Update on Stirby

Det norske oljeselskap ASA has as operator in PL 341, found indications
of gas in the Stirby Deep prospect in the Viking Graben in the North
Sea, 75 km south of Sleipner.

The well data indicates gas/gas condensate under high pressure in a 70
meters thick sandstone with low porosity at 4870 meters below seabed.
It is too early to conclude about the discovery; hence the partnership
has decided to drill deeper and collect additional data in order to
confirm the gas, as well as assess both the size and commerciality of
the discovery.
Consequently, the drilling will take a few more weeks and will not be
concluded within the time previously indicated.
License owners are:
Det norske (30%), Wintershall (20%), Marathon (12%), North Energy (11%),
Bayerngas (10%), GDF SUEZ (10%) and Talisman (7%).
Contacts:
Odd Ragnar Heum, Sr. VP Reserve and Area Development, tel.: +47 932
24 076
Knut Evensen, VP Investor Relations, tel.: +47 950 77 622