Transmeridian Exploration Announces Second Quarter 2004 Results


HOUSTON, July 30, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Transmeridian Exploration, Inc. (OTCBB:TMXN) today announced the results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2004. The Company reported a net loss of $555,063 or $0.01 per share on revenues of $1,562,656, compared to a net loss of $1,303,016 or $0.02 per share on no revenues for the second quarter of 2003. For the six month period ended June 30, 2004, the net loss was $1,583,296 or $0.02 per share on revenues of $2,205,583, compared to a net loss of $2,395,691 or $0.04 per share for the six month period ended June 30, 2003.

Production for the quarter was 76,532 barrels or an average of 841 barrels per day. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, production was 161,518 barrels or 887 barrels per day. Substantially all this production is from the SA-1, as the SA-2 and SA-4 were in the testing phase during the quarter. For the quarter, Transmeridian sold 133,646 barrels at an average price of $11.82 per barrel and for the six months ended June 30, 2004, 186,945 barrels were sold at an average price of $11.80 per barrel.

During the second quarter a tank at the permanent facility was commissioned for use. This allowed us to begin oil sales in the field, resulting in a cost savings of approximately $160,000 in the second quarter.

The selected financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's December 31, 2003 annual report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.



 Selected Balance Sheet Information:

                            June 30,     December 31,
                              2004           2003
                              ----           ----
                           (unaudited)

 Current Assets            $ 2,063,222   $ 2,067,804

 Property and Equipment     66,008,675    54,560,575
 Total Assets               68,384,674    57,099,072

 Current Liabilities        21,101,707    31,918,658

 Long term liabilities      28,768,930    24,674,196
 Minority interest           8,657,715          -
 Stockholders equity         9,856,322       506,218


 Selected Income and Operating data (unaudited):


              For the Three Months Ended    For the Six Months Ended
              --------------------------    -------------------------
                  June 30,      June 30,      June 30,     June 30,
                    2004          2003          2004         2003
                    ----          ----          ----         ----

 Oil revenues   $ 1,562,656   $     -       $ 2,205,583   $    -
 Total operating
  costs and
  expenses        1,871,550     1,082,018     3,607,014     1,979,258
 Operating loss    (308,894)   (1,082,018)   (1,401,431)   (1,979,258)
 Net loss
  attributable
  to common
  stockholders  $  (555,063)  $(1,303,016)  $(1,583,296)  $(2,395,691)
                ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========

 Basic and
  diluted loss
  per share     $     (0.01)  $     (0.02)  $     (0.02)  $     (0.04)
                ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
 Weighted
  average
  common shares
  outstanding    77,837,642    61,730,233    77,837,642    61,730,233
                ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========

 Production -
  barrels            76,532        -            161,518        -
                ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========
 Average price
  per barrel
  sold
                $     11.82   $    -        $     11.80   $    -
                ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========

About Transmeridian Exploration, Inc.

Transmeridian Exploration, Inc. (TMXN) is an independent energy company established to acquire and develop oil reserves in the Caspian Sea region of the former Soviet Union. TMXN primarily targets medium-sized fields with proved or probable reserves and significant upside reserve potential. Its first major project is the South Alibek Field in Kazakhstan and it is currently pursuing additional projects in Azerbaijan.

For more information please contact the following:



 Transmeridian Exploration, Inc.      or    ROI Investor Relations, LLC  
 397 N. Sam Houston Pkwy E. Suite 300       39 Broadway, Suite 2410  
 Houston, TX 77060                          New York, NY 10006  
 Lorrie T. Olivier, CEO                     Robert Giordano  
 Tel: (281) 999-9091                        Tel: (212) 495-0200 x15  
 Fax: (281) 999-9094                        Fax: (212) 495-0746  
 E-mail: tmei@tmei.com                      E-mail: rgiordano@roiny.com  
 Website: www.tmei.com 

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created therein. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Although Transmeridian Exploration, Inc. believes the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion herein should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved.

TMEI discloses proved reserves that comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) definitions. Note that the Company's use of terms such as "probable oil resources", "probable reserves", "possible oil resources", "ultimate potential", "resources"," potential reserves" and "recoverable reserves" include quantities of oil that are not yet classified as proved and which SEC guidelines do not allow us to include in filings with the SEC.