UK Onshore Drilling Update

Roc Oil Company Limited
17 January 2005


17 January 2005





                            ROC OIL COMPANY LIMITED ('ROC')


                              STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE




                           UK ONSHORE DRILLING UPDATE



ERRINGTON-1: EXPLORATION WELL, PEDL 028, ONSHORE UK (ROC: 100% & Operator)

As 16 January 2005, the Errington-1 exploration wildcat well was drilling ahead
in 8 1/2 inch hole at a depth of 1,961m. The well is now drilling ahead toward
the deeper objective. A full evaluation of the intervals drilled to date will be
undertaken when the well reaches Total Depth and wireline logs are run.
Errington-1 is located in PEDL 028 approximately 35 km west of Newcastle in
northern England.







Bruce Clement                                 For further information please
Chief Operating Officer                                             contact:
                                                            Dr John Doran on
                                                        Tel: [phone]
                                                        Fax: [phone]
                                                E-mail: [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]
                                                                            


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