Centrica - Gas Deal

Centrica PLC
                  

Centrica invests to acquire additional interests in North Sea gas assets

Centrica plc, the owner of British Gas, today announced it is adding to its gas
assets in the North Sea by acquiring 50 per cent of the equity in gas fields
held by Sojitz Energy Project Limited for $70 million (£36 million) in cash. The
agreement will see Centrica taking additional equity in gas fields which it
already operates, following its acquisition of Newfield UK in September 2007.
The investment, after associated capital expenditure, is expected to add a
further 32 billion cubic feet of reserves to Centrica's portfolio over the next
three years. This builds on the 300 billion cubic feet of reserves secured
through the acquisition of Newfield UK last autumn.

Following completion of the deal, which is conditional on certain third party
consents, Centrica will hold a 92.5 per cent interest in the producing Grove
field and a 90 per cent interest in the Seven Seas development, the Sloop gas
discovery and associated exploration acreage.

Since the acquisition of Newfield UK, Centrica has seen higher than expected
production from the Grove field. The addition of offshore compression facilities
and another well in late 2008 are expected to further increase production rates.

Sam Laidlaw, Chief Executive of Centrica, said: 'This agreement will build on
our acquisition of Newfield UK and gives us further interests in gas assets
where we already have a strong position.

'It also reaffirms our continued commitment to additional upstream investment to
increase our level of energy resources to supply our British Gas and European
customers.'

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Enquiries:

Centrica Investor Relations:
01753 494900

Centrica Media Relations:
Andrew Hanson, 01753 492551
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Notes to editors:

1/ The acquisition is being made through Centrica Resources Limited.