NOTICE OF PRE-HEARING MEETING

APPLICATION NOS. 1095525, 1095526, 1095602 AND 1275288

APPROVAL TO PRODUCE GAS

HARDY FIELD

STYLUS EXPLORATION INC.

Nature of the Applications

Stylus Exploration Inc. (Stylus) has applied to produce gas from certain perforated intervals within the Wabiskaw Member of the Clearwater Formation and the McMurray Formation in the following wells in the Hardy Field:

Application No.     Well                                 Perforated Interval (mKB)

1095525              00/06-28-076-04W4           347.0-347.5; 349.25-350.0

                         0/06-33-076-04W4             339.0-340.0; 341.0-343.5; 347.0-349.0

1095526              00/11-30-075-04W4           382.0-382.5; 386.25-386.75; 387.5-389.5

1095602              00/11-30-075-04W4           392.75-393.25

1275288              00/02-35-075-05W4           389.75-391.5

The EUB has directed that these applications be considered at a public hearing.

As defined by the EUB's G-Order, the Stylus 00/2-35 well encountered the Hardy McMurray Z Pool, which includes the Devon Canada Corporation (Devon) 00/01-01-076-05W4 well. Also as defined by the EUB's G‑Order, the Stylus 00/6-28 well encountered the Hardy McMurray V Pool, which includes the Talisman Energy Inc. (Talisman) 00/08-13-076-04W4, 00/13‑14‑076‑04W4 and 00/06-22-076-04W4 wells. EUB Interim Directive 99-1 states: "In cases where an application is made for approval to produce gas from a well drilled into a pool with existing gas production, the Board will evaluate the application on a pool basis. Depending on the assessment of the impact of gas production on potential bitumen recovery, this could result in outcomes ranging from shut in of the entire pool to approval of the application and future applications being approved routinely once it is confirmed that the applied-for wells are in the same pool." Accordingly, the Devon and Talisman wells mentioned above will also be considered at the hearing for the Stylus wells.

Take Notice that the EUB will hold a pre-hearing meeting at the EUB's offices located at 640 - 5 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, commencing on April 10, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to obtain input from interested parties regarding:

1.      The process to be used for the hearing, including

a)     The need for and use of an interrogatory process.

b)     Whether the hearing should be oral or written.

2.      The issues to be considered at the hearing;

3.      The timing of the hearing; and

4.      Other relevant matters.

Additional Information

To obtain additional information or a copy of the applications, contact:

Stylus Exploration Inc.

1200, 311 – 6 Avenue SW

Calgary, Alberta  T2P 3H2

Attention: Ulrich Seggewiss, telephone: (403) 517-8792

Copies of the applications are available for public viewing at EUB Information Services, Main Floor, 640 – 5 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta.

To obtain information about the matters to be dealt with at the pre-hearing meeting, contact Gary Dilay of the EUB's Resources Applications Group at (403) 297-3561.

To File a Submission

Any person intending to participate in the pre-hearing meeting shall file, not later than April 3, 2003, fifteen copies of a submission indicating their interest in the matter and commenting on the items listed above. The submission should be sent to the attention of

Michael J. Bruni, General Counsel

640 – 5 Avenue SW

Calgary, Alberta  T2P 3G4

Issued at Calgary, Alberta on March 5, 2003

ALBERTA ENERGY AND UTILITIES BOARD

Michael J. Bruni, Q.C., General Counsel