EXHIBIT 99.2

CONTACTS:

(MEDIA):          TONY LENTINI                  (713/296-6227)
                  BILL MINTZ                    (713/296-7276)

(INVESTOR):       ROBERT DYE                    (713/296-6662)

(WEB SITE):       WWW.APACHECORP.COM

                                         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                 APACHE CLOSES UK NORTH SEA ACQUISITION FROM BP


         Houston, April 2, 2003 - Apache Corporation (NYSE: APA) today announced
that it has closed on the UK North Sea Forties field portion of its $1.3 billion
acquisition of producing properties from BP.

         As previously announced, Apache paid approximately $630 million for the
Forties field, which on the effective date of January 1, 2003, had estimated
proved reserves of 147.6 million barrels of oil equivalent and anticipated 2003
net production of 45,000 barrels of oil per day. Closing on the North Sea assets
was approximately two months ahead of schedule, bringing the BP acquisition to
completion. Apache closed on the Gulf of Mexico portion of the transaction in
mid-March.

         The Forties field is the largest discovery in the UK North Sea. It
currently ranks in the top ten in liquid hydrocarbons production and remaining
liquid hydrocarbon reserves after having produced approximately 2.5 billion
barrels. Apache has established an office in Aberdeen, Scotland, headed by
Executive Vice President John Crum, and has transferred the BP Forties team to
Apache.

         "We're delighted to be here and appreciate the warm welcome we have
received from the government, local residents and our colleagues at BP. With
Forties as a base, we hope to add value and expand our presence in the North
Sea," Crum said.

         Apache Corporation is a large oil and gas independent with core
operations in the United States, Canada, Egypt, Western Australia and now the
North Sea.

                                      -end-

         This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" as
defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including,
without limitation, expectations, beliefs, plans and objectives regarding
Apache's reserves, production, capital expenditures and future acquisitions. Any
matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking and, accordingly,
involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties. There is no assurance that
Apache's expectations will be realized, and actual results may differ materially
from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.