Transmeridian Exploration Incorporated and Transmeridian Exploration Inc. Extend...

Transmeridian Exploration Incorporated and Transmeridian Exploration Inc. Extend
Consent Payment Deadline and Expiration Time for 12% Senior Secured Notes Due
2010

HOUSTON, Sept. 2, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transmeridian Exploration
Incorporated (AMEX:TMY) ("Transmeridian") and its wholly-owned subsidiary
Transmeridian Exploration Inc. ("TMEI") today announced that they have extended
the consent payment deadline and expiration time with respect to their exchange
offer and concurrent solicitation of consents to amend the indenture governing
TMEI's 12% Senior Secured Notes due 2010 (the "Existing Notes") (CUSIP Nos.:
89376NAC2, 89376NAA6, 89376NAB4, U87289AB7) and related security documents. The
consent payment deadline, which was 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 29,
2008, will be extended to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 5, 2008,
unless further extended. The expiration time for the exchange offer, which was
12:00 midnight, New York City time, on September 15, 2008, will be extended to
12:00 midnight, New York City time, on September 22, 2008, unless further
extended.

All other material terms of the consent solicitation and the related exchange
offer remain unchanged. Holders who have already properly tendered their
Existing Notes and delivered their consents do not need to retender or deliver
new consents. Consents (whether previously or hereafter delivered) may only be
revoked in the manner described in the Offering Memorandum and Consent
Solicitation Statement, dated July 23, 2008.

Transmeridian and TMEI also announced that as of 5:00 p.m. (EDT), August 29,
2008, holders of an aggregate $30,146,000 principal amount of the Existing Notes
have tendered their Existing Notes and delivered their consents to the proposed
amendments to the indenture governing the Existing Notes and related security
documents.

This press release is not a solicitation of consents, and is not an offer to
sell any new notes (the "New Notes") to be issued by TMEI in the exchange offer
for Existing Notes or an offer to exchange New Notes for Existing Notes, and is
not a solicitation of an offer to sell Existing Notes or to exchange Existing
Notes for New Notes. The consent solicitation and exchange offer are being made
solely by the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated July
23, 2008, and related documents, which set forth the complete terms of the
consent solicitation and the exchange offer. Only holders of Existing Notes who
have completed and returned a certification are authorized to receive or review
the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement or to participate in
the consent solicitation and exchange offer. The New Notes will not be offered
pursuant to an effective registration statement. Therefore, the New Notes may
not be offered or sold in the United States absent an exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and any applicable state
securities laws.

About Transmeridian Exploration Incorporated

Transmeridian is an independent energy company established to acquire and
develop oil reserves in the Caspian Sea region of the former Soviet Union.
Transmeridian primarily targets fields with proved or probable reserves and
significant upside reserve potential. Transmeridian currently has projects in
Kazakhstan and southern Russia; its main asset is a 100% interest in the South
Alibek field in western Kazakhstan.

For more information please contact the following:

Earl W. McNiel, CFO Phone: (713) 458-1100
5847 San Felipe, Suite 4300 Fax: (713) 781-6593
Houston, Texas 77057 E-mail: tmei@tmei.com
Website: www.tmei.com
Cautionary Statement

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be
covered by the safe harbors created therein. Investors are cautioned that all
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including but not
limited to those discussed in Transmeridian's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2007, as amended, and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for
the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008 and other filings with the
SEC. Although Transmeridian believes the assumptions underlying the
forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, there can be no
assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release
will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in
the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion herein should not
be regarded as a representation by Transmeridian or any other person that the
objectives and plans of Transmeridian will be achieved.

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CONTACT: Transmeridian Exploration Incorporated
Earl W. McNiel, CFO
(713) 458-1100
tmei@tmei.com