TAG Oil News Releases

03/13/09

Trans-Orient Petroleum Provides Corporate Update

March 13, 2009, Vancouver, B.C. -- Trans-Orient Petroleum Ltd. (TSX-V: TOZ and OTCBB: TOPLF) announces that Mr. Alex Guidi has resigned as a Director of the Company.

"The board wishes to extend its thanks to Mr. Guidi for his vision and important contributions that allowed Trans-Orient to successfully secure and fund a significant land package in the East Coast Basin of New Zealand. We look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Guidi in a consulting capacity." Commented Garth Johnson, Trans-Orient's Chief Executive.

About Trans-Orient:
Trans-Orient Petroleum Ltd. is a Canadian-based company that controls a 100% interest in 2.2 million acres in the onshore East Coast Basin of New Zealand. This high-potential oil and gas frontier encompasses a number of significant drill-ready conventional prospects as well as unconventional prospects targeting world-class fractured shale oil-and-gas source-rock formations.

Contact:
Garth Johnson, CEO
+1.604.682-6496
http://www.transorient.com/

Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable legislation. Other than statements of historical fact, all statements in this release addressing future operations, undiscovered hydrocarbon resource potential, exploration, potential reservoirs, prospects, leads and other contingencies are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements due to factors such as market prices, farm-outs, relinquishments, exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market, political or business conditions. Please see our public filings at www.sedar.com for further information.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed, and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.