Drilling Rig Secured

Serica Energy plc
29 June 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday 29th June, 2006



             SERICA ENERGY PLC SECURES DRILLING RIG FOR INDONESIA



London, 29th June 2006 - Serica Energy plc (TSX Venture: SQZ; AIM: SQZ)
announces that a letter of intent has been executed between a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Serica Energy plc and PT Lins Petrotama Energi for the use of the
Seadrill 5 jack-up drilling rig for four wells offshore north Sumatra,
Indonesia.  It is anticipated that this continuous drilling programme will
commence in the first quarter of 2007.



Paul Ellis, Chief Executive, commented:



'As stated at our recent AGM, Serica is moving forward rapidly on the
development of its gas fields in the Asahan and Glagah-Kambuna blocks offshore
north Sumatra and this rig contract demonstrates our ability to source the
equipment we need despite the present intense level of oil industry activity.'



Enquiries:


Serica Energy plc
Paul Ellis,                          [e-mail]                      [phone]

Chief Executive Officer
Chris Hearne,                        [e-mail]                     [phone]

Finance Director

Pelham Public Relations -UK
James Henderson                      [e-mail]                  [phone]
Alisdair Haythornthwaite             [e-mail]         [phone]

CHF Investor Relations - Canada
Jan Moir                             [e-mail]                                 [phone] x237
Heather Colpitts                     [e-mail]                             [phone] x223


Background Notes



Serica Energy plc is an international oil and gas exploration company with
operations in Indonesia, the UK North Sea and Spain. The Company's ordinary
shares are listed in London on AIM and on the Canadian TSX Venture Exchange
under the symbol 'SQZ'. The 2005 Annual Report and Accounts are available at
www.serica-energy.com and www.sedar.com.


PT Lins Petrotama Energi is the Indonesian agent for Seadrill Limited, an
international drilling company with rigs currently operating in Norway, West
Africa and Asia.



Forward Looking Statements



This disclosure contains certain forward looking statements that involve
substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond
Serica Energy plc's control, including: the impact of general economic
conditions where Serica Energy plc operates, industry conditions, changes in
laws and regulations including the adoption of new environmental laws and
regulations and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced, increased
competition, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management,
fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates, stock market volatility and
market valuations of companies with respect to announced transactions and the
final valuations thereof, and obtaining required approvals of regulatory
authorities.  Serica Energy plc's actual results, performance or achievement
could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward
looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the
events anticipated by the forward looking statements will transpire or occur, or
if any of them do so, what benefits, including the amount of proceeds, that
Serica Energy plc will derive there from.





The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for
                   the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



To receive Company news releases via email, please contact [e-mail] and
              specify 'Serica press releases' in the subject line.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange