Director's Dealing

Kea Petroleum plc

("Kea" or the "Group")

 Director's Dealing

Kea Petroleum plc (AIM:KEA) was informed, on 16 August 2011, that Thornaby Limited, a company wholly owned by the trustees of the I R Gowrie-Smith Family Settlement, of which I R Gowrie-Smith, the Chairman of Kea Petroleum, is a beneficiary, purchased 500,000 Ordinary Shares of 1p each in Kea at a price of 4.25p per share on 12 August 2011.

Following this transaction Thornaby Limited's total beneficial interest in Kea is 69,000,000 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 13.55% of its issued share capital.

The Company was also informed, on 16 August 2011, that Ocarina Investments Limited ("Ocarina"), which is wholly owned by the David Lees Family Settlement, of which David Lees, director of the Company, is a beneficiary, purchased 444,000 Ordinary Shares of 1p each in Kea at a price of 4.25p per share on 16 August 2011.

Following this transaction Ocarina's total beneficial interest in Kea is 67,444,000 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 13.24% % of its issued share capital.

For further information please contact:

Kea Petroleum plc Tel: +44 (0)20 7340 9970

David Lees, Executive Director

RBC Capital Markets Tel: +44 (0)20 7653 4000

Matthew Coakes / Daniel Conti Martin Eales (NOMAD)

Buchanan Communications Tel: +44 (0)20 7466 5000James Strong / Isabel Podda

Notes to Editors:

Kea Petroleum is an AIM listed oil and gas exploration company with interests in six petroleum exploration permits in Taranaki and Northland Basins of New Zealand. Kea listed on AIM in February 2010.