EXHIBIT 32.1
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      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT
                TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Annual Report of the Nexen Savings Plan (the "Plan") on
Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Douglas B. Otten,
President of Nexen Petroleum U.S.A. Inc. (the "Company"), the administrator of
the Plan, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

         (1)      The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
                  13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
                  all material respects, the financial condition and results of
                  operations of the Plan.


                                        /s/ Douglas B. Otten
June 23, 2003                           ---------------------------------------
                                        Douglas B. Otten
                                        President


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the
Securities Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.