Rockhopper commissions EIA

Offshore Staff

FALKLAND ISLANDS Rockhopper Exploration Plc. has appointed RPS Energy to carry out an environmental impact assessment (EIA) over licenses PL023 and PL024 offshore the Falkland Islands.

The EIA is scheduled to be conducted in parallel with Desire Petroleum's EIA over licenses PL006 and PL007, resulting in cost savings for both companies, Rockhopper says.

Rockhopper says the EIA will prepare to drill the Ernest prospect and will provide background for other drilling in PL023 and PL024. The company plans an additional EIA over licenses PL032 and PL033 following completion of the current 3D seismic processing and interpretation.

"We are very pleased to be working with RPS, who have already successfully produced an EIA for Rockhopper and Desire in licenses PL003 and PL004," says Sam Moody, managing director. "We are getting strong indications of easing in the rig market in terms of availability, though not yet in price, with floating drilling units suitable for the Falklands due to become available during 2008. While prices remain relatively high, we do not believe they are prohibitive. With this in mind, undertaking an EIA at this stage will put us in a position to act quickly when an appropriate rig becomes available."

6/4/2007