Appointment of Chief Financial Officer

Ophir Energy plc

("Ophir" or the "Company")

Appointment of Chief Financial Officer

London, 24 January 2012: Ophir is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Mitchell as Chief Financial Officer with immediate effect.

With 20 years' experience as a senior finance officer in the oil and gas, mining and resources sectors, Lisa's previous roles included CFO at Pan Pacific Petroleum NL (an ASX and NZX listed oil and gas exploration and production company) and CFO at GCM Resources plc (an AIM listed mining company). Lisa began her career with Mobil Oil Australia.

Lisa is a Certified Practising Accountant with the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants. She has a Bachelor of Economics (major in Accounting) from La Trobe University, Melbourne and has recently achieved a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance from the Chartered Secretaries Australia.

Nick Cooper, CEO of Ophir Energy said:

"We are delighted that Lisa has accepted the role of CFO. Since joining Ophir six months ago she has been instrumental in driving all aspects of the finance function. Her financial background and significant practical experience will be invaluable as the Company enters its most active operational phase ever, with a 2012 programme of nine wells in Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon."

Ends

For Further Enquiries please contact:

Ophir Energy plc +44 (0)20 7290 5800

Nick Cooper, CEO

FTI Consulting (PR Advisor to Ophir) +44 (0)20 7269 7157

Billy Clegg/Edward Westropp

OPHIR ENERGY PLC

Ophir Energy plc is a UK incorporated holding company with interests in 17 oil and gas exploration projects in eight different African jurisdictions. The Group's headquarters are located in London (England), with operational offices in Perth (Australia), Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), Dar es Salaam/Mtwara (Tanzania) and Dakar (Senegal). For further details on Ophir, please refer to www.ophir-energy.com.