In 2000 and 2001, ROC acquired interests in several West African production sharing contracts in three countries, which comprise ROC's current West African acreage: Offshore Equatorial Guinea , Offshore Mauritania and Onshore Angola
In 2007, ROC signed a PSC for an exploration area in the Mozambique Channel area with the Government of Madagascar. In 2008, ROC was awarded a neighbouring exploration permit by the Government of France.
ROC's entry to Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania exposed it to West Africa's emerging deep water potential. ROC’s first well in Africa discovered the Chinguetti Oil Field, which commenced production in 2006.
In 2004, ROC made its debut as an operator of deep water exploration wells with the Bravo-1 wildcat well in the Rio Muni Basin, offshore Equatorial Guinea.
The Cabinda South PSC, onshore Angola, was activated in 2004. In 2005, a ROC-operated seismic survey marked the effective return of onshore oil exploration activities in Angola after an absence of more than 30 years. A further two surveys were acquired in 2006/07. ROC drilled 7 exploration wells in 2007 & 2008. The first resulted in the Massambala oil discovery with a shallow oil accumulation at a depth of around 400 metres. This was appraised by two wells. The fifth well, Coco-1, was suspended as an oil discovery and was tested in late 2009. The Castanha-1 oil discovery was drilled in 1Q 2010 and three appraisal wells were drilled in 4Q 2010.
ROC actively pursued the divestment of its African asset portfolio in 2011:
- In May 2011, ROC sold its remaining 10% interest in the Cabinda Onshore South Block, Angola to Pluspetrol for US$5 million.
- Effective 23 June 2011, ROC withdrew from its 75% interest in the Belo Profond Block, offshore Madagascar, and received government approval to be removed as operator.
- Effective 1 July 2011, ROC sold its 75% interest in the Juan de Nova Maritime Profond Block to South Atlantic Petroleum JDN SAS for between US$8 million to US$8.5 million (subject to working capital adjustments and normal industry terms and conditions).
- Effective 1 July 2011, ROC agreed to farm down its interest in Block H, offshore Equatorial Guinea, to White Rose Energy Ventures (Equatorial Guinea) Limited from 37.5% to 20% for a free carry through the drilling of an exploration well. ROC will relinquish technical operatorship of the permit to White Rose. White Rose has the option to acquire ROC's remaining interest in Block H prior to the spud of the exploration well.
- Effective 1 January 2011, ROC agreed to sell all of its interests offshore Mauritania to wholly owned subsidiaries of Tullow Oil plc for US$4 million subject to working capital adjustments (and subject to normal industry terms and conditions, including the receipt of relevant joint venture waivers or approvals and all necessary government approvals).
