Drilling Programme Update

Asia Energy PLC 03 May 2005 ASIA ENERGY PLC Resource definition drilling completed at Phulbari Asia Energy PLC ('Asia Energy' 'the Company') announced today that it has completed its resource definition programme at the Phulbari Coal Project in north-west Bangladesh after drilling 77 holes over the Phulbari basin. Coal seams intersected by the drilling ranged in total thickness per hole from 7.9 metres to 72.7 metres, the Company said. 'We expanded the drilling programme beyond our original schedule of 60 holes, which were completed on schedule, to a total of 77 holes because coal was discovered over an additional 3.5 square kilometres north and south of the original basin limits,' said Asia Energy's Joint Managing Director David Lenigas. Mr Lenigas also pointed to considerable upside with the coal basin remaining open in the south. 'Gravity surveys and drilling indicate the basin extends further southward and we have decided to continue with the exploration drilling programme in this area until the end of May. These additional tonnes will be included in the resource inventory at a later stage,' Mr Lenigas said. 'We have now completed enough drilling to define the resource for the Definitive Feasibility Study, and a JORC compliant resource statement will be released after detailed coal analysis is completed,' he said. 'The Company has also successfully completed a large diameter core programme which will provide the definitive coal specifications and products, which will enable us to finalise the mine design.' ENQUIRIES: Michael Frayne, Joint Managing Director Justine Howarth, Cathy Malins michael.frayne@asia-energy.com Parkgreen Communications David Lenigas, Joint Managing Director Tel: +44 (0) 20 7493 3713 david.lenigas@asia-energy.com justine.howarth@parkgreenmedia.com Asia Energy PLC cathy.malins@parkgreenmedia.com Tel: +44 (0) 20 7079 1798, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7491 2758 info@asia-energy.com; www.asia-energy.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange