Farm-in to PL004a and PL004c, Falkland Islands

PREMIER OIL PLC

("Premier")

Farm-in to PL004a and PL004c, Falkland Islands

3 October 2013

Premier and Rockhopper Exploration plc ("Rockhopper") have signed a Heads of Agreement with Falkland Oil and Gas Limited ("FOGL") to farm-in to licences PL004a and PL004c, conditional on the completion of this morning's announced combination of FOGL and Desire Petroleum plc ("Desire"). Licences PL004a and PL004c, which include the Isobel/Elaine and Jayne East prospects, are situated in the North Falkland Basin, adjacent to the Sea Lion development.

Under the agreement with FOGL, its share of costs for an exploration well on the Isobel/Elaine prospect (PL004a) and an exploration well on the Jayne East prospect (PL004c) will be carried by Premier and Rockhopper. Under a prior agreement with Rockhopper, Premier and Rockhopper will split the revised equity interests in the ratio 60/40. Under the same prior agreement with Rockhopper, Premier have agreed to fund up to US$48 million of Rockhopper's share of three exploration wells in the basin.

The revised ownership in the two licences on completion of the transaction will be as follows:

The farm-in is subject to completion of the combination of FOGL and Desire and customary Falkland Islands Government approvals. Exploration drilling is targeted for 2014 and 2015, subject to finalisation of a rig contract.

Simon Lockett, Chief Executive, commented:

"We are delighted to increase our equity interests within these two licences which we believe have the potential to add significant value to our existing interests in the Falkland Islands. The revised equity interests and cost sharing agreements will ensure that these licences can be included in the next phase of the planned Falkland Islands exploration programme."

Notes to Editors

The map below highlights the location of PL004a and PL004c.

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/6246P_-2013-10-3.pdf