Well Test Update

Tullow Oil PLC
16 November 2006

News release





Tullow Oil plc - Nzizi-1 Exploration Well and Chinguetti Reserves Update


16 November 2006 -Hardman Resources, the operator of the Nzizi-1 exploration
well in Uganda, in which Tullow Oil plc (Tullow) is a 50% partner, today issued
the following press release.  Hardman also commented on an investor presentation
given by Woodside, the operator of the Chinguetti field in Mauritania in which
Hardman has a 19.008% stake.



                          Exploration Area 2: Nzizi-1



Since the last report on the Nzizi-1 well, logging operations have been
completed and pressure measurements taken.



Good oil shows were encountered during drilling over a gross interval of
approximately 180 metres, directly above basement, in a similar section to that
encountered by the Mputa-1 well, 6 kilometres northeast of Nzizi-1.



Wireline logs and pressure measurements indicate an interbedded sequence of oil
bearing sands and shales.  No fluid samples or testing operations were planned
for this well as it was drilled in a slimhole configuration and consequently it
will now be plugged and abandoned.



The well result suggests there is scope to significantly increase the
recoverable volume reported so far for the Mputa/Waraga area, of around 30
million barrels, and hence further enhance the potential resource base in the
Albertine Basin. Studies are underway to establish a range of development
options for the existing discoveries, which allied to additional seismic
currently being acquired and future appraisal drilling, will determine ultimate
commerciality.



Commenting on the Nzizi-1 result, Mr. Simon Potter, Hardman MD and CEO, said:



'The fourth discovery in four wells drilled by Hardman in Exploration Area 2
proves that the working oil system extends over a significantly greater area,
adding to the resource base established so far this year, and providing
encouragement for future exploration of the basin.'



Equities in Block 2 are:
                                                   Exploration Area 2
Hardman Petroleum Africa Pty Ltd (Operator)        50.0%
Tullow Oil plc                                     50.0%



              OPERATOR UPDATE ON CHINGUETTI RESERVES (MAURITANIA)



Hardman notes that the Chinguetti field operator, Woodside, has today provided
in a presentation to investors an update on the Chinguetti field (Hardman
19.008%), including an interim update of Chinguetti field reserves.



The operator's estimate of proven and probable reserves for the Chinguetti field
of 53 mmbbls is consistent with the estimate provided by the Independent
Technical Expert for the purposes of the Scheme of Arrangement for the
acquisition of Hardman by Tullow Oil plc and included within Hardman's
Explanatory Memorandum to shareholders dated 14 November 2006.



Hardman will provide additional information on the results of the operator's
reserves review for Chinguetti when that review is made available to the joint
venture.



For further information contact:

Tullow Oil plc            Citigate Dewe Rogerson     Murray Consultants
([phone])        ([phone])         ([phone])
Tom Hickey                Martin Jackson             Joe Murray
Chris Perry



Tullow is a leading independent oil & gas, exploration and production group,
quoted on the London and Irish Stock Exchanges (symbol: TLW) and is a
constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. The Group has interests in approximately 90
exploration and production licences across 17 countries and focuses on three
core areas: NW Europe, Africa and South Asia.



Tullow's NW Europe interests are primarily focused on gas in the UK Southern
North Sea where it has significant interests in the Caister-Murdoch System and
the Thames/Hewett areas and operates over 60% of its production.



In Africa, Tullow has exploration and production in Gabon, Cote d'Ivoire, Congo
(Brazzaville) and Equatorial Guinea and a large gas field development and
appraisal programme in Namibia. Tullow also has exploration programmes in
Mauritania, Senegal, Cameroon, Uganda, Congo (DRC), Madagascar, Angola and
Ghana.



In South Asia, Tullow has exploration and production in Pakistan and Bangladesh
and high impact exploration activities in India.

For further information please refer to our website at www.tullowoil.com

                                      ENDS




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