Equity Oil Co.

Equity Oil Co., Salt Lake City, (Nasdaq: EQTY) has retained Petrie Parkman & Co. to assist in the evaluation of strategic alternatives for the company, including a merger or sale. Equity has operations in California, Colorado, North Dakota and Wyoming. Its estimated proved reserves, at year-end 2002, totaled 10.5 million barrels of oil and 36.6 billion cubic feet of gas, or 16.6 million barrels of oil equivalent. Secondquarter 2003 production averaged 3,154 barrels of oil equivalent per day, 50% oil