French Guiana GM-ES-5 Well Spudded

Embargoed for release: 13 August 2013 at 0700 Northern Petroleum Plc ("Northern" or "the Company") French Guiana GM-ES-5 Well Spudded Northern Petroleum Plc (AIM:NOP) announces that GM-ES-5, the final well of thecurrent four well drilling programme in the Guyane Maritime Permit (offshoreFrench Guiana) has been spudded by Shell as Operator on 10th August 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). 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. For further information please contact: Northern Petroleum Plc Tel: +44 (0)20 7469 2900Keith Bush, Chief Executive OfficerGraham Heard, Exploration and Technical Director Westhouse Securities (Nomad and Broker) Tel: +44 (0)20 7601 6100Richard Baty - Corporate FinanceIan Napier - Corporate Broking FTI Consulting Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113Billy Clegg Bishopsgate Communications Tel: +44(0)20 7562 3350Nick Rome Note to Editors: 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