Marathon Oil Corporation has received approval from the Minister of Industry under the Investment Canada Act for the Company's acquisition of Western Oil Sands Inc.

In connection with the approval under the Investment Canada Act, 1339971 Alberta Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon formed to complete the acquisition, made commitments to the Minister of Industry, which highlight the net benefit to Canada that will result from the acquisition. These commitments include making significant investments to develop Western's oil sands operations and, in particular, the Athabasca Oil Sands Project, and also to link Western's oil sands resources with Marathon's U.S. refining and marketing operations. In addition, 1339971 Alberta Ltd. committed to maintain the head office of Western in Calgary, Alberta, to maintain certain employment levels and to dedicate Marathon's significant resources and technology to optimally develop Western's assets.

Western will hold a special meeting of its shareholders in Calgary on Oct. 16, 2007, at which time the shareholders will vote on the acquisition. Marathon is an integrated international energy company engaged in exploration and production; integrated gas; and refining, marketing and transportation operations. Marathon, which is based in Houston, has principal operations in the United States, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Norway and the United Kingdom. Marathon is the fourth largest United States-based integrated oil company and the nation's fifth largest refiner.