HOUSTON, May 6, 2008 – Swift Energy Company (NYSE: SFY) announced today that one of its subsidiaries, Swift Energy New Zealand, has agreed to sell the remaining portion of its assets to an undisclosed party for $15 million, which will be paid over 30 months after closing the transaction. The future payments are secured by unconditional letters of credit. Upon closing, a non-cash gain of approximately $12.8 million will be recorded, which represents the present value of these payments net of approximately $0.5 million of book value. The transaction is subject to certain New Zealand government approvals and is expected to close within the next few months.

The close of the previously announced sale of the majority of Swift Energy Company’s New Zealand assets is expected to occur during the second quarter of 2008.

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. Over the Company’s 28-year history, Swift Energy has 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.