Black Marlin Energy Holdings Shareholder Approval

Black Marlin Energy Holdings Limited receives shareholder approval for the proposed acquisition by Afren Plc

London, 13 September 2010 - Afren plc ("Afren") (LSE: AFR) and Black Marlin Energy Holdings Limited ("Black Marlin") (TSX-V: BLM) are pleased to announce that Black Marlin has received the approval of the required majority of shareholders for the acquisition by Afren plc.

At Black Marlin's General Meeting held on Friday 10th September in connection with the proposed acquisition of Black Marlin by Afren, all resolutions were approved by the requisite majority of shareholders.

The acquisition combines two portfolios that offer a complementary fit, providing a balanced exposure across the full E&P value cycle of production, development, appraisal and exploration. Black Marlin's portfolio of assets represents an attractive, multi-country entry position in East Africa, a region that has emerged as an exploration province of global interest following recent significant discoveries. The 12 assets located in Kenya, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Seychelles are located in basins with proven or strong evidence of working hydrocarbon systems.

The Afren General Meeting to approve the Ordinary Resolution, pursuant to the Notice of AGM dated 24th August 2010, will be held on 21st September 2010.

Notes to Editors

Afren

Afren is an African focused independent oil and gas exploration and production company listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE 250. Afren is currently producing from its assets offshore Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire, with a significant appraisal and development project due onstream in 2010 from Nigeria. Afren has operated exploration interests in Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria, with minority exploration interests in Congo Brazzaville and the Joint Development Zone of Nigeria - São Tomé & Príncipe. For further information please refer to www.afren.com.

Black Marlin

Black Marlin Energy is an independent exploration and appraisal company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (ticker symbol: BLM). The company holds 12 exploration blocks in Kenya, Ethiopia, Madagascar and the Seychelles. Its strategy is to focus on exploration opportunities where the potential for large discoveries exists in under-explored basins.