Offshore staff
Murphy Oil Corp. says its Saphir Marine No. 1 and Onyx Marine No. 1 exploration wells drilled in the Mer Profonde Sud (MPS) block offshore the Republic of Congo failed to encounter significant hydrocarbons.
"These two exploration wells were drilled back to back after our first well, Azurite Marine No. 1, which we previously announced as a significant oil discovery. Both of these dry holes tested prospects within the same play fairway but were of a different structural type," says Claiborne P. Deming, Murphy Oil Corp. president and CEO. "The results of all three wells will be used to recalibrate our Congo exploration program going forward. Making one significant oil discovery in three attempts is a promising start; we have a large number of prospects left to drill that appear to be analogous to Azurite and we are making plans to return to this area later this year to both appraise this discovery and to explore further," he added.
Murphy also announced that its Rompin No. 1 exploration well discovered oil and natural gas in multiple horizons. The well reached 6,021 ft TD and was drilled in 164 ft of water in block SK 311, offshore Sarawak, Malaysia.
"This oil discovery adds further scope to our investments in Sarawak and to our already producing West Patricia and Congkak oil fields found in adjoining license SK 309," Deming says. "The Rompin discovery will be appraised later this year, when we will also drill other nearby oil prospects. We are currently evaluating development options for this area," he adds.
03-30-05
