BURLINGTON RESOURCES ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 1998 EARNINGS OF $.27 PER SHARE.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 1998--Burlington Resources (NYSE:BR) today reported first quarter 1998 operating income of $99 million and net income of $48 million, or $.27 per share. For the same period last year, the Company reported operating income of $207 million and net income of $131 million, or $.74 per share. Operating cash flow for the first quarter of 1998 was $236 million compared to $415 million in the same period in 1997. Discretionary cash flow, which is operating cash flow before changes in working capital, was $242 million, or $1.37 per share, in the first quarter of 1998, compared with $332 million, or $1.88 per share, in the first quarter of 1997.

Realized natural gas prices decreased 17 percent to $2.03 per thousand cubic feet (MCF) from $2.44 per MCF in the first quarter of 1997. Oil prices fell 29 percent to $15.26 per barrel in 1998's first quarter from $21.46 per barrel in the same period of 1997.

Natural gas sales averaged 1,648 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) during the first quarter of 1998 compared to 1,632 MMCFD in the first quarter of 1997. First quarter 1998 oil sales volumes were 86,100 barrels per day (BPD) versus 80,400 BPD in the first three months of 1997. First quarter 1997 volumes exclude about 100 MMCFD of natural gas and approximately 10,000 BPD of oil from non-strategic properties that were divested in 1997 in conjunction with the Company's 1996 divestiture program. Two factors have affected BR's Gulf of Mexico and San Juan gas production in the first quarter of 1998. Weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico forced delays in the installation of additional pipeline capacity in the Eugene Island 205 and South Timbalier 148 fields. The San Juan Basin has experienced curtailments in coalbed methane production due to downtime at a third party gas processing plant.

Bobby S. Shackouls, BR's Chairman, President and CEO commented, "Financial results for the first quarter of 1998 were adversely impacted by commodity prices falling below the robust levels of the same period of 1997. However, we're pleased with the current strength in natural gas prices, especially considering our heavy weighting toward domestic gas production. The Company's strong financial position allows our continued commitment to our long-term growth strategy even during periods of short-term volatility in commodity prices. These growth plans are built around our high quality drilling program, which has already generated a number of important successes this year."

Operational Update

During the first quarter, BR's capital expenditures were $245 million, an increase of $42 million over the same period last year. These increased expenditures were primarily associated with exploration and acquisitions. A total of 272 projects were completed during the quarter, including 177 operated and 95 non-operated new wells and workovers.

In the same period, the Company spent over $112 million on internal development projects. Development activities included the drilling of 101 new wells and 152 recompletions. Highlights are comprised of offshore shelf activities in the Eugene Island, High Island, West Delta, and South Marsh Island areas; success of our accelerated south Louisiana program primarily on former LL&E assets; continued horizontal drilling and field delineation in the Williston Basin Red River B trend; and expedited exploitation in the San Juan Basin. Continued success in BR's development program has enabled the Company to increase its risk profile with its expanded exploration program.

Exploration spending in the first quarter was $89 million, excluding $18 million for 24 lease blocks on which BR and its partners were apparent high bidders in the recent Central Gulf OCS lease sale. New leases covering these blocks would add more than 82,000 net acres, 42,000 of which are in deep water and would increase BR's total deep water lease position to 160 blocks. The Company also acquired approximately 8,400 square miles of 3-D seismic during the first quarter, primarily in the Gulf of Mexico.

During the quarter, BR drilled 19 exploration wells, with 8 of those being successful. Fifteen additional exploratory wells were in progress at the end of the quarter. BR plans to further accelerate its aggressive exploration program in the second quarter. Activities will be worldwide with drilling rigs running domestically in the Williston, Permian, Anadarko and Gulf Coast Basins, and internationally in Algeria, Colombia, Indonesia, and the North Sea.

Financial statement is attached.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

This press release may contain projections and other forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any such projections or statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. No assurances can be given, however, that these events will occur or that such projections will be achieved and actual results could differ materially from those projected. A discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected is included in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                    BURLINGTON RESOURCES INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                           (UNAUDITED)


                                        First Quarter
                            --------------------------------------
                                1998                     1997
                            -------------            -------------

                            (In Millions, Except per Share Amounts)

Revenues                    $    432                 $    568

Costs and Expenses               333                      361
                                ----                     ----


Operating Income                  99                      207
Interest Expense                  36                       36
Other Income - Net                 3                       --
                                ----                     ----


Income Before Income Taxes        66                      171
Income Tax Expense                18                       40
                                ----                     ----

Net Income                   $    48                 $    131
                                ----                     ----
                                ----                     ----

Basic Earnings
 per Common Share            $   .27                 $    .74
                                ----                     ----
                                ----                     ----
Diluted Earnings
 per Common Share            $   .27                 $    .73
                                ----                     ----
                                ----                     ----

Basic Common Shares              177                      177
                                ----                     ----
                                ----                     ----

Diluted Common Shares            178                      178
                                ----                     ----
                                ----                     ----


Note:  Prior period amounts have been restated to combine BR and LL&E.

This statement of income should be read in conjunction with the
attached press release.

CONTACT: Burlington Resources Inc., Houston

Al Petrie, 713/624-9374

or

Clay Jeansonne, 713/624-9354

or

Lorri Charvat, 713/624-9658