RIMOUSKI, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - July 16, 2013) - Pétrolia (TSX VENTURE:PEA) is pleased to announce that Gildas Collin will be joining the Pétrolia team as head of operations on October 1, 2013. His appointment underscores the company's strategy to pursue development of the Haldimand oil field in Gaspé and implement a broad exploration program to assess the potential for oil production on Anticosti Island.

An engineering graduate of Arts et Métiers and Institut Français du Pétrole, with a specialty in economics and management, Gildas Collin boasts more than 20 years of experience in oil and gas. Before coming to Pétrolia, Gildas Collin served since 2011 as chief petroleum engineer at the headquarters of Perenco, an independent oil and gas company based in London and active on four continents. During his career he has acquired a wealth of experience in key areas of oil and gas exploration and production. His practical experience in directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations combined with his in-depth knowledge of reservoir modeling, oil reserve estimation, and economic project analysis are highly valued assets for the head of operations position.

In his new role Gildas Collin will oversee all of Pétrolia's field operations. Although he will be based in Quebec City, he will make regular site visits to ensure compliance with operational and safety requirements.

About Pétrolia

Pétrolia is a junior oil and gas exploration company which owns interests in oil and gas licenses covering 14,000 km² (3.5 million acres), which represents about 17% of the Québec territory under lease. The leases, the majority of which are located on the Gaspé Peninsula and Anticosti Island, are considered to be very promising and represent almost 70% of the territory under lease for which there is land-based oil potential in Québec. Pétrolia has 69 431 372 shares issued and outstanding and has a working capital of $ 4,000,000.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements made herein may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or the future economic performance of Pétrolia and carry known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may appreciably affect their results, economic performance or accomplishments when considered in light of the content or implications o statements made by Pétrolia. Actual events or results could be significantly different. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Pétrolia does not intend and undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Neither the 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.