Temporary Shut-in Cliff Head

Roc Oil Company Limited
17 October 2006





17 October 2006

                         ROC OIL COMPANY LIMITED ('ROC')
                             STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE

                   TEMPORARY SHUT-IN AT CLIFF HEAD OIL FIELD

ROC, as Operator, advises that production from the Cliff Head Oil Field, Perth
Basin, offshore Western Australia, has been temporarily shut in due to an
electrical problem at the offshore platform.

As a consequence, trucking of oil to the BP refinery at Kwinana was suspended
late yesterday.  The problem is currently being rectified and it is expected
that production will recommence as soon as possible.

The Cliff Head Joint Venture comprises:                    Equity
Roc Oil (WA) Pty Limited                                   37.5% & Operator
AWE Oil (Western Australia) Pty Ltd                        27.5%
Wandoo Petroleum Pty Ltd                                   24.0%
ARC (Offshore PB) Limited                                   6.0%
CIECO Exploration and Production (Australia) Pty Ltd        5.0%



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]
                                                     Email:  [e-mail]
                                                                                
                                                                    Nick Lambert
                                            Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial
                                                       Tel:  [phone]
                                                                                


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange