Vanco Starts 3D Seismic Survey Offshore Morocco 

HOUSTON, January 26, 2001 - Vanco Energy Company has started its 3D seismic survey of the Safi Haute Mer and Ras Tafelney licenses off the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The survey is the first ever 3D program offshore Morocco.

Just two months ago in November, Vanco and Lasmo PLC recommitted their exploration efforts offshore Morocco by converting Safi Haute Mer (Vanco, operator 100%) and Ras Tafelney (Vanco, operator, 60%; Lasmo 40%) to exploration licenses.

Now through the end of April, CGG's Symphony will survey 3,000 square kilometers of the two permits, concentrating on the toe-thrust zone in 1500-2000 meters water depth, with a secondary interest in the deeper inverted structures in 1800-2500 meters water depth.

The activity comes as ONAREP, Morocco's national oil company, promotes its first licensing round for the northwest Atlantic. The licensing round is expected to close April 30th.

Vanco Energy Company is a Houston-based independent specializing in exploring and developing oil and gas in deep water. Vanco is the leading deepwater acreage holder in West Africa with 20 million net acres offshore Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Namibia and Senegal.

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