Chairman recognised for contributions to Nigeria

Afren plc (AFR LN)

Afren Chairman recognised for contributions to Nigeria and the oil and gas industry

London, Monday 28 November 2011 - Afren plc ("Afren" or the "Company") non-Executive Chairman Mr Egbert Imomoh has been recognised with the Commander of the Order of the Niger ("CON") awarded by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This prestigious award recognises Mr Imomoh`s services to Nigeria, and to the oil and gas industry worldwide. Separately, Mr Imomoh has been named an Honorary Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers ("SPE"), where he will be the first African to hold the position of President.

As president of the SPE, Mr Imomoh will head the international Board of Directors, which is the policy-making and governing body of the society. The 27-member Board represents SPE's geographic and technical diversity. SPE is the largest individual-member organisation serving managers, engineers, scientists and other professionals worldwide in the upstream segment of the oil and gas industry.

Honourary membership of the SPE is awarded to individuals who have given outstanding service to the SPE and/or who have demonstrated distinguished scientific or engineering achievements in the fields within the technical scope of SPE. Mr Imomoh has been honoured for his leadership in the creation of the Nigerian Council, for his service on the SPE Board of Directors, and for his commitment to the SPE.

Mr Imomoh received the Commander of the Order of the Niger award from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR at a ceremony in Abuja on November 14, 2011. The Commander of the Order of the Niger is one of the national honours annually bestowed on Nigerians who have rendered services for the benefit of the nation. Mr Imomoh's award was in recognition of his contribution to the Nigerian oil and gas industry spanning his 30 year career

Commenting on the SPE award, current SPE President Alain Labastie said:

"This award recognises outstanding global oil and gas industry contributions. The recipients have been nominated by their colleagues and selected by a committee of peers for achievements in their field. We congratulate Egbert for receiving this prestigious international award from SPE."

Commenting on behalf of Afren, CEO Osman Shahenshah said:

"Afren is immensely proud of our Chairman and the service he has given to the oil and gas industry both in Africa and around the world. Egbert has been at the forefront of the developments of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and Africa for over 30 years. His energy, commitment and enthusiasm are an inspiration to us all."

Ends.

Notes to Editors

Afren is an independent upstream oil and gas exploration and production company listed on the main

market of the London Stock Exchange and constituent of the Financial Times Stock Exchange Index

of the leading 250 UK listed companies. Afren has a portfolio of 31 assets across 12 countries

spanning the full cycle E&P value chain. Afren is currently producing from its assets offshore Nigeria

and Côte d'Ivoire and holds further interests in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Ghana, Nigeria, Côte

d'Ivoire, Congo Brazzaville, the Joint Development Zone of Nigeria - São Tomé & Príncipe, Kenya,

Ethiopia, Madagascar, Seychelles, Tanzania and South Africa. For more information please refer to

www.afren.com

About Society of Petroleum Engineers

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) is a not-for-profit professional association whose members are engaged in energy resources development and production. SPE serves more than 97,000 members in 118 countries worldwide. SPE is a key resource for technical knowledge related to the oil and gas exploration and production industry and provides services through its publications, events, training courses, and online resources at www.spe.org.