Rockhopper Regulatory News (RKH)

12 May 2015

Rockhopper Exploration plc

("Rockhopper" or the "Company")

Operations 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 pleased to provide the following operations update.

The Erik Raude rig has now completed repairs to the BOP control system and the subsequent re-testing of the BOP stack following its return to the Isobel Deep well location where drilling re-commenced on 11th May. Since suspending operations on the Isobel Deep (14/20-1) well on 24th April, the rig has spudded and suspended the Jayne East (14/15c-6) well at 541m mdrkb on 29th April and spudded and suspended the Chatham (14/10-10) well at 1388m mdrkb on 4th May.

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

Tel: 020 7016 9571

Peter Reilly

Patrick d'Ancona

Glossary

BOP = blowout preventer

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