STATE COLLEGE, Pa., July 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rex Energy
Corporation (Nasdaq:REXX) today announced its second quarter 2012
production and revenue results.

Second quarter 2012 net production volumes were 62.5 MMcfe/d,
consisting of 46.3 MMcfe/d of natural gas and 2.7 MBoe/d of oil and
natural gas liquids, which represents an increase of 78% over the
second quarter of 2011 and an increase of 3% over the first quarter of
2012. Production for the first six months of 2012 totaled 61.6 MMcfe/d,
which represents an increase of 97% over the first six months of 2011.
Oil and natural gas liquids accounted for 26% of the total net
production for the second quarter of 2012.

Second quarter 2012 production was constrained by an estimated 1.2 --
1.8 MMcfe/d due to involuntary production curtailments in the company's
non-operated area in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania and extended
downtime associated with the startup of the recently-commissioned
Bluestone Plant.

Revenues from oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids for the second
quarter of 2012 totaled approximately $27.7 million, of which 63% was
from oil and natural gas liquids, as compared to $31.5 million during
the first quarter of 2012. After the effects of cash settled
derivatives, realized natural gas prices were $3.66 per Mcf, realized
oil prices were $89.53 per barrel, and realized natural gas liquids
prices were $31.60 per barrel for the second quarter of 2012. Realized
prices for natural gas liquids were pressured by continued weakness in
the propane market and other temporary propane-related factors.
Unanticipated maintenance for the Sarsen depropanizer and an extended
commissioning of the Bluestone depropanizer resulted in higher volumes
of propane blended into the NGL stream and sold outside of premium
local propane markets. The depropanizers were placed back in to service
in July and the company expects third quarter sales of propane to
benefit from increased operational efficiencies. In June, the company
implemented a hedging strategy with respect to its natural gas liquids,
which partially offset the propane impact for the month and resulted in
an additional price realization of approximately $1.21 per barrel
during the second quarter.

Results Subject to Review

The financial results contained in this release remain subject to the
review of the company and its independent auditors.

Second Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call

Rex Energy plans to release second quarter 2012 operational results on
Tuesday, August 7, 2012 after market close. Management will host a live
conference call and webcast on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 10 a.m. ET
to review second quarter results and operational highlights. All
financial results discussed in the second quarter earnings release and
on the webcast will remain subject to our independent auditor's review.
The telephone number to access the conference call is (877) 849-6312.
The conference call will be available for replay through the company's
website at www.rexenergy.com under the Investor Relations tab. The
replay of the event and reference materials will be available on the
company's website through September 8, 2012.

About Rex Energy Corporation

Rex Energy is headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania and is an
independent oil and gas exploration and production company operating in
the Appalachian and Illinois Basins within the United States. The
company's strategy is to pursue its higher potential exploration
drilling prospects while acquiring oil and natural gas properties
complementary to its portfolio.

The Rex Energy Corporation logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5489

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this release, including those relating to
factors affecting the company's production, outlook for propane sales
and related estimates, are 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.
Forward-looking statements are indicated by words such as "expected",
"expects", "anticipates" and similar words. These statements are based
on assumptions and estimates that management believes are reasonable
based on currently available information; however, management's
assumptions and the company's future performance are subject to a wide
range of business risks and uncertainties, and there is no assurance
that these goals and projections can or will be met. Any number of
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the company's most
recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and it subsequent periodic filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a full list of these
factors and further information on the risks and uncertainties related
to the company. These filings are available on the company's website,
www.rexenergy.com, under the Investor Relations tab. Rex Energy
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements.


CONTACT: For more information, please visit our website or contact:
         
         www.rexenergy.com
         
         Tom Stabley
         Chief Executive Officer
         (814) 278-7215
         tstabley@rexenergycorp.com
         
         Mark Aydin
         Manager, Investor Relations
         (814) 278-7249
         maydin@rexenergycorp.com