Nexen Appoints Two New Members to Board of Directors

Nexen noted that William Berry has joined the Board of Directors effective December 8, 2008, and that Robert Bertram will be joining the Board effective January 1, 2009.

William Berry, 55, is a retired oil and gas executive who started his career with Phillips Petroleum Company in 1976. At the time of his recent retirement, Berry was Executive Vice President, Exploration and Production with ConocoPhillips. Berry has Master and Bachelor of Science degrees in Petroleum Engineering from Mississippi State University and brings significant experience in the international oil and gas industry to the Board. He is also a director of Wilbros Group Inc.

Robert Bertram, 64, is the retiring Executive Vice President of Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board (OTPPB), a position he has held since 1990. With responsibilities for OTPPB's investment program, he oversaw the growth of the pension fund from $19 billion to over $100 billion. Bertram has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Calgary, a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Alberta and holds a CFA designation. In addition, he is a graduate of the Directors Education Program sponsored by the Institute of Corporate Directors and the Rotman School of Business. Bertram is a director of The Cadillac Fairview Corporation and of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., and is the Chair of the Strategic Committee of Glass Lewis LLC.

"We welcome Bill and Robert to the Board," said Francis Saville, Q.C., Chairman of the Board of Nexen Inc. "With the upcoming mandatory retirement of two of our Board members, Dick Thomson and Dave Hentschel, we are fortunate to have these gentlemen join our Board. Their business knowledge, expertise and skill will ensure that Nexen continues to create value for shareholders."