Rockhopper Exploration - Sea Lion on track for 2018 sanction

Sea Lion Phase 1 continues to progress towards project sanction, targeted for end 2018. Focus remains on financing the $1.5bn gross capex required to achieve first oil. A mix of senior debt financing ($800m), vendor financing ($400m) and equity ($300m) was assumed in our last published valuation ranging from a core NAV of 44p/share (Phase 1 risked at 20% COS) to 81p/share (Phase 1 at 50% COS). The recent rise in oil price should increase the JV’s confidence in project risked returns, which we estimate at 30% IRR based on a $70/bbl long-term Brent crude assumption.