
THE offshore oil drilling rig Ocean Guardian continues its work at Rockhopper Exploration’s Sea Lion well, where hydrocarbons were encountered earlier this year. The well at that time was suspended for re-entry and testing.

After stating that its first well (Ernest) drilled in the southern part of the North Falkland Basin has been declared dry, Rockhopper Exploration (AIM: RKH) was sold down to 265p before rallying sharply to close Wednesday only 2.5p cheaper at 301.25p.

A fifth UK company plans to drill for oil off the Falkland Islands after it raises £70m in a London stock market listing, reports the Financial Times. Argos Resources, which holds licences next to the landmark 250m-barrel Falklands’ oil discovery made by peer Rockhopper Exploration in May, hopes to achieve a £200m value on AIM.

Rockhopper Exploration one of the four companies operating with Falkland Islands government licences reported last Friday that samples from its recent discovery on the Sea Lion prospect in the North Falkland basin have been confirmed as medium grade crude.

Sam Moody, Managing Director, commented:”Our analysis of the data from the Sea Lion well suggests that there is significant potential upside on our acreage and our technical effort will now focus on integrating all of our new knowledge of the basin so we can understand and identify the best prospects for future drilling.”

Shares in Rockhopper Exploration (LON:RKH) soared by 32% on Monday morning, after the latest results of its Sea Lion oil discovery in the Falkland Islands suggested a good quality reservoir.

Rockhopper Exploration (LON:RKH) oil discovery in the Falklands Islands is of “good” quality said on Friday a release from the company. The announcement had a positive impact on shares of all Falklands’ oil explorers.

The Argentine government rejected British oil company Rockhopper Exploration's earlier announcement regarding the finding of oil in Falklands/Malvinas Islands, warning that the government “will take the necessary actions to avoid Great Britain from taking illegal possession of Argentina's non-renewable resources.”

In a press release from Rockhopper Exploration (LON:RKH), the company says the North Falkland Basin oil and gas exploration company, is pleased to announce that well 14/10-2 on the Sea Lion prospect has reached a depth of 2,744 metres.

Rockhopper Exploration (LON:RKH), the North Falkland Islands Basin oil and gas exploration company, is pleased to announce that well 14/10-2 on the Sea Lion prospect has reached a depth of 2,744 metres. Initial data collected indicate that this well is an oil discovery, which would be the first in the North Falkland Basin.