PARIS, May 26, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Maurel et Prom and Hocol, a company of the Grupo Empresarial Ecopetrol, have executed a Swap Agreement involving two exploration blocks in Colombia, exchanging a 50% working interest in the EP License for block SSJN-9 (Lower Magdalena) for a 50% working interest in block CPO-17 (Llanos basin).

- Maurel et Prom has assigned a 50% working interest in block SSJN-9 to Hocol, which in turn has assigned a 50% working interest to Maurel et Prom in block CPO-17. - The transaction has no cost other than the interest being exchanged. - Both blocks were part of the former ANH 2008 Colombia round currently on Phase I with seismic acquisition programs on their way in both.

The Swap Agreement is subject to Colombian National Hydrocarbon Agency ANH approval.

This transaction expands Maurel et Prom's exploration portfolio in Colombia, adding significant acreage in the prolific Colombian Llanos basin. The agreement includes exchange of operatorship in the blocks, once the ongoing seismic programs end Maurel Prom will be the operator in block CPO-17 and Hocol will be the operator in block SSJN-9. Exchange of operatorship will provide synergies for Maurel Prom in the Llanos, and Hocol in the Lower Magdalena given current presence of each company in the respective basins.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, business, strategy and plans of Maurel Prom. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will or may occur in the future. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which we believe are reasonable but that could ultimately prove inaccurate and are subject to a number of risk factors, including but not limited to price fluctuations in crude oil; exchange rate fluctuations; uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil reserves; actual future production rates and associated costs; operational problems; political stability; changes in laws and governmental regulations; wars and acts of terrorism or sabotage.

Maurel Prom est cote sur Euronext Paris - compartiment A - CAC mid 100 Indice Isin FR0000051070 / Bloomberg MAU.FP / Reuters MAUP.PA For further information: http://www.maureletprom.fr Contact: INFLUENCES +33(0)1-42-72-46-76 communication@agence-influences.fr

SOURCE: Maurel SOURCE: Prom

CONTACT: Contact: INFLUENCES, +33(0)1-42-72-46-76,communication@agence-influences.fr