Drilling Programme Update

RNS Number : 5817R

Rockhopper Exploration plc

25 August 2010

 

Embargoed: 0700hrs, 25 August 2010

Rockhopper Exploration plc

("Rockhopper" or the "Company")

Drilling Programme Update

Rockhopper Exploration plc (AIM: RKH), the North Falkland Basin oil and gas exploration company, provides an update on operations at its Ernest and Sea Lion locations.

The Ernest 26/6-1 exploration well has been safely plugged and abandoned as a dry hole following completion of all logging runs.

The Ocean Guardian drilling rig is now preparing to proceed to the Sea Lion location where the Company intends, subject to all necessary consents, to carry out a flow test on the Sea Lion discovery well 14/10-2. Submission for approval of the final design for the flow test programme was made to the Falkland Island Government on 24 August 2010. 

The design for the initial flow test uses equipment that is available on the Ocean Guardian and certain chemicals which are expected to mitigate the wax appearance temperature and the pour point of the oil.  The flow test is expected to give an early indication of the production potential of the reservoir sands and will be an essential part of the planning process required as the Company moves towards its full appraisal and possible development programmes.

A further announcement will be issued once the Ocean Guardian is at the Sea Lion location.

Enquiries:

Rockhopper Exploration plc

Sam Moody - Managing Director

Tel. [phone] (via M: Communications)

M: Communications

Patrick d'Ancona or Ben Simons

Tel. [phone]

Canaccord Genuity Limited

Robert Finlay / Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor

Tel. [phone]

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 (7.5% working interest) to licences PL003 and PL004, which are operated by Desire Petroleum. These licences have been granted by the Falkland Islands government.

An extensive work programme has been carried out over a number of years on the licences operated by Rockhopper. This has included 2D and 3D Seismic and Controlled Source Electromagnetic Mapping (CSEM). In February 2010, the Ocean Guardian drilling rig arrived in Falkland waters to carry out a multiwall drilling campaign. Rockhopper drilled an exploration well on its Sea Lion prospect during April and May 2010, the result of which is the first oil discovery and Contingent Oil Resource in the North Falkland Basin.

Rockhopper Exploration plc www.rockhopperexploration.co.uk

 

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