New UK Rig Contract

Serica Energy plc
20 July 2006




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday 20th July, 2006



            SERICA ENERGY PLC SECURES DRILLING RIG FOR UK NORTH SEA



London, 20th July 2006 - Serica Energy plc ('Serica') (TSX Venture: SQZ; AIM:
SQZ) announces that it has secured the use of the Ensco 92 jack-up drilling rig
to drill an exploration well to test the 'Oak' prospect in UK offshore Block 54/
1b.  The well will be operated by Peak Well Management Limited on behalf of
Serica.



It is anticipated that the well will be drilled in October 2006.  Serica holds a
100% interest in the Block and has received a number of offers regarding a
potential farm-in which are currently being reviewed.



Paul Ellis, Chief Executive, commented:



'Securing the Ensco 92 rig adds a second well to our 2006 exploration drilling
programme in the UK North Sea.  We now anticipate that in October this year we
shall be drilling both the Block 23/16f Columbus prospect in the Central North
Sea and the Block 54/1b Oak prospect in the Southern Gas Basin.  We shall also
be adding further rig time to that which we have already secured for our 2007
exploration programme, which includes exploration, appraisal and development
wells in the UK and Indonesia.'



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


Background Notes



Serica Energy plc is an international oil and gas exploration company with
operations in Indonesia, the UK North Sea and Spain. 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.



Peak Well Management Limited is part of The Peak Group which in May 2006 was
acquired by The Ability Group (AGR) of Norway.  Ability Group is now established
as the world's leading independent well operator.





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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