BAAR, Switzerland, May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

    Manas Petroleum Corp. (MNAP.OB)

    Manas Petroleum Corporation today announces that its wholly owned
subsidiary, Manas Energia Chile Limitada farmed-out interest in the
Tranquilo block in the Magallanes Basin, Chile to a local group exploring
and producing in the basin.

    Erik Herlyn, Chief Operating Officer of Manas Petroleum Corp.: "This
farm-out is consistent with our core strategy of acquiring major oil and
gas licenses for highly prospective under thrust structures and then
limiting the financial burdens and risks associated with their exploration
and development. Similar to our Kyrgyz and Tajik projects we have reduced
our costs while enjoying the benefit of having a highly capable partner."

    Manas and IPR won the tender for the Tranquilo block on November 15,
2007 and signed a Special Operating Contract (CEOP) with the Chilean
ministry on April 30, 2008. The final ratification of the CEOP is expected
during Q2 2008. The farm-out-agreement is effective after the final
ratification of the CEOP and the necessary approvals for licensee status of
the farminee through the appropriate Chilean authorities.

    Description of the company:

    Manas Petroleum is an international oil and gas exploration company
with assets in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and South America. The company
focuses on the exploration of large under thrust light oil prospects, in
particular in areas where the deeper potential has been historically
identified but remains to be evaluated. From our beginnings in the Kyrgyz
Republic, we recently expanded into Albania, Tajikistan and Chile.

    The company either carries out operations directly or through joint
ventures with larger oil and gas companies. Projects in the Kyrgyz Republic
are farmed out to Santos, who also signed a farm-out option agreement for
our licenses in Tajikistan. Farm out agreements have also been signed in
Chile. Manas is sole owner of its Albanian assets.

    Manas Petroleum Corporation is currently listed on the NASDAQ OTC board
(MNAP.OB).

    Disclaimer

    This Press Release contains certain forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
Company has tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking
statements using words such as "anticipates", "believes", "estimates",
"expects", "plans", "intends", "potential" and similar expressions. These
statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based upon
information currently available to it. Accordingly, such forward looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements
to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements.
The Company undertakes no obligation to update or advise in the event of
any change, addition or alteration to the information catered in this Press
Release including such forward looking statements.



    Contact:
    Bahnhofstr. 9, P.O. Box 155
    CH-6341 Baar
    Switzerland
    Phone: +41-44-718-10-30
    Fax: +41-44-718-10-39
    E-Mail: info@manaspete.com
    Internet: http://www.manaspete.com

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