• Petroceltic International plc shares begin trading on Irish StockExchange’s IEX market.
• Return of Irish registered company to the Irish market
• 19 companies now listed on IEX.

31 July 2006: Shares in Petroceltic International plc, an upstream oil and gas exploration and production company, began trading today on IEX, the Irish Stock Exchange’s specialist market for small to mid-sized companies. The primary focus of Petroceltic International is oil and gas exploration and production in North Africa, the Mediterranean and offshore Ireland. This listing brings the total number of companies listed on IEX to 19, with Petroceltic being the 11th new company to join the market since its inception in April 2005.

Petroceltic International plc has been listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange since September 2001, and also has had a previous listing on the Exploration Securities Market (ESM) of the Irish Stock Exchange. Speaking at the commencement of trading on the IEX, the Irish Stock Exchange’s Director of Listing, Deirdre Somers, said: “The listing of Petroceltic International plc on IEX is particularly noteworthy as it marks the return of an Irish registered company to the Irish market. This further highlights the advantages that IEX offers to Irish companies by providing access to capital through a euro denominated quote and trading facility.”

Davy Corporate Finance is acting as IEX adviser to Petroceltic International plc.

Issued for the Irish Stock Exchange by MRPA KINMAN Communications

For the Irish Stock Exchange:
Deirdre Somers, Director of Listing
Tel: 01-6174200

For MRPA KINMAN Communications
Brendan McGrath
Tel: 01-7038615 / 087-9370266