Tullow announces UK 21st Offshore Licensing Round Success

1st August 2003

Tullow Oil plc (“Tullow”), the independent international oil and gas exploration and production company, announces that its wholly owned subsidiary Tullow Oil UK Limited (“TOUK”) has been awarded four Seaward Production Licences on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (“UKCS”). The licence awards, announced by the Energy Minister, Stephen Timms, comprise a total of five UKCS blocks or part blocks, four operated and one non-operated. The awards are listed in the Appendix to this release.

Block 44/19 lies in the Southern Gas Basin in close proximity to the Caister Murdoch System (“CMS”) infrastructure, in which TOUK has a significant interest, offering the potential for early commercial production through CMS. The work program allows for the re-evaluation of a 3D seismic survey, with the option to drill or drop the acreage after the data has been thoroughly assessed.

The 49/30b block, also in the Southern Gas Basin, secures the extension of a significant gas discovery in block 50/26b in which TOUK already has a 65% interest. The work programme involves engineering studies to review the potential for early commercialisation of this discovery.

The remaining three blocks, 38/5, 39/2b and 39/7, are located in the prolific Central North Sea oil province, close to production infrastructure, and build upon TOUK’s recent expansion beyond the Southern Gas Basin. The work programme involves reprocessing and acquisition of 3D seismic data with the option to drill or drop the acreage.

John Lander, TOUK’s Managing Director stated: “We are delighted with this major award of very prospective and mainly operated acreage. The new blocks support both our strategy of growth from around our core areas in the Southern Gas Basin and our desire to continue to expand our presence in the oil province of the Central North Sea. We look forward to an early development decision of the 49/30b discovery and an exciting exploration programme on the other acreage.”

Appendix:

The following blocks were awarded by the Department of Trade and Industry to TOUK:

Tullow Operated Blocks

49/30b	Tullow 22.5%, ConocoPhillips 50%*, GdF 27.5%
38/5	Tullow* 35%, Encana 55%, Edinburgh O&G 10%
39/2b, 39/7	Tullow* 30%, Premier 30%, Encana 30%, Edinburgh O&G 10%

Tullow Interest Block

44/19 (part)

Tullow 22.5%, ConocoPhillips 50%*, GdF 27.5%

*denotes operator

For further information contact:

Tullow Oil plc
Tel: +44-020 7333 6800
Aidan Heavey – Chief Executive
Chris Flavell – Exploration Manager – TOUK Limited
www.tullowoil.com

Binns & Co PR Ltd
Tel: +44-020 7786 9600
Emma McCaffrey
Peter Binns
www.binnspr.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

Tullow Oil plc is a UK registered company, quoted on the London and Irish stock exchanges, and is one of the largest Independent Exploration and Production companies in Europe. Its primary offices are in London (UK & Corporate) and Dublin (International Business).

Tullow Oil has interests in 58 exploration and production licences spread over three core areas – Europe, South Asia and West Africa, with regional offices in each area.