Operatorship of Hewett

Tullow Oil PLC
02 October 2003


2nd October 2003

                        TULLOW OIL ASSUMES OPERATORSHIP
                           AND INCREASES INTEREST IN
                          HEWETT / BACTON, UK NORTH SEA


Tullow Oil plc (Tullow), the independent international oil and gas exploration
and production company, announces that its subsidiary, Tullow Oil UK Ltd, has
assumed the Operatorship of the offshore Hewett gas field complex, the export
pipelines and the associated onshore processing terminal at Bacton on the East
Anglian coast.

Tullow has also increased its interest in these assets from 19.85% to 38.82% by
acquiring the 18.97% interest held by ConocoPhillips Petroleum U.K. Limited, the
former Operator.

Tullow first announced these transactions on 16 June 2003 with a target
completion date of 1st October, which has now been achieved.

Petrofac Facilities Management Ltd will provide the day-to-day operational
management and associated support services to the facilities on behalf of Tullow
and will be the Duty Holder for the offshore Hewett field complex.

Aidan Heavey, Chief Executive of Tullow Oil, commented:

'Becoming Operator of the Hewett/Bacton North Sea gas complex will enable Tullow
to deliver major operational cost savings and operating synergies.  It is also
our objective, in alliance with Petrofac, to significantly extend the producing
life of the Hewett field.'


For further information contact:

Tullow Oil plc - [phone]
Aidan Heavey - Chief Executive
Tom Hickey - Finance Director
John Lander - Managing Director - Tullow Oil UK Ltd
www.tullowoil.com

Citigate Dewe Rogerson-  [phone]
Martin Jackson




NOTES TO EDITORS:

Tullow Oil plc 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.

Strategy

Tullow's strategy is to build strong and secure cash flow from low risk
production acreage while applying discretionary funds to exploration areas 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 Oil has interests in 58 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 and the Thames/
Hewett group of licences and the operatorship of the Hewett/Bacton onshore gas
processing terminal.

The Hewett / Bacton infrastructure comprises six offshore installations, three
normally unmanned, and the others forming a central processing complex which
exports gas to the Bacton terminal. The terminal also processes gas from other
fields, including the Thames Area fields and their satellites, where Tullow has
significant interests.

Co-venturers in Hewett/Bacton are now:

Tullow Oil UK Ltd (Operator)      38.82%
Eni UK Ltd                        18.81%
Eni LNS Ltd                        8.53%
Centrica Resources Ltd            23.15%
Superior Oil (UK) Ltd             10.69%

The Espoir field in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa, is Tullow's principal source of
international production and is currently achieving a production level of over
26,000 boepd.  Tullow also has licences in Cameroon and Gabon where an
exploration programme is planned for early 2004.

In South Asia, Tullow has interests in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. Gas is
produced in Pakistan and an extensive drilling programme is scheduled to start
shortly in Bangladesh.

For further information see www.tullowoil.com


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

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