Press Release

22nd December 2004

DANA PETROLEUM PLC
("DANA", "THE COMPANY", OR "THE GROUP")

SUCCESSION OF CHAIRMAN

Dana Petroleum plc is pleased to announce that Mr Colin R Goodall FCA will become Non-Executive Chairman of the Dana Board with effect from 1 January 2005.

Mr Goodall, succeeds Mr Charles Smith CBE who, as highlighted to shareholders earlier this year, will be retiring from the Company at the 2005 AGM. Mr Smith will continue in office as a director until the 2005 AGM to ensure a comprehensive handover of the Chairman's responsibilities to Mr Goodall.

Colin Goodall joined Dana's Board in June 2002, following a highly successful career spanning some 24 years with the BP group. After qualifying as a chartered accountant, he worked in Africa for a number of companies, including Anglo American Corporation, and became a partner at Touche Ross. Mr Goodall joined the finance team at BP in 1975, later becoming the first Chief of Staff within the BP group. From 1995 to 1999 he served as Chief Financial Officer of BP Europe and then as BP's senior representative in Russia. Mr Goodall has also been a lecturer and examiner for London University in the areas of management and finance.

Charles M Smith, CBE, Chairman of the Board of Dana commented:

"2004 has been an excellent year for Dana and I am delighted that Colin will be taking up the Chairmanship at such an exciting time. Colin and I have worked together very closely with Tom Cross and the executive team during the last 3 years and the Company has delivered strong performance in this period. In 2005, we expect to see further growth as Dana will be producing from 11 oil and gas fields and driving forward its ambitious international exploration programme offshore Africa and in the North Sea."

Tom Cross, Chief Executive, commented:

"It has been an honour to work with Charles during his tenure as Chairman. He has led the Board with great skill, intelligence and integrity during the formative years of Dana, resulting in the quality Company we have today. On behalf of every member of the Dana team and our shareholders I would like to thank Charles for the truly outstanding contribution he has made to the Dana Group over the last 9 years."

For further information please contact:

Tom Cross, Chief Executive	Dana Petroleum plc	01224 652400
Nick Elwes	College Hill Associates	020 7457 2020