2008-05-01 22:35:07 -

www.rexenergycorp.com - Rex Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: REXX) (the "Company") announced today the appointment of James Watson as its Vice President of Drilling for its Appalachian Basin Region and the commencement of injection operations in its Alkali-Surfactant-Polymer ("ASP") pilot projects.

Mr. Watson will manage the Company's drilling programs in its Appalachian Region operations, including its Marcellus Shale

drilling activities. Mr. Watson will report to Michael S. Carlson, the Company's Vice President and Appalachian Region Manager. Mr. Watson joins the Company following his departure from Range Resources Corporation, where he served as the Manager of Drilling for Appalachia Shale.

Mr. Watson has over 18 years of experience in the drilling of oil and natural gas wells in the Appalachian Basin Region. While with Range Resources, Mr. Watson was primarily responsible for that company's Marcellus Shale drilling activities in Pennsylvania. Since 2005, Mr. Watson has supervised the drilling of all vertical and horizontal Marcellus Shale wells for Range Resources. Prior to that, Mr. Watson served as District Engineer and Manager of Drilling & Completion for Great Lakes Energy Partners, a subsidiary of Range Resources. At Great Lakes, Mr. Watson was responsible for the drilling and completion of approximately 425 natural gas and coal-bed methane wells in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York. Mr. Watson also gained valuable oil and natural gas drilling experience while employed with Superior Well Services, the R.J. Lee Group, Appalachian Well Services and the Western Company of North America. Mr. Watson obtained his B.A. degree in Geology from Slippery Rock University and also served as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Air Force.

The Company also announced today the commencement of its injection operations in its two ASP pilot projects. The Company's ASP project is an enhanced oil recovery project in the Lawrence field in Illinois targeting the Bridgeport and Cypress sandstones.

"We are very excited about these two important milestones for Rex Energy. I am extremely pleased to announce that Jim Watson has become part of the Rex Energy team. His significant experience in both vertical and horizontal drilling in the Marcellus Shale will serve as a valuable asset in our Marcellus Shale exploration activities," said Benjamin Hulburt, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. "I am also very pleased that we have continued to execute on our business plan with the commencement of injection operations in our two ASP pilot projects in the Lawrence field."

About Rex Energy Corporation

Rex Energy Corporation is an independent oil and gas company operating in the Illinois Basin, the Appalachian Basin and the Southwestern Region of the United States. The Company has pursued a balanced growth strategy of exploiting its sizable inventory of lower risk developmental drilling locations, pursuing its higher potential exploration drilling prospects and actively seeking to acquire complementary oil and natural gas properties.

For more information, contact: Joseph DeSimone, director of investor relations, at (814) 278-7267 or jdesimone@rexenergycorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, statements made in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on assumptions and estimates that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information; however, management's assumptions and the Company's future performance are subject to a wide range of business risks and uncertainties, and there is no assurance that these goals and projections can or will be met. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the volatility of oil and gas prices, the costs and results of drilling and operations, the timing of production, mechanical and other inherent risks associated with oil and gas production, weather, the availability of drilling equipment, changes in interest rates, litigation, uncertainties about reserve estimates, environmental risks and the occurrence of any unanticipated acquisition opportunities. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Further information on risks and uncertainties is available in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Rex Energy Corporation
Joseph DeSimone, 814-278-7267
director of investor relations
jdesimone@rexenergycorp.com