Statement re. Press Comment

Petrel Resources PLC
16 December 2004



The board of Petrel is aware of a Reuters report which states that the Khurmala
oilfield development contract has been awarded to a Turkish company and the
Hamrin oilfield development contract has been awarded to a Canadian company.
Petrel has received no notification or communication from any source in Iraq
confirming or denying this report. We are seeking immediate clarification from
the Oil Ministry in Iraq.



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