Benton Oil and Gas Company Reports First China Well Unsuccessful.

CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 1999--

Benton Oil and Gas Company (NYSE:BNO) today announced that the first exploratory well on the Qingshui Block in China has proven unsuccessful. Although hydrocarbons were encountered during drilling of the Qing Deep 22, Benton and operator Shell Exploration China Ltd. have concluded that the well is non-commercial as a result of poor quality reservoir rocks. The well was drilled to a total depth of 4,500 meters and two reservoirs, the Sha-2 and Sha-3, were tested. Benton continues to believe that the block is highly prospective due to the variety of geological play types and multiple leads and prospects.

Benton Oil and Gas Company, headquartered in Carpinteria, California, is an independent oil and gas exploration and development company with operations worldwide.

This press release may contain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Actual results may differ materially form the Company's expectations due to changes in operating performance, project schedules, oil and gas demands and prices, and other technical and economical factors.