Murphy Oil Strikes Oil Off the Shores of Cote d’Ivoire

On 22 June 2026, Murphy Oil (NYSE: MUR) announced an oil discovery off the shores of Côte d’Ivoire. In particular, the Bubale-1X exploration struck oil in the CI-709 block, located some 64 kilometers offshore Côte d’Ivoire.

The Bubale-!X drilled to a total depth of 6,263 meters, including 2,376 meters of water depth. Preliminary assessments indicate the oil is of high-quality light crude type. Murphy Oil plans to drill another well nearby to evaluate the extent of the discovery.

“Early results at Bubale reinforce the prospectivity of our Côte d’Ivoire acreage. We are pleased with the results to Côtedate, which underscore the value of a disciplined and consistent exploration approach. Our immediate focus now is advancing evaluation plans to define the discovery’s full potential.”

Murphy Oil currently has three wells undertaking exploration in Côte d’Ivoire and Bubale-1X was the first to strike oil. The Bubale-1X well started exploration drilling the CI-709 block in February 2026. A joint venture holds the rights for the block, whereby Murphy Oil holds 90% and Société Nationale d’Opérations Pétrolières de la Cote d’Ivoire (PetroCI) holds the remaining 10%.

Previously, ENI made discoveries in the Baleine and Calao blocks. The Government of Côte d’Ivoire ambitions to become a major oil producer in Africa by 2035, when the oil sector‘s contribution to the #GDP is forecasted to increase from 7% in 2022 to 14% in 2040.