Acquisition in Gabon

Ascent Resources PLC
16 September 2005




      Ascent Resources Plc / Epic: AST / Index: AIM / Sector: Oil and Gas

                Ascent Resources Plc ('Ascent' or 'the Company')

                              Acquisition in Gabon



Ascent Resources Plc, the AIM quoted oil and gas exploration and production
company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Ascent Gabon Limited, has been
awarded a 20% interest in a one year technical evaluation agreement for the
Ibekelia Permit in partnership with Sterling Energy (Operator) and Pan-Ocean
Energy Corporation each with 40%.  The 673 square kilometres Ibekelia Permit
lies between the Iris Marin and Themis Marin permits in which Ascent has a 1.75%
net profits interest and is adjacent to the Olowi Marin oilfield.  Subject to
partner and governmental approvals, Ascent will assign 50% of this interest (10%
net) to Afren plc and Ascent will therefore retain a 10% working interest in the
Ibekelia Permit.



                                  * * ENDS * *



Issued on behalf of Ascent Resources Plc by St Brides Media & Finance Ltd, 46
Bedford Row, London, WC1R 4LR.

Contacts:

Jeremy Eng               Ascent  Resources Plc             Tel: [phone]
Hugo de Salis            St Brides Media & Finance Ltd      Tel: [phone]


Notes:


Ascent Resources Plc is an AIM quoted oil and gas company with a primary focus
in Europe. Since being founded in November 2004, Ascent has assembled a
portfolio of exploration assets that include majority interests in eight
exploration permits.  Applications for a further two are in progress.  Ascent
considers the full spectrum of projects covering exploration, early stage
development and production. The Company has an experienced technical team with
strong industry contacts and a proven track record. They have implemented a
structured two phase development strategy: Phase 1 is to develop the core of
European projects; while Phase 2 is to acquire a lesser number of larger scale
projects across a wider geographical range. The Company now has a 90% interests
in projects in Hungary (gas), Switzerland (gas & oil), and Holland (gas), a 100%
interest in an Italian gas exploration project and a 70% interest in Italian oil
exploration as well as the royalty and working interests in Gabon.  The balance
of oil and gas assets and the geographical spread of projects mainly in net
energy importing countries are designed to mitigate the risk in commodity price
fluctuation and changes in global energy politics.


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