CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Dec. 23, 2008) - Triangle Petroleum Corporation (the "Company" or "Triangle") (TSX VENTURE:TPE)(OTCBB:TPLM) today reported that its Canadian operating subsidiary, Elmworth Energy Corporation, has received approval in principle from the Nova Scotia government for a shale gas production lease in the Windsor Block.

This production lease will cover a 10-year period and additional approvals are required for specific activities and stages within the lease. Company staff will meet with energy department officials in the New Year to confirm specific work commitments which were proposed in the development application submitted in June 2008.