Whittier Energy Stockholders Approve Merger with Sterling Energy

  
    
  
  
    
      Whittier Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:WHIT) announced today that the 
      proposed merger with Sterling Energy plc was approved at the special 
      meeting of stockholders held today in Houston, Texas. The merger is 
      expected to close tomorrow, March 28, 2007.
    
    
      Whittier announced that, based upon the preliminary tally of shares 
      voted, approximately 8.3 million shares, or more than 65 percent of the 
      total shares outstanding as of the record date for the special meeting, 
      were voted in favor of the merger. Of the shares voted, more than 98 
      percent were voted in favor of the merger. Approval of the merger 
      required the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares outstanding as 
      of the record date for the special meeting, February 20, 2007. As of the 
      record date, Whittier had 12,723,132 shares of stock outstanding.
    
    
      Under the terms of the merger agreement, Whittier stockholders will 
      receive $11.00 in cash for each share of Whittier Energy common stock.
    
    
      About Whittier Energy Corporation
    
    
      Whittier Energy Corporation is an independent oil and gas exploration 
      and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas, with operations 
      in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Whittier Energy also holds 
      non-operated interests in fields located in the Gulf Coast, Oklahoma, 
      Wyoming and California. To find out more about Whittier Energy 
      Corporation (NASDAQ:WHIT), visit www.whittierenergy.com.
    
    
      About Sterling Energy plc
    
    
      Sterling is an independent oil and gas exploration and production 
      company formed in October 2002 and listed on the Alternative Investment 
      Market (“AIM”) of 
      the London Stock Exchange. Sterling has built a portfolio of production 
      assets in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore West Africa and has an active 
      exploration program focused predominantly on Africa.
    
    
      Sterling has expanded its U.S. operations to included the onshore Texas 
      and Louisiana Gulf Coast. In addition to production from Mauritania, 
      Sterling has built a portfolio of African exploration interests 
      including Madagascar, Gabon and Cameroon. Further information is 
      available on its website at www.sterlingenergyuk.com
    
    
      Forward-Looking Statements
    
    
      This news release includes projections and other “forward-looking 
      statements” within the meaning of the Private 
      Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Any such projections or statements 
      reflect Whittier’s current views with respect 
      to future events and financial performance. No assurances can be given, 
      however, that these events will occur or that such projections will be 
      achieved and actual results could differ materially from those 
      projected. A discussion of important factors that could cause actual 
      results to differ materially from those projected is included in Whittier’s 
      periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.