Roc Oil (Bohai) Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Roc Oil Company Limited (ASX:ROC), as operator of Block 09/05, Bohai Bay, Offshore China advises that drilling has commenced on the first exploration well QK11-1-1.

Drilling from CPOE Rig 33 commenced at 11:00 China Standard Time on 14 August 2014. Total depth planned for this well is ~4,000 metres TVD (~4,500 metres measured depth). The 335 square kilometres block is located approximately 15 kilometres north of ROC’s existing Zhao Dong production and appraisal blocks in water depths of 5-15 metres.

ROC was awarded 100% interest in the exploration block by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) in May 2012 and signed a Petroleum Contract shortly thereafter. Upon a successful discovery, CNOOC has the right to participate in up to 51% of any development.