Guyane GM-ES-3 Well Spudded

NORTHERN PETROLEUM PLC - Guyane GM-ES-3 Well Spudded

PR Newswire

London, January 2

Embargoed for release: 3rd January 2013 at 0700

Northern Petroleum Plc is pleased to announce that GM-ES-3 the second well ofthe current four-well programme in the Guyane Maritime Permit (French Guiana),was spudded by Shell as Operator on 29th December 2012.

This well has been located to test the Priodontes Prospect and provide furthergeological data critical to gaining a better understanding of the potential ofthis area as a new offshore oil province.

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, 45%), Total (25%),Tullow Oil (27.5%), and Wessex Exploration (also a 1.25 per cent holder throughowning the remaining 50 per cent interest in Northpet Investments Limited).

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director of Northern stated:

"The joint venture with Shell, Total, Tullow and Wessex is continuing upon itsvigorous follow up of the successful GM-ES-1 discovery in late 2011. This isthe second well in the four well programme to assess the potential of theoffshore of Guyane as a new oil province. I look forward to updatingshareholders on progress in the coming months".

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

For further information please contact:

Northern Petroleum Plc Tel: +44 (0)20 7469 2900

Derek Musgrove, Managing Director

Graham Heard, Exploration and Technical Director

Westhouse Securities (Nomad and Broker) Tel: +44 (0)20 7601 6100

Richard Baty / Petre Norton - Corporate Finance

Ian Napier - Corporate Broking

FTI Consulting Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113

Billy Clegg / Victoria Huxster

Bishopsgate Communications Tel: +44(0)20 7562 3350

Nick Rome

Notes to Editors:

Northern is a full cycle oil and gas company currently holding over 40 licencesin a number of low risk areas and is continuing with its strategy of adding and securing value forshareholders as it engages with projects at all stages of the E&P value chain.Comprehensive information on Northern and its oil and gas operations, includingall press releases,annual reports and interim reports are available from Northern's website atwww.northpet.com.