Operations Update - Syria

Emerald Energy PLC
24 July 2006


Emerald Energy Plc


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 24 July 2006


Operations Update - Syria


Today Gulfsands Petroleum plc, the operator for Block 26 in Syria, announced
certain information some of which relates to Block 26 and Emerald Energy Plc
("Emerald" or the "Company") would like to provide the following update:


Ryder Scott Company, L.P. ("Ryder Scott") has completed an economic valuation of
the Probable and Possible reserves (unrisked) on the Tigris structure in Block
26, Syria. The Ryder Scott report can be viewed on Emeralds' website at
www.emeraldenergy.com.


On 30 January 2006 Ryder Scott completed a reserves study on the Tigris
structure in which two cases were considered as there was insufficient data
available at that time to determine with certainty the hydrocarbon fluid
contained within the Tigris structure. This reserves study classified Probable
and Possible Reserves and Prospective Resource as follows:


   • If Tigris is a natural gas accumulation, Ryder Scott has classified 442
    billion cubic feet ("bcf") of gas as Probable Reserves, a further 442 bcf of
    gas as Possible Reserves, and a further 3447 bcf of gas as a Prospective
    Resource. In summary, total estimated hydrocarbon potential for Probable and
    Possible Reserves and Prospective Resource in this case is 4330 bcf of gas,
    equivalent to 722 million barrels of oil equivalent ("mmboe").


   •If Tigris is an oil accumulation, Ryder Scott has classified 104 million
    barrels ("mmbbl") of oil and 64 bcf of gas as Possible Reserves and a
    further 408 mmbbl of oil and 245 bcf of gas as Prospective Resource. In
    summary, total estimated hydrocarbon potential for Possible Reserve and
    Prospective Resource in this case is 512 mmbbl of oil and 308 bcf of gas,
    equivalent to 563 mmboe.


Based upon their estimate of reserves, Ryder Scott has now completed an economic
evaluation, as of 1 July 2006


   •If Tigris is a natural gas accumulation, Ryder Scott determined the
    Probable Reserves net to Emerald after applying the fiscal terms of the
    Production Sharing Contract are 102 bcf of gas having a net present value,
    discounted at 10%, of $233 million. An additional 75 bcf of gas of Possible
    Reserves net to Emerald having a net present value, discounted at 10%, of
    $261 million. In summary total estimated Probable and Possible Reserves for
    the natural gas case is 177 bcf of gas (30 mmboe) with a net present value
    of $494 million.


   •If Tigris is an oil accumulation, Ryder Scott determined the Possible
    Reserves net to Emerald after applying the terms of the Production Sharing
    Contract is 19.4 mmbbl of oil having a net present value, discounted at 10%,
    of $452 million.

Natural gas pricing used in the evaluation was based upon June 2006 gas prices
and the pricing formula within the Block 26 Production Sharing Agreement. Oil
pricing was based upon the average price for Syrian light crude oil for the
month of June 2006. Natural gas prices were fixed at $7.24 per million cubic
feet and oil prices fixed at $66.69 per barrel for the life of the project.


Drilling of the Tigris #1 well is expected to commence by September of 2006.


Alastair Beardsall, Emerald's Chairman, said:

"The Ryder Scott valuation demonstrates the viability of the Tigris prospect if
the reserves are proved up with the forthcoming drilling program. The potential
reserves, and their economic value, to Emerald outweigh the geological and
drilling risks, we look forward to spudding the Tigris well."


Emerald holds a 50% interest in Block 26 in its 100% subsidiary SNG Overseas
Ltd.


Enquiries: Helen Manning                          020 7925 2440



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