Rochelle - first gas

PREMIER OIL plc

("Premier")

Rochelle - first gas

25 October 2013

Premier notes this morning's announcement from CNOOC Limited:

"CNOOC Limited (the "Company", NYSE: CEO, SEHK: 00883, TSX: CNU) announced today that the first production from the Rochelle gas-condensate field in the UK North Sea has commenced. At Rochelle field, Nexen Petroleum U.K. Ltd. ("Nexen UK"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, acts as the field operator.

The Rochelle field in Blocks 15/26b, 15/26c and 15/27 lies approximately 115 miles northeast of Aberdeen. The field development consists of the construction of two subsea production wells (East and West Rochelle) and the installation of a production pipeline to the Scott platform.

Initial production is from West Rochelle. Drilling continues on East Rochelle, which is expected to be on-line during the fourth quarter of this year. All production from Rochelle will be processed at the Nexen UK-operated Scott platform."

Premier has a 15 per cent working interest in the Rochelle field and a 21.83 per cent unitised interest in the Scott field facilities.

Notes to editors

Partners in the Rochelle field are Nexen Petroleum (41 operated interest) and Endeavour International Corporation (44 per cent).

Enquiries

Premier Oil plc 020 7730 1111

Simon Lockett

Tony Durrant

Pelham Bell Pottinger 020 7861 3232

Gavin Davis

Henry Lerwill