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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 TO PARTICIPATE IN BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES 2001
ENERGY CONFERENCE

DENVER, Jun 18, 2001. Westport Resources Corporation (NYSE: WRC) today announced
that it will make a presentation to the attendees of the Banc of America
Securities 2001 Energy Conference at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, June 20,
2001. Donald D. Wolf, Chairman and CEO, and Lon McCain, Chief Financial Officer,
will discuss Westport's 2001 activity and the outlook for 2002. The associated
slideshow will be available at approximately 8:00 a.m. (MDT) on Wednesday, June
20 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.

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

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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.