Pharos Energy Regulatory News (PHAR)

SOCO International plc

("SOCO" or "the Company")

DIRECTOR/PDMR SHAREHOLDING

HOLDINGS IN THE COMPANY

Disposal of Voting Rights (Notification under DTR 5)

The Company was notified on 10 December 2013 that, on the same day, Pontoil Intertrade Ltd disposed of 82,333,145 SOCO International plc ordinary shares of £0.05 each ("Shares") representing the entirety of its shareholding in the Company and 24.81% of the total voting rights of the Company. 

Consequent to this disposal, the Company was also notified on the same day of the following three acquisitions of share interests and voting rights in the Company that also took place on 10 December 2013:

1. Increase in Interests of a Director in Shares(Notification under DTR 3) and Acquisition of Voting Rights (Notification under DTR5)

Mr Ettore Contini, a Non-Executive Director of the Company became interested in a further 27,444,381 Shares, representing 8.27% of the total voting rights of the Company. 

The Shares were acquired for nil consideration as a result of a family inheritance and are held by Liquid Business Ltd, a company registered in the Bahamas and wholly owned by Mr Contini.

Following this transaction, Mr Contini is interested in a total of 27,664,381 Shares, representing 8.34% of the total voting rights of the Company. Of these Shares, the already held 220,000 Shares (0.07%) are held by Mr Contini personally and the acquired 27,444,381 Shares (8.27%) are held by Liquid Business Ltd, a connected party to Mr Contini.

2. Acquisitions of Voting Rights (Notification under DTR5)

(a) Ms Barbara Contini acquired 27,444,382 Shares representing 8.27% of the total voting rights of the Company. The Shares are held through Globe Deals Limited, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands and wholly owned by Ms Contini. As a result of this transaction, Ms Contini holds 27,444,382 Shares representing 8.27% of the total voting rights of the Company. 

(b) Ms Caterina Van der Westhuizen acquired 27,444,381 Shares representing 8.27% of the total voting rights of the Company. The Shares are held through Blue Albacore Business Ltd, a company registered in the Bahamas and wholly owned by Ms Van der Westhuizen. As a result of this transaction, Ms Van der Westhuizen holds 27,444,381 Shares representing 8.27% of the total voting rights of the Company.

Contact: Carol Fan, SOCO International plc, tel 020 7747 2000