HOUSTON, May 11, 2005 – Swift Energy Company (NYSE: SFY) announced today four executive appointments for Swift Energy and its subsidiaries. Laurent “Larry” Baillargeon has been appointed to Chief General Counsel, and Karen Bryant has been promoted to Chief Governance Officer and Secretary for Swift Energy Company. Ms. Bryant will also continue in her role as General Counsel—Corporate for Swift Energy. In separate appointments for Swift Energy’s subsidiaries, Donald L. Morgan has been named President of Swift Energy International, Inc. (“SEI”) and is returning from New Zealand to Swift Energy’s corporate offices. Mr. Morgan will also continue as the non-executive Chairman of Swift Energy New Zealand Ltd. (“SENZ”). In a related promotion, R. Alan Cunningham, President of SENZ, will become the principal executive officer in New Zealand for Swift Energy New Zealand. Bruce H. Vincent, previously serving as President and Secretary of Swift Energy and President of SEI, will continue in his position as President of Swift Energy Company.

Mr. Laurent “Larry” Baillargeon has served as Swift’s General Counsel since December 2004 and prior to that as General Counsel—Exploration and Production from May 2003. Mr. Baillargeon joined the Company in May 2000 as Associate General Counsel. He has 29 years of legal background in oil and gas, including exploration and production activities, land and legal contracts, and acquisitions and divestitures. He 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.

Ms. Karen Bryant joined Swift Energy as General Counsel—Corporate Governance and Assistant Secretary in May of 2003. Ms. Bryant has 19 years of experience practicing law, specializing in federal securities law and general corporate law. Prior to joining Swift Energy, Ms. Bryant was with the law firm of Jenkens and Gilchrist, where she was a Shareholder in the Corporate Securities Practice Group. She received her B.B.A. from the University of Houston and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston Law Center.

Mr. Don Morgan, with over 40 years of oil and gas experience, joined Swift Energy in 1994. Mr Morgan’s primary focus had previously been developing Swift Energy’s international business units. He played an integral part in the early development of Swift Energy’s subsidiary, Swift Energy New Zealand. He received his B.B.A. from the University of Houston.

Mr. Alan Cunningham joined Swift Energy New Zealand in 2002 and has over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Prior to joining SENZ, Mr. Cunningham was employed in international operations involving business development, exploration and production and planning in the Austral-Asian area. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Texas and a Juris Doctorate degree from South Texas College of Law.

Swift Energy Company, founded in 1979 and headquartered in Houston, 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 oil and natural gas reserves in New Zealand. Over the Company’s 25-year history, Swift Energy 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.