Murphy advances dual growth projects with US Gulf startup and Côte d’Ivoire appraisal success

Murphy Oil has brought the Chinook #8 well online in the US Gulf through the Pioneer FPSO while also confirming additional oil pay at the Bubale West-1X appraisal well offshore Côte d’Ivoire, supporting further development planning in both regions.
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Oct. 13, 2026
2 min read
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Why this news matters:

  • Murphy has added new production in the US Gulf through a relatively low-cost tieback to existing infrastructure.

  • The Bubale West-1X results provide additional evidence of a potentially commercial deepwater oil development offshore Côte d’Ivoire.

  • The update highlights Murphy’s strategy of balancing near-term production growth with longer-term exploration and appraisal opportunities.

Courtesy VesselFinder.com
Pioneer FPSO

In March 2025, BW Offshore signed an agreement for the sale of the FPSO BW Pioneer for $125 million to a subsidiary of Murphy Oil Corp.

Projects at a glance:

Chinook #8 (US Gulf)

  • Location: Walker Ridge Block 425

  • Host facility: Pioneer FPSO

  • Operator: Murphy Oil (86.7%)

  • Estimated net capex: $40 million

  • Status: Producing

Bubale West-1X (Côte d’Ivoire)

  • Location: Block CI-103

  • Water depth: 9,039 ft (2,755 m)

  • Total depth: 19,357 ft (5,900 m)

  • Net oil pay: 88 ft (27 m)

  • Operator: Murphy CI-103 Oil Co. (85%)

  • Status: Appraisal well

Murphy Oil has achieved first oil from the Chinook #8 development well in the US Gulf of Mexico.

The well in Walker Ridge Block 425 is producing through the Pioneer FPSO, stationed at the Cascade-Chinook Field. 

Murphy estimates its share of capex for the well/tieback at $40 million. The company operates Chinook #8 with an 86.7% interest, with the remaining 13.3% held by Petrobras America through its ownership interest in MP GOM.

In January, Murphy reported two discoveries elsewhere in the US Gulf, Banjo #1 and Cello #1. It has since sanctioned development and is targeting first oil in fourth-quarter 2027.

Anticipated combined net production is about 4 MMboe, according to the company’s recent presentation at the Barclays 40th Annual Energy-Power Conference.

Murphy added that it is assessing opportunities identified over 14 blocks acquired earlier this year under the December 2025 federal offshore lease sale. These range from lower-risk tiebacks to higher-risk growth prospects.

Murphy's next Gulf developments:

  • Banjo #1 and Cello #1 discoveries were sanctioned earlier this year.
  • First oil is targeted for fourth-quarter 2027.
  • Expected combined net production is about 4 MMboe.
Courtesy Murphy Oil Corp.'s "Barclays 40th Annual Energy-Power Conference 2026"
Map: Murphy Oil's Chinook, Banjo and Cello assets

The map highlights Murphy Oil's Chinook, Banjo and Cello assets in the Walker Ridge area of the US Gulf of Mexico.

Offshore Côte d’Ivoire in Block CI-103, Murphy has proven more oil via appraisal drilling of its deepwater Bubale oil discovery.

The Bubale West-1X well was drilled to an MD of about 19,357 ft (5,900 m) in 9,039 ft (2,755 m) of water. 

It delivered 88 ft (27 m) of net oil pay in the Turonian reservoir, with more hydrocarbons found in the deeper Albian reservoir. 

Initial studies of logs and fluid samples indicates good-quality oil. Murphy plans to integrate results from the well with existing subsurface data to optimize the remaining appraisal work for Bubale.

Murphy Oil Co. operates the block with an 85% interest in Block CI-103, in partnership with Société Nationale d’Opérations Pétrolières de la Côte d’Ivoire (PETROCI).

Courtesy Murphy Oil Corp.'s "Barclays 40th Annual Energy-Power Conference 2026"
Map: Murphy Oil's Block CI-103 offshore Côte d’Ivoire

The map highlights Murphy Oil's Block CI-103 offshore Côte d’Ivoire, including the Bubale-1X discovery and Bubale West-1X appraisal well.

About the Author

Jeremy Beckman
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Jeremy Beckman

Staff Writer / Editor, Europe

Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.

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