San Diego, California, May 17, 1996 -- Royale Energy, Inc. announced at its Annual Shareholders Meeting in San Diego today that they are putting two natural gas wells into production.  The West Grimes and Dozier were drilled and completed earlier this year.  The West Grimes was completed in six feet of the lowermost productive sand with a flow rate  of 2,500,000 cubic ft. per day.  Approximately 25 ft. of gas-filled sands in three additional zones remain behind pipe.  Another West Grimes well is scheduled to be drilled in July.  The Dozier well was completed in a section of the Anderson sands at 6,300 ft. with a flow rate of 3,253,000 cubic feet per day.

The Company has also concluded drilling of its Airport prospect.  The Airport well encountered 26 ft. of gas-filled sands in four productive pay zones.  At this time only the lower Winters formation was tested.  The top four feet of a ten foot thick Winter sand was perforated and tested at 1,700,000 cubic feet per day.

Surface facilities have been ordered and the pipeline is being constructed.  The well should be in full production in mid-June.