RNS Number:3983U
Premier Oil PLC
19 January 2004

Premier Oil plc

19th January 2004


DIRECTORS' SHAREHOLDINGS

The Company has been informed that the trustees of the Premier Oil Employee
Benefit Trust have today released shares in respect of awards under the
Company's Executive Equity and Asset Incentive Scheme (a performance related
long-term incentive plan).

The trustees released a total of 285,258 shares, of which 129,598 were sold at a
price of #4.565 pence per share to cover participants' tax liabilities and
285,258 were transferred to senior employees of the group.

The trustees also purchased 129,598 shares at a price of #4.565 pence per share.

Although none of the shares were released in respect of directors' awards, the
executive directors are all deemed to have an interest in all of the shares held
in the trust. Following the transactions, the trustees hold 926,081 shares
representing 1.125 per cent of the Company's issued ordinary share capital.



For further information contact: Stephen Huddle, Company Secretary, Premier Oil
PLC on 020 7730 1111.



                      This information is provided by RNS
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