Directorate Change

Cairn Energy PLC
10 October 2003



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                 10 October 2003


                  Cairn Energy PLC ('Cairn' or 'the Company')

                     Appointment of Non-Executive Director


Cairn announces the appointment of Mark Robert John Tyndall as a Non-Executive
Director of the Company with effect from today's date.

Mr Tyndall, aged 45, is currently Chief Executive of Artemis Investment
Management Limited and a former director of Ivory & Sime PLC and Filofax Group
plc.

Mr Tyndall is also a director of Artemis Fund Managers Limited, Standard Life
European Private Equity Trust PLC and Micadant Plc.

The only additional matter requiring to be disclosed for the purposes of
paragraph 6.F.2 (a)-(g) of the Listing Rules is that Mr Tyndall is a former
director of Ionica Plc (a former subsidiary of Micadant Plc) which went into
administration in October 1998.


Bill Gammell, Chief Executive, commented:

'We are delighted that Mark Tyndall has agreed to join the Cairn Board.  His
appointment adds to the extensive experience and expertise of the independent
non-executives on the Board.'


Enquiries to:

Cairn Energy PLC:

Bill Gammell, Chief Executive
Tel: [phone]

Kevin Hart, Finance Director
Tel: [phone]

Mike Watts, Exploration Director
Tel: [phone]


Brunswick Group Limited:

Patrick Handley, Catherine Bertwistle                           
Tel: [phone]


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