7 January 2013

Sound Oil plc

("Sound Oil" or "the Company")

Rapagnano Flow Rates

Sound Oil, the Italian focused upstream oil and gas company is pleased to confirm a successful initial operation at the Rapagnano field in Italy, with flow rates and pressure in line with expectation.

Following site clearance, the Rapagnano-1 well (in the Marche Region) was re-entered and operations to isolate the upper perforated interval (1418-1430 m, A2 reservoir) and re-open the lower perforated interval (1652.5-1658.5 m, Sabbie reservoir) were successfully completed using coiled tubing.

Whilst testing will continue for the next 24 hours, a stabilized rate of 14,000 Scmd (0.5 MMscfd) with a flowing well head pressure of 19.3 Bar (280 psi) has already been confirmed.  The gas is also confirmed as dry, with no trace of water from the reservoir.

The pressures and flow rates are fully consistent with the gas sales agreement and with the Company's estimates to produce 1.3 Bscf over a 13 year field life.

The well test will now be completed after which the equipment will be demobilized to allow continuation of the facilities re-vamping and construction of a short export pipeline to the nearby distribution grid.  First commercial production is therefore expected to commence by the end of the month.

James Parsons, Sound Oil's Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"The Company continues on track to achieve the strategic milestone of first commercial gas, having successfully re-entered the well and established a stable flow rate. This initial cash inflow will make a substantial contribution to overhead costs and permanently establishes the Company as a gas producer. 

This is the first step in building a track record of operational success.  The Company will now focus on finalising the well test and preparing for the forthcoming Nervesa appraisal well."

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Notes:

1. The information contained in this announcement has been reviewed by Sound Oil's Chief Operating Officer, Dr M. J. Cope BSc PhD CGeol FGS, a qualified petroleum geologist.

2. Units of flow are expressed as follows:  MMscfd means millions of standard cubic feet of gas per day; Scmd means standard cubic meters of gas per day; Bscf means billions of standard cubic feet of gas.  Units of pressure are expressed in pounds per square inch (psi; 14.5 psi = 1 Bar).