Afren

Afren plc ("Afren" or "the Company") announces the appointment of Dr Rilwanu Lukman as non-Executive Chairman.

The Board of Afren Plc is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Rilwanu Lukman as Non-Executive Chairman with immediate effect. Dr Lukman was a founding director and shareholder in Afren and has been involved since the Group's inception in 2004, to establish Afren as a leading pan African oil and gas independent Exploration and Production company.

The appointment comes at an opportune time when Dr Lukman can devote more time to the Company. As Chairman, Dr Lukman is reaffirming and strengthening the African nature of the Company which is a competitive advantage in securing attractive oil and gas opportunities in Africa. Dr Lukman's significant previous appointments include Secretary General of OPEC (five terms), President of OPEC (nine sessions), Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Special Adviser to the Nigerian President for Oil and Gas, Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Minister of Mines, and Founder and Chairman of the African Petroleum Producers Association.

Charles Jamieson, who was formerly Afren's Non-Executive Chairman and Mr Robert Cathery, Non-Executive Director, are stepping down from the Board to pursue other interests. The Company would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Jamieson and Mr Cathery for their valuable contribution to the early development of Afren.

Brian O'Cathain, Chief Executive of Afren commented:

"We are honoured that Dr Lukman has agreed to become our Chairman. Dr Lukman's pre-eminent African Oil & Gas experience will be invaluable in helping further develop Afren's African identity and presence, which is an important differentiating strategic advantage of the Company."

For further information, please contact:

Afren plc
Brian O'Cathain
+44 (0) 20 7182 1800
Osman Shahenshah
+44 (0) 20 7182 1800

Pelham Public Relations    
James Henderson
+44 (0) 20 7743 6673
Alisdair Haythornthwaite
+44 (0) 20 7743 6676

Background Information

Afren (www.afren.com) was founded in December 2004 by a management team including Dr Rilwanu Lukman with the vision to become the leading pan African independent Exploration and Production company. Since the Initial Public Offering in March 2005, Afren has rapidly expanded its African portfolio across four countries; Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Gabon and Congo. The Group is expecting to produce 15 to 20,000 barrels per day by 2008 from its current portfolio.

Afren will continue to add to its diversified portfolio of near term developments and high impact exploration licences with the overall objective of creating substantial shareholder value.