Further re farm in

Rockhopper Exploration plc
05 January 2006



PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release: 5 January 2006

Rockhopper Exploration plc

   Rockhopper Exploration completes licence assignment from Desire Petroleum

Rockhopper Exploration plc, ('Rockhopper' or 'the Company') announced on 14th
February 2005, that the Company had agreed to farm in to Desire Petroleum plc's
Falkland Islands licences, PL003 and PL004.

The assignment of the 7.5% interest in the licences has now been completed and
Rockhopper now has a net interest in over 5900 square kilometres in the North
Falklands Basin.

Ends

Contacts:
Sam Moody, Managing Director Rockhopper Exploration 01722 414 419
www.rockhopperexploration.co.uk

Aquila Financial Limited 
Peter Reilly 020 7202 2601
Yvonne Fraser 020 7202 2609
[e-mail]

Notes to editors

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, which floated on AIM in August 2005, is currently the largest licence
holder in the North Falkland Basin. These licences have been granted by the
Falkland Islands government.




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