Drilling Report

RNS Number:5724X
Melrose Resources PLC
14 April 2004


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            14 April 2004

                             Melrose Resources plc

            South Batra Field Appraisal/Development Drilling Success


Melrose Resources plc ("Melrose") today announces the successful test of the
third well on the South Batra gas field, onshore Nile Delta, Egypt.

The South Batra No.3 appraisal well was spudded on 28 January and reached a
total measured depth of 11,000 ft in the Late Miocene formation.  An 88 ft
section of Abu Madi Level III reservoir was encountered and a 42 ft interval was
perforated and tested at a maximum rate of 17.7 MMcf of gas and 217 barrels of
condensate per day on a 40/64inch choke.

Gross field proved plus probable reserves in the South Batra field are estimated
at approximately 500 Bcfe. Further appraisal/development wells are scheduled in
2004 in order to raise field production to 100 MMcfpd in 2005.

The drilling rig has now moved and has spudded an exploration well at the Aga
No.1 location in the South Mansoura Development Lease located to the south of
the South Batra field.  The well is designed to test both the Pliocene Kafr El
Sheikh and the Miocene Abu Madi formations. An additional 270 km(2) of 3D
seismic data will be acquired commencing mid-April in the South Mansoura area.
A second drilling rig is expected to arrive in May to continue the appraisal/
development drilling programme over the South Batra field: a total of up to 14
wells are anticipated on the structure.

Melrose holds a 50% interest in the South Batra field through its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Odyssey Petroleum (El Mansoura) Limited.

Commenting on the news, Robert Adair, Chairman, said:

"We are very pleased that the three locations selected on 2-D seismic on South
Batra have been successful. The initial results of the new 3-D seismic are
confirming our interpretation of the structure and will help optimise the
development of the field.  We look forward to the continuing exploration program
on the El Mansoura Concession."


For further information please contact:

Melrose Resources plc
Robert Adair, Chairman                                             01845 537037
David Curry, Chief Executive                                       0131 221 3360
Munro Sutherland, Finance Director                                 0131 221 3360

Buchanan Communications                                            0207 466 5000
Ben Willey
Tim Thompson

or visit  the Company's new website at www.melroseresources.com


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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