NuVista Energy Ltd. Announces Appointment of President & CEO

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - April 11, 2011) - NuVista Energy Ltd. ("NuVista") (TSX:NVA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Jonathan Wright as President and Chief Executive Officer of NuVista Energy Ltd. effective May 9, 2011.

Mr. Wright brings to NuVista a wealth of experience in the energy sector spanning over a 22 year period. Mr. Wright has held progressively more responsible roles both domestically and abroad with Talisman Energy Ltd., most recently as Senior Vice President directing the conventional operations division for North America. Mr. Wright joined Talisman in 1995 beginning as a production, development and sub-surface engineer for several years before moving on to a three year position in the field as Operations Superintendent for the Chauvin operating area. He then became a senior asset manager for Talisman's Southwest Operations district. Mr. Wright possesses extensive international experience spending five years in the United Kingdom and Malaysia, in roles including Vice President, Drilling & Completions United Kingdom and Senior Vice President & Country Manager, Malaysia/Vietnam/Australia. Prior to joining Talisman, Mr. Wright spent six years with Shell Canada Ltd. in various operations and business development roles in Canada.

Mr. Wright possesses both a Master and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering (with great distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan where he earned, among other awards, the Canadian Governor General's Gold Medal for being the Outstanding University Post-Graduate for his pursuit in hydraulics and computer controls.

Mr. Wright has agreed to purchase common shares on a private placement basis from NuVista with a value equal to a minimum of two times his annual salary in accordance with NuVista's share ownership policy.

This concludes a five month process to secure a President and CEO for the company and the Board of Directors are very pleased with the final outcome. The NuVista Board of Directors would also like to thank the interim President and CEO, Mr. Rob Froese, for his exemplary performance in leading the company over the past several months.

INVESTOR INFORMATION

NuVista is an independent Canadian oil and natural gas exploration, development and production company with its Common Shares trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "NVA".