Murphy Oil reports discovery offshore Côte d’Ivoire as Vietnam field starts production

Murphy Oil Corporation has reported an appraisal success offshore Côte d’Ivoire, alongside an oil discovery in Vietnam and new production from projects in Southeast Asia and the Gulf of America, as the US energy company advances its exploration and development portfolio.

The Houston-based company said its Bubale West-1X well in Block CI-103 offshore Côte d’Ivoire encountered about 27 metres of net oil pay in the Turonian reservoir, with additional hydrocarbons found in the deeper Albian reservoir.

Preliminary analysis of well logs and fluid samples indicated high-quality oil, Murphy said. The company will integrate the findings with existing subsurface data to refine its remaining appraisal programme at Bubale.

Murphy’s subsidiary, Murphy CI-103 Oil Co., operates the block with an 85 per cent working interest. Côte d’Ivoire’s state oil company, PETROCI, holds the remaining 15 per cent.

The results add to Murphy’s exploration activity in West Africa, where offshore discoveries and appraisal work can provide opportunities to expand resources and develop new sources of production. The company did not disclose an estimated resource volume or a timetable for further appraisal at Bubale.

Vietnam field begins production

Murphy also announced first oil from the Lac Da Vang field in Block 15-1/05 offshore Vietnam on Sept. 27, marking a new production milestone for the company in the country.

Production is expected to ramp up through 2028 as additional wells come online, with net peak output forecast at about 10,000 to 15,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2028-29, the company said.

The field is expected to provide a new source of production and cash flow as Murphy develops its offshore portfolio.

In the same block, the Lac Da Trang North-1X exploration well encountered 40 metres of net oil pay. The well was drilled to a total measured depth of about 3,834 metres in 45 metres of water.

Murphy and its partners will evaluate the results and consider appraisal and development options. The company said existing infrastructure at Lac Da Vang could enable a tieback of the discovery, potentially reducing the capital and time required to bring it into production.

Murphy Cuu Long Bac Oil Co. operates Block 15-1/05 with a 40 per cent working interest. PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation holds 35 per cent, while SK Earthon owns the remaining 25 per cent.

Gulf of America output increases

In the Gulf of America, Murphy said its Chinook No. 8 development well in Walker Ridge Block 425 had started production through the Pioneer floating production, storage and offloading vessel serving the Cascade-Chinook field.

The well achieved an initial gross production rate of about 15,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, in line with pre-drill expectations, the company said.

Murphy holds an 86.7 per cent working interest in Chinook No. 8 through its subsidiaries, while Petrobras America holds the remaining 13.3 per cent through its ownership interest in MP GOM.

“These achievements highlight Murphy’s ability to create value across exploration, appraisal and development,” said Eric M. Hambly, the company’s president and chief executive.

“Bubale West-1X and Lac Da Trang North-1X further expand our resource potential, while development progress at Lac Da Vang and Chinook No. 8 demonstrate our ability to efficiently convert resources into production and cash flow,” he said.

Murphy said the results strengthened its portfolio and supported its goal of generating long-term shareholder value.

The company has operations in the US Eagle Ford Shale, Canada’s Tupper Montney and Kaybob Duvernay areas, the Gulf of America and Vietnam, alongside offshore exploration and development interests in Côte d’Ivoire.

Source: Murphy Oil Corporation, company announcement distributed by Business Wire, Oct. 12, 2026. The company’s production forecasts and other forward-looking statements are subject to operational, market, regulatory and geopolitical risks.