French Guiana GM-ES-4 Well Spudded

NORTHERN PETROLEUM PLC - French Guiana GM-ES-4 Well Spudded

PR Newswire

London, May 7

Embargoed for release: 08 May 2013 at 0700

Northern Petroleum Plc is pleased to announce that GM-ES-4, the third well ofthe current four well exploration programme in the Guyane Maritime Permit(French Guiana) has been spudded by Shell as Operator on 3rd May 2013.

Northern through holding 50 per cent of Northpet Investments Limited, owns anet 1.25 per cent interest in the offshore exploration licence `GuyaneMaritime'. Northern is in partnership with Shell (Operator, holding 45 percent), Total (25 per cent), Tullow Oil (27.5 per cent) and Wessex Exploration(also holding 1.25 per cent through owning the remaining 50 per cent interestin Northpet Investment Limited).

Keith Bush, Chief Operating Officer of Northern stated:

"This is a new, exciting opportunity for the joint venture to further establishthe oil production potential in French Guiana. We look forward to the resultsof this well with great interest."

In accordance with AIM Rules - Guidance for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies, theinformation contained in this announcement has been reviewed and signed off bythe Exploration and Technical Director of Northern, Mr Graham Heard CGeol. FGS,who has over 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist. He has compiled,read and approved the technical disclosure in this regulatory announcement. Thetechnical disclosure in this announcement complies with the SPE/WPC standard.

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Northern is a full cycle oil and gas company currently holding numerouslicences in a number of low risk areas and is continuing with its strategy ofadding and securing value for shareholders as it engages with projects at allstages of the E&P value chain.

Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, includingpress releases, annual reports and interim reports are available fromNorthern's website www.northpet.com