Emerald Energy Plc

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Emerald Energy Plc

31 January 2007

Operations Update – Syria

Emerald Energy Plc (“Emerald” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on activities within Block 26, Syria, following the release of information by the operator.

The Tigris No.1 exploration well is currently drilling ahead at a depth of 4,391 metres to a planned total depth as previously announced of approximately 4,500 metres. Tigris No.1 is the second of four commitment wells to be drilled during the initial exploration phase of the contract for Block 26 that ends in August 2007.

The operator of Block 26 has executed a single well contract with Crosco, a drilling company based in Croatia, for the Crosco 602 rig to drill Khurbet East No.1 (“KHE 1”) the third commitment well under the Block 26 contract. The rig is currently mobilising to the well site and drilling of KHE 1 is scheduled to commence by mid-February 2007.

The Khurbet East prospect is a fault-bound structural culmination, with closure mapped at multiple potential reservoir levels. These include reservoirs of Cretaceous, Triassic and Palaeozoic age. The KHE 1 well is located approximately 12 km southwest of the Souedieh Oil Field and 12 km south of the Rumailan Oil Field, in the north eastern part of Block 26. The total drilling depth of the KHE 1 exploration well is expected to be 3,700 meters and will require approximately 100 days to drill and evaluate.

The Company is planning to drill its fourth commitment well on Block 26 when the MB3 rig, currently drilling the Tigris-1 well, is returned by the rig share partner, around July 2007

Emeralds’ Chief Executive Officer, Angus MacAskill, said:

“We are very pleased to have secured the Crosco rig to drill our third exploration well in Block 26 enabling the partnership to continue the exploration programme we are committed to.”

Emerald holds a 50% interest in Block 26 through its fully owned subsidiary SNG Overseas Ltd.

Enquiries: Helen Manning 020 7925 2440