VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/25/13 -- Vanoil Energy Ltd. ("Vanoil" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:VEL) is pleased to announce that the Kenyan Ministry of Energy has extended the deadlines within which Vanoil must satisfy the work program obligations defined in its Production Sharing Contract ("PSC").

Previously, Vanoil was obligated to finish drilling its first well by April 30, 2013. Now, under the terms of the latest extension, Vanoil must only commence drilling its first well before July 31, 2013 and, with sufficient technical justification, Vanoil may place its first two wells anywhere within the boundaries of Block 3A and 3B to satisfy the work program obligations within the Initial Exploration Period of its PSC.

Aaron D'Este, the Company's President and CEO stated; "We were very pleased to secure this key extension. Vanoil is the first company to complete 3D seismic onshore in Kenya and our exploration program is among the most robust ever completed in country. The time extension granted to Vanoil allows us to fully realise value from our 3D data and to drill our first two wells in rapid succession. The ability to place both wells anywhere within the boundaries of 3A and 3B also gives Vanoil the flexibility to target its most exciting prospects. We view 2013 as a transformational year for the Company and we now have the time and operational flexibility to extract maximum value from our assets."

About Vanoil Energy Ltd.

Based in Vancouver, Canada, Vanoil is an internationally diversified energy company with a portfolio of oil and gas assets in the African countries of Kenya and Rwanda. In Kenya, Blocks 3A and 3B were acquired in October 2007 through the signing of a Production Sharing Contract with the Government of the Republic of Kenya. Blocks 3A and 3B, which cover 24,912 square kilometers, potentially contain prospective resources in excess of 900 million boe, positioned between Tullow's recent oil discovery and Apache's offshore gas well. Vanoil's 1,631 square kilometers of oil and gas exclusive licence in the East Kivu Graben in Rwanda is at the southern extension of the Albertine Graben where Heritage and Tullow Oil made their historic discovery in neighbouring Uganda.

On behalf of the Board of VANOIL ENERGY LTD.

Aaron D'Este, President and CEO

Disclaimer for Forward Looking Information

This news release includes forward looking statements that are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward looking statements, including without limitation any statements concerning the Company's intentions, plans, estimates, beliefs or expectations regarding the future. Although the Company believes that any such intentions, plans, estimates, beliefs and expectations in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such intentions, plans, beliefs and expectations will prove to be accurate.

The Company cautions readers that all forward looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are based on assumptions none of which can be assured, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements.

Any forward looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in the forward looking statements. The Company assumes no obligations to update any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.