Drilling Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

3 June 2011

DRAGON OIL PLC

(the "Company" or together with its subsidiaries "Dragon Oil" or the "Group")

Drilling Update

Completion and initial test results from Dzheitune (Lam) B/155 well

Dragon Oil plc (Ticker: DGO), an international oil and gas exploration and production company, announces the completion and initial testing of the Dzheitune (Lam) B/155 development well, the sixth well drilled from the Dzheitune (Lam) B platform. The well was designed as a delineation-development well to reach the furthermost western area of the Dzheitune (Lam) West structure in order to explore the edge of the structure. It was drilled to a depth of 2,800 metres and completed on a dual production basis by the Iran Khazar rig. The well crossed several oil bearing sands with good results in some pay sections. The initial combined test result from the well was 783 barrels of oil per day ("bopd"), with an initial rate of 611 bopd from the short string and 172 bopd from the long string. A full review of the data is being undertaken with further testing and optimisation scheduled to take place. The results from this well are being used to update our geological modelling scenarios and, hence, future drilling plans in that area of the field.

The Iran Khazar rig has skidded to the next slot and spudded the Dzheitune (Lam) B/157 well; while the NIS rig is currently drilling the Dzheitune (Lam) 28/156 well.

Dr Abdul Jaleel Al Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"The Dzheitune (Lam) B/155 well crossed several oil bearing sands with good results in some pay sections and provided us with data on the most western area of the Dzheitune (Lam) structure. The results from this well do not affect our stated production growth guidance for 2011 of up to 20%. The next well to come into production will be the Dzheitune (Lam) 28/156 development well."

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About Dragon Oil

Dragon Oil plc is an international oil and gas development and production company, quoted on the London and Irish Stock exchanges (Ticker symbol: DGO). Its principal producing asset is in the Cheleken Contract Area, in the eastern section of the Caspian Sea, offshore Turkmenistan. 

Dragon Oil (Turkmenistan) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Dragon Oil plc, holds 100% interest in and is the operator of the Production Sharing Agreement for the Cheleken Contract Area. The operational focus is on the re-development of two oil-producing fields, Dzheitune (Lam) and Dzhygalybeg (Zhdanov).

www.dragonoil.com

Disclaimer

This news release may contain forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition and results of operations of Dragon Oil. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. No assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements and actual results, levels of activity and achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained in this report. Dragon Oil does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information.