Sterling Resources Commences 2011 Operated Drilling Program

CALGARY, Alberta, February 17, 2011 - Sterling Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:SLG) ("Sterling" or the "Company") is
pleased to announce that drilling is expected to commence within the next few
days at both Cladhan (Blocks 210/29a & 210/30a) and Grian (Block 48/28b) in
the UK North Sea, as drill rigs are currently being towed to the respective
sites. At the Cladhan discovery, at least one well and a sidetrack will be
drilled utilizing the Transocean Prospect semi-submersible rig, with Sterling
as operator holding a 39.9 percent working interest. Partners in Cladhan
(license P1064) are Wintershall (UK North Sea) with a 33.5 percent working
interest, Encore Petroleum Ltd. with a 16.6 percent working interest and Dyas
UK Ltd. with a 10 percent working interest.

"We're certainly pleased to be back drilling after the successful autumn
campaign in 2010," stated John Rapach, Sterling's Chief Operating Officer.
"Our production test of the 210/29a-4Z well at 5900 barrels of oil per day
and then finding oil down dip of that well with the 210/29a-4Y sidetrack have
given Sterling and its partners the encouragement to advance an accelerated
appraisal drilling program. We have managed to prepare to drill the next
well, 210/30a-4 within seven months of re-entering the original discovery
well 210/29a-4, in August 2010," Mr. Rapach added.

The objective of the current program is to drill further down dip, again
looking for deeper oil in the structure to the east of the previous wells.
This will be followed by a sidetrack to a second location to an undrilled
channel further south of the current well penetrations. Assuming success with
both of these wells, there is an option for the Transocean Prospect to drill
a second sidetrack from the same well out into the fan system. Information
from this drilling campaign will aid in the planning of the field development
conceptual design already underway. The expected drilling time for these
three wells is 40 days, 25 days and 30 days, respectively.

The Grian prospect in the UK Southern North Sea, located immediately to
the west of the producing Hewett gas field, will be drilled using the Ensco
80 jack up rig, with Sterling as operator currently holding a 57 percent
working interest with partner, GB Petroleum Ltd.

In addition to Sterling's operated drilling activity, well 42/13a-6 is
currently being drilled on the Breagh field by operator RWE Dea. This well is
intended both to appraise the eastern side of the field and to be tied-back
as a production well. Results are expected within the next few weeks.

"The commencement of these wells signals the beginning of an ambitious
operated 2011 drilling campaign for Sterling," stated Mike Azancot,
Sterling's President and CEO. "As well as Cladhan and Grian, we have a very
exciting program of operated exploration and appraisal wells internationally
in the second half of 2011. We look forward to drilling offshore Romania on
the Eugenia and Ioana prospects (Sterling 65 percent), offshore Netherlands
on an existing oil discovery in the F Quad (Sterling 50 percent) and onshore
Romania in the Craiova license (Sterling 50 percent) on the Plenita prospect
and to a deeper target with shale gas potential. All these wells target
significant oil or gas resources capable of providing considerable growth
potential across the portfolio."

Sterling Resources Ltd. is a Canadian-listed international oil and gas
company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta with assets in the United Kingdom,
Romania, France and the Netherlands. The shares are listed and posted for
trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "SLG".

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as
that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Filer Profile No. 00002072

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements included in this press release that address activities,
events or developments that Sterling expects, believes or anticipates will or
may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. In addition,
statements relating to reserves or resources are deemed to be forward-looking
statements as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates
and assumptions that the reserves and resources described can be profitably
produced in the future.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by
Sterling based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current
conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are
appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve
substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the
possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other-forward
looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond
Sterling's control, including: the impact of general economic conditions in
the areas in which Sterling operates, civil unrest, industry conditions,
changes in laws and regulations including the adoption of new environmental
laws and regulations and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced,
increased competition, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or
management, fluctuations in commodity prices, foreign exchange or interest
rates, stock market volatility and obtaining required approvals of regulatory
authorities. In addition there are risks and uncertainties associated with
oil and gas operations. Readers should also carefully consider the matters
discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual
Information Form.

Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements,
as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon
which they are based will occur. Sterling's actual results, performance or
achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by,
these forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date
of the press release. Sterling does not intend and does not assume any
obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by
law.

Financial outlook information contained in this press release about
prospective results of operations, financial position or cash flows is based
on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and
proposed courses of action, based on management's assessment of the relevant
information currently available. Readers are cautioned that such financial
outlook information contained in this press release should not be used for
purpose other than for which it is disclosed herein.

For further information:

visit www.sterling-resources.com or contact:

Mike Azancot, President and Chief Executive Officer, Phone:
+44-1330-826764, Mobile: +44-7740-432883,
mike.azancot@sterling-resources.co.uk

David Blewden, Chief Financial Officer, Phone: +44-1330-826766, Mobile:
+44-7771-740804, david.blewden@sterling-resources.co.uk

George Kesteven, Manager, Corporate and Investor Relations, Phone:
+1-403-215-9265, Fax: +1-403-215-9279, george.kesteven@sterling-resources.com

For further information, contact: Mike Azancot, President and Chief Executive Officer, Phone:
+44-1330-826764, Mobile: +44-7740-432883, mike.azancot at sterling-resources.co.uk; David Blewden, Chief Financial Officer, Phone: +44-1330-826766, Mobile: +44-7771-740804, david.blewden at sterling-resources.co.uk; George Kesteven, Manager, Corporate and Investor Relations, Phone: +1-403-215-9265, Fax: +1-403-215-9279, george.kesteven at sterling-resources.com