Providence and Star Energy Awarded Licensing Op...

15 August 2008
Embargo 7am



PROVIDENCE AND STAR ENERGY AWARDED LICENSING OPTION IN THE KISH BANK
                       BASIN, OFFSHORE DUBLIN


Providence Resources P.l.c., ('Providence') the Irish oil and gas
production and development company, whose shares are listed in London
(AIM) and Dublin (IEX), is pleased to announce that Providence and
Star Energy Group plc ('Star Energy') have been offered a three year
Licensing Option over eight blocks in the Kish Bank Basin by the
Irish Government Department of Energy, Communications & Natural
Resources. Providence will act as Operator on behalf of the
partnership.

Providence and Star Energy, (a subsidiary of Petronas, the Malaysian
National Oil Company) have a 50/50 joint venture for gas storage
initiatives offshore Ireland.



Contacts:

Providence Resources P.l.c.
                                                      Tel: [phone]
4074
Tony O'Reilly, Chief Executive

Star Energy
Group
Tel: [phone]
Roland Wessel, Chief Executive

Powerscourt

Tel: [phone]
Rory Godson/Elizabeth Rous

Murray Consultants

Tel: [phone]
Pauline McAlester
Notes to Editors

About Providence

Providence Resources Plc is an independent oil and gas exploration
company listed on the AIM market in London and on Dublin's IEX
market. The Company was founded in 1997, but with roots going back to
1981 when it predecessor company, Atlantic Resources Plc was formed
by a group of investors led by Sir Anthony O'Reilly.

Providence's active oil and gas portfolio includes interests in
Ireland (offshore), the United Kingdom (onshore and offshore), the
United States (offshore) and West Africa (offshore Nigeria).
Providence's portfolio is balanced between production, appraisal and
exploration assets, as well as being diversified geographically.

Comprehensive information on Providence and its oil and gas
portfolio, including all press releases, annual reports and interim
reports are available from Providence's website at
www.providenceresources.com.

About Star Energy Group plc

Star Energy Group plc is an energy company with a primary focus on
gas storage development. Founded in 1999, Star Energy is the UK's
second largest onshore oil producer and one of the main developers of
underground gas storage using depleted oil and gas reservoirs. Star
Energy employs over 150 people and has a turnover in excess of £50
million per annum. In early 2008, Petronas International Corporation
Limited, a subsidiary of Petronas, acquired 100% of Star Energy.
Petronas, wholly-owned by the Malaysian government, is a
fully-integrated oil and gas corporation and is ranked among FORTUNE
Global 500's largest corporations in the world.


This announcement has been reviewed by John O'Sullivan, Exploration
Manager, Providence Resources P.l.c. John holds a B.Sc. in Geology
from University College Cork, Ireland, an M.Sc. in Applied Geophysics
from the National University of Ireland, Galway and a M.Sc.in
Technology Management from The Smurfit School of Business at
University College Dublin. John is presently working part-time on a
PhD dissertation at Trinity College, Dublin. John has worked in the
offshore business for 19 years and is a fellow of the Geological
Society of London and member of the Energy Institute. Definitions in
this press release are consistent with SPE guidelines.

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