EXHIBIT 99

                             BERKLEY RESOURCES INC.
               #400, 455 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T1
                     Ph: (604) 682-3701 Fax: (604) 682-3600


September 30, 2004
                                                             (BKS - TSX Venture)
                                                            (BRKDF - U.S. Pinks)



NEWS RELEASE




Major Drill Program Commenced Sept. 2004

Berkley  Resources Inc.  ("Berkley")  is a diversified  resource and real estate
company  headquartered  in  Vancouver,  Canada.  Over  the  past 16 years it has
developed a profitable  base of oil and gas projects  across  Western Canada and
commercial  real estate in downtown  Vancouver.  By 2003 Berkley had acquired an
impressive  portfolio of oil and gas  properties  and is planning an  aggressive
exploration and drilling  program  throughout the balance of 2004 and into early
2005.

With record  breaking oil prices,  Berkley  anticipates  that in 2004/2005 there
will be a substantial increase in revenues and net income. Even though we are at
record  prices in oil,  the price  outlook,  based on world  events,  is for oil
prices to sustain their high levels and perhaps increase even further.

Berkley holds  interests in roughly 40 producing wells most of which are located
within five  discrete  project  areas in Alberta and  Saskatchewan.  In addition
Berkley  is  involved  in four  new  exploration  projects  in  Alberta.  One is
currently  drilling and the other three are  scheduled  for drilling in the next
six months. All four are quality  opportunities  developed over the past several
years.

Presently Berkley is actively  developing the following  projects.  Several more
are in the works:

      o   Dollard,  Saskatchewan  -  Infill  drilling  is  underway  on this oil
          producing  property  purchased in 2003. Berkley holds 20% W.I. in this
          project.  Further  infill  and  extension  drilling  will  be  pursued
          step-by-step  based  on  success.   This  favourable   acquisition  is
          significantly enhanced by current oil prices.

      o   Crossfield,  Alberta - This "second-wave" gas prospect is drill ready,
          waiting on  licencing.  Berkley  holds 35% W.I. in over 4,000 acres of
          P&NG leases related to this prospect.

      o   Brazeau,  Alberta - This $4.6 million  test well is underway.  Berkley
          will  pay  30% of the  test  well  costs  to  earn  19.50%  W.I.  in a
          significant  gas target.  If successful  the test well will be tied-in
          immediately to the operator's marketing system.

      o   Senex,  Alberta  -  Berkley  and  its  partners  completed  the  final
          acquisition  important  to this  oil  prospect  by  purchasing  a nine
          section P&NG Licence at the  September 29, 2004 Alberta Crown sale for
          $375,000. This acquisition completes the 14 section block important to
          this project. Berkley holds 20% W.I. in most of the project area which
          is currently  producing  over 100 barrels of oil per day from existing
          wells. Additional drilling and re-entry work is underway.

Berkley is well  positioned to profit from the strong resource  market.  Berkley
has a solid asset base and has relied almost  entirely on  internally  generated
revenues  for  financing.  As  a  result  there  are  only  6.8  million  shares
outstanding.

Berkley  plans  further  development  of its  oil  and gas  projects,  with  its
interests  ranging from 20% - 35%.  These will be tested  under a C$3.0  million
plus (Berkley's share) drilling budget in 2004/2005.

For more  information  please contact J.E. (Jim) O'Byrne,  Manager,  Oil and Gas
Operations - Calgary, Phone (403) 237-6211.


ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:


"Matt Wayrynen"
------------------------
Matt Wayrynen, President

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