Mauritania Drilling Update

Roc Oil Company Limited
09 January 2007





9 January 2007



                         ROC OIL COMPANY LIMITED ('ROC')

                             STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE

                      OFFSHORE MAURITANIA DRILLING UPDATE
                         CHINGUETTI-18 DEVELOPMENT WELL

Further to its Stock Exchange Release on 2 January 2006 regarding the
Woodside-operated Chinguetti-18 development well within PSC B, ROC advises that
at 0600 hours (local time) on 8 January 2007 the well has been drilled and cased
to 1,833 metres and was preparing to drill ahead in 12 1/4 inch hole.

Chinguetti-18 is located within the southern part of the Chinguetti Oil and Gas
Field in a water depth of 819 metres approximately 80 km southwest of the
Mauritanian capital Nouakchott.  The planned Total Depth is 2,890 metres and the
well is expected to be drilled and completed by late February 2007.

ROC does not plan to issue any further announcements regarding the operations on
the Chingetti-18 development well until completion, unless required pursuant to
continuous disclosure obligations under ASX Listing Rules.

Participating interests are:

              Company                                  Chinguetti Joint Venture
Roc Oil group companies                                                3.24984%
Woodside group companies (Operator)                                   47.38448%
Hardman group companies                                               19.00800%
Societe Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures                               12.00000%
BG group companies                                                    10.23440%
Premier group companies                                                8.12328%



Michelle Manook
General Manager - Corporate Affairs 

For further information please contact:
                                                                Dr John Doran on
                                                            Tel: [phone]
                                                            Fax: [phone]
                                                     Email: [e-mail]
                                       Or visit ROC's website: www.rocoil.com.au

                                                                   Dr Kevin Hird
                                            General Manager Business Development
                                                        Tel: [phone]
                                                        Fax: [phone]
                                                     E-mail: [e-mail]

                                                                    Nick Lambert
                                            Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial
                                                        Tel: [phone]




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