Drilling Update

Max Petroleum Plc

(the "Company")

NUR-1 Drilling Update

30 April 2012

Max Petroleum Plc, an oil and gas exploration and production company focused on Kazakhstan, today announces an update on drilling at the NUR-1 pre-salt well at the Emba B prospect on Block E. The Company has successfully sidetracked the well around drilling tools that became stuck in early April. After setting intermediate casing at a depth of 5,683 metres, the Company will drill ahead through a thin layer of salt using high density drilling mud designed to handle the high pressure transition in the salt window. Once through the salt, the Company will set another short section of casing prior to the well penetrating the exploration objectives in the Carboniferous and Devonian. The Company expects the well to reach total depth of 7,250 metres in June 2012.

Enquiries:

Richard Hook, Chief Operating Officer of Max Petroleum, is the qualified person that has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this announcement. Mr. Hook is a member of the Houston Geological Society and holds both Masters and Bachelors of Science degrees in geology.