Article from Barclays stockbrokers as follows;

"There is no news associated with this headline. LONDON (AFX) - The Royal Dutch/Shell Group said exploration work in the
Salym oil fields in western Siberia has yielded successful results.

An exploration well drilled to a depth of 2,316 metres into the Bonus
structure in the Upper Salym field indicated an estimated ""16 metres of
oil-bearing sand,"" it said.

Testing of the well is slated for Autumn.

""We managed to hit the target in one go. For SPD (Salym Petroleum
Development NV), it was especially good news because it validated our
assumptions for the Bonus structure potential,"" said Dale Rollins, SPD''s chief
executive.

""This should enable us to eventually increase the proven reserves for Upper
Salym. The amount of additional reserves is under study and will be impacted by
the results of further work on the field,"" he added.

SPD, a 50-50 joint venture between Shell and Sibir Energy''s OAO Evikhon,
holds the production licenses for Salym fields, including Upper Salym, West
Salym and Vadelyp. Development of the entire area is expected to cost 1 bln usd.

Production from Upper Salym has already begun.

West Salym and Vadelyp are expected to begin commercial production by the
end of 2005 and 2006, respectively."