Corrib GasField/Appointmts

Enterprise Oil PLC
22 June 2000


Enterprise Oil announces further Corrib success

Enterprise Oil plc, together with its co-venturers, Statoil Exploration
(Ireland) Ltd and Marathon International Petroleum Hibernia Ltd, announced
today its latest successful appraisal of the Corrib gas field in Ireland.
Enterprise also announced the appointment of a new managing director at its
Dublin-based subsidiary Enterprise Energy Ireland Limited. 

The appraisal well 18/20-3, located in the Slyne Trough approximately 70
kilometres off the west coast of Ireland, tested at rates of up to 60 million
standard cubic feet of gas per day, and will be suspended as a potential
producer. A further well will be drilled on the field this summer.

The company also announced the appointment of a new managing director for its
Irish activities. John McGoldrick, currently Managing Director, will relocate
to Houston in August to become President of Enterprise Oil Services Inc to
manage Enterprise's interests in the US. Brian O'Cathain, currently General
Manager Corporate Development in Enterprise's London office, will replace John
as Managing Director, Enterprise Energy Ireland Limited.

Pierre Jungels, Chief Executive, Enterprise Oil plc, commented: 'This third
successful test is an important milestone in the process of confirming the
commerciality of the Corrib field. The project is on schedule and we
anticipate seeking project sanction in December, when there will be a clearer
picture of the engineering and commercial aspects of the project.'

Commenting on the new appointments, he added: 'John McGoldrick has made an
enormous contribution to the success of Enterprise in Ireland over the last
five years. With this latest successful appraisal of the Corrib field and the
recent appointment of John Adlam as Corrib Project Director, the time is
appropriate for Brian to take the Irish business to its next stage through
project sanction for Corrib, and the further exploration of our Irish
portfolio.

'John McGoldrick will move to Houston to build up the core business on the
foundations laid by our exploration activities and to progress the development
of the deepwater position. I wish them both well in their new positions'.

For further information please contact:

Patrick d'Ancona, Head of Public Relations, Enterprise Oil plc   020 7925 4160
Peter Reilly, Head of Investor Relations, Enterprise Oil plc     020 7925 4476
 

Notes to Editors

The Corrib gas field was discovered in 1996, and was the first significant
find offshore Ireland since Kinsale Head in 1973. 

Appraisal well 18/20-3 was drilled by the Sedco 711 semi-submersible rig to a
total vertical depth of 3790 metres in a water depth of 355 metres, and
encountered 
Sherwood Sandstone. Test rates of up to 60 million standard cubic feet of gas
per day were achieved through a 1 1/4 inch choke.

The Corrib co-venturers are:

Enterprise Energy Ireland (operator)                  45 per cent
Statoil Exploration (Ireland) Ltd                     36.5 per cent
Marathon International Petroleum Hibernia Ltd         18.5 per cent 

Enterprise on behalf of the Corrib co-venturers is currently undertaking a
consultation process involving all interested stakeholders over potential
development scenarios for Corrib, and any impact they might have on the local
communities and environment. This work includes detailed environmental impact
assessments and close liaison with all relevant authorities and regional
groups. 

Brian O'Cathain, 40, joined Enterprise from Shell in 1991 as a geologist. In
1994 he moved into the Corporate Development team responsible for analysing
and negotiating acquisitions and disposals. Before joining Enterprise, Brian
spent seven years at Shell International as a petroleum engineer and
geologist.