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                                         Filed by Westport Resources Corporation
                           Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
                                        And deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
                                          Of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                          Subject Company: Belco Oil & Gas Corp.
                                                  Commission File No.: 001-14256

The following press release was made by Westport Resources Corporation on June
18, 2001.


WESTPORT RESOURCES CORPORATION CO-HOSTED FIVE STAR SUMMIT

Denver, June 18, 2001--Westport Resources Corporation (NYSE:WRC) today announced
that it co-hosted the Five Star Summit in Colorado Springs June 12-14, 2001, in
which it made a presentation to industry analysts. The slideshow of the
Company's presentation is available on our website at
www.westportresourcescorp.com.

Westport is an independent energy company engaged in oil and natural gas
exploitation, acquisition and exploration activities primarily in the Gulf of
Mexico, the Rocky Mountains, Permian/Mid-Continent and the Gulf Coast.

CONTACT INFORMATION: LON MCCAIN AT (303) 573-5404.


THIS MATERIAL INCLUDES "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF
SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE
ESTIMATES, PLANS, EXPECTATIONS, OPINIONS, FORECASTS, PROJECTIONS, GUIDANCE OR
OTHER STATEMENTS OTHER THAT ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF FACT. 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. THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
NOT TO BE CORRECT, INCLUDING THE CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS
MATERIAL AND RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES INHERENT IN THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS SET
FORTH IN THE FILINGS OF THE COMPANY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
THESE RISKS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, OIL AND GAS PRICE VOLATILITY, AVAILABILITY OF
SERVICES AND SUPPLIES, OPERATING HAZARDS AND MECHANICAL FAILURES, UNCERTAINTIES
IN THE ESTIMATES OF PROVED RESERVES AND IN PROJECTIONS OF FUTURE RATES OF
PRODUCTION AND TIMING OF DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURES, GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS,
AND THE ACTIONS OR INACTIONS OF THIRD-PARTY OPERATORS. THE COMPANY DOES NOT
UNDERTAKE ANY OBLIGATION TO UPDATE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN
THIS MATERIAL.



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INVESTOR NOTICES

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" as defined by the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements are those concerning
Westport's and the combined company's merger and strategic plans, expectations
and objectives for future operations. All statements included in this press
release that address activities, events or developments that Westport expects,
believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking
statements. This includes completion of the proposed merger, reserve estimates,
production, cash flow and EBITDAX estimates, future financial performance and
other matters. These statements are based on certain assumptions made my
Westport based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current
conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are
appropriate in the circumstances. Such statements are subject to a number of
assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of
Westport. Statements regarding future production are subject to all of the risks
and uncertainties normally incident to the exploration for and development and
production of oil and gas. These risks include, but are not limited to,
inflation or lack of availability of goods and services, environmental risks,
drilling risks and regulatory changes. Investors are cautioned that any such
statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or
developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements.

         Investors and security holders are urged to read the proxy
statement/prospectus that will be included in the Registration Statement on Form
S-4 to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed merger. Westport
and Belco will file the proxy statement/prospectus with the SEC. Investors and
security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement/prospectus (when
available) and other documents filed by Westport and Belco with the SEC at the
SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. The proxy statement/prospectus and such other
documents relating to Westport may also be obtained for free from Westport by
directing such request to: Westport Resources CORPORATION, 410 Seventeenth
Street, Suite 2300, Denver, CO 80202-4436, Attention: Investor Relations;
telephone: (303) 573-5404; e-mail: lmccain@westportog.com.

         Westport, its directors, executive officers and certain members of
management and employees may be considered "participants in the solicitation" of
proxies from Westport's shareholders in connection with the merger. Information
regarding such persons and a description of their interests in the merger will
be contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 when it is filed.