MTA.L Regulatory News (MTA)

1 June 2011

Matra Petroleum plc

("Matra" or the "Company")

Operations Update

Matra, an independent oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in Russia, is pleased to announce the following operations update for its Sokolovskoe Field:

Well-12

Following pressure analysis and well testing which had indicated that Well-12 would benefit substantially from acid treatment, Well-12 was successfully treated with acid and cleaned-up with nitrogen, utilising a coiled-tubing unit. During clean-up and whilst pumping nitrogen the well produced at rates in excess of 1,000 barrels of oil per day ("bopd").

During the latter stages of the operation however, the well appears to have developed a leak in the casing at a level above the main reservoir. This has allowed water to enter the well and is affecting well performance.

The well is currently producing on natural flow and over the last two days averaged 720 barrels per day but with water cut increasing to around 30%.

Well-12 will continue to be produced until a workover rig is available - expected within the next two to three weeks. The length of the workover is unknown until the source of the leak is fully identified. The well will be returned to production on completion of the workover.

Well-13

Analysis of data from Well-13 indicated that acid treatment would be less effective than for Well-12. Bearing this in mind together with likely operational risks following the previous remedial cementation to shut-off water, acid treatment was not recommended for this well.

After cleaning out residual water with the coiled tubing unit and nitrogen, Well-13 is now producing 40-45 bopd on a 4.5mm choke with a wellhead pressure of 75 psi, without any indications of water production. Installation of a downhole pump in Well-13 at a later date is likely to increase production to the 80-90 bopd level.

Well-13 currently has leased production equipment on site. This equipment lease ends on June 10th and the well will be shut-in whilst suitable production equipment is manufactured (a two to three month shut-in is anticipated). The well will then be returned to production.

Matra's Managing Director, Peter Hind commented:

"The acid treatment has been very successful in improving productivity in Well-12, and the well appears to be capable of oil production under natural flow of close to 1,000 barrels of oil per day.

An apparent leak in the casing in the well has allowed water into the system and needs to be repaired before confirming this result. A workover rig will be mobilised to the site as soon as the relevant equipment can be sourced.

It's pleasing to see that Well-13 is producing oil without any signs of water. Whilst acid treatment may have improved productivity of this well a little, there were significant operational risks associated with this and accordingly, such treatment was not recommended.

The fact that both wells were drilled to meet our licence obligations means that they were not ideally configured for production. This has caused various operational difficulties that can be eliminated by design changes for subsequent development wells."

Competent Person's Statement:

The information in this release that relates to technical matters has been reviewed by Dr Neil Hodgson (BSc, PhD) Matra's Exploration Director, a Petroleum Geologist with 25 years experience and who is a Fellow of the Geological Society and a member of the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain (PESGB).

For further information, please contact:

Matra Petroleum plc www.matrapetroleum.com

Peter Hind, Managing Director Tel: +44 (0) 7990 807855

Neil Hodgson, Exploration Director Tel: +44 (0) 7973 342822

Matrix Corporate Capital LLP Tel: +44 (0) 20 3206 7000

Robin Henshall

Nick Stone

Pelham Bell Pottinger Tel: +44 (0) 20 7861 3232

Nick Lambert / Henry Lerwill