(WO) — Murphy Oil Corporation has announced an offshore oil discovery in Vietnam and successful appraisal drilling in Côte d’Ivoire, alongside new production milestones at its Lac Da Vang development offshore Vietnam and Chinook field in the U.S. Gulf.
Offshore Côte d’Ivoire, Murphy’s Bubale West-1X appraisal well in Block CI-103 encountered approximately 88 ft (27 m) of net oil pay in the Turonian reservoir, along with additional hydrocarbons in the deeper Albian reservoir. The well was drilled to a total measured depth of 19,357 ft (5,900 m) in approximately 9,039 ft (2,755 m) of water.
Preliminary analysis of well logs and fluid samples indicates high-quality oil. Murphy plans to integrate the results with existing subsurface data to guide the remaining Bubale appraisal program. The company operates Block CI-103 with an 85% working interest, while Côte d’Ivoire’s national oil company PETROCI holds the remaining 15%.
In Vietnam, Murphy reported an exploration discovery at the Lac Da Trang (White Camel) North-1X well in Block 15-1/05. The well encountered 131 ft (40 m) of net oil pay after reaching a total measured depth of 12,579 ft (3,834 m) in approximately 147 ft (45 m) of water.
Murphy and its partners will evaluate the discovery and assess potential appraisal and development options. The nearby Lac Da Vang (Golden Camel) development, which began production on Sept. 27, 2026, could provide infrastructure for a future subsea tieback.
Production at Lac Da Vang is expected to increase as additional wells come online through 2028, with net peak production projected at approximately 10,000–15,000 boepd during 2028–2029.
Murphy operates Block 15-1/05 with a 40% working interest. PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation holds 35%, while SK Earthon holds the remaining 25%.
In the U.S. Gulf, Murphy also brought the Chinook #8 development well online in Walker Ridge Block 425. The well is producing through the Pioneer floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) serving the Cascade-Chinook field.
Chinook #8 achieved an initial gross production rate of approximately 15,000 boepd, consistent with pre-drill expectations. Murphy holds an 86.7% working interest in the well, with Petrobras America holding the remaining 13.3% through its interest in MP GOM.
“These achievements highlight Murphy’s ability to create value across exploration, appraisal and development,” said Eric M. Hambly, president and CEO of Murphy Oil. “Bubale West-1X and Lac Da Trang North-1X further expand our resource potential, while development progress at Lac Da Vang and Chinook #8 demonstrate our ability to efficiently convert resources into production and cash flow.”
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