BR and Talisman Announce Field Development in Algeria

HOUSTON - July 18, 2000 - Burlington Resources Inc. (NYSE: BR) through its wholly owned subsidiary, Burlington Resources Algeria Limited, Talisman Energy Inc. of Canada (NYSE: TLM), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Talisman (Algeria) B.V. and Sonatrach, the National Oil and Gas Enterprise of Algeria today announced their decision to develop the MLN Field in the Menzel Lejmat Block 405a in the Berkine Basin of Algeria.

Burlington Resources has previously announced numerous exploration and appraisal well successes on Block 405a. In addition to previously announced well results, BR today confirmed that the MLSE-4 and MLW-2 wells had been successfully tested. The MLSE-4 well, located 4 km (2.5 miles) west of MLSE-1, flowed on four separate tests, with the best individual rates being 5,078 barrels of oil per day (bopd) from the Triassic and 68.5 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcf/d) from a test in the deeper RKF reservoir. Total combined rates of over 11,000 bopd and 100 mmcf/d were achieved. In MLW-2, a 6 km (3.7 mile) step out to MLW-1, a rate of 4,125 bopd was obtained from the main Devonian sandstone. A third recent well, MLNW-4, has been deemed non-commercial, after encountering the objective zones below the MLNW field hydrocarbon contact.

These well results, combined with prior results and studies, have confirmed a suitable plan for the commercialization of the numerous discoveries within Block 405a and a request for an Exploitation Permit has been submitted to the Ministry of Energy to commence field development at MLN. The first phase of development will concentrate on construction of a Central Production Facility (CPF) and an oil export pipeline. This phase is anticipated to produce an initial 16,000 bopd by mid-2002 from the Triassic and underlying Devonian reservoirs. Phase I development is expected to cost approximately $150 million. Further investment on the MLC, MLN-Phase 2, MLNW and MLW field satellites is planned to follow the installation of the CPF and is expected to increase production to about 40,000 bopd by 2004. This additional development will require further government approvals. Bobby Shackouls, BR's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "This decision marks a turning point in our activities in Algeria. With the decision to proceed with the development of the MLN Field and its Satellites we are entering a new phase of our partnership with Algeria and beginning the transition from exploration to development and production operations. We are very excited by this and look forward to the continuation of our long and productive relationship with our partners Sonatrach and Talisman."

BR, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Burlington Resources Algeria Limited has a 65 percent working interest in this productive area under a Production Sharing Contract with Sonatrach. Talisman Energy Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary Talisman (Algeria) BV holds the remaining 35 percent working interest. Sonatrach has the option to participate in the development and production of commercial discoveries. Burlington Resources and Talisman are entitled to recover exploration costs from production during the exploitation phase.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain projections and other forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any such projections or statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. No assurances can be given, however, that these events will occur or that such projections will be achieved and actual results could differ materially from those projected. A discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected is included in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.