Murphy West Africa, Ltd. holds interests in Production Sharing Agreements covering two offshore blocks in Republic of the Congo – 50% in Mer Profonde Sud (MPS) and 100% in Mer Profonde Nord (MPN). The Company’s interests cover approximately 1.33 million gross acres with water depths ranging from 490 to 6,900 feet, and the Company serves as operator of both blocks. In 2005, Murphy made an oil discovery at Azurite Marine #1 in the southern block, MPS and following appraisal, developed the field with first oil production occurring in August 2009. Continued exploration has resulted in an oil discovery at Turquoise Marine (MPS) and a small oil accumulation at the Titane Marine well (MPN). Development options are currently being studied.
Additional 3D seismic was acquired in 2010 with both pre-salt and post-salt prospects identified. Drilling of these prospects is expected to begin in late 2011 and continue in to 2012, with up to 4 wells being drilled.
Murphy produces oil and natural gas in the United Kingdom, holding small working interests in: Schiehallion (5.877%), Amethyst (7.4%), and Mungo/Monan (12.645%), all operated by BP.
In June 2007, Murphy entered into a production sharing contract covering Block 37, offshore Suriname. Murphy operates the block with a 100% working interest; subject to a 20% back in option by the state oil company. Block 37 covers approximately 2.16 million gross acres with water depths ranging from 160 to 1,000 feet. 3D seismic was shot in late 2008 and early 2009. The first exploration well, drilled in late 2010 and the second exploration well was drilled in early 2011. Both wells were unsuccessful, and Murphy is now using the data acquired to assess the potential of the block and the region.
The Company operates and holds working interests in three blocks offshore N.W. Australia: ~ 1.0 million gross acres in Block AC/P36 (45.3%); ~ 1.43 million gross acres in Block WA-423-P (40%), both in the Browse Basin; and ~ 1.21 million gross acres in Block NT/P80 (40%) in the Bonaparte Basin. At least one exploration well is planned for 2012, and the company is actively seeking growth opportunities.
Murphy is the operator of three concessions in Indonesia: ~ 1.24 million acre block in South Barito (100%) in south Kalimantan on the island of Borneo; ~ 0.835 million gross acres in the Semai II Block (28.33%) offshore West Papua; and ~ 1.22 million gross acres in the Wokam II Block (100%) offshore West Papua, Moluccas and Papua. The Company plans to drill up to 2 wells in South Barito and 3 wells in Semai II in 2011/12, and is looking to acquire 3D in Wokam in 2012.
In late 2010, the Company entered into two production sharing agreements for properties offshore deepwater Brunei. The Company has a 5% working interest in Block CA-1, which covers 1.45 million gross acres and a 30% working interest in Block CA-2 which covers 1.49 million gross acres. Exploration drilling is planned to begin in the second half of 2011 and continue throughout 2012.
In late 2010, the Company finalized an agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq to acquire an interest in the Central Dohuk Block. The Company operates and holds a 50% interest in the block. The Central Dohuk block covers approximately 153 thousand gross acres and is located in the Dohuk area of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. The Company plans to shoot seismic in 2011 with an exploration well to follow in the first half of 2012.