Drilling Update

Tullow Oil PLC
22 March 2004


Tullow Oil plc
22nd March 2004


                   TULLOW OIL: GABON DRILLING RESULTS UPDATE

                       KTS-1 Well, Kiarsseny Marin, Gabon
          (Tullow 47.5% and Operator, Addax 42.5%, Sonangol P&P, 10%)

The Kiarsseny Topaze South-1 exploration well, offshore Gabon, was spudded on
Thursday 12th February, and reached a total depth of 2,938m. The well
encountered reservoir sands in both primary and secondary objectives, but the
well-developed channel sands seen at the nearby Topaze discovery were not
present in this well. A sidetrack operation was carried out which also
encountered a number of reservoir sands, but the logs showed that no significant
quantity of recoverable oil was present at the sidetrack location.  The well
will now be plugged and abandoned.

The information from this well will be further evaluated to better understand
the complex channel sand play of the Topaze discovery.  Tullow plans to continue
with a comprehensive exploration programme for this prospective licence area.

The Kiarsseny Marin Block is 5,442 sq km area, and lies predominantly in shallow
water. The Block contains a number of oil discoveries and over forty exploration
leads and prospects spread across four principal play types.

Commenting on the results of the Kiarsseny well in Gabon, Aidan Heavey, Chief
Executive of Tullow said:

'We remain confident that this very large licence contains a number of prospects
and plays which are the focus of an aggressive exploration programme.  We are
pleased that Sonangol P&P have decided to join us in this licence in Gabon, in
their first venture outside Angola.  We look forward to further co-operation
with them elsewhere in Africa.  Our exploration programme is continuing in
Bangladesh, where the Lalmai well spudded on 8th March, and in the UK where the
Monroe well is currently drilling.'



For Further Information Contact:

Tullow Oil plc ([phone])
Aidan Heavey
Tom Hickey

Citigate Dewe Rogerson ([phone])
Martin Jackson

Murray Consultants ([phone])
Joe Murray



Notes for Editors

Tullow Oil plc is one of the leading Independent International Oil & Gas
Exploration and Production companies in Europe. Tullow is quoted on the London
and Irish stock exchanges (symbol TLW) and is a member of the FTSE 250 Index.


Strategy

Tullow's strategy is to build strong and secure cash flow from low risk
production acreage while applying discretionary funds to exploration territories
with high potential. These activities will be undertaken in a manner that
reflects a genuine concern for the environment and the health and safety of all
personnel.


Production and Development Assets

Tullow has interests in over 50 exploration and production licences spread over
three core areas:  UK North Sea, West Africa and South Asia.

In the North Sea, Tullow's principal interests are in the CMS (where Monroe
exploration well is currently drilling) and the Thames/Hewett group of licences
in addition to the operatorship of the Bacton onshore gas-processing terminal.

The Espoir field in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa, is Tullow's principal source of
international production.  Tullow is also active in exploration and development
programmes in Cameroon and Gabon.

In South Asia, Tullow has production and exploration interests in Pakistan and
exploration activities in India.  In Bangladesh, a three well drilling programme
in Block 9 is under way.



For further information see www.tullowoil.com


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange