Exploration Programme

Enterprise Oil PLC
5 December 2000

Enterprise announces successful close to 2000 Norwegian exploration programme

Enterprise Oil today announced the completion of testing on the Gamma well in
Norway's Barents Sea, and the close of its 2000 drilling campaign in Norwegian
waters.

The Gamma well, drilled on licence PL-201 in block 7019/1, to a total depth of
2,979 metres in waters of 190 metres, discovered gas in sandstones of early
Cretaceous and Jurassic ages. Core samples were acquired and a production test
carried out. The group will now evaluate the acquired data to determine the
future work programme on the licence.

Partners in the licence are:

Norsk Agip (operator)          35 per cent
Enterprise Oil                 25 per cent
Statoil (on behalf of SDFI)    25 per cent 
Fortum                         15 per cent

This well concludes Enterprise's outstanding Norwegian drilling programme in
2000. Six out of the seven completed wells have been successful in
encountering hydrocarbons.

The wells at Snadd, Svale, Delta, Goliath, Falk and Gamma have all encountered
hydrocarbons. Snadd, Svale and Falk have all underlined the potential of the
Skarv-Idun-Norne trend.  Svale and Falk may prove accessible through tie-backs
to Norne or ultimately as stand-alone developments. Goliath and Gamma have
emphasised the prospectivity of the Barents Sea, and while much work remains
to be done in this frontier area, have provided encouragement for further
exploration in the region.

Pierre Jungels, Chief Executive, commented: 'We are very pleased with our
successful drilling programme in Norway in 2000. Our business in the country
now produces more than 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and these
discoveries suggest our portfolio has the potential to deliver an exciting
future in the region.'

For further information, please contact:

John Crowle, General Manager Enterprise Oil Norge Limited      00 47 5184 4300
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
Sucharita Sethi, Public Relations Officer, Enterprise Oil plc    020 7925 4160