Marathon apparent winner in 15 blocks

Marathon Oil Corporation announces that the Company was the apparent high bidder on 15 blocks offered in the Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale No. 206 conducted by the Minerals Management Service (MMS). Representing a total investment of approximately $121 million net to the Company, two blocks are 100 percent Marathon and the remaining 13 blocks were bid in conjunction with partners.

The blocks cover approximately 86,000 acres (gross) in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, ranging in water depths from approximately 900 feet to 8,200 feet.

Building upon Marathon’s success at the October 2007 lease sale, these new leases in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico help contribute to our strategy for growing an inventory of prospects for future exploration activity. Marathon will continue to focus on maintaining a diversified and balanced exploration drilling program, said Phil Behrman, senior vice president Worldwide Exploration for Marathon.