Miller Energy Resources Secures $5 Million to Expand Operations in Alaska

HUNTSVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 31, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Miller Petroleum, Inc. dba Miller Energy Resources ("Miller") (Nasdaq: MILL) a high growth oil and natural gas exploration, production and drilling company announced today that a $5,000,000 line of credit was made available to us by PlainsCapital Bank in anticipation of larger, permanent facility. The line of credit bears an interest rate of 6% but may vary if the Prime Rate exceeds 5%. This loan is short term and matures on February 21, 2011, at which time we anticipate the permanent facility to be in place.  

The proceeds from this financing will be utilized to fund the initial phase of Miller's winter development program in the Cook Inlet area of Alaska.  The emphasis of the winter program is to target wells that were producing, but were shut-in by previous owners who lacked the equipment and funds to perform the necessary repairs.  A key component of the initial phase of Miller's winter development program will be to return the Osprey Platform to production.

"This financing will allow us to continue to boost our production in Alaska without any dilution of our stock or encumbering any of our assets. We have been committed to obtaining the lowest cost financing available, and this bridge loan allows us to stay on schedule to meet our 2011 operating and exploration goals while we complete documentation of the permanent credit facility," said Scott M. Boruff, Miller CEO. "Miller has achieved tremendous growth over the last year. We are well positioned to continue our development by targeting additional low hanging fruit that has the highest probability of successfully adding production with high returns on invested capital.  Our team in Alaska, led by David Hall, has already initiated the rework of additional wells and I look forward to bringing additional production on line as we continue to create value for our shareholders."

About Miller

Miller Energy Resources is a high growth oil and natural gas exploration, production and drilling company operating in multiple exploration and production basins in North America.  Miller's focus is in Cook Inlet, Alaska and in the heart of Tennessee's prolific and hydrocarbon-rich Appalachian Basin including the Chattanooga Shale.  Miller is headquartered in Huntsville, Tennessee with offices in Anchorage, Alaska and Knoxville, Tennessee.  The company's common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol MILL.

Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this press release and elsewhere by Miller Energy Resources are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements involve the implied assessment that the resources described can be profitably produced in the future, based on certain estimates and assumptions.  Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by Miller Energy Resources and described in the forward-looking statements.  These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, adverse general economic conditions, operating hazards, drilling risks, inherent uncertainties in interpreting engineering and geologic data, competition, reduced availability of drilling and other well services, fluctuations in oil and gas prices and prices for drilling and other well services, fluctuations in the US dollar and other currencies, the availability of sufficient capital to fund its anticipated growth, fluctuations in the prices of oil and gas, the competitive nature of its business environment, its dependence on a limited number of customers, its ability to comply with environmental regulations, changes in government regulations which could adversely impact its businesses well as other risks commonly associated with the exploration and development of oil and gas properties.  Additional information on these and other factors, which could affect Miller's operations or financial results, are included in Miller Energy Resources' reports on file with United States Securities and Exchange Commission including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2010.  Miller Energy Resources' actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward- looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in its periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its Web site (www.sec.gov).  All forward-looking statements attributable to Miller Energy Resources or to persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors.  Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.  We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change unless otherwise required under securities law.

Web Site: http://www.millerenergyresources.com

SOURCE Miller Petroleum, Inc.