Widespread Energy surrenders offshore West Coast license

New Zealand Exchange Limited
P.O. Box 2959
Wellington

15 August 2010

Dear Sir,

Widespread Energy surrenders PEP 50439 offshore license

Following the earlier technical assessment of PEP 50439 and a recent independent review of the technical work it was decided that the limitations of hydrocarbon kitchen area, charge and size of the mapped leads presented too high a risk to commit to further obligations under the work programme.

Accordingly an application has been made to Crown Minerals to surrender the permit.

For and on behalf of the Board,

Chris D Castle

Sonid Zuqoi, Inner Mongolia, 15 August 2010