exploration update

Further to its Stock Exchange Release on 7 November 2006 regarding the Aigrette-1 exploration well in Block 7, offshore Mauritania, ROC advises that the well has drilled 8¨ö inch hole to a depth of 4,474 metres and set 9¨ý inch casing at a depth of 3,905 metres. As at 0600 hours (local time) on 13 November 2006, the current operation was pulling out of the hole to replace the drilling bit prior to drilling ahead to the planned Total Depth of 4,925 metres.
Aigrette-1, in a water depth of 1,358 metres, is located 43 km north-northwest of the 2003 Pelican-1 gas discovery and 193 km north-northwest of the Chinguetti Oil Field.