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Meridian Petroleum PLC
04 April 2006

MERIDIAN PETROLEUM PLC
('Meridian' or 'the Company')

VICTORY 1-21 SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED


Meridian, the oil & gas exploration and production company with key assets in
the USA and Australia today announced that the Victory 1-21 production well (10%
WI) has been successfully deepened in order to further penetrate a Niagaran
reef.

Using a coiled tubing unit and conventional work over rig, Total Depth was
reached at 4,394 feet and gas communication was made between 4,161 feet and
4,192 feet, an increase of approximately 31 feet in net pay. The well was
treated with acid to stimulate flow and is currently being swabbed to remove
remaining acid from the well bore following which the well will be put back on
line this week. It is anticipated that enhanced production rates will be gained
from the additional pay sections in the reservoir.

Anthony Mason, Chief Executive of Meridian said:

'The successful deepening of Victory 1-21 is good news for Meridian. The well
will be back on line this week, following which Meridian will resume receiving
income from Victory 1-21. We are now looking forward to the imminent completion
on Calvin 36.'

Don Caldwell, a certified petroleum geologist, is the Company's Qualified Person
and has reviewed the information in this announcement.


Enquiries:


Meridian Petroleum (020 7409 5041)
Tony Mason, Chief Executive

Westhouse Securities (020 7601 6100)
Richard Morrison

Citigate Dewe Rogerson (020 7638 9571)
Media enquiries: Martin Jackson / George Cazenove
Analyst enquiries: Nina Soon


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange ND

Interesting RNS - So we are in an "Offer Period". What is the effect on us mere mortal Shareholders. I have no idea about Rule 2.10 etc. H E L P

Should be a very interesting day tomorrow has the market corrects the sp for MRP more inline with true value,ready for the bids.

Don't get carried away just yet. The talks are only just starting, some way to go still.

well its looking a lot better :)

Sure is.

There will be a lot of profit taking today, probably the best time to buy about 10am after the hot money dies down.

This has to be heading over 20p again.

Based on asset values it certainly will.

Understandable profit taking at the moment then on and upwards to the next level.

Dont recognise to many comments from shorters and "Cynics" - What a gay day and a breath of fresh air.

In fact, we don't see cynic anywhere recently.

He's on holiday this week.

Well..! a bid or several...somebody thinks this is undervalued !

I tried talking some basics with the 'cynics' but they just proved they know nothing about the company and are only here to spread negativity. Silly lot.

momentum is not exactly everything, but ignore it at your peril ..... i admit i place MRP in much the same quality category as EME, but have never shorted either ..... certainly one should never buy a stock on the rumour of a t/o, though we have all done it.

Agreed - never buy stock on a rumour of a takeover but if the assets show the share price to be significantly undervalued then takeovers will sometimes follow.

There's nothing agreed yet, however there may be soon.

The point is that MRP's value is away above this t/o or no t/o so hard to lose.

Yep! Even at today's price it doesn't match cash in bank plus Orion income. All other prospects in for free. Sell of Oz and start drilling at Calvin. Let's raise the P1 resources before selling off the company.

No one in there right mind would accept anything less than 30p and I'm sure that SG would know that.