Operational Update

Tullow Oil PLC
26 July 2004


Tullow Oil plc
26th July 2004

                                 Tullow Oil Plc

                              Operational Update

Tullow Oil plc ('Tullow'), the independent oil and gas exploration, development
and production company, today issued the following update in respect of its
worldwide exploration and appraisal/development drilling programmes.

EXPLORATION WELLS

Bangladesh

Bangora Well (Tullow 30% and Operator)

The Bangora well was drilled to evaluate the potential of a large anticlinal
structure, and reached a depth of 3635m on 15 July. At this point seasonal rains
made continued safe operations impossible; all activities on the well were
therefore suspended. Prior to the suspension of drilling, preliminary logging
indicated the likely presence of gas-bearing sands in the primary target zone. A
number of deeper secondary targets remain to be evaluated.

Operations will remain suspended until flood levels in the region recede and
drilling operations, which will include a test of the well, can resume safely.

Morocco

Rak-1 Well, (Tullow 10%)

The Rak-1 well spudded on 1 June and reached its final depth of 4880m in July.
This well has been designated a tight hole by the Operator. Further information
will be made available in due course.

Gabon

Avouma Well (7.5 % Back-in right)

The Avouma well intersected oil in both the Gamba and Dentale reservoirs and has
been tested at 6,600 bopd. Engineering studies will now commence with a view to
bringing this discovery on stream through the Etame facilities.

Uganda

Block 3, Turaco-2 Well (Tullow 50%)

The Turaco-2 well in Uganda Block 3 was successful in encountering a number of
hydrocarbon-bearing zones. However due to technical difficulties the testing
programme could not be completed. A new rig has now been contracted and a
further well, Turaco-3 will be drilled from the same location to further
investigate the hydrocarbon-bearing zone encountered in Turaco 1 and 2. Drilling
is expected to commence in October and will be followed by a further well in
early 2005 based on the current 3-D seismic programme in the Turaco area.

Block 2 (Tullow 50%)

An extensive 2-D seismic survey has been completed on Block 2. Results are
encouraging and further seismic acquisition is planned later in the year.

Summary of Current and future Exploration drilling Programme

In addition to the projects outlined above the following wells are currently in
progress or at advanced planning stage.

Country             Licence         Prospect      Interest     Spud Date
Congo               Moho-Bilondo    MOBIM-1       4%           In progress
Congo/Angola JDA    K/A - IMI       KX-2          2%           In progress 
Egypt               Matruh          Amethyst-1    20%          August
Cote d'Ivoire       CI-26           Acajou North  24%          September 
Romania             PI-3            Costisa       43%          September 
UK                  P133            Zeta          22.22%       September 
Mauritania          Block 2         Dorade        20%          Q3 2004 
Eq Guinea           Block G         Akom North    15%          Q4 2004
Mauritania          Block 1         Petrel-1      32%          Q1 2005


DEVELOPMENT DRILLING

Republic of Congo

M'Boundi Field (Tullow 11%)

An active programme of development is continuing on the M'Boundi field in the
Congo with 3 rigs currently drilling. The results of recent step-out/appraisal
wells have enhanced production to a current level of approx 18,500 bopd (gross).
Tullow expects to be in a position to upgrade reserves from this project at year
end. It is planned to drill a minimum of 10 further development wells before the
end of 2004.

N'Kossa (Tullow 4%)/Moho Bilondo (Tullow 4%) Projects

Development drilling is currently ongoing on N'Kossa (2 wells) and Moho-Bilondo
where the MOBIM-1 exploration well will shortly be tested.

Gabon

Aggregate production in Gabon is currently running at a level of approximately
15,500 bopd net to Tullow. A number of development initiatives are ongoing
within Tullow's Gabonese licences.

Etame Field (Tullow 7.5%)

Following the testing of the Avouma well the rig will move to drill and complete
the ET-5H development well, with production commencing in late July.

Niungo (Tullow 40%) and Tchatamba South (Tullow 25%).

Additional production and development drilling is also planned for the remainder
of 2004 on Niungo and Tchatamba South.


Equatorial Guinea

Ceiba Field (Tullow 14.25%)

Production is currently averaging approximately 40,000 bopd gross. The Ceiba-23i
water injector in the north of the field is currently being completed and will
be followed by two additional producing wells later in the year.

Northern Block G (Tullow 14.25%)

Development planning for three of the seven discoveries to the north of the
Ceiba field, collectively known as Northern Block G, is well advanced and
official approval is expected in the coming weeks.  First production from this
development is targeted for early 2007. A commitment exploration well on the
Akom North prospect is also scheduled for late 2004.

Aidan Heavey, Chief Executive of Tullow commented on the programme as follows:

'This is a very exciting time for Tullow, with a range of important exploration
and development projects currently in progress. In Bangladesh, following the
success of the Lalmai exploration well, we are encouraged by results to date
from the Bangora well and look forward to resuming work as soon as the weather
allows. In Africa, recent results from M'Boundi provide further evidence that
this is becoming a truly world-class field while Mauritania, Uganda and Cote
d'Ivoire each have significant upside potential which will be evaluated over the
remainder of 2004.  Good progress has also been made in Equatorial Guinea both
in enhancing production from the Ceiba field and development planning for
Northern Block G.

'I look forward to outlining the strategy and targets for the Group at the
Interim Results in September.'

For Further Information Contact:

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

Citigate Dewe Rogerson ([phone])
Alexandra Scrimgeour

Murray Consultants ([phone])
Joe Murray

Notes for Editors:

'Tullow' where referred to in this release means Tullow Oil plc and/or its
subsidiaries, as appropriate.

Tullow is one of the leading independent international oil and 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.

Production and Development Assets:

Tullow has interests in over ninety exploration and production licences spread
over three core areas: UK North Sea, West Africa and South Asia. Tullow recently
completed the acquisition of Energy Africa, which takes the number of countries
in which Tullow is active to sixteen.

In the North Sea, Tullow's principal interests are in the CMS and the Thames/
Hewett group of licences and the Bacton onshore gas-processing terminal, which
it operates.

In Africa, Tullow has production in Gabon, Cote d'Ivoire, Congo ( Brazzaville )
and Equatorial Guinea. Tullow also has exploration programmes in Morocco,
Mauritania, Senegal, Cameroon, Uganda and Egypt.

In South Asia, Tullow has production and exploration interests in Pakistan and
is exploring in India , in addition to Bangladesh.

For further information see www.tullowoil.com

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