Commencement of Drilling Operations

7 Mar 2005 07:00

Embargoed: 0700hrs 7 March 2005 Northern Petroleum Plc ("Northern" or the "Company") Commencement of Drilling Operations Northern is pleased to announce that an estimated date for the commencement ofdrilling operations on its Sandhills-2 site on the Isle of Wight has beenagreed with British Drilling and Freezing Limited, the drilling contractors.Taking into account prior drilling commitments, Rig 28 is expected to reach thesite on 21 April 2005. The drilling of the Bouldnor Copse-1 exploration well isscheduled to immediately follow operations at the Sandhills-2 appraisal well. -Ends- For further information please contact:Derek Musgrove, Managing DirectorNorthern PetroleumTel. 020 7743 6080Ben Simons/Chris RobertsHansard CommunicationsTel. 020 7245 1100END