Holding(s) in Company

Sterling Energy PLC
17 March 2006


                      Sterling Energy PLC (the 'Company')

                                Holding in Company

The Company was informed on 15 March 2006 by UBS AG ('UBS') that as at the close
of business on 14 March 2006 they were interested in 42,548,647 ordinary shares
of 1p each in the Company ('Ordinary Shares') representing 3.03 per cent. of the
issued share capital of the Company. This holding is held within the following
subsidiaries of UBS:

Subsidiary                                                             Holding

UBS Global Asset Management (Life) Ltd                              27,304,963
UBS AG London Branch                                                15,243,684



17 March 2006







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