EIA & Rig Availability Update

Rockhopper Exploration plc
04 June 2007

PRESS RELEASE

4 June 2007

Rockhopper commissions Environmental Impact Assessment and see signs of
improvement in rig market

Rockhopper Exploration plc (Rockhopper) (AIM:RKH) is pleased to announce that it
has appointed RPS Energy (RPS) to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) over licences PL023 and PL024. The EIA will be conducted in parallel with
Desire Petroleum's EIA over licences PL006 and PL007, resulting in cost savings
for both companies.

The EIA will prepare Rockhopper for the drilling of Prospect Ernest and also
provide background work for any other drilling undertaken in licences PL023 and
PL024. An additional EIA will be carried out over licences PL032 and PL033
following completion of the current 3D seismic processing and interpretation
exercise to prepare for any drilling on that acreage.

Completion of our 3D has brought us closer to drilling and a number of
contractors have indicated increased availability of drilling units to us during
2008 which would be capable of drilling in our water depth and that of our
partner, Desire.

Sam Moody, Managing Director, commented:

'We are very pleased to be working with RPS who have already successfully
produced an EIA for Rockhopper and Desire in licences PL003 and PL004.

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.'

NB: This statement has been approved by the Company's geological staff who
include David Bodecott (Exploration Director), who is a Member of Petroleum
Exploration Society of Great Britain (PESGB) and the American Association of
Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) with over 30 years of experience in petroleum
exploration and management, for the purpose of the Guidance Note for Mining, Oil
and Gas Companies issued by the London Stock Exchange in respect of AIM
companies, which outline standards of disclosure for mineral projects.


For further information, please contact:

Rockhopper Exploration plc                 www.rockhopperexploration.co.uk
Sam Moody - Managing Director              01722 414 419

Teather & Greenwood Limited
Tom Hulme - Corporate Finance              020 7426 9000
Tanya Clarke - Sales

Aquila Financial Ltd                       www.aquila-financial.com
Peter Reilly                               020 7202 2601
Yvonne Fraser                              020 7202 2609


Notes to editors

www.rockhopperexploration.co.uk

The Rockhopper Group started trading in February 2004 to invest in and carry out
an offshore oil exploration programme to the north of the Falkland Islands. The
Group, floated on AIM in August 2005, is currently the largest licence holder in
the North Falkland Basin and has a 100 per cent. interest in four offshore
production licences which cover approximately 5,800 sq. km. These licences have
been granted by the Falkland Islands government.




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