Holding in Company

Cairn Energy PLC
28 July 2000


Notification of Shareholding - Companies Act 1985  ss.198-202 (as amended)

On 27 July 2000, Cairn was notified under Sections 198-202 of the Companies
Act 1985 (as amended) by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. that its
affiliates, Capital International Limited, Capital International S.A. and
Capital Research and Management Company have in aggregate an interest in
11,969,500 Ordinary Shares of 10p each in the share capital of Cairn,
representing 8.14% of Cairn's current issued ordinary share capital.

The affiliates and registered holders to which this notification relates and
the number of shares held by the registered holders as at 27 July 2000 is as
follows:-

REGISTERED HOLDER                                   NUMBER OF SHARES

Affiliate:  Capital International Limited
Midland Bank plc                                         272,000
Royal Bank of Scotland plc                                81,000
Lloyds TSB Bank plc                                      125,000

Affiliate:  Capital International S.A.
Chase Nominees Limited                                   427,500
Lloyds TSB Bank plc                                       64,000

Affiliate:  Capital Research and Management Company
State Street Nominees Limited                         11,000,000
                                                      ----------
                                                      11,969,500
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