Appointment of Non-Executive Director

News Release

Appointment of Simon Thompson as a non-executive Director and retirement of Clare Spottiswoode.

9 March 2011 - Tullow Oil plc is delighted to announce the appointment of Simon Thompson as a non-executive Director of the Company with effect from 16 May 2011. Simon brings a wealth of international investment banking and natural resources knowledge and experience, especially in Africa. Simon was previously an executive Director of Anglo American plc, Chairman of the Tarmac Group and also held investment banking positions with S G Warburg and N M Rothschild. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of Newmont Mining Corporation, Sandvik AB and AMEC plc.

Clare Spottiswoode CBE, will retire from the Board of Tullow soon after the Annual General Meeting which is to be held on 12 May 2011. Clare has served as a Director for over nine years including three years as the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee. The Board would like to thank Clare for her immense contribution over this period.

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ENDS