TMX group

Trading Symbol: BEE: TSXV

VANCOUVER, Jan. 16 /CNW/ - Benchmark Energy Corp. (the "Company") is
pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Jean-Michel Rebilly and Mr. Brent
D. Kinney to its Board of Directors.
Mr. Jean-Michel Rebilly served as President and CEO of Geopetrol SA, a
French oil and gas Company with operating oil fields in France until 2004.
Mr. Rebilly is a co-founder and current director of Geopetrol International
Inc., a private oil and gas Company with operations in India, Vietnam and
Myanmar. Geopetrol International Inc. subscribed for 25% of the Company's
recent financing and as a result control over 10% of the Company's current
issued shares.
Mr. Brent D. Kinney holds a BA in Geology and a Law degree from the
University of Manitoba. He was a partner with one of Calgary's leading law
firms until 1991 when he moved to Doha, Qatar to advise the Minister of Energy
on petroleum matters. Mr. Kinney currently works as an independent consultant
in Dubai advising governments and international oil Companies. He is currently
a director of a multi-billion dollar international petroleum company, Husky
Energy Inc. (TSX: HSE) as well as Dragon Oil plc. (LSE: DGO) and is the
Executive Chairman of Sky petroleum Inc.(OTCBB:SKPI).
The Company also announces the resignation of Mr. D. Barry Lee from the
board of directors. The board wishes to thank Barry Lee for his past
contributions as a director of the corporation.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF BENCHMARK ENERGY CORP.

Jean-Claude Boubee
President

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