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For Immediate Release

2 October 2009

Desire Petroleum plc

('Desire' or 'the Company')

Drilling Rig Contract Update

Desire Petroleum (AIM:DES) the exploration company focusing on the North Falkland Basin, is pleased to announce the formal signing of a rig contract with Diamond Offshore Drilling (UK) Ltd for the use of the drilling unit the Ocean Guardian.

The terms of the contract are for a four well, minimum eighty day campaign, under which the Guardian could earn maximum total revenue of US$19.6 million. Mobilisation and demobilization fees are estimated to be US$16 million dollars.  Desire has secured options to drill a further six wells for itself or its partners. Following a programme of scheduled shipyard work the rig will mobilise from North Sea waters in late November 2009 and the first well is expected to spud in the North Falkland basin in early February 2009.

Desire has retained the services of AGR Petroleum Services for the provision of well construction technical work and operations management. All associated service contracting is underway as is the necessary addendum to the Company's EIAs to include the relevant details of the Ocean Guardian. In conjunction, detailed drilling budgets which will include the additional costs of associated services necessary for drilling are being prepared for the formal approval of the Company's partners.

Desire has waited a number of years to secure a rig at competitive rates to drill in the North Falkland Basin.  The Company believes that it should take this opportunity to have the flexibility to drill more wells and/or potentially test successful wells. It is the Company's intention to raise additional funds to enable it to do so.

Commenting on the signing of the rig contract, Stephen Phipps, Chairman of Desire, said:

'We are delighted to be able to announce the formal rig contract with Diamond Offshore Drilling. We intend to maximize our chances of success with our firm four well programme, with additional wells being likely, subject to further agreements with partners and additional funding.'

For further information please contact:

Desire Petroleum plc
Stephen Phipps, Chairman Ian Duncan, Chief Executive Officer	020 7436 0423
Seymour Pierce Limited Jonathan Wright Richard Redmayne	020 7107 8000
Buchanan Communications	020 7466 5000
Ben Willey Ben Romney

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