28 August 2008

Salamander Energy plc

("Salamander")

First Oil from the Bualuang Field

Salamander Energy plc, an independent upstream oil and gas exploration and production company focussed on Asia, is pleased to announce that first production of crude oil from the Bualuang Oil Field in block B8/38, in the Gulf of Thailand, occurred on 27th August 2008. Salamander has a 60% operated interest in the Bualuang field.

Following successful hook up & commissioning of the Rubicon Vantage Floating Production Storage & Offloading vessel ("FPSO"), production from the field began from well BA-05. Following a period of multi-rate testing of this well, the other producers will be brought on-stream sequentially over the coming days.

Six development wells have been drilled on the field, five producers and one water injector. Oil will be processed and stored in the Rubicon Vantage FPSO vessel prior to onward sale.

Salamander plans to test the remaining potential within Block B8/38, including the undrilled east flank of the field as well as analogous structures elsewhere in the production license area.

James Menzies, CEO of Salamander Energy commented:

"As operator of Bualuang, we are pleased to be bringing this new oil field on-stream, the production from which will contribute to Salamander's volume growth this year and next. We plan further development drilling in 2009 in order to accelerate the exploitation of the main field as well as to test both the east terrace and deeper reservoir potential."

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About Salamander

Salamander is an independent, FTSE 250, upstream oil and gas exploration and production company focused on Asia. Since its formation, Salamander has built a balanced portfolio of production, development and exploration assets with interests located in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Lao PDR and the Philippines.  

Salamander has a clear strategy of acquiring and developing high quality oil and gas producing assets that provide potential near-term value and cash flow growth, and of exploring in proven, but under-explored and overlooked frontier basins. Its current assets are located in Asian basins where Salamander believes it can further exploit its geological knowledge. 

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