EXHIBIT 99.1


                     UNION TEXAS PETROLEUM
                           (LETTERHEAD)

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:    Carol L. Cox
            (713) 968-2714

         UNION TEXAS PETROLEUM AGREES TO PARTICIPATE IN
           BARAGIANO EXPLORATION CONCESSION IN ITALY

     Houston, September 6, 1995 -- Union Texas Petroleum
Holdings, Inc. today announced that its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Union Texas Adriatic Inc., has entered into an
agreement to acquire an interest in the onshore Baragiano
exploration permit area in the Southern Apennines oil play
in the Basilicata region of Southern Italy.  The agreement
is subject to final approval by the Italian government.

     Union Texas Adriatic has agreed to acquire from
Enterprise Oil Exploration Ltd. a 20% working interest in
the Baragiano permit, which covers about 92.890 acres. 
Enterprise serves as operator and will retain a 30% working
interest.  The remaining working interest is held by Mobil
Adriatic Development Company, Inc. with 25% and Fina
Italiana S.p.A. with 25%.

     Site preparations are underway for the permit's first
exploration well, Monte Foi-1, which is expected to be
spudded in the fourth quarter of 1995.  The well is expected
to be drilled to a total depth of about 6,300 meters (20,670
feet) and to take up to 12 months to drill and evaluate.

     Union Texas' agreement to acquire an interest in the
Baragiano permit represents the independent worldwide oil
and gas producer's fourth permit in the emerging Southern
Apennines oil play.  Earlier in 1995, the company acquired
interests in the Serra Corneta, Tempa dei Mercanti and
Forenza permit areas in the same region.  Union Texas'
working interests in these permit areas are 42%, 33.33% and
20%, respectively.  Union Texas Adriatic serves as operator
of the Serra Corneta permit.  The Italian government has
approved Union Texas' acquisition of interests in the Serra
Corneta, Tempa dei Mercanti and Forenza permits.  The company
also has filed an application with the Italian government for
an additional exploration permit area near the Serra Corneta
and Tempa dei Mercanti permit areas.


                          - more -

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     "We are excited about continuing to expand our activities
in Italy with the acquisition of an interest in the Baragiano
permit," said Roger Pierce, Union Texas General Manager-
Exploration Operations.  "Over the past few years, the
Southern Apennines area has seen a number of important
exploration successes.  The region has attracted increasing
attention from the petroleum industry.  We look forward to
participating in the exploration of this highly prospective
area during the next several years."

     One of the largest independent producers located in the
U.S., Houston-based Union Texas Petroleum Holdings, Inc.
(NYSE: UTH) explores for and produces oil and gas overseas
primarily in the U.K. North Sea, Indonesia and other
strategic areas.  The company has petrochemical operations
in Louisiana.








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