Re Directorate

Cairn Energy PLC
10 December 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                              10 December 2001


                          CAIRN ENERGY PLC ('Cairn')

                   Re Directorate - Non-Executive Chairman

Cairn announces that Norman Lessels CBE, aged 63, has advised his intention to
stand down as Chairman and as a Non-Executive Director at the next Annual
General Meeting of the Company, which will be held on Wednesday 1 May 2002.

Following Mr Lessels' retirement from the Board of Directors at the Annual
General Meeting, he will be succeeded as Chairman by Norman Murray, aged 53.
Mr Murray was appointed a Non-Executive Director of Cairn on 4 October 1999.