February 2, 1999

MMRL ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR UK's
LARGEST ONSHORE GAS FIELD

MMRL is pleased to announce that it has prepared a preliminary development plan for its 100% owned Saltfleetby gas field. The development plan which has been submitted to the DTI for consideration calls for initial production from the field to commence in the fourth quarter of this year. The gas is expected to be shipped via pipeline for processing at the Theddlethorpe gas plant located 8 kilometres from the field. Two additional development wells are planned to be completed prior to first production. Overall, the field is expected to produce at an average rate of 33 mmscf/d and about 1,500 bbls/d of natural gas liquids in the first year of production. At current prices, Saltfleetby is expected to contribute over $35,000,000 in cash flow during that period.

Saltfleetby was discovered in 1996 by MMRL. It since has been appraised by a 65 square kilometre 3D seismic survey and the drilling of two appraisal wells and two development wells. The most recent development well was completed and successfully tested late last fall. It tested two different zones and achieved rates in excess of 15 mmscf/d from one zone and over 3 mmscf/d from the other. The result from the production test of the first development well of 10 mmscf/d was announced previously. The gas from the field is rich in natural gas liquids, which should contribute at a rate of 45 barrels per million cubic feet of gas produced. MMRL's independent engineering as of December 31, 1998 attributes over 40 billion cubic feet of reserves to the field and almost 2 million barrels of natural gas liquids making Saltfleetby the largest onshore gas field in the UK.

The price of natural gas fluctuates widely between seasons in the UK indicating a shortage of suitable natural gas storage reservoirs in the country. A preliminary engineering evaluation of Saltfleetby has concluded that it may be a viable storage candidate. Given Saltfleetby's close proximity to the Theddlethorpe gas plant, one of the UK's largest with a capacity of 3.5 bcf/d; the field enjoys the additional benefits of a source of natural gas for storage and an almost unlimited processing capability. As a result, this opportunity represents considerable upside to the value of the field. The storage potential for Saltfleetby will be further evaluated following its first six months of production.

MMRL is listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol MM.

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This news release contains forward-looking information. Actual future results may differ materially. The risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results are described in MMRL's annual report to shareholders and other documents filed with regulatory authorities.