Success in Licensing Round

Enterprise Oil PLC
21 June 2001

For immediate release: Thursday, 21 June, 2001

          Enterprise announces success in Brazilian Licensing Round

Enterprise Oil today announced that it has successfully secured its first
operated exploration block and three non-operated blocks offshore Brazil in
the country's third oil and gas licensing round.

The BM-ES-10 block in the Espirito Santo Basin will be owned 100 per cent and
operated by Enterprise. The three non-operated licences include a 25 per cent
interest in BM-S-17 and a 25 per cent stake in BM-S-19, both in the Santos
Basin, and 22.5 per cent of BM-C-14, a block immediately south of BC-2, where
Enterprise has a 15 per cent interest. The blocks, which all lie in deep
water, enhance Enterprise's existing acreage in Brazil and provide long-term
exploration exposure to the Campos, Santos and Espirito Santo Basins.

Pierre Jungels, Chief Executive commented:' Success in this licensing round
confirms Enterprise's position as a key player in the Brazilian oil and gas
industry. We are delighted at the award of these licenses which will add to
the strength of our Brazilian portfolio. We have established a sound business
in Brazil with operatorship of the Bijupira and Salema development and
exploration success in the Campos Basin. These awards are a further step
towards our aim of building a core area in Brazil.'

Co-venturers in the licenses are:

BM-ES-10

Enterprise Oil plc (operator)                              100 per cent


BM-S-17

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A (operator)                          50 per cent

Enterprise Oil plc                                          25 per cent

Den Norske Stats Oileselskap a.s                            25 per cent


BM-S-19

Repsol YPF Brasil S.A (operator)                             50 per cent

Enterprise Oil plc                                           25 per cent

Den Norske Stats Oileselskap a.s                             25 per cent

BM-C-14

Total Fina Elf S.A (operator)                            30 per cent

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A                                  25 per cent

Enterprise Oil plc                                       22.5 per cent

Shell                                                    22.5 per cent



Ends.

For further information please contact:
Patrick d'Ancona, Head of Public Relations                    020 7925 4160
Peter Reilly, Head of Investor Relations                      020 7925 4476
Sucharita Sethi, Senior External Affairs Adviser              020 7925 4160



Notes to Editors

Enterprise has been active in Brazil since 1998 and has interests in the
Campos and Ceara Basins. The group is also operator of the Bijupira and Salema
development in the Campos Basin.

Santos Basin

The BM-S-17 and BM-S-19 blocks have located in the Sao Paulo State and have an
area of 1,611sq km and 2,075 sq km respectively.

Espirito Santo Basin

The BM-ES-10 is located in the Espirito Santo State and has an area of 2,158
sq km.

Campos Basin

The BM-C-14 is located in Rio de Janeiro State and has an area of 1,882 sq km.