3D Seismic Update

Rockhopper Exploration plc
31 October 2007


Press Release

For immediate release: 31 October 2007


                            3D Interpretation Update

           Large basin margin fans and structural closures identified

Rockhopper Exploration plc ('the Company' or 'Rockhopper') is pleased to
announce that an initial interpretation of the 3D seismic data collected over
its licences PL032 and PL033 in the Falkland Islands has revealed large fans and
structural closures which could form targets for the next round of drilling. The
largest fans cover approximately 40sq km and are located near to the Shell well
which recovered live oil.

The 3D data were collected by CGGVeritas between November 2006 and January 2007
over licences PL032 and PL033, which were formerly held by Shell. Two wells were
drilled by Shell on this acreage during 1998. Live oil was recovered from one,
while oil and gas shows were found in the other. The collection of 3D over the
sites of the wells allows Rockhopper to significantly reduce exploration risk.

The new Rockhopper 3D survey covers an area of 850 km2 and shows a number of
large targets which could be drilled during the next phase. Amplitude mapping
indicates the presence of prominent fan-shaped anomalies along the eastern basin
margin at the level of the main Post-rift source rock sequence. Two of these
anomalies appear to coalesce and extend across a combined area of approximately
40 sq. km (which for the purposes of comparison, is slightly smaller by area
than the Buzzard field in the North Sea). Neither fan anomaly has been tested by
the two existing wells. These fans represent one of the largest prospects by
area so far identified in the Rockhopper portfolio. The fans are located near to
the Shell well which recovered live oil to the surface and are in an area of the
basin known to be generating oil. While oil shows were encountered in the centre
of the basin in the previous Shell wells, the eastern margin of the basin
remains completely untested.

In addition, a number of structural closures have been mapped along the eastern
basin margin. The largest structural closure identified to date is some 20km in
length from north to south, closing against the eastern basin margin. The
presence of basin margin closures and the identification of fan-shaped anomalies
were the main targets of the 3D campaign. Both have now been successfully
identified.

Mapping of the new 3D seismic will continue and additional technical work, which
includes Amplitude versus Offset ('AVO') studies, basin modelling, reservoir
modelling and a comprehensive study of the well logs and integration with the
new 3D is also in progress.

All of the technical work on licences PL032 and PL033, including a full prospect
inventory, should be completed by the end of 2007 and a further announcement
will be made at that time.

Pierre Jungels, Executive Chairman, commented:

We are very pleased to have identified encouraging indications of fan systems
for the first time on our acreage. This target has the potential to be large and
is in the area of the basin where oil has already been proven. In addition, the
structural closures enhance the potential reserves of our prospect inventory. We
will continue to refine our mapping before ranking our prospects and deciding on
drilling targets.

We have already announced separately a positive EM result on Ernest and have
other targets in Areas PL023 and PL024, giving a total potential figure of 2.5
Billion barrels recoverable in these additional licence areas.

The market for semi - submersible rigs is easing and the market for farming out
is improving and this gives us increased encouragement during the current phase
of our technical work programme.

An amplitude map showing the identified fan anomalies along the eastern basin
margin in licences PL032 and PL033 can be seen on Rockhopper's web site at 
www.rockhopperexploration.co.uk. The area covered by the fan anomaly
is approximately 40 sq. km.

NB: This statement has been approved by the Company's geological staff who
include David Bodecott (Exploration Director), who is a Member of Petroleum
Exploration Society of Great Britain (PESGB) and the American Association of
Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) with over 30 years of experience in petroleum
exploration and management, for the purpose of the Guidance Note for Mining, Oil
and Gas Companies issued by the London Stock Exchange in respect of AIM
companies, which outline standards of disclosure for resource companies.

For further information, please contact:

Rockhopper Exploration plc                 www.rockhopperexploration.co.uk
Sam Moody - Managing Director              01722 414 419

Aquila Financial Ltd                       www.aquila-financial.com
Peter Reilly                               020 7202 2601
Yvonne Fraser                              020 7202 2609

Landsbanki Securities (UK) Limited - Corporate Finance
Tom Hulme                                  020 7426 9000


Notes to editors

www.rockhopperexploration.co.uk

The Rockhopper Group started trading in February 2004 to invest in and carry out
an offshore oil exploration programme to the north of the Falkland Islands. The
Group, floated on AIM in August 2005, is currently the largest licence holder in
the North Falkland Basin and has a 100 per cent. interest in four offshore
production licences which cover approximately 5,800 sq. km. These licences have
been granted by the Falkland Islands government.




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