Rockhopper Exploration plc

Rockhopper Exploration plc is a UK-based oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Founded in 2004, it primarily focuses on the North Falkland Basin offshore the Falkland Islands, where it discovered the world-class Sea Lion oil field in 2010. The company's flagship asset, Sea Lion, holds contingent resources of approximately 269 million barrels of oil (2C estimate), with Rockhopper maintaining a 35% working interest operated by Navitas Petroleum. In December 2025, Rockhopper and Navitas sanctioned Phase 1 development of Sea Lion, targeting production of 170 million barrels at a peak of around 50,000 barrels per day, with first oil planned for 2028 via a leased floating production unit. The company holds interests in multiple production licences covering about 3,800 square kilometres, including extensions and additional discoveries like Beverley and Casper. With a small team of around 8-9 employees, Rockhopper plays a pivotal role in advancing frontier oil exploration in the region, navigating geopolitical sensitivities while pursuing phased development to unlock substantial hydrocarbon potential.