Rockhopper Exploration plc , the North Falkland Basin oil and gas exploration company, announces that the 14/10-8 exploration well (the “Well”) was spudded at 03:45hrs BST on 25 September 2011. 

The Well is situated on Licence PL032, which is 100% owned and operated by Rockhopper, and is located approximately 4.1km to the south-south-east of the 14/10-2 discovery well, outside of the Sea Lion Discovery Area.

This well is designed to investigate reservoir and hydrocarbon presence within the Sea Lion Main Complex in an area of relatively low amplitudes and is also an exploration well on both the Casper and Kermit oil prospects.

Drilling operations are expected to take approximately 28 days and a further announcement will be made once drilling is completed.

Ocean Guardian drilling rig

The Company is in discussions with Diamond Offshore, owners of the Ocean Guardian drilling rig, with regards to the assignment of a further drilling slot to which the Company would be required to commit prior to the spudding of well 14/10-9.

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Source:Rockhopper Exploration ,September 26, 2011