CEN Claren Energy Corp

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH
UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES


Coastal Energy (the "Company" or "Coastal") (TSX VENTURE:CEN)(AIM:CEO) an
independent exploration and production company with assets in South-East Asia,
announces its 2008 drilling programme for the G5/43 block in the Gulf of
Thailand. The Company expects to drill approximately 16-20 wells in the block
with drilling scheduled to commence in late Q2, 2008.


Drilling will commence with three to four appraisal wells on the Bua Ban field
using a Swiber Jack-Up-1 rig ("JU-1"). The wells will target what is interpreted
to be significantly thicker sections of the main Oligocene reservoir in
previously undrilled areas that were identified with a high resolution 3D
seismic survey acquired in early 2007. The wells will be tested using both
natural flow and enhanced down-hole production pumps.


Once testing is completed on the Bua Ban wells, the JU-1 will move to the
Songkhla field where it will pre-drill four production wells. These wells will
be suspended pending installation of the wellhead and production platforms which
are expected to arrive in late Q3 / early Q4, 2008.


After development drilling on the Songkhla field the rig will drill and test a
number of exploration wells within close proximity to both the Songkhla and Bua
Ban fields. Eight satellite prospects have been confirmed around the Songkhla
field and if successful, can be tied back to the main production facilities.


Coastal's Executive Chairman, Frank Inouye, commented:

"I am extremely excited about the upcoming programme that will see the Company
drilling continuously offshore for a minimum of 12 months. The combination of
development, appraisal and exploration drilling will go a long way in helping us
evaluate the full potential of the Songkhla basin. In addition to the two fields
currently under development there are two other discoveries that await appraisal
drilling. The greatest challenge for the Company in the next few years will be
to find ways in which to accelerate the appraisal and development of these
fields in order to take advantage of the high oil prices."


Notes to Editors

- Coastal Energy is an oil and gas exploration, development and production
company, with core assets onshore and offshore Thailand


- The Company specialises in identifying and developing under-exploited or
"orphaned" or assets. Management has proven experience at identifying and
unlocking value from overlooked, abandoned, low risk assets with proven
hydrocarbon potential


- This strategy has enabled the Company to assemble an asset base in Thailand
that includes production of approximately 11.5 mmcf/d of gas under long term
contract and offshore oil fields currently under development


- Production growth over the next 12 -18 months is expected to grow
exponentially and proven, probable and possible reserves are 45.3 million
barrels oil equivalents(i)


- The Company's current assets include:

 - Offshore Thailand

 -- 100% of block G5/43 - 3 successful appraisal wells drilled in 2005 / 2
additional discoveries on the block awaiting appraisal / untested exploration
potential in Songkhla Basin - production expected to commence Q1 2008


 - Onshore Thailand

 -- 12.6% net interest in blocks EU1 and E5N which include the Phu Horm gas
field currently producing between 90 and 100 mmcf/d


 -- 36.1% net interest in block L15/43 surrounding the Phu Horm field

 -- 36.1% net interest in block L27/43 - containing the undeveloped Dong Mun gas
field


 -- 21.7% net interest in block L13/48 located adjacent to blocks L15/43 and
L27/43, contains Si That discovery


- For additional information, including the Company's complete competent
person's may be found on the Company's website, www.coastalenergy.com or may be
found in documents filed on SEDAR, www.sedar.com.


(i) BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion
ratio of 6 Mcf:1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method
primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value
equivalency at the wellhead


Frank Inouye, Executive Chairman and Director of the Company, and a member of
the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, has reviewed the contents of
this announcement.


These securities have not been registered under United States Securities Act of
1933 (the "US Securities Act") or the securities laws of any state and may not
be offered or sold in the United States or to US persons (as defined in
Regulation S under the US Securities Act) unless an exemption from registration
is available.

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