Petroceltic International PLC

Dublin

17 May 2013              

Petroceltic International plc

Progress on Farm-out of Isarene Permit, Algeria

Share Consolidation and Main Market Listing

Petroceltic International plc ("Petroceltic" or the "Company"), the upstream oil and gas exploration and production company focused on North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea regions today provides an update on its farm-out of an equity interest in the Isarene permit, Algeria, and the proposed share consolidation and introduction to the Official Lists of the UK Listing Authority and Irish Stock Exchange and to trading on their respective Main Markets (the "Listing").

The Company is close to reaching a binding agreement with a second farm in partner for the divestment of a further 18.375 per cent interest in the Isarene Permit, Algeria, which contains the Ain Tsila gas and condensate field.  The process is substantially complete, but is still subject to partner and regulatory approvals which could take several months. 

During these discussions, it has become evident that the Algerian regulatory approvals process and completion of the farm-out could be impacted by the additional documentation and shareholder approval requirements for Petroceltic which would be required following Listing.  In consultation with, and at the request of, the potential farminee, the Company has decided that it is in shareholders' interests to seek to complete the farm-out prior to the Listing.  Accordingly, the Company intends to postpone the Listing to allow the regulatory process in Algeria to proceed. Further details on the farm-out will be provided in due course as appropriate upon the regulatory and farm out processes being completed. 

It is the intention of Petroceltic to seek to complete the Listing at the earliest practicable date.  In the meantime, the Company intends to proceed with its proposed share consolidation as announced although it will no longer proceed with the restructuring through the Scheme of Arrangement at this time.  All other resolutions at the Company's forthcoming Annual General Meeting on 30 May 2013 remain unaffected.

Brian O'Cathain, Petroceltic's Chief Executive, commented:

"The second Ain Tsila farm-out is a major commercial milestone for Petroceltic.   The Company's decision to give it priority over the Listing at this time is a prudent measure to help ensure the farm-out moves forward smoothly in the months ahead.  We are still fully committed to the Listing."

For further information, please contact:

Brian O'Cathain/Tom Hickey, Petroceltic International           Tel: +353 (1) 421 8300

Philip Dennis/Rollo Crichton-Stuart,

Pelham Bell Pottinger                                                              Tel: +44 (20) 7861 3919

Joe Murray/Joe Heron, Murray Consultants                            Tel: +353 (1) 498 0300

John Frain/Roland French, Davy (Nomad and ESM Adviser) Tel: +353 (1) 679 6363


This information is provided by RNS
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