2023

Bajiaochang Gasfield, Sichuan Basin, China.

Hainan Mining completed the acquisition of a 49% stake in Roc Oil from Fosun, thereby making Roc Oil its wholly owned subsidiary.

Development operations continued at the BJC field, onshore China, with successful completion of the new dew point plant (DPP) and LNG-processing projects, 17 new wells drilled (3 in progress at year-end), and 12 wells completed for production.

ROC handed over operatorship of the WZ12-8 East project, Beibu Gulf China, to CNOOC on 1 April 2023 after one year of smooth production operations.

ROC withdrew from the Ungani Joint Venture, onshore Western Australia, in September 2023.

2022

WZ12-8E Oil Field, Beibu Gulf, China.

ROC completed one previously drilled well and drilled three new infill wells at the BJC gas field, onshore China.

Completed development activities at the WZ12-8 East project, Beibu Gulf China, drilling 11 wells and achieving first oil in April.

Successfully completed a program of 2 infill wells and 5 well workovers at WZ6-12, Beibu Gulf China.

Drilled an exploration well in block 03/33, PRMB China, which was an oil discovery.

Achieved a 30mmboe production milestone at D35/D21/J4 oil fields, Malaysia, which triggered enhanced fiscal terms from the fourth quarter onwards.

The development feasibility study for the WZ10-3W oil field was approved and the project entered the Basic Design phase.

2021

WZ12-8W Oil Field, Beibu Gulf, China.

Acquired the working interest in the producing Bajiaochang tight gas field in the Chuanzhong Block of the Sichuan Basin and became the Operator of the field.

Successfully completed a program of 2 infill wells at WZ6-12 and a 4-well workover program at WZ12-8W, Beibu Gulf China.

Continued redevelopment activities at D35/D21/J4 fields, Malaysia. Successfully completed the 2020 six-well drilling campaign at D21.

Set a net zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission target by the year 2050 to demonstrate our aspirations in managing climate change related risks.

2020

Drilled 9 development wells in Zhao Dong Block, Bohai Bay China, completing the committed 24-well program of the production extension period, which commenced in 2018.

Reached final investment decision on the WZ12-8 East development project, Beibu Gulf China, in October and commenced fabrication of facilities.

Continued redevelopment activities at D35/D21/J4 fields, Malaysia.

Zhaodong Oil Field, Bohai Bay, China

2019

D35 Oil Field, Sarawak, Malaysia

Hainan Mining acquired a 51% equity interest in Roc Oil from Fosun.

Successful appraisal well drilled near the WZ6-12 field, Beibu Gulf China.

Drilled 12 development wells in Zhao Dong Block, Bohai Bay China.

Successful completion of a D35 (Malaysia) campaign, with 10 wells drilled.

One infill well drilled in Ungani oilfield, onshore Western Australia.

Adoxa 1 exploration well drilled in EP428, onshore Western Australia.

2018

Ungani oil field, Western Australia

ROC’s first exploration well in block 03/33 (Pearl River Mouth Basin China), HZ12-5-1, is an oil discovery.

ROC agrees to acquire interests in the producing Ungani oil field and three surrounding exploration permits (onshore Western Australia) from operator Buru Energy Limited, effective 21 May 2018.

ROC signed a Petroleum Contract with CNOOC in July 2018 to develop the Weizhou 10-3W oil field and for exploration block 22/04, Beibu Gulf China.

Zhao Dong Block, Bohai Bay China, production extension granted. Four new wells successfully drilled during production extension period.

2017

Cliff Head, Perth Basin, Australia (Roc Operator 2006-2017)

ROC sold out its interest in the Cliff Head Oil Field, Australia.The transaction was completed on 22 May 2017.

Successful completion of four production wells in D21 (D35/D21/J4 PSC, Malaysia) and acquisition of 3D seismic data.

Successful completion of a workover program in Block 22/12, Beibu Gulf.

Successful completion of a three well drilling program in Zhao Dong Block, China. 

2016

D35 Oil Field, Sarawak, Malaysia

Completed D35/D21/J4 phase 1 drilling program and the Integrated Field Development Plan for phase 2 drilling and development was approved in September.

Commenced ODP preparation for Beibu WZ 12-8 East field

2015

Zhaodong Oil Field, Bohai Bay, China (Roc Operator 2006-2015)

ROC delisted from the ASX in late January 2015, and continues to operate as an upstream oil and gas company under Fosun International Limited.

Commenced drilling program in D35/D21/J4 PSC.

Operatorship of Zhao Dong PSC Bohai Bay transferred from ROC to PetroChina on 5 April.

ROC signs PSCs for two exploration blocks in the Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea.

ROC sold its UK North Sea assets, Blane oil field and Enoch oil/gas field, to Faroe Petroleum (U.K.) effective 1 January 2015.

2014

Beibu exploration drilling successfully completed with oil discoveries at two wells in the WZ12-8-Mid area.

Farmed into D35/D21/J4 PSC in Malaysia effective 1 January 2014 with production reported from 1 April 2014.

The Field Development Plan (FDP) for the Bentara oil field was approved in March. Oil from the field was successfully brought onstream in May.

D35 Oil Field, Sarawak, Malaysia

2013

Block 22/12, Beibu Gulf, China

Beibu development drilling successfully completed within schedule and budget. All 15 wells on line and achieved an overall production plateau of ~15,000 BOEPD.

The Zhao Dong reservoir management programme, including 18 development wells, was successfully completed.

Balai Cluster appraisal/pre-development drilling was completed in June.

2012

Successful exploration drilling in the Beibu Gulf project with oil discoveries in three wells.

Pre-development activities continue with Balai Cluster Risk Service Contract (Malaysia) with commencement of appraisal drilling; the conversion of purchased vessel to an Early Production Vessel and the installation of four well head platforms.

Awarded new exploration Block 09/05 in Bohai Bay, offshore China.

Cliff Head, Perth Basin, Australia (Roc Operator 2006-2017)

2011

Block H, offshore Equatorial Guinea

Acquires an additional 5% interest in Cliff Head oil field from CIECO Energy Australia (effective 1 Jan 2011).

Joins PETRONAS and DIALOG Group in a Small Field Risk Service Contract for Balai Cluster Fields, offshore Sarawak.

2 New blocks have been added to the existing Zhao Dong Block, increasing the total area by 150%.

2010

Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

Increased its New Zealand exploration acreage position in May with new interests in two offshore Taranaki Basin permits: farming into PEP38524; and being awarded operatorship of PEP52181.

2009

Zhaodong Oil Field, Bohai Bay, China (Roc Operator 2006-2015)

Delists from AIM (effective 2 November)

Sold a 10% participating interest in BMG to Pertamina, the Indonesian national oil company. Total cash consideration for the sale was US$31.5 million including working capital. ROC retained a 30% interest and remained operator of the BMG project.

Farmed out a 45% interest in the Cabinda Onshore South Block, Angola to Pluspetrol Resources Corporation which also became operator. ROC retained a 15% interest in the block and a free-carry through the full 2009 work programme.

2008

C4 Oil Field, Bohai Bay, China (Roc Operator 2006-2015)

ROC was the Operator of Zhao Dong Oilfield, Bohai Bay, offshore China. The Oil production commenced in October from the C4 Oil Field and Extended Reach Area Fields of the C/D Fields in the Zhao Dong Oilfield.

Completed off-market takeover of Anzon Australia Limited (AZA) in October.

2007

Oil and gas production commenced at the Enoch Field, North Sea, in May.

Oil production commenced at the Blane Field, North Sea, in September.

Blane Field, North Sea, UK

2006

Zhaodong Oil Field, Bohai Bay, China (Roc Operator 2006-2015)

Oil production commenced at the Chinguetti Oil Field, offshore Mauritania in February.

Oil production commenced at the Cliff Head Oil Field, Perth Basin, offshore Western Australia in May.

Acquired 24.5% operated interest in the Zhao Dong Block (ZD Block), in Bohai Bay, offshore China for US$260 million.

ROC makes a potentially significant oil discovery Wei 6 -12S -1, in Block 22/12, Beibu Gulf, offshore China. Pre-development studies are ongoing.

2005

The ROC-owned Explorer Drilling Rig, Northumberland, England.

Sold Saltfleetby Gas Field in Lincolnshire for A$111 million after producing A$350 million in sales revenue.

2004

Listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange.

Activated the Onshore Cabinda South PSC in Angola in November.

Onshore Cabinda South Block, Angola

2001

Berge Helene FPSO, Chinguetti, Mauritania

First well in Africa discovered the Chinguetti Oil Field - establishing offshore Mauritania as an emerging new oil province.

Acquired shares in Elixir Corporation Pty Ltd which held interests ranging from 2% to 2.7% in all of the licensed areas offshore Mauritania.

1999

Acquired a suite of oil and gas assets onshore eastern England and in the UK North Sea for A$115 million.

Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, raising A$150 million through an initial public offering.

1997

Roc Logo 1997-2010

Started as a privately owned company. The shareholders were primarily the then Board and Management, blue-chip corporate entities and high net worth individuals.

The ROC name was influenced from Middle Eastern literature, where the Roc was an enormous mythical Asian/Arabian bird.

Company Founder

John P Doran
BSc, MSc, PhD, FAICD

Dr. John Doran was the founder and CEO of ROC for its first 11 years until his sudden passing in June 2008.

Born in 1946 in Llanelli, Wales, John was a skilled oil executive with over 30 years of global experience in exploration and production, playing a key role in major discoveries across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the UK, and Australia.

John founded ROC, initially a one-man startup. Under his leadership, ROC grew into a publicly listed company, securing A$150 million in funding and acquiring key assets like the Saltfleetby Gas Field.

John’s passion, vision, and leadership were instrumental in ROC’s success. He was a cherished friend, respected mentor, and inspiring leader.