Cambrian Mining Investment

2 July 2008 AIM: XTR Cambrian Mining Investment in Xtract Energy The Board of Xtract Energy plc ("Xtract" or "the Company") notes the announcement made this morning by Cambrian Mining Plc ("Cambrian") concerning the sale of 36.5 million shares and warrants in Xtract to Wasabi Energy Ltd ("Wasabi") and its plans to distribute the majority of its remaining shares in Xtract to Cambrian shareholders by way of a dividend in specie. Cambrian, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cambrian Investment Holdings Ltd, currently owns approximately 369.8 million shares in Xtract (representing approximately 50.1% of Xtract's issued share capital). The Board of Xtract welcomes the conclusion of this aspect of Cambrian's strategic review and believes that clarity on the future of Cambrian's shareholding in Xtract removes a significant level of uncertainty. Xtract is pleased to see Wasabi, an Australian listed diversified energy company, becoming a key investor. Xtract and Wasabi already have an established and supportive relationship which the Board intends to continue. Xtract also welcomes the Cambrian shareholders who will shortly become investors through the proposed dividend in specie. Xtract will ensure that prospective new shareholders are included in the Company's investor relations programme. The Board of Xtract remains confident that the Company is well placed to capitalise on the significant growth opportunities present in its diversified portfolio, and it continues to believe that it has the potential to generate strong returns for its shareholders. Andy Morrison, CEO Xtract Energy plc, commented: "This morning's announcement from Cambrian removes uncertainty and provides an opportunity to broaden Xtract's shareholder base. I would like to welcome both Wasabi and the prospective Cambrian shareholders to the Company. I believe there is now a real opportunity for new and existing shareholders to benefit from Xtract's strong growth potential." Further information on Xtract at www.xtractenergy.co.uk. For further information, please contact: Xtract Energy plc Andy Morrison, CEO +44 (0) 20 7079 1798 Smith & Williamson David Jones +44 (0) 20 7131 4000 Corporate Finance Ltd Azhic Basirov Scott Harris Stephen Scott +44 (0) 20 7653 0030 Victoria Gräfin Strawitz Xtract Energy Plc Xtract identifies and invests in a diversified portfolio of early stage energy sector technologies and businesses with very significant growth potential. We aim to work closely with the associated management teams to achieve critical project milestones, to finance later development stages and to build and crystallise value for all shareholders and partners. MEO Australia MEO is focused on developing gas-to-liquids ("GTL") projects in the Timor Sea Australia, in an area of shallow water known as Tassie Shoal. It has secured Commonwealth Government environmental approvals for two large scale (1.8 Mtpa) methanol plants (50 per cent. interest) and a 3 Mtpa LNG plant (100 per cent. interest) which are adjacent to the Evans Shoal gas field. Elko Energy Elko is an oil & gas exploration company which has an interest in a 5,370km2 exploration and production licence in the Danish North Sea and an investment in Dragon Energy Inc, a private Canadian company, with a development project in Gansu Province, China. Wasabi Energy Wasabi is a diversified investor in renewable energy and low greenhouse emission technologies, with interests in geothermal waste/heat, uranium exploration in Australia's Northern Territory and biodiesel investments in Victoria. Central Asian Interests Xtract's Central Asian interests include a production sharing agreement with Kyrgyzneftegaz to instigate a water injection project on the Beshkent- Togap oil field. Xtract also holds nterests in several exploration licences in the Tash Kumyr area and in the Toktogul exploration licence. Oil Shale Xtract has oil shale and related petroleum product exploration rights over mining tenements in the Julia Creek area of Queensland and has recently been granted an exploration permit which gives rights to explore for oil shale in an area in the South of New Zealand. It is investigating the commercial production of hydrocarbons (crude oil) from oil shale. Xtract is also available for trading on the open market segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker R9X.FSE). ---END OF MESSAGE---
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