<html>

  <head>
    <title>magellanpetroleumcorporation.htm</title>
<!-- Licensed to: magellan petroleum corp-->
<!-- Document Created using EDGARizer 4.0.1.0 -->
<!-- Copyright 2007 EDGARfilings, Ltd., an IEC company.-->
<!-- All rights reserved EDGARfilings.com -->
</head>
  <body bgcolor="#ffffff">
    <div>
      <hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -5px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="4">
      <hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -10px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="1">
    </div>
    <div><br><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>UNITED
      STATES</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>SECURITIES
      AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>WASHINGTON,
      DC 20549</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>FORM
      8-K</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>CURRENT
      REPORT PURSUANT</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>TO
      SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt;"></font><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;Date
      of report (Date
      of earliest event reported): September 5, 2007 (August 31, 2007)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><u>Magellan
        Petroleum Corporation</u></font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">(Exact
      Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><u>Delaware</u></font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">(State
      or
      Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 101.6pt;"></font><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;<u>&#160;</u></font><u>&#160;1-5507</u>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;&#160;<u>06-0842255</u></font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 23.25pt;"></font><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;(Commission
      File
      Number)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;IRS
      Employer Identification No.)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<u>10
        Columbus
        Boulevard, Hartford,
        CT</u>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<u>&#160;06106</u></font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font>&#160;(Address
      of
      Principal Executive
      Offices)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;(Zip
      Code)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><u>860-293-2006</u></font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">(Registrant&#8217;s
      Telephone Number, Including Area Code)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><u>Not
        Applicable</u></font></div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">(Former
      Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt;"></font>Check
      the appropriate box below if the
      Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation
      of
      the registrant under any of the following provisions (<em>see </em>General
      Instruction A.2. below):</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt;"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Written
      communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
      230.425)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt;"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Soliciting
      material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt;"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14d-2(b))</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt;"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.13e-4(c))</font></div>
    <div><br>&#160;</div>
    <div>
      <hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -5px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="1">
      <hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -13px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="4">
    </div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Table
          of Content</font></div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div><br>&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Item
      8.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<u>Other
      Events</u></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt;"></font>On
      August 31, 2007, Magellan Petroleum
      Australia Limited (&#8220;MPAL&#8221;), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Magellan Petroleum
      Corporation (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) received tax position papers from the Australian Tax
      Authority (&#8220;ATO&#8221;).&#160;&#160;&#160;As previously disclosed, the ATO has
      conducted an audit of the Australian income tax returns of MPAL and its
      wholly-owned subsidiaries for the years 1997- 2005. The audit focused on certain
      income tax deductions claimed by Paroo Petroleum Pty. Ltd. (&#8220;PPPL&#8221;), a
      wholly-owned finance subsidiary of MPAL, related to the write-off of outstanding
      loans made by PPPL to other entities within the MPAL group of
      companies.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">A
      copy of
      the Company&#8217;s press release related to MPAL&#8217;s receipt of the ATO position papers
      is filed herewith as <u>Exhibit&#160;99.1</u> and is hereby incorporated herein
      by reference.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><a name="001">Item&#160;9.01&#160;&#160;&#160;<u>Financial
      Statements and
      Exhibits</u></a></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt;"></font>The
      following document is filed
      herewith:</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;(c)&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Exhibits</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="4%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">99.1</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="3%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="59%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Company
                press release related to receipt of ATO position papers, dated September
                5, 2007.</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">2</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Table
          of Content</font></div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>SIGNATURES</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Pursuant
      to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
      Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
      undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 216pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">MAGELLAN
      PETROLEUM CORPORATION</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 180pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;By:<u>&#160;&#160;&#160;/s/
      Daniel J.
      Samela</u>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 180pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 90pt;"></font>Name:
      Daniel J. Samela</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 216pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><font id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 54pt;"></font>Title:
      President, Chief
      Financial</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">&#160;Officer
      and Treasurer</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Dated:
      September 5, 2007</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">3</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Table
          of Content</font></div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><u>EXHIBIT
      INDEX</u></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><u>Exhibit
      No.</u>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;<u>Description</u>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;<u>Page
      No.</u></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div>
      <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

          <tr>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="13%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">99.1</font></div>
            </td>
            <td align="left" valign="top" width="41%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">Company
                press release related to receipt of ATO position papers, dated September
                5, 2007.</font></div>
            </td>
            <td valign="top" width="21%">
              <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman;">5</font></div>
            </td>
          </tr>

      </table>
    </div>
    <div><br><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">4</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Table
          of Content</font></div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;<font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;</font>&#160;Exhibit
      99.1<br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Magellan
      Petroleum Announces</strong></font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><strong>Receipt
      of Australian Tax Office Position Paper</strong></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Hartford,
      Conn., September 5, 2007 &#8211; Magellan Petroleum Corporation (NCM: MPET; ASX:
      MGN)<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt;">&#160;</font>(&#8220;Magellan&#8221;)
      announced that its 100% owned subsidiary, Magellan Petroleum Australia Limited
      (&#8220;MPAL&#8221;), has received tax position papers from The Australian Tax Authority
      (&#8220;ATO&#8221;).&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">As
      previously disclosed, the ATO has conducted an audit of the Australian income
      tax returns of MPAL and its wholly-owned subsidiaries for the years 1997- 2005.
      The audit focused on certain income tax deductions claimed by Paroo Petroleum
      Pty. Ltd. (&#8220;PPPL&#8221;), a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of MPAL, related to the
      write-off of&#160;&#160;outstanding loans made by PPPL to other entities within
      the MPAL group of companies. As a result of this audit, the ATO has issued
      "position papers" which set forth its opinions that these previous deductions
      should be disallowed, resulting in additional income taxes being payable by
      MPAL
      and its subsidiaries.&#160;&#160;In the position papers, the ATO sets out the
      legal basis for its conclusions.&#160;&#160;It is important to note that the
      position papers are not assessments of additional taxes.&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">In
      a
      comprehensive audit conducted by the ATO in the period 1992-94, the ATO
      concluded that PPPL was carrying on business as a money lender and accordingly,
      should, for taxation purposes, account for its interest income on an accruals
      basis rather than a cash basis.&#160;&#160;MPAL accepted this conclusion and
      from that point has been determining its annual Australian taxation liability
      on
      this basis (including claiming deductions for bad debts as a money
      lender).</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Recently,
      the ATO appears to have taken a more aggressive approach with respect to its
      views regarding income tax deductions attributable to in-house finance
      companies.&#160; Since this change in approach, the ATO has commenced audits of
      a number of companies involving, among other issues, the appropriate treatment
      of bad debt deductions taken by in-house finance companies. Magellan understands
      that, at this time, while there have been negotiated settlements in relation
      to
      some of these audits, none of them has reached final resolution in
      court.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">With
      issuance of the position papers, MPAL now has until October 12, 2007, subject
      to
      possible extension, to respond to the ATO's positions and to state its legal
      positions.&#160;&#160;MPAL has retained the services of experienced Australian
      tax counsel, and will also be represented by its Australian tax advisors, Ernst
      and Young.&#160;</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div id="FTR">
        <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">5</font></div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
          <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="HDR">
        <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">
        </div>
        <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Table
          of Content</font></div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">MPAL
      intends to respond to the ATO position papers within the required time frame
      and
      refute the positions taken by the ATO.&#160;The ATO will consider MPAL's
      response and normally respond within a month. It could then agree with MPAL
      that
      no tax is due or issue formal assessments for some amount of taxes, interest
      and
      penalties. MPAL would then have an opportunity to formally object to any
      assessments and the ATO would determine its response to MPAL&#8217;s objections, which
      it could accept or reject, in whole or in part.&#160;&#160;MPAL then would have
      an opportunity to appeal (against any assessment) to the Administrative Appeals
      Tribunal or to the Australian Courts.&#160;&#160;In the period when any such
      appeal is being determined, interest will continue to accrue on any outstanding
      amounts.&#160;&#160;However, MPAL may be able to limit the accrual of further
      interest by payment of an agreed sum to the ATO (which would be deposited into
      an escrow account) until the parties either reach a negotiated agreement or
      the
      income tax dispute is settled in the Australian Courts.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">The
      ATO
      has indicated in the position papers that the increase in taxes arising from
      its
      proposed positions would be (Aus.) $13,392,460, plus possible interest and
      penalties, which could be substantial and exceed the amount of the increased
      taxes asserted by the ATO.&#160;&#160;If assessments of this amount are issued
      by the ATO, and upheld by the Australian courts, such assessments would have
      a
      material adverse impact on the Company&#8217;s financial condition,&#160;results of
      operations and cash flows.</font></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;"><u>Forward
      Looking Statements</u></font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">Statements
      in this release which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and
      are
      hereby identified as, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private
      Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements about Magellan and
      MPAL may relate to their business properties and prospects, revenues, expenses,
      operating cash flows, and other matters that involve a number of uncertainties
      that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. Among
      these risks and uncertainties are the ultimate outcome of the MPAL tax audit
      by
      the ATO, the extent of the recoverable reserves at Magellan/MPAL properties
      and
      the risk that any wells drilled may fail to encounter hydrocarbons in
      commercially recoverable quantities. Any forward-looking information provided
      in
      this release should be considered with these factors in mind. Magellan assumes
      no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this
      release, whether as a result of new information, future events or
      otherwise.</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;">For
      further information, please contact Daniel Samela at (860)
      293-2006.&#160;</font></div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
      <div style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">&#160;</div>
      <div id="HDR">&#160;</div>
    </div>
    <div><br></div>
    <div><br><br></div>
    <div>&#160;</div>
  </body>
</html>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "magellanpetroleumcorporation.htm", "description": "9-8-2007", "secsgml_size_bytes": 39420}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORP /DE/", "cik": "0000061398", "assigned-sic": "1311", "irs-number": "060842255", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0630"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-05507", "film-number": "071101749"}, "business-address": {"street1": "10 COLUMBUS BLVD", "street2": "10 FLOOR", "city": "HARTFORD", "state": "CT", "zip": "06106", "phone": "8602932006"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "10 COLUMBUS BLVD", "street2": "10 FLOOR", "city": "HARTFORD", "state": "CT", "zip": "06106"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "MAGELLAN PETROLEUM CORP PANAMA", "date-changed": "19671130"}}
magellanpetroleumcorporation.htm
UNITED
      STATES
SECURITIES
      AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
      DC 20549
FORM
      8-K
CURRENT
      REPORT PURSUANT
TO
      SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES
      EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date
      of report (Date
      of earliest event reported): September 5, 2007 (August 31, 2007)
Magellan
        Petroleum Corporation
(Exact
      Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
(State
      or
      Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
1-5507
06-0842255
(Commission
      File
      Number)                               IRS
      Employer Identification No.)
10
        Columbus
        Boulevard, Hartford,
        CT
06106
(Address
      of
      Principal Executive
      Offices)                                          (Zip
      Code)
860-293-2006
(Registrant's
      Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not
        Applicable
(Former
      Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check
      the appropriate box below if the
      Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation
      of
      the registrant under any of the following provisions (
see
General
      Instruction A.2. below):
o
Written
      communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
      230.425)
o
Soliciting
      material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.13e-4(c))
Table
          of Content
Item
      8.01
Other
      Events
On
      August 31, 2007, Magellan Petroleum
      Australia Limited ("MPAL"), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Magellan Petroleum
      Corporation (the "Company") received tax position papers from the Australian Tax
      Authority ("ATO").   As previously disclosed, the ATO has
      conducted an audit of the Australian income tax returns of MPAL and its
      wholly-owned subsidiaries for the years 1997- 2005. The audit focused on certain
      income tax deductions claimed by Paroo Petroleum Pty. Ltd. ("PPPL"), a
      wholly-owned finance subsidiary of MPAL, related to the write-off of outstanding
      loans made by PPPL to other entities within the MPAL group of
      companies.
A
      copy of
      the Company's press release related to MPAL's receipt of the ATO position papers
      is filed herewith as
Exhibit 99.1
and is hereby incorporated herein
      by reference.
Item 9.01
Financial
      Statements and
      Exhibits
The
      following document is filed
      herewith:
(c)               Exhibits
99.1
Company
                press release related to receipt of ATO position papers, dated September
                5, 2007.
2
Table
          of Content
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
      to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
      Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
      undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
MAGELLAN
      PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:
/s/
      Daniel J.
      Samela
Name:
      Daniel J. Samela
Title:
      President, Chief
      Financial
Officer
      and Treasurer
Dated:
      September 5, 2007
3
Table
          of Content
EXHIBIT
      INDEX
Exhibit
      No.
Description
Page
      No.
99.1
Company
                press release related to receipt of ATO position papers, dated September
                5, 2007.
5
4
Table
          of Content
Exhibit
      99.1
Magellan
      Petroleum Announces
Receipt
      of Australian Tax Office Position Paper
Hartford,
      Conn., September 5, 2007 – Magellan Petroleum Corporation (NCM: MPET; ASX:
      MGN)
("Magellan")
      announced that its 100% owned subsidiary, Magellan Petroleum Australia Limited
      ("MPAL"), has received tax position papers from The Australian Tax Authority
      ("ATO").
As
      previously disclosed, the ATO has conducted an audit of the Australian income
      tax returns of MPAL and its wholly-owned subsidiaries for the years 1997- 2005.
      The audit focused on certain income tax deductions claimed by Paroo Petroleum
      Pty. Ltd. ("PPPL"), a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of MPAL, related to the
      write-off of  outstanding loans made by PPPL to other entities within
      the MPAL group of companies. As a result of this audit, the ATO has issued
      "position papers" which set forth its opinions that these previous deductions
      should be disallowed, resulting in additional income taxes being payable by
      MPAL
      and its subsidiaries.  In the position papers, the ATO sets out the
      legal basis for its conclusions.  It is important to note that the
      position papers are not assessments of additional taxes.
In
      a
      comprehensive audit conducted by the ATO in the period 1992-94, the ATO
      concluded that PPPL was carrying on business as a money lender and accordingly,
      should, for taxation purposes, account for its interest income on an accruals
      basis rather than a cash basis.  MPAL accepted this conclusion and
      from that point has been determining its annual Australian taxation liability
      on
      this basis (including claiming deductions for bad debts as a money
      lender).
Recently,
      the ATO appears to have taken a more aggressive approach with respect to its
      views regarding income tax deductions attributable to in-house finance
      companies.  Since this change in approach, the ATO has commenced audits of
      a number of companies involving, among other issues, the appropriate treatment
      of bad debt deductions taken by in-house finance companies. Magellan understands
      that, at this time, while there have been negotiated settlements in relation
      to
      some of these audits, none of them has reached final resolution in
      court.
With
      issuance of the position papers, MPAL now has until October 12, 2007, subject
      to
      possible extension, to respond to the ATO's positions and to state its legal
      positions.  MPAL has retained the services of experienced Australian
      tax counsel, and will also be represented by its Australian tax advisors, Ernst
      and Young.
5
Table
          of Content
MPAL
      intends to respond to the ATO position papers within the required time frame
      and
      refute the positions taken by the ATO. The ATO will consider MPAL's
      response and normally respond within a month. It could then agree with MPAL
      that
      no tax is due or issue formal assessments for some amount of taxes, interest
      and
      penalties. MPAL would then have an opportunity to formally object to any
      assessments and the ATO would determine its response to MPAL's objections, which
      it could accept or reject, in whole or in part.  MPAL then would have
      an opportunity to appeal (against any assessment) to the Administrative Appeals
      Tribunal or to the Australian Courts.  In the period when any such
      appeal is being determined, interest will continue to accrue on any outstanding
      amounts.  However, MPAL may be able to limit the accrual of further
      interest by payment of an agreed sum to the ATO (which would be deposited into
      an escrow account) until the parties either reach a negotiated agreement or
      the
      income tax dispute is settled in the Australian Courts.
The
      ATO
      has indicated in the position papers that the increase in taxes arising from
      its
      proposed positions would be (Aus.) $13,392,460, plus possible interest and
      penalties, which could be substantial and exceed the amount of the increased
      taxes asserted by the ATO.  If assessments of this amount are issued
      by the ATO, and upheld by the Australian courts, such assessments would have
      a
      material adverse impact on the Company's financial condition, results of
      operations and cash flows.
Forward
      Looking Statements
Statements
      in this release which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and
      are
      hereby identified as, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private
      Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements about Magellan and
      MPAL may relate to their business properties and prospects, revenues, expenses,
      operating cash flows, and other matters that involve a number of uncertainties
      that may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. Among
      these risks and uncertainties are the ultimate outcome of the MPAL tax audit
      by
      the ATO, the extent of the recoverable reserves at Magellan/MPAL properties
      and
      the risk that any wells drilled may fail to encounter hydrocarbons in
      commercially recoverable quantities. Any forward-looking information provided
      in
      this release should be considered with these factors in mind. Magellan assumes
      no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this
      release, whether as a result of new information, future events or
      otherwise.
For
      further information, please contact Daniel Samela at (860)
      293-2006.