CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - 07/10/09) - Vast Exploration Inc. ("Vast" or the "Company") (TSX-V:VST - News) is pleased to announce that it has granted a total of 4,200,000 options to various officers, directors, consultants and employees under the stock option plan of the Company. The options are exercisable at $0.40 per option and shall expire on July 10, 2014. The options shall vest immediately subject to the four month regulatory hold period. The grant of options remains subject to regulatory approval.

About Vast Exploration Inc.

Vast Exploration Inc. is an independent oil and gas company, and a partner of Niko Resources Ltd. Vast is focused on the exploration and development of its principal asset, the Qara Dagh Block, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The Qara Dagh Block lies on trend with existing discoveries and is located in the prolific Zagros Fold Belt of Northern Iraq which contains several large fields including the super-giant Kirkuk field.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

 
Contacts:
Vast Exploration Inc.
Ahmed S. Said
President and CEO
(403) 263-3000
asaid@forbesenergygroup.com