New CEO Appointment

Enterprise Oil PLC
10 October 2001


        Enterprise Oil appoints Sam Laidlaw to succeed Pierre Jungels

Enterprise Oil has announced that it has appointed Sam Laidlaw, aged 45, as
Chief Executive. He will succeed Pierre Jungels, 58 next February, who will be
retiring.

Mr Laidlaw, who will take up his position with effect 1 November 2001, was
most recently President and Chief Operating Officer of Amerada Hess Corp of
the USA.

Sir Graham Hearne, Chairman, commented: 'I am delighted that Sam Laidlaw will
be joining Enterprise. I am confident that Sam's considerable experience at
Amerada Hess of running a worldwide E&P business, coupled with his invaluable
knowledge of the independent sector, will enable him to meet the challenges
facing the company over the next 5-10 years. I would also like to thank Pierre
for his dedication since 1997, as he guided the company through the difficult
period of low oil prices to its current strong financial position. He leaves
with the best wishes of the Board for the future.'

Mr Laidlaw said: 'This is a wonderful opportunity at a great company. I am
very excited at the prospect of taking Enterprise forward into the next stage
of its development.'

Mr Laidlaw trained as a solicitor and is an INSEAD MBA. He joined Amerada Hess
in 1981, and during the 1980s he was instrumental in building the company's
North Sea business into a position where it produced over 250,000 barrels of
oil equivalent per day. More recently, he led the corporate restructuring of
the group, including a major reorganisation of its US Gulf of Mexico deepwater
business and the development of its international position in several areas
including South East Asia, North and West Africa, and South America.

There are no matters relating to Mr Laidlaw which would require disclosure
under paragraph 6.F.2(b) to (g) of the Listing Rules.

Ends.

For further information please contact:
Patrick d'Ancona, Head of Public Relations             [phone]
Peter Reilly, Head of Investor Relations               [phone]