Pennsylvania and West Virginia

Marathon has expanded its exploration activity into the Eastern United States, focusing on the Marcellus Shale resource play in the Appalachian Basin in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, where the Company holds approximately 70,000 net acres, with net resource potential of 175 to 250 mmboe.

Leasing activity has positioned Marathon to be a significant player in this emerging play. The Company will draw upon its extensive experience in reservoir characterization, horizontal drilling, well stimulation, operational execution and commercial and marketing expertise that it has applied in the Bakken Shale play in North Dakota, and numerous other areas in the U.S. and internationally.

The Company commenced its first well in the Marcellus play in West Virginia in the third quarter of 2009. In 2010, Marathon plans to drill eight to 12 wells averaging 90-100 percent working interest, targeting the Marcellus Shale reservoir at a 50 percent mix of horizontal and vertical tests. Exploration activity will focus on southwest Pennsylvania and northeast West Virginia.