Hardman drilling mauritainia sooner than expected

Hardman announces drilling in Mauritainia maybe thiis year 200++++++++++++++++++++++++ Towie
This report summarises the activities of Hardman Resources Ltd and
its controlled entities ("Hardman" or "The Company") during the
quarter ended 31 March 2002.

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

* ARC Energy NL ("ARC") Investment: Hardman has converted the
$2,500,000 loan advanced to ARC in September 2001, to ARC shares at
16 cents per share, representing 10% of ARC's issued capital. On 6
March 2002 Tap Oil announced a takeover offer for ARC consisting of
one Tap Oil share for every four ARC shares. Hardman has advised the
market that it does not intend to accept the Tap Oil offer.

* French Guyane: Planning is underway for a 2D seismic survey in
excess of 8,000 line kilometres to be shot in mid 2002.

* Gabon: A 2D shallow water seismic survey comprising of 2,732
kilometres was completed during the quarter. This data will provide
the first comprehensive seismic coverage available to the Joint
Venture across the two permit areas.

* Malta: The Government authority has agreed to extend the
exploration permit to 5 October 2002, at which time the Joint Venture
is required to convert the permit to a Production Sharing Contract.

* Mauritania: Negotiations to award the rig contract for the drilling
of up to four wells in offshore. Mauritania is in final stages of
completion and should be signed during the next 2-3 weeks. Drilling
is expected to commence in third quarter 2002.

* Mauritania: The 2002 drilling programme is to comprise two
appraisal wells on the Chinguetti field, one firm exploration well in
PSC Block 6 and one contingent exploration well in the vicinity of
the Chinguetti field in PSC Area B.

* Mauritania: A large 3D seismic survey commenced in PSC Areas A and
B during the quarter. Additional 3D seismic is to be acquired over
one of the prospects being considered for the 2002 PSC Area B
exploration well, thereby delaying a decision on this fourth well in
the programme until the third quarter.

* Mauritania: Field development studies on the Chinguetti oil
discovery are progressing and initial results indicate that less that
100 million barrels of recoverable reserves is required for a "stand
alone" economic development. Studies by Hardman have indicated that
the Most Likely (P50) recoverable, oil for the primary reservoir only
(A sand) is in excess of 100 million barrels.

* Mauritania. South African company Energy Africa have signed a
farmin agreement to earn 20% interest in PSC block 2 by funding the
bulk of a large 3D seismic survey in 2002, Hardman's interest in
Block 2 will reduce from 6.0% to 28.8% once completed.

* New Zealand: An application to extend the permit area by an
additional 1,973 square kilometres was approved by government
authorities. The additional area covers several leads which were
found in Hardman's preliminary technical assessment to extend beyond
the permit boundary.

* North Perth Basin: EP 413: The drilling of an exploration well is
planned for June/July 2002. This permit adjoins TP 15 and the Woodada
production licences. TP 15: The discovery of significant oil reserves
in the Cliff Head 1 and 2 wells has considerably upgraded the
prospectivity of Hardman's adjoining acreage at TP 15. The Joint
Venture has agreed to drill tip to two offshore wells (one firm, one
contingent) in the first quarter 2003.

* Uganda. Preparations are in progress to shoot a 2D seismic survey
on Lake Albert in the third quarter 2002.

* Woodada Gas Field:

- During the quarter gas production has been maintained at a rate of
approximately 3.5 million cubic feet per day.

- Drilling of the Woodada #19 gas well commenced on 12 April 2002.
The well will be drilled to a total depth of about 2,900 metres and
will test deeper objectives below the Carynginia Limestone gas
producing zone. If successful, the well can potentially be completed
as a gas production well or a multiple zone producer.

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