Forum & Sterling Form JV to Combine Philippine Assets

Forum Energy Corporation

Forum Energy has completed the joint venture with Sterling Energy, subject to formal shareholder approval, through the formation of a new company named "Forum Energy Plc".

The new company has been specially created by Forum Energy Corporation and Sterling Energy Plc to combine and manage the energy assets of both companies in the Philippines. Both Forum and Sterling will send their respective Philippine assets into the new company, in return for pre-negotiated equity stakes.

Sterling will transfer to Forum Energy Plc an oil and gas license situated offshore North West Palawan known as GSEC101 (Reed Bank), located in the South China Sea, Philippines. The license contains the Sampaguita gas discovery. In a recent assessment PGS Reservoir Consultants (UK) Limited estimated the potential gas reserves of the Sampaguita field to be approximately 2.3 TCF (trillion cubic feet).

Forum Energy Corporation will transfer to the new company its 66.67% interest in Forum Exploration Inc., which includes oil and gas license SC40, onshore and offshore of the northern portion of the island of Cebu, Philippines, as well as the Central Cebu and Southern Cebu coal operating contracts (COCs).

Following the transfers, the new company will apply for admission to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange. Forum Energy Plc has already received pre-IPO commitments for 3.4 million pounds sterling (c. US$6.5 million). The funds have been raised through an institutional placement brokered by Noble & Company of London & Edinburgh. The investors will acquire approximately 20% of the new company.

Following the pre-IPO placement, Forum Energy Corporation's stake in the new company will be approximately 57%, whilst Sterling will hold an approximate 23% stake. The pre-IPO placement initially values the new company at 17 million pounds sterling (c. US$32.5 million).

"We are delighted that Forum Energy Plc's pre-IPO fundraising efforts have already resulted in 3.4 million pounds sterling (c. US$6.5 million) of commitments. The transaction with Sterling Energy will provide Forum Energy Corporation with the means to fast-track development of its Philippine assets, through access to the London market along with the additional exposure to GSEC101, a natural gas prospect with world-class potential. We are also very pleased to be working with a company such as Sterling Energy, which has an excellent reputation and track-record. We are confident that this transaction will add significant value to the company," commented David Robinson, CEO.

The transaction is to be finalized on May 18th 2005 following an Extraordinary General Meeting of Forum Energy Corporation's Shareholders. Shareholders of record as at April 18th have been invited to attend the meeting. At the meeting shareholders will also be asked to approve a name change from Forum Energy Corporation to FEC Resources, Inc.

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