News Release June 22, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE BARRINGTON IGNITES SOUR GAS WELL BLOWOUT IN SHEKILIE AREA NORTHWEST OF ZAMA LAKE

Calgary, Alberta (June 22, 2001) At 8:00 a.m. this morning, Barrington Petroleum Ltd., in consultation with the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, ignited the flow from a sour gas well blowout in the Shekilie region west of the Zama Lake oil field.

The decision to ignite was made after unfavourable wind conditions had hampered well-control efforts and forced prolonged evacuations from the site over the last five days. Ignition of the well allows workers to remain on site and access the wellhead without being exposed to sour gas. Well-control experts at the site are able to ignite and extinguish the gas as required.

Forestry officials with Sustainable Resource Development have assessed the site and believe that the risk to the area from the fire is manageable. The risk was mitigated by soaking the area last night, and by keeping water bombers stationed at Rainbow Lake (about 70 km from the well).

The blowout was first reported on June 11 by a Forestry watchtower in the area. The well (5-31-116-10W6) was originally drilled in 1983 and then suspended in 1984. It is in a remote, unpopulated region approximately 32 kilometres northwest of Zama Lake. The closest settlement is Zama City, approximately 50 km to the east. There have been no injuries.

The EUB, as the lead emergency response agency, is coordinating required government response to support regaining well control. There are no current estimates available as to when this may occur. For further information, please contact Barrington Petroleum Ltd. at (403) 750-4400.

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This news release is also available on the EUB Website at http://www.ercb.ca

For further information please contact:

Bob Curran, Senior Advisor
EUB Communications
Phone (403) 297-3392
Cell: (403) 660-5553

NR 2001-15