Operational Update

BowLeven Plc
19 July 2007


BowLeven plc

19th July 2007


                   BowLeven plc ('BowLeven' or 'the Company')

     Operational Update - Commencement of drilling of IF-1 exploration well

Following the success of its IE-2 appraisal well and D-1 exploration well,
BowLeven is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced on the IF-1
exploration well located in the Rio Del Rey Basin in Block MLHP 7 of the Etinde
Permit in Cameroon.

The primary objective of the IF-1 well is to explore for gas/condensate bearing
Isongo Sands in a structure located up-dip from the adjoining IE field. The well
will be drilled to a depth of approximately 10,000 feet and total operational
time is currently estimated at approximately 6 weeks.

Further update announcements will be made as appropriate.


For further information contact:

BowLeven plc
Kevin Hart, Chief Executive Officer Tel: [phone]

Brunswick
Patrick Handley Tel: [phone]
Deborah Spencer Tel: [phone]


ABN AMRO
Andrew Foster Tel: [phone]


Notes to the Editor:

BowLeven is an African oil and gas group, based in Edinburgh and traded on AIM
since December 2004.

BowLeven holds, through its wholly-owned subsidiary EurOil Limited, a 100%
equity interest in the Etinde Permit area being three shallow water blocks in
offishore Cameroon, West Africa; namely Blocks MHLP 5, MHLP 6 and MHLP 7. In
total BowLeven has approximately 2,300km2 of exploration acreage located across
the Rio Del Rey and Douala Basins in the Etinde Permit. BowLeven has operated in
Cameroon since 1999.

The IF-1 well is approximately 7.5km away from the IE-2 well location.



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