Result of Flow Test - Technic

RNS Number : 2367T

Rockhopper Exploration plc

24 September 2010

 



Embargoed: 0700hrs, 24 September 2010

Rockhopper Exploration plc

("Rockhopper" or the "Company")

Result of Flow Test - Technical Update - Sea Lion 14/10-2

Rockhopper Exploration plc (AIM: RKH), the North Falkland Basin oil and gas exploration company, is pleased to report the following update from the recent flow test on well 14/10-2: "Sea Lion 1".

The test was carried out over four perforated intervals totalling 77m between 2,403m and 2,566m (below drill-floor). Upon retrieving the perforating guns, a gun misfire was apparent and only the top two intervals were found to have been perforated, meaning the lower two intervals did not contribute to the flow.

After perforation, a small amount of oil was produced into the tubing to clean the perforations and enable downhole oil sampling. The well was then shut in for approximately 2 hours to determine the initial reservoir pressure. The final recorded pressure was 3,385 psia at gauge depth (2,344.6m below drill-floor) and was still building.

The well was then opened to flow through the three and a half inch test string, initially on a 24/64th choke, opened to a 64/64th choke during the flow period and reduced to 44/64th towards the end of the flow period to allow samples to be taken. The well was flowed for approximately 18 hours without incident and for sustained periods of over 2,000 barrels per day ("BOPD") with a maximum rate of 2,304 BOPD. The final flowing wellhead pressure was approximately 120 psia.  A wax dissolver chemical was injected at the subsea test valve to mitigate the appearance of wax.

Rockhopper believes that the flow rate was inhibited by incomplete perforation, waxing of the tubing string above 800 metres, increased viscosity of the oil as it cooled in the upper part of the test string and a lack of specialist equipment. As such, the Company estimates that the well could have flowed at approximately 4,000 BOPD without these constraints. Rockhopper also believes that, with a more optimal well location and horizontal well completions, significantly higher flow rates could be achieved from future production wells.

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 multi-well drilling campaign. Rockhopper drilled an exploration well on its Sea Lion prospect during April and May 2010, the result of which was the first oil discovery and Contingent Oil Resource in the North Falkland Basin. The Sea Lion discovery was successfully tested during September 2010 and was the first oil to flow to surface in Falkland Islands waters.

Rockhopper Exploration plc www.rockhopperexploration.co.uk

NB: 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 mineral projects - this statement has been approved by the Company's geological staff including David Bodecott (Exploration Director), who is a Member of the 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.

 

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