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HOUSTON (January 7, 2004) — Boots & Coots International Well Control, Inc. (Amex: WEL), a global prevention, emergency response and restoration company for the oil and gas industry, announced that on December 31, 2003 it received a letter from the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) stating that although the Company is not currently in compliance with the continued listing standards of AMEX, AMEX will not take any action at this time. AMEX stated that after completing its review of Boots & Coots’ Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003, it has decided to defer its decision regarding the Company’s continued listing based on the Company’s year to date operational results and projected fiscal year end performance.

Specifically, Boots & Coots is not in compliance with: Section 1003(a)(i) with shareholders equity of less than $2,000,000 and has sustained losses from continuing operations and / or net losses in two of its three most recent fiscal years and Section 1003(a)(ii) with shareholders equity of less than $4,000,000 and has sustained losses from continuing operations and / or net losses in three out of its four most recent fiscal years. The Company’s shareholder deficit was $1.8 million at September 30, 2003, compared to a deficit of $14.0 million at December 31, 2002.

AMEX stated it is prepared to continue the listing of Boots & Coots until it reviews the Company’s December 31, 2003 Form 10-K, which is expected to be filed at the end of March. The Company will continue providing AMEX with updates in conjunction with the initiatives outlined in its revised Plan of Compliance and supporting documentation submitted to AMEX on June 16, 2003.

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