Serica Energy plc announces that a letter of intent has been executed between a wholly-owned subsidiary of Serica Energy plc and PT Lins Petrotama Energi for the use of the Seadrill 5 jack-up drilling rig for four wells offshore north Sumatra, Indonesia. It is anticipated that this continuous drilling programme will commence in the first quarter of 2007.

Paul Ellis, Chief Executive, commented: 'As stated at our recent AGM, Serica is moving forward rapidly on the development of its gas fields in the Asahan and Glagah-Kambuna blocks offshore north Sumatra and this rig contract demonstrates our ability to source the equipment we need despite the present intense level of oil industry activity.'