TGS-NOPEC Announces a New Project in Sierra Leone, West Africa

Houston, Texas, August 10, 2000 -- TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company today announced the commencement of a new non-exclusive 2-D program located offshore Sierra Leone. This 2,500-kilometer program is a joint effort between TGS-NOPEC and the Ministry of Mineral Resources of Sierra Leone.

The primary goal of this survey is to image the Sierra Leone portion of the Liberia basin in preparation for a bid round which will take place in 2001.

This modern, state-of-the-art data set will provide the oil industry a means to evaluate the oil and gas potential of the area.

TGS-NOPEC is a leading global provider of non-exclusive seismic data and associated products to the oil and gas industry. TGS-NOPEC specializes in the planning, acquisition, processing, interpretation and marketing of non-exclusive surveys worldwide. The company places a strong emphasis on providing high-quality seismic data and the highest level of service to the industry. TGS-NOPEC also offers proprietary seismic acquisition and processing services, as well as gravity and aeromagnetic surveys.