Block Listing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 23 April 2012

CAIRN ENERGY PLC ("Cairn" or "the Company")

Block Listing

Application has been made to the UK Listing Authority and the London Stock Exchange for the admission of a Block Listing of 2,042,891 ordinary shares of 231/169 pence in Cairn Energy PLC to the Official List, for these securities to be admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities.

The application has been made in connection with the Company's 2002 Unapproved Share Option Plan, 2003 Approved Share Option Plan, Replacement Share Option Plan, Approved Share Option Plan (2009) and Unapproved Share Option Plan (2009). These shares will rank pari passu with the existing issued ordinary shares of the Company.