPE/WPC standard.

Notes to Editors: 

Northern Petroleum Plc (NOP) is an oil and gas company with exploration, development and production assets in the Netherlands, Italy, UK and Guyane. The Company’s strategy is to acquire low entry cost exploration, production and development assets. Through undertaking geological, geophysical and engineering work, Northern adds value to shareholders from production and asset sales.

Northern has total P2 reserves of in excess of 102 million barrels of oil equivalence (“mmboe”). In The Netherlands, where Northern has P2 reserves of 42.5 mmboe, Northern has six gas fields in production. In Italy, where Northern has P2 reserves of 53.16 mmboe, Northern is partnered with Shell and is pursuing a farm-out strategy. In the UK, Northern has 7.02 mmboe of P2 reserves. In Guyane, Northern is partnered with Tullow, Shell and Total. Northern’s reserve position is detailed within the Company’s 2010 Interim Report dated 29th September 2010 which is available on Northern’s website.

Northern is well capitalised, has a track record of partnering with oil majors and is run by a senior and experienced management team.

Now that Wijk en Aalburg is in production, Northern is forecasting a production rate of between 2,200-2,300 boepd. This rate of production will increase as additional oil and gas fields in the Netherlands come on stream.

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. www.northpet.com
 

The Company announces that, following the exercise of warrants today at 67 pence per share to subscribe for ordinary shares by an employee, it has made an application pursuant to the authority granted on 30 June 2008 for the admission of 37,500 ordinary shares of 5 pence each to trading on AIM. Each new ordinary share will rank pari passu with existing ordinary shares. Following the admission, the total number of ordinary shares in issue will be 92,024,945.

It is expected that dealings in the 37,500 shares will commence on
13 January 2011.
 

- Ends -
 

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com

Northern announces that assessment of the logs has confirmed that the entire Great Oolite drilled reservoir sequence in Markwells Wood-1 is oil bearing above the Horndean Field oil water contact of 4446 feet sub-sea level (TVD SS), meeting the primary objective.
   
The presence of mobile (“live”) oil was observed when the 30 feet of core was extracted from the well. Initial analysis of the logs indicate the well, which was deviated at an inclination of approximately 56 degrees through the Great Oolite, penetrated a gross hydrocarbon bearing interval of 275 feet with a calculated net reservoir of 192 feet with an average porosity of 13-14%, a typical porosity value for this reservoir in the nearby fields in the same formation. The top of the Great Oolite was encountered 51 feet low to prognosis and the Great Oolite vertical thickness was 146 feet compared to a prognosis of 240 feet.

The analysis of the core is currently underway and that data will be integrated with the petrophysical evaluation and image logs to design the testing programmes.

Testing to establish pressures and flow rates in the existing wellbore will take place when the required services and equipment have been contracted. Testing operations will be conducted utilising a work-over rig at a lower day rate cost. Analysis of the result will enable the determination of the oil reserve potential and will be the basis for production planning.

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director of Northern, commented:

“The Markwells Wood-1 well has to date presented us with encouraging results. An oil bearing sequence has been encountered in the target reservoir adjacent to the producing Horndean oil field within its mapped structural closure. Detailed analysis of the core and logs will provide information on reservoir quality. Expected production rates will be derived from the future test programme.

Success at Markwells Wood, helped by current oil prices, should enhance the value of the other undeveloped discoveries and exploration prospects held under licence by Northern in the UK.”
 

- Ends -
 

For further information please contact:

Glossary

boepd barrel(s) of oil equivalence per day

P2 Proven plus Probable reserves

Probable Probable reserves are those unproved reserves which analysis of geological and engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recoverable in this context and when probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 per cent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves.

Proved Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable, from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.   

TVD SS True Vertical Depth Sub Sea       

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist. He has compiled, read and approved the technical disclosure in this regulatory announcement. The technical disclosure in this announcement complies with the SPE/WPC standard.

Notes to Editors: 

Northern Petroleum Plc (NOP) is an oil and gas company with exploration, development and production assets in the Netherlands, Italy, UK and Guyane. The Company’s strategy is to acquire low entry cost exploration, production and development assets. Through undertaking geological, geophysical and engineering work, Northern adds value to shareholders from production and asset sales.

Northern has total P2 reserves of in excess of 102 million barrels of oil equivalence (“mmboe”). In The Netherlands, where Northern has P2 reserves of 42.5 mmboe, Northern has six gas fields in production. In Italy, where Northern has P2 reserves of 53.16 mmboe, Northern is partnered with Shell and is pursuing a farm-out strategy. In the UK, Northern has 7.02 mmboe of P2 reserves. In Guyane, Northern is partnered with Tullow, Shell and Total. Northern’s reserve position is detailed within the Company’s 2010
Interim Report dated 29^th September 2010 which is available on Northern’s website.

Northern is well capitalised, has a track record of partnering with oil majors and is run by a senior and experienced management team.

Now that Wijk en Aalburg is in production, Northern is forecasting a production rate of between 2,200-2,300 boepd. This rate of production will increase as additional oil and gas fields in the Netherlands come on stream.

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. www.northpet.com
 

TR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTERESTS IN SHARES

1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached:
   Northern Petroleum Plc
    
2. Reason for the notification (please place an X inside the appropriate bracket/s):
   
   
   An acquisition or disposal of voting rights: ( X )
   
   An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments which may result in the acquisition of shares already issued to which voting rights are attached: (   )
   
   An event changing the breakdown of voting rights: ( X )
   
   Other (please specify): (  )
    
3. Full name of person(s) subject to the notification obligation:
   The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
    
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.):
   The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.
    
5. Date of the transaction (and date on which the threshold is crossed or  reached if different):
   31 December 2010
    
6. Date on which issuer notified:
   04 January 2011
    
7. Threshold(s) that is/are crossed or reached:
   5%
     
8. Notified details:
   ……………..
    

A: Voting rights attached to shares

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

B: Financial Instruments

Resulting situation after the triggering transaction

Total (A+B)

9. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held, if applicable:
   
   The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
   RFS Holdings N.V.
   RBS Holdings N.V.
   The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

Proxy Voting:

10. Name of the proxy holder:
    ……………..
     
11. Number of voting rights proxy holder will cease to hold:
    ……………..
     
12. Date on which proxy holder will cease to hold voting rights:
    ……………..
     
13. Additional information:
    This Notification is based upon the Voting Rights figure of 91,987,445 obtained from your Regulatory Announcement dated 29th October 2010.
     
14. Contact name:
    Chris Foss, Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs
     
15. Contact telephone number:
    020 7469 2900

Live Oil in Markwells Wood-1 Core - Interim Statement

Northern announces that live oil has been encountered in the Markwells Wood-1 well in the primary reservoir target. A core was taken and the well drilled to 4584 feet sub-sea level, and various logging tools are being run to aid the assessment of results. There will be no further comment until log evaluation is complete.

Tiendeveen-1 Update

In The Netherlands a hydraulic fracturing (“fraccing”) and test programme has been completed on the Tiendeveen-1 well. Fraccing and testing resulted in gas being produced but not at economic rates. The well is being suspended for further evaluation.

- Ends -

For further information please contact:

Glossary

boepd barrel(s) of oil equivalence per day

P2 Proven plus Probable reserves

Probable Probable reserves are those unproved reserves which analysis of geological and engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recoverable in this context and when probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 per cent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves.

Proved Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable, from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.           

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist. He has compiled, read and approved the technical disclosure in this regulatory announcement. The technical disclosure in this announcement complies with the SPE/WPC standard.

Notes to Editors: 

Northern Petroleum Plc (NOP) is an oil and gas company with exploration, development and production assets in the Netherlands, Italy, UK and Guyane. The Company’s strategy is to acquire low entry cost exploration, production and development assets. Through undertaking geological, geophysical and engineering work, Northern adds value to shareholders from production and asset sales.

Northern has total P2 reserves of in excess of 102 million barrels of oil equivalence (“mmboe”). In The Netherlands, where Northern has P2 reserves of 42.5 mmboe, Northern has six gas fields in production. In Italy, where Northern has P2 reserves of 53.16 mmboe, Northern is partnered with Shell and is pursuing a farm-out strategy. In the UK, Northern has 7.02 mmboe of P2 reserves. In Guyane, Northern is partnered with Tullow, Shell and Total. Northern’s reserve position is detailed within the Company’s 2010
Interim Report dated 29^th September 2010 which is available on Northern’s website.

Northern is well capitalised, has a track record of partnering with oil majors and is run by a senior and experienced management team.

Now that Wijk en Aalburg is in production, Northern is forecasting a production rate of between 2,200-2,300 boepd. This rate of production will increase as additional oil and gas fields in the Netherlands come on stream.

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. www.northpet.com

Northern Petroleum Plc announces that its wholly owned Netherlands subsidiary, Northern Petroleum Nederland B.V. (“NPN”), has appointed Brian A. Hepp, Northern’s Director of Group Operations, and Cornelis Nicolaas (“Nico”) Tielens, NPN’s Operations Manager and Acting Country Manager, as directors.

Mr Hepp, a Canadian national, has been Northern’s Director of Group Operations since January 2006. Since joining Northern,Brian has directed all of the Group’s drilling and development operations, including the development of the Grolloo, Geesbrug, Brakel and Wijk en Aalburg gas fields. In total he has over 28 years of international experience in design, drilling, production operations and petroleum field management with both major and small producers in North America and Europe.

Mr Hepp has represented NPN as an active member of the Executive Committee of The Netherlands Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Association (“NOGEPA”) since NPN joined the organisation in 2006. NOGEPA promotes the common interests of all companies holding licenses to explore for, develop and produce hydrocarbons both on and offshore in The Netherlands.

Brian holds a Masters Degree in Administration and a Bachelor of Engineering degree. He is a Registered Engineer in Canada, a Chartered Engineer in the UK and Europe and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Mr Tielens, a Netherlands national, has been NPN’s Operations Manager since July 2006 and also Acting Country Manager since the start of 2010. Prior to joining NPN, Mr Tielens spent 23 years in the service side of the oil and gas industry, mainly in the Dutch onshore and North Sea offshore sectors, and has extensive operational experience in well and production operations. Mr. Tielens previously held various onshore supervisory and management positions before becoming General Manager for two different Multinational Service Company’s Continental Europe operations immediately prior to joining NPN as Operations Manager.

Nico holds a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering, has held the Chairman’s role in the well services group of IRO (the association of oil and gas service providers in The Netherlands) as well as serving as a Board member of IRO. Since joining NPN he has been an active member of the Operations Committee of NOGEPA.

Following these appointments Derek Musgrove and Birger Polkamp have retired as directors of NPN.

Southern Adriatic Presentation

Northern advises shareholders that the recent presentation on the Group’s Southern Adriatic assets made by Graham Heard, Northern’s Exploration & Technical Director, at both the 8^th Maghreb and Mediterranean Oil Week and Oilbarrel conferences is now available on the Company’s website.

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director of Northern, stated:

“NPN has brought three gas fields into production, with another to follow imminently. It has become a significant gas producer and project manager. Following these achievements, it is an appropriate moment for these changes to be made to the NPN Board. Further appointments to the NPN Board are expected in due course, reflecting the company’s increase in size and activities.

The fact that NPN has an excellent safety record is very much a credit to both Brian and Nico. I was, and will remain, thankful for their persistent diligence on behalf of all employees and stakeholders.

The Board of Northern also wishes to express its gratitude to Birger Polkamp for his work and guidance over the last five years, the formative period of the company. NPN’s current activities are a reflection of his efforts. We are delighted to retain his services as a Commercial Adviser to the NPN Board.”

- Ends -

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Northern Petroleum Plc (NOP) is an oil and gas company with exploration, development and production assets in the Netherlands, Italy, UK and Guyane. The Company’s strategy is to acquire low entry cost exploration, production and development assets. Through undertaking geological, geophysical and engineering work, Northern adds value to shareholders from production and asset sales.

Northern has total P2 reserves of in excess of 102 million barrels of oil equivalent (“mmboe”). In The Netherlands, where Northern has P2 reserves of 42.5 mmboe, Northern has five gas fields in production. In Italy, where Northern has P2 reserves of 53.16 mmboe, Northern is partnered with Shell and is pursuing a farm-out strategy. In the UK, Northern has 7.02 mmboe of P2 reserves. In Guyane, Northern is partnered with Tullow, Shell and Total. Northern’s reserve position is detailed within the Company’s2010 Interim Report dated 29^th September 2010 which is available on Northern’s website.

Northern is well capitalised, has a track record of partnering with oil majors and is run by a senior and experienced management team.

Once Wijk en Aalburg is brought on production, Northern is forecasting a production rate of between 2,200-2,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day. This rate of production will increase as additional oil and gas fields in the Netherlands come on stream.

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. www.northpet.com
 

Northern announces that production has started from the at Wijk en Aalburg gas field in The Netherlands. The forecasted contracted gross gas sales volume from the Wijk en Aalburg field is 150,000 normal cubic meters per day (5.6 million standard cubic feet per day or 963 barrels of oil equivalence per day (“boepd”), 433 boepd net to Northern), which brings Northern’s daily production capacity to the higher end of our forecasted 2200 - 2300 boepd.               

On 16th December 2010 Northern Petroleum Nederland B.V. (“NPN”) commenced commercial gas production from the Wijk en Aalburg field inthe Andel III licence. This is the fourth of six onshore oil and gas fields that, together with its Joint Venture Partners, NPN has brought into production under a 2005 agreement between NPN and Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM), the joint Shell / ExxonMobil company in The Netherlands (announced 14th June 2005).                   

NPN, the Operator, has a 45% licence interest. Partners, EBN, the Netherlands’ state participant and Dyas B.V. (“Dyas”), hold 40% and 15% interests respectively.            

Chris Foss, Northern’s Director of Finance, Legal & Corporate Affairs, commented: 

“We have achieved earlier first production than expected through the sterling efforts of the operations team over recent months, latterly during sub zero weather conditions. Our target of a daily production capacity at the higher end of our forecasted 2200 - 2300 boepd has been achieved. We can take pleasure that our 2010 new production from Brakel and Wijk en Aalburg has coincided with a rise in received prices* of little over 27% during this year. The next stage is to focus on the development of the Papekop and Ottoland oil fields and further development drilling at Geesbrug.”

Chairman of the Executive Board of EBN,Jan Dirk Bokhoven, said:

“EBN once again congratulates Northern Petroleum with a job well done. As with Brakel, bringing this field in production was a challenge, but we are happy to say that Wijk en Aalburg production will aid EBN in developing energy sources in a manner that is profitable for Dutch society.”

Peter Veenhof, Managing Director of Dyas, also commented:

“We are delighted with the commencement of production on the Wijk en Aalburg gas field before year end 2010, which unlocks the commercial development of a fourth small gas field in the Netherlands.”

*Gas prices of between €0.221 to €0.240 per normal cubic metre, or approximately $7.94-$8.62 per thousand standard cubic feet (“mscf”) were achieved in November 2010.

Glossary

boepd barrel(s) of oil equivalence per day

cf cubic feet

mscfd thousand cubic feet per day

mmboe million barrel of oil equivalence

Nm normal metres

P2 Proven plus Probable reserves

Probable Probable reserves are those unproved reserves which analysis of geological and engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recoverable in this context and when probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 per cent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves.

Proved Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable, from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.

scf standard cubic feet

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist. He has compiled, read and approved the technical disclosure in this regulatory announcement. The technical disclosure in this announcement complies with the SPE/WPC standard.

- Ends -

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

Northern Petroleum Plc (NOP) is an oil and gas company with exploration, development and production assets in the Netherlands, Italy, UK and Guyane. The Company’s strategy is to acquire low entry cost exploration, production and development assets. Through undertaking geological, geophysical and engineering work, Northern adds value to shareholders from production and asset sales.

Northern has total P2 reserves of in excess of 102 million barrels of oil equivalence (“mmboe”). In The Netherlands, where Northern has P2 reserves of 42.5 mmboe, Northern has six gas fields in production. In Italy, where Northern has P2 reserves of 53.16 mmboe, Northern is partnered with Shell and is pursuing a farm-out strategy. In the UK, Northern has 7.02 mmboe of P2 reserves. In Guyane, Northern is partnered with Tullow, Shell and Total. Northern’s reserve position is detailed within the Company’s2010 Interim Report dated 29^th September 2010 which is available on Northern’s website.

Northern is well capitalised, has a track record of partnering with oil majors and is run by a senior and experienced management team.

Now that Wijk en Aalburg is in production, Northern is forecasting a production rate of between 2,200-2,300 boepd. This rate of production will increase as additional oil and gas fields in the Netherlands come on stream.

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. www.northpet.com
 

Northern Petroleum Plc (AIM:NOP), is pleased to provide an update on its activities.

Financial:
• Revenues from the Group’s rising gas production levels are being further enhanced by a continuing improvement in Dutch gas prices, between €0.221 to €0.240 per normal cubic metre, or approximately $7.94-$8.62 per thousand cubic feet (“mscf”) being achieved in November  2010.

• The Board of Northern Petroleum Nederland B.V. (“NPN”) has temporarily put on hold discussion of a reserve based loan with its preferred lead arranger, a major European bank. It is anticipated that discussions on a production based facility better suited to both NPN and the Group’s needs will re-commence in the New Year following start up of production at Wijk en Aalburg.

• The Group remains debt free and had a cash balance of approximately €22.5 million as of 1st December 2010. The bulk of expenditure since mid year, when the Group’s cash balance was €25.8m, has been spent towards bringing Brakel and Wijk en Aalburg into production.

Operations:

The Netherlands
• The development of the Wijk en Aalburg (NPN 45%) gas field is on schedule to commence production in Q1 2011. A gross initial production rate of 150,000nm³/day (5.58 million standard cubic feet “mmscfd”) is projected (433 barrel of oil equivalence (“boepd”) net to Northern). Wijk en Aalburg will be the fourth gas field developed by Northern as part of the 2005 deal with NAM, the joint Shell-ExxonMobil company. When production from Wijk en Aalburg is on-stream, and is added to the four operated and one non-operated gas fields already in production, The Netherlands’ daily production rate net to Northern is forecast to be 2,200-2,300 boepd. This will be augmented by condensates produced at the Waalwijk, Brakel (NPN 45%) and Geesbrug (NPN 45%) fields.  

• The operations for the hydraulic fracturing and testing of the Tiendeveen-1 exploration well have commenced.

• The Grolloo-1 (NPN 45%) well work-over has been completed and the field came back on stream on 17th November 2010.

• Planning for the proposed multi-well development of the Geesbrug gas field has commenced for the first of the new higher angle wells that will have multiple hydraulic fractures, and is planned to be drilled from the existing drill site in 2011. The remainder would be completed as planning issues permit over the next 3-4 years.

• Northern is proceeding with regulatory and planning applications required to drill in 2011 the North Ottoland prospect in the Utrecht (NPN 60%) licence, which will test and potentially develop a contingent gas resource of 1268 million Nm³ (47 billion normal cubic metre (“bcf”).

• The production test of the Ottoland (NPN 45%) oil well awaits planning approvals but is scheduled for 2011. Development design will be initiated following the test results.

• It is expected that the drilling and testing of a new development well in the Papekop (NPN 45%) oil field will also take place in 2011. Preparatory work continues as planning aspects related to traffic and road construction issues are being resolved.

• Reprocessing and then re-interpreting of the 3D seismic data over the Andel III (45%), Drenthe III (45%), Oosterwolde (60%), Engelen (60%), Utrecht and Papekop licences is underway. This work is necessary to confirm future development well locations and exploration prospects for drilling in 2012 and beyond.
 
Italy
• As previously reported, the legislation banning most of the drilling within up to 12 nautical miles off the coast, and not deepwater drilling as has been incorrectly reported elsewhere, has had only a small effect on the Company’s assets. Most of Northern’s permits and applications are in deeper water and further offshore. Unlike several other companies Northern does not expect this new legislation to impact upon its reported reserves or materially affect its two key core areas of the Southern Adriatic and Thrust and Fold Belt offshore west of Sicily.   

• In the Thrust and Fold Belt core area offshore Sicily, alongside joint venture partner Shell Italia, the (1520km²) 3D seismic evaluation continues with a decision to drill required before the end of Q1 2011.  

• The farm-out of the La Tosca Prospect (Longastrino licence) in 2011 with Orca Exploration Group Inc. has been announced and the well is scheduled to drill in 2011. The La Tosca prospect is estimated by Northern to have 45 billion cubic feet (“bcf”) of gross mean prospective resource and will target an upside of 85 billion cubic feet gross prospective resource of gas.   

UK
• The Markwells Wood -1 (Northern 50%) well was spudded on the 21st November 2010.  As at on 13th December the directional drilling of the 12 1/4" hole and the electric logging programme had been successfully completed. The rig is currently preparing to run the 9 5/8" casing.


Guyane
• As advised by the Operator Tullow, the anticipated timing for drilling of the first well, Zaedyus, remains the first quarter of 2011. Ensco plc (NYSE: ESV) announced on 1st December that one of its subsidiaries had sublet the ENSCO 8503 to the Tullow led joint venture, a new ultra-deepwater semisubmersible drilling rig that recently mobilised to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. ENSCO 8503 is scheduled to begin sea trials shortly.
 
• Shell France has taken up an option to increase its interest in the licence to 45%, with Tullow consequently reducing its interest to 27.5%. Total remains at a 25% interest with Northern having a net beneficial 1.25% interest.  

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director, commented:

“The Company is establishing higher gas production levels in The Netherlands at a time of higher gas prices being realised. This supports our strong balance sheet. It is clear that the Company has improved in strength during 2010. We must now build upon this base.

One important challenge is to drill and realise the very large potential of some of our projects offshore Italy. In the short term those are the Thrust and Fold Belt permits where we are operating with Shell Italia, CR146 with an internally estimated billion barrels plus sized prospect and CR147 which our exploration team consider has been made more attractive by the Lambouka discovery recently announced by ADX Energy in nearby Tunisian waters. The farmout processes for both CR146 and CR147 continue.”

Glossary
3D  three dimensional (in relation to seismic surveys)
P2  Proven plus Probable reserves
bbl  barrel(s) of oil
bscf  billion standard cubic feet
boe  barrel(s) of oil equivalence
boepd  barrel(s) of oil equivalence per day
cf cubic feet
km, km²  kilometre, square kilometres
mmcfd  millions of cubic feet per day (of gas)
mscf thousand cubic feet
Nm  normal metres
Probable  Probable reserves are those unproved reserves which analysis of geological and engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recoverable in this context and when probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 per cent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves.
Proved  Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable, from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist. He has compiled, read and approved the technical disclosure in this regulatory announcement. The technical disclosure in this announcement complies with the SPE/WPC standard.

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors:
Northern Petroleum Plc (NOP) is an oil and gas company with exploration, development and production assets in the Netherlands, Italy, UK and Guyane. The Company’s strategy is to acquire low entry cost exploration, production and development assets. Through undertaking geological, geophysical and engineering work, Northern adds value to shareholders from production and asset sales.

Northern has total P2 reserves of in excess of 102 million barrels of oil equivalent (“mboe”). In The Netherlands, where Northern has P2 reserves of 42.5 mboe, Northern has five gas fields in production. In Italy, where Northern has P2 reserves of 53.16 mboe, Northern is partnered with Shell and is pursuing a farm-out strategy. In the UK, Northern has 7.02 mboe of P2 reserves. In Guyane, Northern is partnered with Tullow, Shell and Total. Northern’s reserve position is detailed within the Company’s 2010 Interim Report dated 29th September 2010 which is available on Northern’s website.

Northern is well capitalised, has a track record of partnering with oil majors and is run by a senior and experienced management team.
Once Wijk en Aalburg is brought on production, Northern is forecasting a production rate of between 2,200-2,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day. This rate of production will increase as additional oil and gas fields in the Netherlands come on stream.

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. http://www.northpet.com

 

Northern Petroleum Plc (AIM: NOP), is pleased to announce an agreement to farm-out to Orca ExplorationGroup Inc. ("Orca")* an interest in the Longastrino Permit in the eastern part of the Po Valley Basin, onshore Italy.  

Under the terms of the farm-out agreement, Orca will pay 100% of the costs of the first well up to Euro 4.3 million and 70% thereafter to complete the drilling phase.  If the well is tested and completed, then Orca will earn an additional 5% by paying 100% of the testing costs up to Euro 1.3 million and 75% thereafter. Orca will also pay back costs of Euro 0.6 million. Northern’s equity will reduce to 30% during drilling and then by a further 5% if the well is flow tested in which case Northern will retain 25%.

The principal target within the Longastrino Permit is the La Tosca prospect. The prospect is just 2 kilometres to the northeast of the Alfonsine gas field and the 3-D seismic that covers the prospect shows a well defined seismic amplitude anomaly within the mapped closure. The La Tosca-1 well will be drilled to an estimated total depth of approximately 2,500 metres. The well is scheduled to be drilled in 2011.

In Italy Northern has pursued a focussed approach to licencing and now holds 14 permits and 22 applications and established a position of strength. Using modern 3D seismic, Northern has interpreted the La Tosca prospect, with 45 billion cubic feet of gross mean prospective resource. Work is being progressed to secure a well site from which to drill the well for this farm-out. The drilling of the La Tosca prospect will target an upside of 85 billion cubic feet gross prospective resource of gas.  

Northern will be the Operator during the drilling and testing phase and Orca will assume Operatorship of the permit thereafter.

Graham Heard, Exploration & Technical Director, Northern, stated:

“We are delighted to welcome Orca as a new partner and to this permit.  This third farm-out in Italy is part of Northern’s ongoing farm-out campaign which to date has involved eight permits. We look forward to further farm-outs.”

David Lyons, Orca Exploration Chairman and CEO added:

“Orca is delighted to be partnering with Northern Petroleum drilling the La Tosca well.  We see this as a low risk exploration opportunity in a proven hydrocarbon basin with significant upside potential.  This acquisition is Orca’s second entry into Italy which we believe has substantial reserves and has been overlooked by the major players.”

Orca Exploration is an international public company engaged in hydrocarbon exploration, development and supply of natural gas in Tanzania and the development of high potential oil and gas exploration, appraisal and production opportunities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Orca Exploration trades on the TSXV (Toronto Stock Venture Exchange) under the trading symbols ORC.B and ORC.A.

The transfer of licence interests and Operatorship will be subject to approval by the government and regulatory ministries of Italy.

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist.

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors:
Northern Petroleum Plc (NOP) is an oil and gas company with exploration, development and production assets in the Netherlands, Italy, UK and Guyane. The Company’s strategy is to acquire low entry cost exploration, production and development assets. Through undertaking geological, geophysical and engineering work, Northern adds value to shareholders from production and asset sales.



Northern has total P2 reserves of in excess of 102 million barrels of oil equivalent (“mboe”). In The Netherlands, where Northern has P2 reserves of 42.5 mboe, Northern has five gas fields in production. In Italy, where Northern has P2 reserves of 53.16 mboe, Northern is partnered with Shell and is pursuing a farm-out strategy. In the UK, Northern has 7.02 mboe. In Guyane, Northern is partnered with Tullow, Shell and Total.

Northern is well capitalised, has a track record of partnering with oil majors and is run by a senior and experienced management team.

Once Wijk en Aalburg is brought on production, Northern is forecasting a production rate between 2,200-2,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day. This rate of production will increase as additional oil and gas fields in the Netherlands come on stream.

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.  www.northpet.com

* Orca Exploration Group Inc  

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands. Orca Exploration Group Inc ("Orca" or the "Company") Orca Exploration (TSX-V: ORC.A, ORC.B)   is an international public company engaged in hydrocarbon exploration, development and supply of natural gas in Tanzania, oil exploration in Italy and the development of high potential oil exploration and production opportunities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Orca and its employees are committed to ethically, socially and environmentally responsible development.


Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.




Not for dissemination or distribution in the United States or to United States news wire services.

Map of Longastrino Permit in the eastern part of the Po Valley Basin, onshore Italy:

Northern (AIM:NOP) is pleased to announce that the Markwells Wood -1 well was spudded at 15:00hrs  on 21 November 2010. The location is between the Horndean and Singleton producing oil fields and is assessed to be an extension of the former. The final measured depth will be 6,009 ft (1,831m) at a true vertical depth of 4,528 ft (1,380m). 

The well will test a target with a mean potential independently assessed at 35.0 million barrels of oil in place, with an upside potential of 61.4 million barrels with a ten percent probability. A further announcement will be made once drilling is completed, or as appropriate.  

The Licence Partners in the Markwells Wood well are:

Northern Petroleum (GB) Limited      50%
Magellan Petroleum (UK) Limited      40%
Egdon  Resources U.K. Limited        10%

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist.

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors:
Northern Petroleum Plc (NOP) is an oil and gas company with exploration, development and production assets in the Netherlands, Italy, UK and Guyane. The Company’s strategy is to acquire low entry cost exploration, production and development assets. Through undertaking geological, geophysical and engineering work, Northern adds value to shareholders from production and asset sales.

Northern has total P2 reserves of in excess of 102 million barrels of oil equivalent (“mboe”). In the Netherlands, where Northern has P2 reserves of 42.5 mboe, Northern has five gas fields in production. In Italy, where Northern has P2 reserves of 53.16 mboe, Northern is partnered with Shell and is pursuing a farm-out strategy. In the UK, Northern has 7.02 mboe. In Guyane, Northern is partnered with Tullow, Shell and Total.

Northern is well capitalised, has a track record of partnering with oil majors and is run by a senior and experienced management team.

Once Wijk en Aalburg is brought on production, Northern is forecasting a production rate in excess of 2,250 barrels of oil equivalent per day. This rate of production will increase as additional oil and gas fields in the Netherlands come on stream.

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. www.northpet.com

Northern (AIM:NOP) is pleased to announce that the Markwells Wood -1 well was spudded at 15:00hrs  on 21 November 2010. The location is between the Horndean and Singleton producing oil fields and is assessed to be an extension of the former. The final measured depth will be 6,009 ft (1,831m) at a true vertical depth of 4,528 ft (1,380m). 

The well will test a target with a mean potential independently assessed at 35.0 million barrels of oil in place, with an upside potential of 61.4 million barrels with a ten percent probability. A further announcement will be made once drilling is completed, or as appropriate.  

The Licence Partners in the Markwells Wood well are:

Northern Petroleum (GB) Limited      50%
Magellan Petroleum (UK) Limited      40%
Egdon  Resources U.K. Limited        10%

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist.

For further information please contact:

Notes to Editors:
Northern Petroleum Plc (NOP) is an oil and gas company with exploration, development and production assets in the Netherlands, Italy, UK and Guyane. The Company’s strategy is to acquire low entry cost exploration, production and development assets. Through undertaking geological, geophysical and engineering work, Northern adds value to shareholders from production and asset sales.

Northern has total P2 reserves of in excess of 102 million barrels of oil equivalent (“mboe”). In the Netherlands, where Northern has P2 reserves of 42.5 mboe, Northern has five gas fields in production. In Italy, where Northern has P2 reserves of 53.16 mboe, Northern is partnered with Shell and is pursuing a farm-out strategy. In the UK, Northern has 7.02 mboe. In Guyane, Northern is partnered with Tullow, Shell and Total.

Northern is well capitalised, has a track record of partnering with oil majors and is run by a senior and experienced management team.

Once Wijk en Aalburg is brought on production, Northern is forecasting a production rate in excess of 2,250 barrels of oil equivalent per day. This rate of production will increase as additional oil and gas fields in the Netherlands come on stream.

Northern is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. www.northpet.com

Northern Petroleum Plc (AIM:NOP), is shortly to commence drilling the Markwells Wood –1 well to test a target with a mean potential independently assessed at 35.0 million barrels of oil in place, with an upside potential of 61.4 million barrels with a ten percent probability. The drilling equipment is currently moving onto the site. 

The location is between the Horndean and Singleton producing oil fields and is assessed to be an extension of the former. The final measured depth will be 6009 ft (1831m) at a true vertical depth of 4528 ft (1380m). Electric logs will be run to evaluate their well potential.

Northern is committed to be a good neighbour to the local community and conducting its operations to very high standards of safety, health and reduction of environmental impact.

The NOP website (www.northpet.com) incorporates an RPS Energy report dated 10th February 2010 dealing with Markwells Wood.

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director, commented:

“The commercial case for drilling Markwells Wood -1 is compelling when the price level of oil is above $80 per barrel for Brent crude oil. The independent consultants RPS Energy report in February 2010 assessed the Markwells Wood recoverable Proven plus Probable oil reserves at 5.7 million barrels and stated a value of £24.75m based on an $80 oil price for our 50% interest in Markwells Wood.

Whilst we see greater potential in Italy and The Netherlands, it is important that we are pursuing and realising shareholder value for the oil discoveries at Markwells Wood, Baxters’ Copse and Hedge End. If we are not offered the value of the UK assets through a sale, then we will realise the value by drilling and producing the assets.”

The Licence Partners in the Markwells Wood well are:

Northern Petroleum (GB) Limited      50%
Magellan Petroleum (UK) Limited     40%
Egdon  Resources U.K. Limited        10%

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 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist.

For further information please contact: