Petroceltic announces that the March 2007 Gazette of the Ministry of Economic Development, published in April 2007, has confirmed that 7 new permit applications in the Central Adriatic offshore have been awarded on an exclusive basis to Petroceltic Elsa Srl ('Petroceltic') a wholly owned subsidiary of Petroceltic International plc.

These exploration permit areas were primarily selected to access the extension of the proven Elsa - Miglianico oil fairway, into the Central Adriatic, to the east and southeast of the existing Petroceltic blocks. They are adjacent to four oil and gas fields, the Miglianico, Rospo Mare and Ombrino Mare oil fields and the Santo Stefano Mare Gas field.

Petroceltic will operate the seven exclusive exploration permits with a 100% working interest. These permit areas, which cover approximately 2,040 sq kms, lie in water depths ranging from 30 to 150 meters.

The seven exclusive exploration permits are part of an application for nine permits, in the central Adriatic area, submitted by Petroceltic in October 2006. A decision from the Ministry regarding the other two applications is expected from the Ministerial Commission in the coming months.