Yuma Energy, Inc. Announces Appointment of James J. Jacobs as Chief Financial Officer and Departure of Kirk F. Sprunger as Chief Financial Officer

HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - Dec 17, 2015) - Yuma Energy, Inc. (NYSE MKT: YUMA) (the "Company" or "Yuma") today announced the appointment of James J. Jacobs as Chief Financial Officer, effective December 15, 2015. Mr. Jacobs is replacing Kirk F. Sprunger who is resigning to pursue other opportunities.

Sam L. Banks, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Yuma Energy, Inc. commented, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are most appreciative for the services, insight and dedication that Kirk brought to Yuma. Concurrently, we are very fortunate that Jay Jacobs can take over the position and help minimize the transition effects. Jay served as the Chief Financial Officer of Houston America Energy Corp. for seven years prior to joining Yuma in 2013 and is up to date and current regarding all key financial items regarding the Company."

Mr. Jacobs served as Yuma's Vice President - Corporate and Business Development immediately prior to his appointment as Chief Financial Officer and has been with the Company since 2013. He has 14 years of experience in the financial services and energy sector. In 2001, Mr. Jacobs worked as an Energy Analyst at Duke Capital Partners. In 2003, Mr. Jacobs worked as a Vice President of Energy Investment Banking at Sanders Morris Harris where he participated in capital markets financing, mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring and private equity transactions for various sized energy companies. From 2006 through 2013, Mr. Jacobs was the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary at Houston America Energy Corp., where he was responsible for financial accounting and reporting for U.S. and Colombian operations, as well as capital raising activities. Mr. Jacobs graduated with a Master's Degree in Professional Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas in 2001.

About Yuma Energy, Inc.

Yuma Energy, Inc. is a U.S.-based oil and gas company focused on the exploration for, and development of, conventional and unconventional oil and gas properties, primarily through the use of 3-D seismic surveys, in the U.S. Gulf Coast and California. The Company has employed a 3-D seismic-based strategy to build a multi-year inventory of development and exploration prospects. The Company's current operations are focused on onshore central Louisiana, where the Company is targeting the Austin Chalk, Tuscaloosa, Wilcox, Frio, Marg Tex and Hackberry formations. In addition, the Company has a non-operated position in the Bakken Shale in North Dakota and operated positions in Kern and Santa Barbara Counties in California. Our common stock is traded on the NYSE MKT under the trading symbol "YUMA." For more information about Yuma Energy, Inc., please visit our website at www.yumaenergyinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Statements that are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words such as "expects," "believes," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "potential," "possible," or "probable" or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "will," "should," or "could" be taken occur or be achieved. The forward-looking statements include statements about future operations, estimates of reserve and production volumes. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with expectations is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: fluctuations in oil and gas prices; the risks of the oil and gas industry (for example, operational risks in drilling and exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas); risks and uncertainties involving geology of oil and gas deposits; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to future production, costs and expenses; potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; health, safety and environmental risks and risks related to weather; inability of management to execute its plans to meet its goals, shortages of drilling equipment, oil field personnel and services, unavailability of gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities and the possibility that government policies may change. The Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, recent current reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors identified that may affect its business, results of operations, and financial condition. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.