Citadel Announces Initial Success at Rancho Grande.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., May 15, 2013

"Establishing production through exploratory drilling is the key to our strategy to build shareholder value," said Citadel CEO Armen Nahabedian. "I am pleased with the results of this effort and look forward to our next well."

About Citadel:

Citadel Exploration (OTCBB: COIL) is a pure-play California oil company with operations in the Salinas and San Joaquin Basins of California.  Citadel has a broad portfolio of capital investment opportunities arising from management's extensive knowledge of the geology and the history of oil and gas exploration and development in California. 

For more information on the company, visit www.citadelexploration.com.  

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995) that inherently involve risk and uncertainties. Citadel Exploration generally uses words such as "believe," "may," "could," "will," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. One should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many unforeseen factors. See Citadel Exploration's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 for a discussion of such risks, uncertainties and other factors.

Statements such as any perceived benefit from the raising of capital and the beginning of drilling and any other perceived benefits, involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to our ability to successfully drill wells and extract resources, operate without adversely impacting the environment, our ability to adhere to safety measures, or other general economic conditions which would hinder our ability to operate effectively.