Director Shareholding

Cairn Energy PLC
30 October 2003


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


30 October 2003



                  CAIRN ENERGY PLC ('Cairn' or 'the Company')


                         Director's Interest in Shares


Cairn was informed today that a Trust of which Bill Gammell, Chief Executive of
Cairn, is a trustee had acquired 30,000 Ordinary Shares of 10 pence each in the
Company today at a price of £3.79 per share.


Mr Gammell's beneficial interest in the Company's issued ordinary share capital
is now as follows:


Name of         Previous          Shares Purchased    New                    %
Director        Shareholding                          Holding          Interest

Bill Gammell            850,000              30,000      880,000          0.59



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