Providence Secures Petroleum Exploration Licenc...

Embargo 7:00am
26 October 2010

                               PROVIDENCE SECURES
                         PETROLEUM EXPLORATION LICENCE
                              OVER RATHLIN ISLAND,
                                NORTHERN IRELAND

                 First Exploration Licence in Northern Ireland

Providence Resources P.l.c., ('Providence') the Irish oil and gas exploration
and production company, whose shares are listed in London (AIM) and Dublin
(ESM), is pleased to confirm that it has been offered a petroleum exploration
licence over Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland. The licence has been offered by
Northern Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in response to
a recent application made by Providence. The initial licence term is for five
years with a decision on a well commitment required within three years.
Providence has committed to carry out a number of technical studies of the
subsurface geology during the first three years to determine the petroleum
potential and inform the decision on the well commitment. Providence will
operate the licence with a 100% equity interest.

Tony O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Providence, said:

      "We are delighted to be offered our first exploration licence in Northern
Ireland. Providence has a clear corporate focus to evaluate the hydrocarbon
potential of the island of Ireland and this new licence over Rathlin complements
our substantial Atlantic Margin and Irish Sea acreage portfolio. As with all of
our operated activities, Providence will adhere to the highest standards of
environmental excellence and consult locally should we progress this licence
into the drilling phase."

John O'Sullivan, Technical Director of Providence, added:

      "The oil exploration potential of the Rathlin Basin was highlighted by the
onshore 2008 Ballinlea-1 well, which encountered hydrocarbon shows and recovered
some oil during testing. We interpret this well to have been drilled on the
margin of the basin which extends and deepens towards Rathlin. The potential
under Rathlin Island itself is of interest as this location is interpreted to
directly overlie the most mature and potentially most productive part of the
basin."


CONTACTS:

 Providence Resources P.l.c.     Tel: [phone]
 Tony O'Reilly/John O'Sullivan


 Powerscourt                     Tel: [phone]
 Rob Greening/Lisa Kavanagh


 Murray Consultants              Tel: [phone]
 Pauline McAlester


 Cenkos Securities Plc           Tel: [phone]
 Joe Nally/ Nick Wells


 Davy                            Tel: + 353 (0)1 679 6363
 Stephen Barry




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 ESM market. 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 atwww.providenceresources.com.

ANNOUNCEMENT

This announcement has been reviewed by John O'Sullivan, Technical Director,
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 20 years and is a fellow of the Geological
Society of London and the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain.
Definitions in this press release are consistent with SPE guidelines.


[HUG#1455191]








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