22 February 2010
Rockhopper Exploration plc
(the "Company")
Directorate Change
The Company announces that it received notification today from Mr Richard Visick that he has resigned as a non-executive director of the Company with immediate effect.
Mr Visick cited a wish to spend more time with his family and concentrate more on his own and his family's businesses.
Mr Visick is pleased to have been involved as a director of the Company to this stage and remains supportive of the management and its strategy going forward. In particular, Mr Visick looks forward with excitement to the imminent drilling campaign.
Pierre Jungels, Executive Chairman, commented, "I would like to thank Richard for his significant contribution and for his role in the founding and early stages of the Company. I wish him all the best for the future."
Enquiries:
Rockhopper Exploration plc
Pierre Jungels, Executive Chairman
Tel. +44 (0)20 7920 2340 (via M: Communications)
M: Communications
Patrick d'Ancona or Ben Simons
Tel. +44 (0)20 7920 2340
Canaccord Adams Limited
Jeffrey Auld / Elijah Colby / Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor
Tel. +44 (0) 20 050 6500
Notes to Editors
Rockhopper was established in February 2004 with a strategy to invest in and carry out an offshore oil exploration programme to the north of the Falkland Islands. The Company floated on AIM in August 2005 and holds a 100 per cent. interest in four offshore production licences: PL023, PL024, PL032 and PL033 which cover approximately 3,800 sq. km. Rockhopper has also farmed in to licences PL003 and PL004 which are operated by Desire Petroleum in which it holds a 7.5% working interest. These licences have been granted by the Falkland Islands government.
An extensive work programme has been carried out over a number of years the licences operated by Rockhopper. This has including 2D and 3D Seismic and Controlled Source Electromagnetic Mapping (CSEM). Rockhopper intends to drill the Sea Lion and Ernest prospects on its acreage during 2010 in addition to participating in three further wells with Desire. In November 2009 the Company completed an equity placing to raise gross proceeds of £50 million which covers the anticipated costs of these wells, including contingencies. In February 2010 the Ocean Guardian drilling rig arrived in Falklands waters to begin a drilling campaign on each of these prospects during 2010.
Rockhopper Exploration plc www.rockhopperexploration.co.uk