Thar Drilling Commenced

18th February, 2008
                                                                        GB00B23JN426/GBP/PLUS-exn

                                 Oracle Coalfields Plc (PLUS:OCP)

                    Drilling Commenced At Block VI, Thar Coal Project, Pakistan

Highlights

*       Drilling commenced at Thar coalfield, Sindh Province
*       Results are expected to validate previous exploration data to bring Block VI resource into
        JORC standards

Oracle  Coalfields plc ("Oracle" or "the Company"), the coal exploration and development  company,
is pleased to announce that Deep Rock Drilling (PVT) Ltd ("DRD") has  commenced drilling the first
borehole  of a seven hole programme on Block VI of the Thar Coalfield, Province of Sindh, Pakistan
on 14th February 2008.

The  purpose of the drilling programme is to validate the results achieved by the China North East
Geological  Survey  Bureau  ("CNEGS"),  which  completed  a  35-borehole  programme  in  2005,  as
commissioned by the Sindh Coal Authority. A total depth of 9,852 metres was drilled over 35  holes
by  CNEGS,  of  which  5,986 metres was cored. All boreholes were geophysically  logged,  and  273
lignite samples were analysed for quality.

The  purpose  of the work programme undertaken by DRD should enable the results of the  CNEGS  35-
borehole programme to be validated, and for Block VI to be taken to the internationally recognised
JORC standard and an independent Competent Persons Report prepared expected Q2 2008.

SHAHRUKH KHAN, CHAIRMAN, SAID:

"I  am  delighted that the drilling programme has now commenced on Block VI of the Thar Coalfield,
and  that it has been signed within budget. We are on schedule to meet our development intentions,
and  are  pleased  with  the  ongoing support that we have received  to  date  from  the  relevant
government authorities in the Province of Sindh."

The Directors of the Issuer accept responsibility for this announcement.

ENQUIRIES:

ORACLE COALFIELDS PLC
SHAHRUKH KHAN, CHAIRMAN
TELEPHONE: [phone]
EMAIL: [e-mail]

CORPORATE ADVISERS

ST HELEN'S CAPITAL PLC
BARRY HOCKEN, DIRECTOR
TELEPHONE: [phone]
EMAIL: [e-mail]

CONDUIT PR
JOS SIMSON/ARABELLA HOBBS
Telephone: [phone]

Oracle Coalfields plc