Drilling contract

Aminex PLC
15 May 2003



                                   AMINEX PLC


Aminex PLC, the oil and gas company listed in London and Dublin announces that
it has signed a contract with Dafora Group of Romania for use of an F200 rig to
drill two wells with an option for two further wells on the Nyuni offshore
licence, Tanzania.  The rig is being prepared for operations in Romania and for
imminent shipping to Tanzania.  The first well, Nyuni #1, is due to be spudded
in early August this year and the initial drilling programme of two wells to
test separate structures will continue into early 2004.  Estimated cost of the
initial two wells is US$10 million.



Aminex participates in the Nyuni licence through a production sharing agreement
(PSA) with Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), the state oil and
gas company of Tanzania.  In December 2002 Aminex signed a farmout agreement
with Petrom SA of Romania for 30% of the Nyuni licence.  The Nyuni licence is
adjacent to the Songo Songo gas field which is currently being developed for
production along with a major, internationally-funded gas pipeline to Dar es
Salaam.



Commenting on the drilling contract, Aminex Chief Executive Brian Hall said



"Nyuni#1 will be the first new offshore well to be drilled in Tanzania for 12
years.  We believe that enormous oil and gas potential exists along the East
African margin, which has only been very lightly drilled to date, and that it
presents great opportunities.  Interest is growing in the area with Shell,
Petrobras and Woodside acquiring acreage in this region."



                                                                     15 May 2003

Enquiries:



Aminex PLC                                        [phone]
Brian Hall

College Hill                                      [phone]
James Henderson

Dennehy Associates                                [phone]
Michael Dennehy




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