Gulf of Mexico Offshore Operations Update

21 May 2010
Embargo 7am




                                 GULF OF MEXICO

                           OFFSHORE OPERATIONS UPDATE


                     Ship Shoal 253 production re-instated

           2010 Gulf of Mexico well recompletion programme confirmed

       Evaluation of potential development drilling opportunities ongoing

Providence Resources P.l.c., the London (AIM) and Dublin (ESM) listed oil and
gas exploration and production company is pleased to provide an update on recent
developments within its portfolio of producing oil and gas interests in the US
Gulf of Mexico. These developments include the re-instatement of oil production
from its Ship Shoal 253 field, following completion of hurricane-related repairs
to the production facility. The Company also confirms that a well recompletion
programme for 2010 has been agreed on a number of producing assets which is
designed to boost daily production rates. Providence also continues to review a
number of drilling opportunities across the region.

Ship Shoal 253 Production Re-instated
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike seriously impacted oil and gas production in the US
Gulf of Mexico in August 2008, with production from Providence's Ship Shoal 253
field being shut in since that time. Repairs to the oil export pipelines from
Ship Shoal 253 have taken significantly longer to complete than was originally
expected. These repairs are now complete and production has recently
re-commenced. Providence's net production from Ship Shoal 253 was c. 250 BOEPD
prior to the shut-in.

Well Recompletion Programme
A 2010 well recompletion programme has been confirmed for the High Island A-268
and Main Pass 19 fields. At High Island A-268, logged gas bearing zones in each
of the two wells on the field are planned to be brought into production in late
Q2/early Q3 which should enhance the production from this field. In addition, on
Main Pass 19, a well recompletion programme has been agreed with the operator on
two of the production wells which should again enhance gas rates by accessing a
previously undeveloped gas bearing zone. Providence is continuing to work with
the operator to finalize further incremental recompletion opportunities in this
field.

Evaluation of potential development drilling opportunities
Providence continues to evaluate potential development drilling opportunities
within the Company's US asset portfolio, and is currently working to advance the
drilling of a further opportunity pending partner agreement and rig
availability/rates.

Speaking today, Tony O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Providence, said:

"I am pleased to announce that oil production has re-commenced on Ship Shoal
253. This is a welcome boost to oil production at a time when oil prices are
trading in the $65 to $70/bbl price range. Providence continues to optimise its
asset portfolio through recompletes of existing wellbores, as well as looking at
new opportunities in the region. "

Contacts:

Providence Resources P.l.c.
Tel: [phone]
Tony O'Reilly

Powerscourt
Tel: [phone]
Rob Greening/Lisa Kavanagh

Murray Consultants Tel: [phone]
Pauline McAlester


Notes to Editors:

About Providence
Providence Resources P.l.c. is an independent oil and gas exploration company
traded on the AIM (London) and ESM (Dublin) markets. Providence's active oil and
gas portfolio includes interests in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Gulf of
Mexico (USA) and 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 its annual reports and recent press releases, is
available from Providence's website at www.providenceresources.com


Providence Gulf of Mexico Portfolio

Asset Location Operator  % Type


High Island A-268 Gulf of Mexico Peregrine 5.0% Oil and gas production
Galveston A-155 Gulf of Mexico Peregrine 10.8% Gas production
Ship Shoal 252* Gulf of Mexico SPN 50.0% Oil and gas production
Ship Shoal 253* Gulf of Mexico SPN 50.0% Oil and gas production
Ship Shoal 267* Gulf of Mexico SPN 50.0% Oil and gas production
Main Pass 19 Gulf of MexicoPetsec 45.0% Oil and gas production
East Cameron 257 Gulf of Mexico SPN 12.5% Gas production
West Cameron 333 Gulf of MexicoMariner 32.5% Gas production
Vermillion 60 Gulf of MexicoSPN 50.0% Gas production
Ridge Onshore LouisianaBrammer 30.0% Gas production
* Earned interest through well bore participation


Announcement
This announcement has been reviewed and approved by John O'Sullivan, Exploration
Manager of Providence Resources P.l.c. John O'Sullivan is a Geology graduate of
University College Cork and holds a Masters in Geophysics from The National
University of Ireland, Galway. John also holds a Masters in Technology
Management from the Smurfit Graduate School of Business at University College
Dublin and is presently completing a dissertation leading to a PhD in Geology at
Trinity College, Dublin. John is a Fellow of the Geological Society and a member
of the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain. He has 20 years
experience in the oil and gas exploration and production industry and is a
qualified person as defined in the guidance note for Mining Oil & Gas Companies,
March 2006 of the London Stock Exchange.


Glossary of Terms Used
BOEPD Barrels of Oil Equivalent Per Day
BOPD Barrels of Oil Per Day
BOE Barrels of Oil Equivalent (1 BOE = 6,000 SCFG)




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