HOUSTON, December 17, 2004 – Swift Energy Company (NYSE: SFY) announced today that Laurent “Larry” Baillargeon has been appointed General Counsel for the Company. Wynn Ibach, former General Counsel, will become Of Counsel to the Company.

Mr. Laurent “Larry” Baillargeon has served as General Counsel – Exploration and Production since June 2003 and prior to that as Associate General Counsel since joining the Company in May of 2000. Larry has 29 years of legal background in oil and gas, including exploration and production activities, land and legal contracts, and acquisitions and divestitures. Prior to joining Swift, Larry was Vice President, Corporate Land and General Counsel of Petrocorp, Inc., and Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Yankee Oil and Gas, Inc.; additionally, Larry held various legal positions with Venus Oil Company, Tenneco Oil Company and Shell Oil Company together with extensive experience in private oil and gas practice in San Antonio. Larry received a bachelor's degree from Assumption College, a Masters of Business Administration from Regis University and his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law. Larry is a member of the American Bar Association (Vice Chairman – E&P Energy Section), American Corporate Counsel Association, State Bar of Texas, State Bar of Massachusetts, The College of the State Bar of Texas (Fellow), Houston Bar Association, American Association of Petroleum Landmen (CPL), Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen (CAPL), and Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA).

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, Swift Energy Company was founded in 1979 with its headquarters in Houston, Texas. Swift Energy engages in developing, exploring, acquiring and operating oil and gas properties, with a focus on onshore and inland waters oil and natural gas reserves in Louisiana and Texas and onshore oil and natural gas reserves in New Zealand. The Company has consistently shown long-term growth in its proved oil and gas reserves, production and cash flow through a disciplined program of acquisitions and drilling, while maintaining a strong financial position.

This material includes “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. The opinions, forecasts, projections, or other statements other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Certain risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business are set forth in the filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.