Matra Petroleum plc (“Matra”) is an independent oil and gas exploration and production company operating in the Russian Federation. The company began operations in 2006 and is now focussed on building a portfolio of development and producing assets in the Volga/Urals area of Russia.

The ordinary shares of Matra are quoted on AIM (ticker “MTA”).

Drilling Sokolovskoe appraisal well A-13

In 2007 the company acquired its Russian subsidiary “OOO” Arkhangelovskoe which owns 100% of the rights under the Arkhangelovskoe Licence in the Orenburg Oblast of Russia. Later in the same year Matra discovered the Sokolovskoe Field and has completed the first appraisal well on the discovery.

The Volga/Urals region contains substantial oil and gas production. TNK-BP is the biggest operator in the Orenburg Oblast and reported production in excess of 350,000 bpd in 2008. A substantial number of discovered oil fields remain either undeveloped or partially developed and new areas are being released for exploration.