Murphy Oil has confirmed 88 ft of net oil pay in the Bubale West-1X appraisal well on Block CI-103 offshore Côte d'Ivoire, alongside production startups in Vietnam and the US Gulf of Mexico. The US independent disclosed the results in an operational update spanning three basins.

What did Bubale West-1X find?

The well reached a total measured depth of roughly 19,357 ft beneath 9,039 ft of water. It penetrated approximately 88 ft of net oil pay in the Turonian formation. The well also intersected hydrocarbons in the underlying Albian interval.

Early evaluation of wireline logs and fluid samples suggests high-quality crude. Murphy plans to fold the new data into its broader subsurface model to guide further appraisal activity.

Murphy CI-103 Oil operates the block with an 85% stake. Société Nationale d'Opérations Pétrolières de la Côte d'Ivoire holds the remaining 15%. Bubale West-1X remains appraisal-stage; no development decision has followed the find.

Takeaway: the well confirms oil pay but further appraisal work must precede any development plan.

How significant is the Vietnam startup?

The Lac Da Vang field in Block 15-2/17's neighbour, Block 15-1/05, began producing in September 2026, establishing a new source of output and cash flow from Murphy's offshore Vietnam portfolio. Additional wells are due onstream over the next two years. Murphy estimates net peak volumes of 10,000–15,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) during 2028 and 2029.

Within the same licence, the Lac Da Trang North-1X exploration well identified 131 ft of net oil pay. The well reached a total measured depth of about 12,579 ft in 147 ft of water. Murphy noted the newly operational Lac Da Vang facilities could serve as a tie-in point for the discovery, offering a potentially faster and more cost-effective route to development.

Murphy Cuu Long Bac Oil operates Block 15-1/05 at 40%. PetroVietnam Exploration Production holds 35% and SK Earthon holds 25%.

Takeaway: Lac Da Vang infrastructure gives the operator a low-cost path to monetise the new discovery.

Earlier this year, Murphy drilled the Hai Su Vang-2X appraisal well in Block 15-2/17 off the Vietnamese coast. That well confirmed significant oil reserves and extended hydrocarbon resources in the Cuu Long Basin.

What is producing in the Gulf of Mexico?

The Chinook #8 well in Walker Ridge Block 425 has commenced production via the Pioneer floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. Initial gross output reached approximately 15,000 boepd, matching expectations set ahead of drilling.

Murphy holds an 86.7% working interest through its subsidiaries. Petrobras America accounts for the remaining 13.3%.

Takeaway: Chinook #8 has started at rates consistent with pre-drill expectations.

What did management say?

Murphy president and CEO Eric Hambly said: "These achievements highlight Murphy's ability to create value across exploration, appraisal and development."

He added: "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."

Takeaway: management frames the update as proof the portfolio works across the full project cycle.

What comes next?

• Further appraisal planning for Bubale West-1X on Block CI-103, pending integration of new log and fluid data into the subsurface model.
• Additional Lac Da Vang wells onstream through 2028, building toward the 10,000–15,000 boepd net peak.
• A potential tie-back decision for Lac Da Trang North-1X to Lac Da Vang facilities, which would set the pace for first oil from the discovery.

The watch item: a tie-back sanction for Lac Da Trang North-1X, the fastest route to converting the 131 ft of pay into barrels.