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                                                                            99.1


                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


I, Joseph L. Castle II, certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Castle Energy
     Corporation for the year ended September 30, 2002.

2.   Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
     make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such
     statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by
     this annual report.

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
     information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material
     respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of
     the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report.

4.   The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
     establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
     in Exchange Act Rules 13a_14 and 15d_14) for the registrant and have:

     a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that
          material information relating to the registrant, including its
          consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
          entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report
          is being prepared.

     b)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls
          and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of
          this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

     c)   Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
          effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
          evaluation as of the Evaluation Date.

5.   The registrant, other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our
     most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit
     committee of the board of directors (or persons fulfilling the equivalent
     function):

     a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
          operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the
          registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report
          financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any
          material weaknesses in internal controls.

     b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
          employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal
          controls.

6.   The registrant, other certifying officer and I have indicated in this
     annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls
     or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls
     subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any
     corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
     weakness subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation.



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Joseph L. Castle II
Chief Executive Officer

December 13, 2002