Exercise of Option

4 July 2013

NIGHTHAWK ENERGY PLC

("Nighthawk" or "the Company")

Exercise of Option to purchase additional 25% Working Interest in Smoky Hill and Jolly Ranch Projects

Nighthawk, the US focused oil development and production company (AIM: HAWK and OTCQX: NHEGY), announces that it has exercised its option to purchase the remaining 25% working interest in its Smoky Hill and Jolly Ranch projects in Colorado from Running Foxes Petroleum, Inc. ("RFP"). Following completion of the acquisition Nighthawk will own and operate 100% of both the Smoky Hill and Jolly Ranch projects.

Key Points

·; As part of the Settlement Agreement concluded with RFP in October 2012, Nighthawk was granted an option to purchase RFP's remaining 25% working interest in the Smoky Hill and Jolly Ranch projects in the Denver-Julesberg Basin, Colorado

·; Nighthawk has now formally notified RFP of its election to exercise the option

·; The purchase price for RFP's 25% working interest is US$12 million, payable in cash

·; Nighthawk plans to fund the acquisition from cash-flows over the next six months and is finalising the terms of a short-term bridging loan to facilitate completion of the sale and purchase agreement, which under the terms of the option is scheduled to complete within thirty days

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