14/20-1 Operational Update

24 April 2015

Rockhopper Exploration plc

 ("Rockhopper" or the "Company")

14/20-1 Operational Update

Rockhopper Exploration plc (AIM: RKH), the oil and gas exploration and production company with interests in the North Falkland Basin and the Greater Mediterranean region, is providing an update on the operations on the 14/20-1 "Isobel Deep" well (the "Well") that was spudded, by Premier Oil as operator, on 8th April 2015.

Following successful setting of the 13 3/8" casing string at a depth of 1273.9m mdrkb, the Well has encountered problems with the BOP stack as a result of equipment malfunction which has required the Well to be suspended and BOP stack recovered for the necessary repairs. The Operator has decided to move the rig and set conductors at the Chatham and Jayne East locations.

The rig will return to the Isobel Deep location to continue drilling on completion of BOP repairs and a further operational update will be issued at that time. No spud announcements will be made for the Chatham or Jayne East wells but information on the setting of conductors will be made in the next operational update.

Ends.

For further information, please contact:

Rockhopper Exploration plc

Tel: (via Vigo Communications) - 020 7016 9571

Sam Moody - Chief Executive

Fiona MacAulay - Chief Operating Officer

Stewart MacDonald - Chief Financial Officer

Canaccord Genuity Limited (NOMAD and Joint Broker)

Tel: 020 7523 8000

Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor

Liberum Capital (Joint Broker)

Tel: 020 3100 2227

Clayton Bush

Vigo Communications

Peter Reilly 020 7016 9571

Patrick d'Ancona 020 7016 9573

Glossary

BOP = blowout preventer

mdrkb = measured depth below the rotary kelly bushing on the drilling rig