Embargoed until 0700 11 September 2013

Wessex Exploration PLC ("Wessex" or "the Company") Juan de Nova Est Application filed for Renewal of Permit

Wessex Exploration PLC ("Wessex" or "the Company"), the hydrocarbon exploration company, is pleased to announce that an application has been filed to renew the Juan de Nova Est permit for a five year term and that Wessex will have the right to participate for a 50% interest if such renewal is granted. Juan de Nova is a French overseas territory in the Mozambique Channel, north-west of Madagascar.
The group's recent petroleum systems review appears to show a thick potentially prospective stratigraphic section in deep water in both the northern and southern triangles of the block that justifies renewal. Accordingly, an application to renew approximately 4,500 square kilometres (50% of the existing permit area) of the Juan de Nova Est permit has been submitted to the French authorities. The renewal process may take several months and is subject to the approval of the appropriate French Government authorities.
Wessex has a beneficial interest of 70% in the existing permit, however there was insufficient time to convert this beneficial interest into full legal title prior to the deadline for the permit renewal so Wessex was unable legally to participate in the renewal process. Wessex's joint venture partner Global Petroleum (AIM: GBP, ASX: GBP) holds the 100% legal interest in the permit through its wholly owned subsidiary Jupiter Petroleum Juan de Nova Ltd ("Jupiter"), therefore, Jupiter has applied for renewal as the sole legal interest holder and as operator. Alongside the permit renewal application, a new joint venture agreement has been signed with Global Petroleum giving Wessex the right to apply to the relevant French authorities to take legal title to a 50% working interest in the event that the renewal is successful.

Malcolm Butler, Chairman said…

"We are delighted that the results of the work undertaken on behalf of the group this year have supported an application for renewal of this permit. We are hopeful that the application will be successful and that we will then be able to participate in working up prospects in the Juan de Nova Est permit in 2014."

For further information please contact:

Wessex Exploration PLC www.wessexexploration.com

Malcolm Butler, Chairman +44 (0) 1225 428139

Andy Yeo, CFO

WH Ireland Limited www.wh-ireland.co.uk

John Wakefield (Corporate Finance) +44 (0) 117 945 3470

Ruari McGirr / Sebastian Wykeham (Institutional Sales) +44 (0) 207 220 1691

Yellow Jersey PR +44 (0) 776 853 7739

Dominic Barretto dominic@yellowjerseypr.com

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