EPL Epl Oil & Gas

HOUSTON, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NBL) today announced initial results from its Raton appraisal well (Mississippi Canyon Block 292 #5) in the Gulf of Mexico. This well was drilled to appraise the deep section below the Raton gas discovery (Mississippi Canyon 248 #1) announced in June 2006. The Raton appraisal well encountered hydrocarbons in the anticipated sand intervals and has been temporarily abandoned. Additional technical work is needed to evaluate future options. The well is located in 3,400 feet of water and reached a total measured depth of 20,913 feet. Noble Energy is currently planning a fast-track subsea development of a natural gas interval discovered in the original Raton well. Production from this zone is expected to commence during the first half of 2008. Noble Energy is the operator of the Raton project with a 50 percent working interest. Samson Offshore and Energy Partners, Ltd. (NYSE:EPL) each have a 25 percent working interest. 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, the Mediterranean Sea, the North Sea, West Africa 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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