UK Onshore Drilling Update

Roc Oil Company Limited
24 January 2005



24 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 of 11:00pm on 23 January 2005, at the operation at the Errington-1 wildcat
exploration well was completing wireline logging at a Total Depth of 2,200m.
Preliminary interpretations suggest that the well has intersected several tight
gas sands. The gross vertical thickness of the main gas sand is approximately
40m, most of which appears to be gas saturated net sandstone, albeit in the
context of a typical tight gas sand play.

At the level of the zones of interest the well is located some 30 to 40m below
the top of the structure, as currently mapped.

The potential of the sands to flow gas in commercial quantities is difficult to
assess on the basis of currently available data and preliminary interpretation.
Therefore casing will be run over the zones of interest and the well will be
suspended for further evaluation.

The Errington well is located in PEDL 028 approximately 35km west of Newcastle,
in Northern England.



Bruce Clement                            For further information please contact:
Chief Operating Officer                                         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]



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