Operational Update

Tullow Oil PLC
20 October 2004

Press release



Tullow Oil plc
20th October 2004


                                 Tullow Oil plc

                               Operational Update

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

Republic of Congo

K/A-IMI Unit (Tullow 2%)

An oil discovery at the Lianzi-1 exploration well was announced by the operator,
ChevronTexaco, and further evaluation is ongoing. The discovery is located in
the shared K/A-IMI Unit in the deepwater area between the Republics of Angola
and Congo. A further well will be drilled in 2005.

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 from 7,200 bopd in January 2004 to a current
level of approx 27,000 bopd (gross). It is planned to drill a minimum of 10
further development wells before the end of 2004.

N'Kossa (Tullow 4%)

Development drilling and sidetrack operations are currently ongoing at N'Kossa
(2 wells). Successful drilling at Nkossa has increased production to around
35,000 bpd (oil plus LPG), offsetting production decline since January 2004.

Egypt

Matruh Onshore/Offshore (Tullow 20%)

The Amethyst-1x exploration well was spudded in late August and drilling is
still in progress.


Mauritania

Block 2 (Tullow 20%)

The Dorade-1 exploration well was drilled to total depth and wireline logs have
been run. Evaluation of the wireline data indicates that Dorade-1 has not
encountered any hydrocarbons. Some good quality Late Miocene sands have been
intersected but are water bearing. The well is currently being plugged and
abandoned.

Block 1 (Tullow 20%)

The Petrel-1 exploration well is planned for Q1 2005.

Gabon

Aggregate production in Gabon has increased from 15,100 bopd in January 2004 to
a level of approximately 17,000 bopd net to Tullow. A number of development
initiatives are ongoing within Tullow's Gabonese licences.

Etame Field (Tullow 7.5%)

The ET-5H development well has been successfully completed, and gross total
field production has increased to around 22,000 bopd, up from 14,800 bopd in
January 2004.  Development plans for the recently discovered Ebouri and Avouma
fields are in progress.

Niungo (Tullow 40%)

Successful drilling at Niungo has resulted in increased gross production from
7,150 bopd in January 2004 to around 10,500 bopd. A further 4 development wells
are scheduled to be drilled in 2004.

Tchatamba South (Tullow 25%)

A production well is currently being drilled on Tchatamba South and a further
contingent production well is planned based on the results of the first well.
Gross production is currently running at 32,500 bopd, up from the January 2004
level of 31,400 bopd.

Uganda

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

The Turaco-3 well commenced drilling on 24 September, approximately one month
ahead of schedule and it is expected that total depth will be reached by mid
November.  The Turaco area 3D seismic acquisition is on schedule for completion
by the end of November.  A further well is planned for early 2005 based on the
current 3D seismic programme in the Turaco area.


Equatorial Guinea

Ceiba Field (Tullow 14.25%)

Production is currently averaging approximately 40,000 bopd gross, up from
32,000 bopd in January 2004. The recently drilled Ceiba-24 producer is currently
being completed and will contribute to production by the end of October.

Northern Block G (Tullow 14.25%)

Development planning for four of the discoveries to the north of the Ceiba
field, collectively known as Northern Block G, is well advanced following recent
official approval.  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.

Cote d'Ivoire

An infill drilling programme on the Espoir field is due to commence in Q1 2005
and the West Espoir development construction is proceeding on schedule with
first oil due in the first half of 2006.

The Acajou North exploration well is due to spud in November. Development
options on the discovery Acajou South will await the outcome of this well.


Bangladesh


Block 9, Bangora-1 (Tullow 30%)


The Bangora-1 well has been logged and completed and the rig released prior to
long term testing.  Appraisal/Development plans will be agreed with partners on
completion of the long term test.


United Kingdom North Sea


Alba Extreme South (Tullow 8%)


First oil from the Alba Extreme South field commenced on 14th October.
Production from the three wells is expected to be in the order of 35,000 bopd.


Horne and Wren, 53/3c-7 well


The Noble Ronald Hoope rig is on location to spud the 53/3c-7 well in the next
few days.


P133, Block 53/3a-7, P4 well (Tullow 35%)


The P4 exploration well was plugged and abandoned as a non-commercial gas
discovery in mid October.


Summary of Current and future Exploration drilling Programme


Country          Licence                           Prospect           Interest     Spud Date
Egypt            Matruh Onshore/Onshore            Amethyst-1X        20%          In progress
Uganda           Block 3                           Turaco-3           50%          In progress
Cote d'Ivoire    CI-26                             Acajou North       24%          November 2004
UK               43/25a                            West Boulton       30%          November 2004
Eq Guinea        Block G                           Akom North         15%          Nov/Dec 2004
Romania          EPI-3                             Costisa-1          43%          December 2004
Mauritania       Block 1                           Petrel-1           32%          Q1 2005


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

'Our exploration drilling programme this year has so far resulted in six
discoveries:  Lalmai & Bangora (Bangladesh), Monroe (UK), Avouma (Gabon), Mobim
(Congo) and Lianzi (Congo JDA), all of which are already in varying stages of
appraisal and development. This, combined with our ongoing success in our
development drilling programmes, continues to demonstrate that our strategy of
adding value through exploration and exploitation of existing reserves is
working.'

For Further Information Contact:

Tullow Oil plc ([phone])
Aidan Heavey
Paul McDade



Citigate Dewe Rogerson ([phone])
Martin Jackson
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 & 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 on the
Norfolk coast, 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
exploration activities in India and Bangladesh, where a three well drilling
programme is under way in Block 9.


For further information see www.tullowoil.com.







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