EPL Epl Oil & Gas

HOUSTON, June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NBL) today announced preliminary drilling results for the Raton prospect (Mississippi Canyon Block 248 #1) in the Gulf of Mexico. While it is premature to estimate resources, the well encountered 90 feet of hydrocarbon pay over three zones. Raton has been temporarily abandoned pending further delineation drilling, currently scheduled for the fourth quarter this year. The Raton well spud on April 15, 2006 and is located in approximately 3,400 feet of water. The well drilled to a total measured depth of 20,106 feet. "The results of the initial well at Raton are encouraging, particularly in light of the proximity of the well to our Redrock discovery," said Dave Stover, Noble's Senior Vice President for North America. "The Raton delineation, planned for the fourth quarter, along with expected appraisal work at our recent Redrock discovery just five miles to the north, will be important in helping us formulate a combined development plan for both discoveries." Noble Energy and its partners were also awarded two new blocks adjacent to Redrock and Raton in OCS Lease Sale 198 held last March. The company now has eight contiguous leases across the area. Noble Energy is the operator of Raton with a 50 percent working interest. Samson Offshore and Energy Partners, Ltd. (NYSE:EPL) each have a 25 percent working interest in Raton. Noble Energy is one of the nation's leading independent energy companies and operates throughout major basins in the United States including Colorado's Wattenberg Field, the Mid-continent region of western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, the San Juan Basin in New Mexico, the Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, Noble Energy operates internationally in Argentina, China, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, the Mediterranean Sea, the North Sea and Suriname. Noble Energy markets natural gas and crude oil through its subsidiary, Noble Energy Marketing, Inc. Visit Noble Energy online at http://www.nobleenergyinc.com/ . This news release may include projections and other "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Any such projections or statements reflect Noble Energy's current views about future events and financial performance. No assurances can be given that such events or performance will occur as projected, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those projected include, without limitation, the volatility in commodity prices for oil and gas, the presence or recoverability of estimated reserves, the ability to replace reserves, environmental risks, drilling and operating risks, exploration and development risks, competition, government regulation or other action, the ability of management to execute its plans to meet its goals and other risks inherent in Noble Energy's business that are detailed in its Securities and Exchange Commission filings. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021210/NBLLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Noble Energy, Inc. CONTACT: Greg Panagos of Noble Energy, Inc., +1-281-872-3125, or Web site: http://www.nobleenergyinc.com/

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