Director Shareholding

Cairn Energy PLC
16 October 2003


EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE AT 0700



                                                                16 October 2003


                  CAIRN ENERGY PLC ('Cairn' or 'the Company')

                         Directors' Interests in Shares



Cairn announces that Todd Hunt, a Non-Executive Director of Cairn, purchased
15,000 Ordinary Shares of 10 pence each in the Company on 15 October 2003 at a
price of £3.92 per share.  Mr Hunt's beneficial interest in the Company's issued
ordinary share capital is now as follows:


Name of      Previous         Shares Purchased       New               %
Director     Shareholding                            Holding      Interest

Todd Hunt       15,000             15,000           30,000           0.02







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