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Press release

13 March 2009
Italian Drilling Commences targeting 332 bcf

Northern announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Northern Petroleum (UK) Limited, has this morning commenced drilling operations in Italy on the Savio 1x site utilising the Hydro Drilling International S.p.A. E1200 rig.

The Savio 1x well is Northern’s first well drilled in Italy as Operator. It is located in Emilia-Romagna, a prolific gas producing area of the Po Basin. The prognosis is that after passing through the outer edge of the secondary objective, which has a  mean potential entrapment of 110 bcf of gas at about 3200 metres, the primary reservoir target with estimated mean gas in place of 222 bcf will be encountered at about 3500 metres sub-surface.

Northern’s mapping has had the benefit of access to a seismic survey tie into the Eni / Stratic Energy recently discovered Longanesi gas field, 25 kilometres to the northwest.

As announced on 24 October 2008, Northern has reduced its business risks and the call upon its cash balances through a farmout agreement with Avobone Italy S.r.l., a member of the Indofin Group. Avobone will be paying 40% of the well costs. Following completion of that agreement the licence interests will be:

(A subsidiary of ATI Oil Plc currently has a commercial interest equal to half that of Northern).

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director, stated:

“We are increasing our activity level in Italy. This is a milestone in progressing our very large Italian project. The odds of success have been assessed as reasonable, but nevertheless it is an exploration well. The structure is of significantly higher than average potential for the region.

“Any discovery will benefit from the availability of an extensive infrastructure of gas pipelines and gas fired power stations throughout a region which has one of Europe’s highest GDPs”.

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

For further information please contact:

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

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

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

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

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

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