Monday, January 20, 2003 Calgary, Alberta - TransGlobe Energy Corporation (“TransGlobe” or the “Company”) (TSX symbol "TGL"; OTC-BB symbol "TGLEF") is pleased to announce a successful development well at Tasour #8 on Block 32 in the Republic of Yemen.

Block 32, Yemen (13.81% working interest)

The Tasour #8 well, which commenced drilling in December 2002, was drilled to total depth and cased as a dual zone oil well. The Tasour #8 well encountered the main Qishn S1A producing zone in a structurally high position previously defined by the Tasour #7 well. Tasour #7 was drilled in September 2002 and extended the Tasour field to the south, in an area that was previously assumed to be below the oil water contact. Similar to Tasour #7 the Tasour #8 well also encountered oil in a second sandstone reservoir below the main producing Qishn S-1A reservoir. Tasour #8 was placed on production at an initial rate of 9,000 barrels of oil per day. Additional development drilling is planned for the Tasour field during 2003.

The Tasour field is currently producing in excess of 15,000 Bopd (2,070 Bopd to TransGlobe). Two wells are undergoing pump changes (Tasour #3 and #6) and are expected to be back on production by January 31. Installation of additional pumping equipment is planned at the Tasour central production facility which will increase the Tasour field production capacity to about 20,000 Bopd (2,760 Bopd to TransGlobe). With all six Tasour production wells on stream, Tasour would be capable of producing at this increased capacity by early February, 2003.

The drilling rig is being moved to an exploratory prospect at Haibish #1 (formerly named Al Ghoraf) on the western portion of Block 32. Results from Haibish #1 are expected in approximately four weeks.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although TransGlobe believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include oil and gas prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions.