24 April 2015
Rockhopper Exploration plc
("Rockhopper" or the "Company")
14/20-1 Operational Update
Rockhopper Exploration plc (AIM: RKH), the oil and gas exploration and production company with interests in the North Falkland Basin and the Greater Mediterranean region, is providing an update on the operations on the 14/20-1 "Isobel Deep" well (the "Well") that was spudded, by Premier Oil as operator, on 8th April 2015.
Following successful setting of the 13 3/8" casing string at a depth of 1273.9m mdrkb, the Well has encountered problems with the BOP stack as a result of equipment malfunction which has required the Well to be suspended and BOP stack recovered for the necessary repairs. The Operator has decided to move the rig and set conductors at the Chatham and Jayne East locations.
The rig will return to the Isobel Deep location to continue drilling on completion of BOP repairs and a further operational update will be issued at that time. No spud announcements will be made for the Chatham or Jayne East wells but information on the setting of conductors will be made in the next operational update.
Ends.
For further information, please contact:
Rockhopper Exploration plc
Tel: (via Vigo Communications) - 020 7016 9571
Sam Moody - Chief Executive
Fiona MacAulay - Chief Operating Officer
Stewart MacDonald - Chief Financial Officer
Canaccord Genuity Limited (NOMAD and Joint Broker)
Tel: 020 7523 8000
Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor
Liberum Capital (Joint Broker)
Tel: 020 3100 2227
Clayton Bush
Vigo Communications
Peter Reilly 020 7016 9571
Patrick d'Ancona 020 7016 9573
Glossary
BOP = blowout preventer
mdrkb = measured depth below the rotary kelly bushing on the drilling rig
