West Siberian Resources acquires Russian Oil Company - oil production expected to double

West Siberian Resources Ltd has signed an agreement to acquire an oil company operating in the Timan Pechora region of West Siberia for MUSD 115. Proven and probable oil reserves will increase by 54 million barrels and estimated possible reserves of 116 million barrels are added. Initially, West Siberian Resources’ oil production will increase by approximately 7000 barrels per day.

West Siberian Resources Ltd has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of a Russian limited liability company. The company to be acquired has two fully owned subsidiaries; one with an exploration and production license to operate a producing oil field and another company holding an exploration license. Both licenses cover fields located in the Timan Pechora region of West Siberia. Under Russian classification, the producing field has proven and probable recoverable oil reserves of 54.45 million barrels. The exploration license covers a nearby, undeveloped oil field with estimated possible oil reserves of 116 million barrels. Current oil production amounts to 7,000 barrels per day from 13 wells. Additional wells will be drilled in the field contributing to production increases going forward. Production facilities and infrastructure to be acquired have a capacity of approximately 7 million barrels per year. The acquisition is subject to Russian Antimonopoly Committee approval. Such approval is expected in September 2005, following which the acquisition will be closed. Through the acquisition, West Siberian Resources’ oil production will more than double to exceed 13 000 barrels per day. Total proven and probable oil reserves will amount to 150 million barrels and total possible reserves are estimated at 140 million barrels. The company will be producing oil from five fields in two regions in West Siberia and hold additional exploration rights. The Moscow headquarter will absorb the acquired company’s Moscow operations, thus realising important synergies. The acquisition price amounts to $115 million, which primarily will be paid from existing cash and the assumption of bank debt. The board is reviewing additional financing options, including covering a maximum of $25 million of the purchase price through a directed equity issue. “This is a significant step in West Siberian’s development towards becoming a sizable independent Russian oil producer. Our oil production and revenues more than double while we add meaningful oil reserves and strategic development and exploration opportunities. This opens up a new promising oil province for us. A number of large and lucrative oil fields in the region are going to be auctioned by the Russian Government in the next 12 months. Some of them are only 10 km away from the acquired properties.” Maxim Barski West Siberian Resources Managing Director said in a comment. For further information: Maxim Barski, Managing director, West Siberian Resources Ltd., tel. +7 095 723 07 18 Eric Forss, Chairman, West Siberian Resources Ltd., tel. +46 8 613 00 85 Also visit www.westsiberian.com