Pre-open announcement

REQUEST FOR TRADING HALT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Directors of ARC Energy NL request an immediate trading halt under Listing Rule 17.1.

* Pursuant to recent ASX releases made by the Company in relation to the current drilling program of the Hovea 2 well, an immediate trading halt is requested during the evaluation phase of the Dongara/Wagina reservoir which is expected to be encountered shortly by the Hovea 2 well.

* The trading halt is expected to last until the commencement of trading on Monday, 8 July 2002.

* Upon a definitive interpretation of the Dongara/Wagina reservoir having been determined, the Company will advise ASX accordingly and will request for its shares to resume trading.

* The Directors know of no reason why the trading halt should not be granted.

* There is no other information relevant to the request for this trading halt.


E Streitberg
MANAGING DIRECTOR

>
>
>

TRADING HALT
~~~~~~~~~

ARQ - ARC Energy NL 05 Jul 2002 10:43am AEST

ARC ENERGY NL 2002-07-05 ASX-SIGNAL-G

HOMEX - Perth

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
ASX MARKET RELEASE

The securities of Arc Energy NL (the "Company") will be placed in pre-open at the request of the Company, pending the release of an announcement by the Company. Unless ASX decides otherwise, the securities will remain in pre-open until the earlier of the commencement of normal trading on Tuesday, 9 July 2002 or when the announcement is released to the market.

Security Code: ARQ

B O'Hara
MANAGER COMPANIES

MORE TO FOLLOW