Rockhopper declared that the 14/10-3 exploration well was spudded at 1700hrs GMT on January 13, 2011 using semisub Ocean Guardian. 14/10-3 is located 8km North West of the Sea Lion 14/10-2 discovery well on License PL032, which Rockhopper operates and holds a 100% working interest in.

The well is located on the undrilled northern lobe of the Sea Lion fan system. The well will also penetrate the distal, downdip portion of the newly-identified and underlying S2 fan body which has been mapped over an area of 42 sq. km.

14/10-3 is situated outside of the Sea Lion Discovery Area. Total depth is planned to be ca. 3,000 meters. Drilling operations are expected to take approximately 38 days and a further announcement will be made once drilling is completed.

It is currently anticipated that, on completion of operations on 14/10-3, Rockhopper will drill 14/10-4, an appraisal well on the southern lobe of the Sea Lion fan system within the Discovery Area, before the rig is released.

Tags: Rockhopper Exploration plc