Rockhopper Regulatory News (RKH)

23 March 2012

ROCKHOPPER EXPLORATION PLC

("Rockhopper" or the 'Company')

Share Incentive Plan, Director Dealing and Block Listing Application

Further to the announcement made on 20 March 2012, Rockhopper Exploration plc (AIM: RKH), the North Falkland Basin oil and gas exploration company, confirms that 32,340 ordinary shares in the Company ("Ordinary Shares") are being issued under the Company's Share Incentive Plan ("SIP") for the 2011/12 tax year. Additionally, set out below is the Directors participation in the SIP for the 2011/12 tax year.

Directors' Participation

In respect of the 2011/2012 tax year the Directors participation in the SIP is set out below:

Admission to trading on AIM and Total Voting Rights

Application is being made to AIM for 32,340 new Ordinary Shares allotted in relation to the SIP for 2011/12 tax year to be admitted to trading on AIM. Admission of the 32,340 new Ordinary Shares is expected on 29 March 2012.

Following the issue of the 32,340 new Ordinary Shares theissued share capital of the Company consists of 284,186,936 ordinary shares of 1p each with voting rights. No Ordinary Shares are held in treasury.

The above figure of 284,186,936 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FSA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

Blocklisting in relation to the SIP for the tax year 2012/2013

As set out in the announcement of 20 March 2012, the Company's SIP will be implemented for the 2012/2013 tax year. Accordingly, the Company is making an application to AIM for the block admission of up to 40,000 Ordinary Shares the ("Blocklisting Shares"). These Blocklisting Shares will be available to be issued to satisfy the future grant of shares under the terms of the Company's SIP. Admission of the Blocklisting Shares is also expected on 29 March 2012.