FIRST EXPORT SALE AND ETHANOL BUSINESS UPDATE

MAPLE ENERGY PLC

("Maple" or the "Company")

FIRST EXPORT SALE AND ETHANOL BUSINESS UPDATE

Maple Energy plc (AIM: MPLE; LIMA: MPLE), an integrated energy company with assets in Peru, announces today several updates regarding its ethanol business.

·; Maple has completed its first export sale of fuel-grade ethanol to Mitsui under the existing sales and distribution agreement between the parties. This first sale was for approximately 5,900 cubic metres (approximately 1,559,000 gallons) of ethanol destined for a customer in the European Union. Maple expects to make an additional export sale to Mitsui later this month.

·; Penta Tanks Terminals S.A. has placed into operation all of the ethanol storage, loading, and shipping facilities near the port of Paita. These facilities are for the exclusive use of Maple.

·; Maple's 37-megawatt power plant (the "Power Plant"), which recently began generating electricity, is now providing a substantial portion of the power requirements for the ethanol business, and the Company continues to gradually increase the amount of electricity produced from the Power Plant. Maple expects to begin selling electricity production in excess of its internal requirements to the national power grid later this month.

Rex Canon, CEO of Maple Energy, commented today:

"We are delighted to report the first export sale of ethanol to the international market and share this exciting news with all our shareholders. This event marks another key milestone for the Company in its initiative to develop the largest ethanol business in Peru with the goal of being a low-cost, globally competitive ethanol producer."

For further information, please contact:

Maple Energy plc (+ 51 1 611 4000)

Rex W. Canon, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Executive Director

Cenkos Securities plc

Jon Fitzpatrick +44 20 7397 8900

Ken Fleming +44 131 220 6939

Mirabaud Securities Ltd (+44 20 7321 2508)

Peter Krens

Rory Scott

Buchanan (+44 20 7466 5000)

Mark Edwards

Ben Romney

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this document, particularly those regarding possible, projected, or assumed future performance and results, including growth outlook, forecasted economics, operations, production, contracting, costs, prices, earnings, returns, and potential growth, are or may include forward looking statements. Such statements relate to future events and expectations and as such involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market conditions, weather risks, economic and political risks, and other factors discussed in Maple's Admission Document available on the Company's website (www.maple-energy.com). Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or an assurance that Maple's current assumptions and projections are valid. Actual results, actions, and developments may differ materially from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements depending on a variety of factors. Furthermore, any forward-looking statements presented are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis as of the date of this release. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this release, and Maple does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

About Maple Energy and its subsidiaries

Maple is an integrated independent energy company, listed in London and Lima, with subsidiary assets and operations in Peru engaging in numerous aspects of the energy industry, including:

·; The development and operation of an ethanol business;

·; Exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas; and

·; Refining, marketing, and distribution of hydrocarbon products.

Maple was admitted to AIM on 13 July 2007 and trades under the symbol "MPLE". The Company was also admitted to the Lima Stock Exchange on 21 December 2007 where it trades under the same symbol.

Operations

Maple's operations are conducted and revenues are generated through its majority-owned subsidiaries. Principal operations consist of the following:

·; Ethanol Business. Operator and owner of an ethanol business located in the Piura Region on the north coast of Peru;

·; Oil Production. Operator and holder of 100% working interests in its crude-oil producing properties, Blocks 31-B, 31-D, and 31-E;

·; Refining, Marketing, and Distribution Operations. Operator of the Pucallpa Refinery and Sales Plant, which has capacity to refine up to (i) 3,400 barrels per day of crude oil producing Residual 5 fuel oil, (ii) 3,000 barrels per day of crude oil producing Residual 6 fuel oil, or (iii) 4,100 barrels per day of natural gasolines. This plant also includes sales and distribution operations in the central Peruvian jungle, central Peruvian highlands, and Lima regions; and

·; Oil and Gas Exploration. Exploration opportunities through a:

- 100% working interest in Block 31-E, containing the shale gas opportunity; and

- 33.77% working interest in the Aguaytía Deep Prospect in Block 31-C.