CommenceOfNigerianAjeDrilling

Providence Resources PLC
22 August 2005



                          Providence Resources P.l.c.

22 August 2005

            Providence Resources Plc ('Providence' or 'the Company')
             Announces Commencement of Nigerian Aje Field Drilling

Providence is today pleased to announce that appraisal well Aje-3 in block OML
113, offshore Nigeria spudded yesterday.

The Aje field was first discovered in 1996 with the first appraisal well (Aje-2)
drilled in 1997. Both wells tested positive for hydrocarbons and confirmed the
potential for a large oil and gas field.

The Aje-3 appraisal well will penetrate both the Turonian and the Cenomainian
reservoirs using Transocean's Sedco 709 semi-submersible rig and the total
target depth is 2,600 meters. The drilling is scheduled to take one month.
Tony O'Reilly Jnr, Chief Executive of Providence, commented:

        'We are pleased to see the commencement of drilling operations on this
        very attractive prospect. This is an exciting time for Providence and we
        very much look forward to the outcome of this drilling programme. '

*Participants in Block OML113 are Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited
(Operator), Lundin Petroleum (Technical Advisor to Operator), Palace Exploration
Company, Challenger Minerals (Nigeria) Limited, Providence Resources P.l.c.,
Howard Energy Co. Inc. and Syntroleum Corporation.

Contacts:
Providence
Tony O'Reilly Jnr. Chief Executive        Tel: [phone]

Powerscourt                               Tel: [phone]
Rory Godson                               Mob: [phone]
Victoria Brough                           Mob:[phone]

Murray Consultants
Pauline McAlester                         Tel: [phone]

NOTES TO EDITORS
About Providence Resources
Providence's active oil and gas portfolio includes interests in Ireland
(offshore), the UK (onshore and offshore) and West Africa (offshore Nigeria).
Providence's portfolio is balanced between production, appraisal and exploration
assets, as well as being diversified geographically.

Comprehensive information on Providence and its oil and gas portfolio, including
the AIM Admission document and Annual Report 2004 are all available from
Providence's website at www.providenceresources.com

About Aje Oil Field

The Aje Structure is situated in Oil Mining Lease 113 (OML 113) in water depths
of c. 3,000 feet and is 15 miles offshore Nigeria, being some 40 miles southwest
of Lagos. Providence is entitled to 6.328% of net revenues from any developments
within OML 113, offshore Nigeria, which includes the Aje field.
OML 113 contains a number of further un-drilled exploration leads and prospects
in addition to the Aje Structure.

The participants have also entered into an Area of Mutual Interest agreement
covering areas adjoining OML 113.

About Aje 3 Well
The discovery well, Aje-1, which was drilled in 1996 encountered oil and gas in
reservoirs of Cretaceous age, and flowed at an aggregate rate of 42 MMSCFGD and
2,262 BOPD over three zones. An appraisal well, Aje-2, which was drilled in 1997
flowed 3,866 BOPD from a deeper separate additional zone which had not been
encountered in Aje-1.

The Aje-3 appraisal well will penetrate both the Turonian and the Cenomainian
reservoirs using The total target depth is 2,600 metres.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange