Aurora Appoints New Directors and Houston-based Chief Financial Officer

PERTH, Western Australia, May 2, 2013 /CNW/ - Aurora Oil & Gas Limited (Aurora) (ASX: AUT) (TSX: AEF) is pleased to announce that current CEO Mr Douglas Brooks and Mr John Atkins will join the Aurora Board effective 3 June 2013. Aurora is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr J. David Lucke to the role of Chief Financial Officer of Aurora, effective May 15 of 2013. Mr Lucke will be based in Aurora's Houston office.

Mr Brooks was appointed CEO of Aurora in October 2012 and it was envisioned he would be invited to join the board after an appropriate period. Mr Brooks is based in Houston, Texas and brings to the directorship in excess of 30 years' experience in the US oil and gas industry. Mr Brooks has a Bachelor of Science, Business Management Degree from the University of Wyoming and a MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University.

Mr Atkins is a professional company director, and has had a career as a corporate lawyer spanning more than 25 years. He will join Aurora's Board as an independent, non-executive director. He brings to Aurora significant experience in listed company governance, finance, M&A advice and corporate transactions. Mr Atkins is soon to complete his term as Chairman - Western Australia of ANZ Bank and is a non-executive director of the following listed and unlisted entities:

• Lotterywest (Chairman)
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (Chairman)
• Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Breakaway Resources Limited (Chairman)
• Australian Finance Group Limited
• Committee for Perth Limited

Mr Atkins holds an LLB from the University of Western Australia and a LLM from London University.

Mr Lucke joins Aurora with more than 20 years of experience in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions.  Previously, Mr Lucke worked in energy investment banking, including KeyBanc, Jefferies and ABN AMRO.  Recently, Mr Lucke served as CFO of a private US-based independent oil and gas company.  In addition, Mr Lucke worked for Coopers & Lybrand and is a Certified Practicing Accountant.  Mr Lucke received an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin and a BA from Duke University.  Mr Lucke's appointment is consistent with Aurora's strategy to recruit experienced US-based senior management to assist with the effective execution of its US business plans

Mr Graham Dowland will remain as Finance Director during a transition period with Mr Lucke. Mr Dowland, a director since 2005, will remain an executive director with responsibilities aligned with business development and corporate affairs. Mr Dowland will maintain his direct involvement in the Company's financial affairs, corporate activities and strategic direction.

About Aurora

Aurora is an Australian and Toronto listed oil and gas company active in the over pressured liquids rich region of the Eagle Ford shale in Texas, United States.  Aurora is engaged in the development and production of oil, condensate and natural gas in Karnes, Live Oak and Atascosa counties in South Texas. Aurora participates in approximately 79,700 highly contiguous gross acres in the heart of the trend, including approximately 21,800 net acres within the Sugarkane Field in the over-pressured and liquids core of the Eagle Ford. 

SOURCE: Aurora Oil & Gas Limited

Jon Stewart
Executive Chairman
Aurora Oil & Gas Limited
Tel: [phone]

Shaun Duffy
F T I Consulting
Tel: [phone]
Mob: [phone]
[email protected]

Jane Munday
F T I Consulting
Tel: [phone]
Mob: [phone]
[email protected]

Aurora Oil & Gas Limited ABN 90 008 787 988

HEAD OFFICE
Level 20, 77 St. Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
GPO Box 2530 Perth, WA 6001, Australia
t [phone], f [phone], e [email protected]

HOUSTON
Aurora USA Oil & Gas, Inc. a subsidiary of Aurora Oil & Gas Limited
1111 Louisiana, Suite 4550, Houston, TX 77002 USA
t [phone], f [phone]

www.auroraoag.com.au