17 July 2007

Holding in Company

The Company was today notified by Hargreave Hale Limited ('Hargreave Hale') that on 16 July 2007, Hargreave Hale acquired a further 500,000 ordinary shares in Irvine.

Following this acquisition, Hargreave Hale's interest in the share capital of the Company, which is held on behalf of certain of its discretionary clients, is 20,500,000 ordinary shares, representing 5.08% of Irvine's issued share capital.

For further information please contact:

Irvine Energy plc
Michael Frayne, Tel: +44 (0) 207 766 7500

Nabarro Wells & Co Ltd
Hugh Oram , Tel: +44 (0) 207 710 7400

St Brides Media & Finance
Hugo de Salis, Tel: +44 (0) 207 242 4477

St Brides Media & Finance
Felicity Edwards, Tel: +44 (0) 207 242 4477