i3 Energy plc, an independent oil and gas company with assets and operations in the UK, is pleased to announce that it has engaged an acquisitions and divestitures ("A&D") advisor, FirstEnergy Capital LLP ("GMP FirstEnergy"), to assist with a farmout of the Company's greater Liberator development and appraisal programme.

GMP FirstEnergy has been active in recent UK North Sea transactions and, upon the Company's assessment of numerous potential advisors, was determined to be the most capable party to assist with its JV initiative. It is intended that the process will conclude in advance of i3 receiving Liberator field development plan ("FDP") approval. i3 had previously granted a 90-day period of exclusivity to a potential joint venture partner during which time the farminee was expected to deliver on key assurances. While some of these remain outstanding, i3 stands ready to consider the potential farminee's proposal at such time as their structural issues have been resolved.

Concurrent with its farmout process, the Company will engage UK-based lenders to upsize the level of credit that may be available for its Liberator development. Indicative proposals had been received in November 2017 when Brent was circa $60/bbl and prior to i3's award of Block 13/23c in the UK's 30th Offshore Licensing Round, containing the western extension of the Liberator field, which added 22 MMBO of 2C Contingent Resources and 47 MMBO of mid-case Prospective Resources to i3's portfolio.

The Company continues to progress all requirements to achieve FDP approval in early 2019. An enlarged FDP will be presented to the OGA for consideration before the end of the year.

Majid Shafiq, CEO, commented,
"We are confident that GMP FirstEnergy is best placed to help us during our first concerted effort to market i3's development and appraisal programme of the greater Liberator area to potential joint venture partners and we are very pleased to be working with their team. Liberator has received strong interest to date and both i3 and our A&D advisor believe this farmout process to be well-timed within the current environment. We look forward to updating the market as we move forward."