Murphy Oil (MUR) Q2 2026 Earnings Report

The call highlighted meaningful exploration success (Bubale discovery), operational outperformance (production above guidance, Eagle Ford strength, Tupper Montney), strong balance sheet metrics (free cash flow, liquidity, leverage <1x) and clear plans to fund organic growth. Those positives were tempered by a dry hole and resource downwards revision at Hai Su Vang, higher-than-expected appraisal well costs at Bubale, and uncertainty around elevated near-term capital needs and 2027 spend that will depend on appraisal results. Overall the company presents multiple growth pathways while emphasizing disciplined, staged appraisal and balance sheet protection.

Guidance highlights: Murphy raised the midpoint of 2026 capex to $1.55 billion (from $1.25B) to fund organic growth—including roughly $190 million for Bubale (about $100M incremental on the discovery well and ~$90M for the Bubale West‑1X appraisal), and $70 million accelerated into the Eagle Ford (expected to add ~5,000–6,000 boe/d in 2027). Q2 production averaged 169,000 boe/d (above guidance midpoint); the quarter generated $110 million of free cash flow, returned $50 million via dividends, maintained leverage below 1x and ended with ≈$2.5 billion of liquidity, and Murphy still expects positive full‑year free cash flow at current prices despite the higher spend. Key project and timing metrics: Bubale appraisal is a staged, data‑driven 18–24 month program of up to five wells (Bubale West‑1X spud in July; dry‑hole cost estimate revised from $65M to ~$90M, potentially higher if formation evaluation is required); Hai Su Vang’s resource was revised to ~200–300 million boe (≈2–3× Lac Da Vang) with Vietnam peak production outlook unchanged at 30,000–50,000 boe/d (likely nearer the low end today); Lac Da Vang is on schedule for first oil in Q4 with net 2027 exit ~5,000–9,000 bbl/d ramping to 10,000–15,000 bbl/d in 2028–29; Chinook #8 (26,000 ft TD) remains on track for Q4 start.