CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 08/19/08 -- Vast Exploration Inc. ("Vast" or "the Company") (TSX VENTURE: VST) is pleased to announce that Genuity Capital Markets ("Genuity") has initiated coverage on the Company by its Research, Oil and Gas Analyst, Jamie Somerville. Genuity is an independent full service investment dealer registered in Canada and the U.S.

For further information and access to the report please contact Genuity Capital Markets at +1 (416) 603 6000 or by email at jamie.somerville@genuitycm.com.

About Vast Exploration Inc.

Vast Exploration Inc. is an independent oil and gas company, and a partner of Niko Resources Ltd. Vast is focused on the exploration and development of its principal asset, the Qara Dagh Block, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The Qara Dagh Block lies on trend with existing discoveries and is located in the prolific Zagros Fold Belt of Northern Iraq which contains several large fields including the super-giant Kirkuk field.

Regulatory Statements

Statements in this release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information typically contain words such as "anticipate", "plan", "expect", "potential", or similar words suggesting future outcomes and include, without limitation, statements regarding the impact of management and board appointments; future performance of management and the board; the Company's operational plans; corporate strategy; and the availability of acquisition opportunities. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, commodity prices, third party risks, acquisition risks, risks inherent in the oil and gas industry, licensing risks, financing risks, regulatory risks and environmental concerns. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.