Murphy Oil Corporation has reported successful appraisal results at the Bubale West-1X well offshore Côte d’Ivoire, an exploration discovery at the Lac Da Trang North-1X well offshore Vietnam, first oil from the Lac Da Vang field in Vietnam and production from the Chinook #8 development well in the Gulf of America. Eric M Hambly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Murphy Oil, said the results demonstrated the company’s progress across exploration, appraisal and development. He said the new discoveries expanded its resource potential, while production from Lac Da Vang and Chinook #8 added to the company’s producing assets.
The Bubale West-1X well in Block CI-103 was drilled to a measured depth of approximately 19,357 feet (5,900 metres) in water depths of 9,039 feet (2,755 metres). It encountered around 88 feet (27 metres) of net oil pay in the Turonian reservoir, along with additional hydrocarbons in the deeper Albian reservoir.
Preliminary analysis of well logs and fluid samples indicates high-quality oil. Murphy will combine the findings with existing subsurface data to plan the remaining appraisal programme at Bubale. Murphy CI-103 Oil Co, Ltd, a subsidiary of Murphy Oil, operates the block with an 85% working interest. Côte d’Ivoire’s Société Nationale d’Opérations Pétrolières de la Côte d’Ivoire holds the remaining 15%.
Murphy achieved first oil from the Lac Da Vang field in Block 15-1/05 offshore Vietnam on September 27, 2026. Production is expected to increase through 2028 as additional wells come online. The company expects net peak production of approximately 10,000 to 15,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2028–2029. The company also reported that the Lac Da Trang North-1X exploration well encountered 131 feet (40 metres) of net oil pay. The well was drilled to a measured depth of approximately 12,579 feet (3,834 metres) in water depths of 147 feet (45 metres).
Murphy and its partners will evaluate the discovery and consider appraisal and development options. The nearby Lac Da Vang infrastructure could provide a potential tieback route, allowing the discovery to be developed without requiring an entirely separate production system. Murphy Cuu Long Bac Oil Co, Ltd operates Block 15-1/05 with a 40% working interest. PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation holds 35%, while SK Earthon holds 25%.
The Chinook #8 development well in Walker Ridge Block 425 is online and producing through the Pioneer floating production, storage and offloading vessel in the Cascade-Chinook field. The well recorded an initial gross production rate of approximately 15,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, in line with pre-drill expectations.
Murphy holds an 86.7% working interest in Chinook #8, while Petrobras America Inc. holds the remaining 13.3%. Murphy Oil is an independent oil and natural gas company with onshore and offshore operations, including the Eagle Ford Shale, Tupper Montney, Kaybob Duvernay, the Gulf of America, Canada, Vietnam and Côte d’Ivoire.
