Xcite Energy Limited -- Challenger Minerals Farm-In to Bentley Field


ABERDEENSHIRE, UK--(Marketwire - March 4, 2010) -  

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES

Xcite Energy (TSX-V: XEL) (LSE: XEL) (AIM: XEL), a developer of heavy oil assets in the UK North Sea, is pleased to announce that Xcite Energy Resources Limited ("XER"), its 100% owned subsidiary, has signed a legally binding letter of agreement with Challenger Minerals (North Sea) Limited ("CMNS") for CMNS to farm in to the Bentley field, commencing with the forthcoming 9/3b-R well intended to be drilled this summer.

CMNS, a subsidiary of Transocean Drilling U.K. Limited, will provide US$4 million as its share of the 9/3b-R well costs in exchange for 4% working interest in the Bentley field through an earn-in mechanism, which allows CMNS to join the Bentley field licence at any time prior to the commencement of the first phase development of the field.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this announcement constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to the Company's future outlook and anticipated events or results and, in some cases, can be identified by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "predict", "target", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. These statements are based on certain factors and assumptions including expected growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to us, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information is also subject to certain factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what we currently expect. These factors include risks associated with the oil and gas industry (including operational risks in exploration and development and uncertainties of estimates oil and gas potential properties), the risk of commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations and the ability of Xcite Energy to secure financing. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties are contained in the Company's annual information form dated December 8, 2009 and in the annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for Xcite Energy dated March 26, 2009 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements

Contact Information:

ENQUIRIES:

Xcite Energy Limited
+44 (0) 1330 826740
Richard Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Rupert Cole
Chief Financial Officer

Strand Hanson Limited (Nomad)
+44 (0) 20 7409 3494
James Harris
Director
Rory Murphy
Director

Arbuthnot Securities Limited (Broker)
+44 (0)20 7012 2000
Andrew Fairclough
Director
Ed Burbidge

Pelham Public Relations
+44 (0) 20 7337 1500
Mark Antelme
Director

Paradox Public Relations
+1 514 341 0408
Jean-Francois Meilleur
Consultant
Karl Mansour
Consultant