Commencement of Drilling

Serica Energy plc
30 October 2006





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday 30 October, 2006



                               SERICA ENERGY PLC

               STARTS DRILLING SECOND NORTH SEA EXPLORATION WELL



London, 30 October, 2006 - Serica Energy plc (AIM and TSX Venture: SQZ)
announces that it has commenced drilling the Columbus prospect in UK Block 23/
16f and is now drilling two North Sea exploration wells simultaneously.



Located in the Central North Sea, exploration well 23/16f-11 was spudded on 28
October, 2006.  Drilling operations on the Columbus prospect are scheduled to
take about 30 days using the GSF 140 drilling rig.  Serica is the operator of
the Block and has a 50% interest.



Earlier this month, Serica commenced operations on the Oak prospect in Block 54/
1b  using the ENSCO 92 drilling rig, and well 54/1b-6 is currently drilling the
121/4' hole section below 5,000 feet.



Paul Ellis, Chief Executive Officer, commented:



'Serica is drilling the Columbus prospect very soon after the award of the Block
23/16f licence largely due to the efforts of our technical team, which has
completed the detailed studies required to select a drilling location, secured a
drilling rig in a tight market and commenced drilling, all within the space of a
year.'



Background Notes



Serica Energy plc is an international oil and gas exploration company with
operations in Indonesia, the UK North Sea, Spain, Ireland and Vietnam. The
Company's ordinary shares are listed in London on AIM and on the Canadian TSX
Venture Exchange under the symbol 'SQZ'. The 2005 Annual Report and Accounts are
available at www.serica-energy.com and www.sedar.com.



Enquiries:


Serica Energy plc
Paul Ellis,                          [e-mail]                      [phone]
Chief Executive Officer
Chris Hearne,                        [e-mail]                     [phone]
Finance Director

Pelham Public Relations -UK
James Henderson                      [e-mail]                  [phone]
Alisdair Haythornthwaite             [e-mail]         [phone]

CHF Investor Relations - Canada
Jan Moir                             [e-mail]                                 [phone] x237
Heather Colpitts                     [e-mail]                             [phone] x223


Forward Looking Statements



This disclosure contains certain forward looking statements that involve
substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond
Serica Energy plc's control, including: the impact of general economic
conditions where Serica Energy plc operates, industry conditions, changes in
laws and regulations including the adoption of new environmental laws and
regulations and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced, increased
competition, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management,
fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates, stock market volatility and
market valuations of companies with respect to announced transactions and the
final valuations thereof, and obtaining required approvals of regulatory
authorities.  Serica Energy plc's actual results, performance or achievement
could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward
looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the
events anticipated by the forward looking statements will transpire or occur, or
if any of them do so, what benefits, including the amount of proceeds, that
Serica Energy plc will derive there from.



The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for
                   the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



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