Drilling and Development update

17 July 2013

NIGHTHAWK ENERGY PLC

("Nighthawk" or "the Company")

Drilling and Development Update

Snowbird 9-15 well to be brought into Production

Southern extension of Arikaree Creek confirmed

Nighthawk, the US focused oil development and production company (AIM: HAWK and OTCQX: NHEGY), announces an update on the drilling and development of the Arikaree Creek oilfield at its 100% controlled and operated Smoky Hill project in the Denver-Julesburg Basin, Colorado.

Highlights

·; The Snowbird 9-15 well on the Arikaree Creek oil-field has successfully tested 28 feet of gross oil pay in the Mississippian Spergen formation

·; The results from Snowbird 9-15 establish an oil pay zone approximately one mile south of the four existing producing wells on Arikaree Creek, confirming a southerly extension of the field

·; Completion work on Snowbird 9-15 is underway with first production expected by end July 2013

Arikaree Creek Development

Snowbird 9-15 Well

The Snowbird 9-15 well was drilled to a measured depth of 8,480 feet and the well has been logged, cased and tested ready for production. A gross oil pay interval of 28 feet has been tested in the Mississippian Spergen formation at around 8,050 feet.

The Snowbird 9-15 well is located approximately one mile south of the four existing producing wells on Arikaree Creek. The pay zone and formation structure of the well are similar to the Silverton 16-10 well which commenced production in early July 2013. Both wells were drilled into a large fault-bounded structure and the confirmation of pay zones and common reservoir characteristics in both wells confirms the southerly extension of Arikaree Creek and opens up a substantial number of attractive new drilling locations.

The pay zones in Snowbird 9-15 and Silverton 16-10 are structurally lower than those in the other three Arikaree Creek producing wells. Analysis of the pay zone and evaluation of the logging data of both these wells indicates a proportion of movable water in the formation and this is likely to yield some water production alongside the oil production from the wells. The Company does not expect this to have a material effect on oil production or operating costs.

Installation of topside facilities for the Snowbird 9-15 is underway and the Company expects production to commence by end July 2013. The drilling rig has been released and Nighthawk is planning for further drilling and development of Arikaree Creek to commence in Q4 2013.

Stephen Gutteridge, Chairman of Nighthawk, commented:

"The discovery of an oil pay zone in the Snowbird 9-15 well points to a significant southerly extension to Arikaree Creek and opens up multiple locations for potential new producing wells. With five highly successful wells already drilled on the field we anticipate a substantial upgrade in Arikaree Creek reserves with a new Competent Person Report planned for later this year."

Chuck Wilson, Chief Operating Officer of Nighthawk, who has over 32 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and meets the criteria of qualified persons under the AIM guidance note for mining and oil and gas companies, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this announcement.

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