MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Desire Petroleum Announces Acquisition of Site Survey Data in the North Falkland Basin

Desire Petroleum plc announces that on 3 June 2007, Wavefield InSeis ASA commenced a contract to acquire high resolution 2D shallow-seismic data, at a number of potential drilling sites, on its licences in the North Falkland Basin, using the seismic vessel “Bergen Surveyor”. This vessel has just finished work for Falklands Oil and Gas Limited on their licences to the south of the Falkland Islands.

Desire currently has detailed site survey information on 9 locations (Liz A, B, C, Beth A, B, C, Ninky A, Rachel A and Anna A) based on shallow 3D seismic data. Desire now wishes to acquire 2D shallow-seismic data at locations where the 3D data are not available, at the Ann prospect in Tranche C, and weather permitting, at the Dawn prospect, in Tranche I and the Ruth prospect, in Tranche L. The survey on Tranche C will be on behalf of Desire and its partner Rockhopper Exploration plc; Tranches I and L are 100% Desire licences. These data are necessary in order to be able to drill, providing information on shallow, potential hazards which could affect the surface location of the wellbore. Acquiring these data will assist Desire in adding these prospects to the inventory of prospects which can be drilled when drilling resumes in the area. Following these site surveys, Desire will be in position to drill any of ten, possibly 12 locations which will greatly assist decision-making during the drilling programme. It will also ensure that, should the early wells prove successful, it will be possible immediately to continue with an extended drilling programme. Prospects in Tranches I and L have been enhanced by the results of the electromagnetic survey carried out by Rockhopper on its Ernest Prospect adjacent to Tranches I and L. Commenting on these developments, Dr Ian Duncan Chief Executive Officer of Desire said: "The company now has a number of locations in the North Falkland Basin from which to select its final drilling programme. With our detailed seismic knowledge and complementary electromagnetic data we are increasing the chances of exploration success once a rig is secured."