Quarterly Stockholder Update by Murphy Oil Corporation
Murphy Oil Corporation Stockholders,
This letter serves as a supplement to our earnings release for the fourth quarter of 2025. Please see the information regarding forward-looking statements and non-GAAP financial information1 included at the end of this letter. Unless otherwise noted, the financial and operating highlights and metrics discussed in this letter exclude noncontrolling interest (NCI).2
2025 IN REVIEW
2025 was a pivotal year for Murphy, marked by momentum in our exploration program and strong execution in our core business. We delivered some of the best wells in Company history in onshore US and
In 2025, we averaged production of 182 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOEPD), up from 177 MBOEPD in 2024 and toward the higher end of our 2025 guidance range. We generated
In our US onshore program, we set Company records for the longest laterals. We also captured meaningful capital efficiency gains, with our drilling cost per well decreasing by seven percent year over year. As we highlighted during the third quarter, our
In onshore
In the Gulf of America, we completed the 2025 planned workover program and maintained strong uptime at our key facilities. We purchased the Pioneer FPSO (Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading vessel), which extends the economic life of the field and enhances the economics of our high-impact Chinook #8 development well expected to come online later in 2026.
In
The global energy market in 2025 was marked by volatility and structural shifts, with geopolitical tensions shaping oil price expectations and investment risk. Amid this uncertainty, Murphy remained focused on what we can control – operational excellence, disciplined capital allocation, and a solid balance sheet and liquidity. We accomplished this alongside the advancement of our exploration and development projects which will help us maximize long-term shareholder value.
FOURTH QUARTER 2025 SUMMARY
Following a robust third quarter, our assets maintained strong performance in the fourth quarter, with production averaging 181 MBOEPD, above our 180 MBOEPD guidance midpoint. Oil production averaged 87 thousand barrels of oil per day (MBOPD) in the fourth quarter, in line with our guidance. Fourth quarter production was lower than the 200 MBOEPD delivered in the third quarter due to the absence of new wells coming online during the quarter.
Realized oil prices were
During the fourth quarter, our operational activity was heavily focused on exploration and appraisal, as we spud Civette – our first Côte d’Ivoire exploration well – along with the Banjo #1 and Cello #1 wells in the Gulf of America, and the Hai Su Vang (Golden Sea Lion) appraisal well (HSV-2X) in
In December, we participated in the federal offshore lease sale in the Gulf of America and were named apparent high bidder for leases on fourteen blocks. These blocks, pending award by the
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Capital expenditures (CAPEX) for the fourth quarter were
OPERATING COSTS
Operating expenses in the fourth quarter averaged
EXPLORATION AND APPRAISAL UPDATE
In early
In the Gulf of America, we spud the Banjo #1 and Cello #1 exploration wells in the fourth quarter and announced both as discoveries in
In Côte d’Ivoire, our Civette-1X well encountered non-commercial hydrocarbons and was expensed as a dry hole. The outcome was disappointing, although frontier exploration, by nature, involves high-risk outcomes. We will use the insights gained from Civette to deepen our understanding of the CI-502 block and assess remaining prospectivity. We remain optimistic about the potential of the next two wells, Caracal and Bubale, with each well testing independent plays.
In
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, SHAREHOLDER RETURNS AND BALANCE SHEET
As previously communicated, our Capital Allocation Plan allocates a minimum of 50 percent of adjusted free cash flow1 to share buybacks and potential dividend increases, with the remainder allocated to the balance sheet. During 2025, we distributed
At year-end 2025, we were favorably positioned with a strong balance sheet reflecting total debt and net debt of
In early
2026 OUTLOOK
As we look ahead to 2026, Murphy is strategically positioned to navigate anticipated market volatility. Our 2026 capital plan balances shareholder returns, a strong financial position, and capital investments to deliver long-term value. The projected 2026 CAPEX range of
We anticipate total production to decrease from 182 MBOEPD in 2025 to 171 MBOEPD in 2026, primarily due to lower net natural gas volumes at Tupper Montney. The reduction in
On the exploration and appraisal front, we look forward to completing our high impact exploration and appraisal drilling campaigns in the first half of 2026. At Hai Su Vang (Golden Sea Lion), we will drill two additional appraisal wells in 2026 which will help us narrow the recoverable resource range and inform our approach to developing the field. Recent appraisal results have reinforced our expectation that our
While we have the capability to flex our capital and production plan if market conditions warrant, Murphy's strategy prioritizes long-term value creation over short-term metrics. We proactively strengthened our balance sheet and enhanced liquidity to position ourselves to invest confidently through temporary dips in the market. With that said, we will continue to prioritize balance sheet strength and capital discipline if faced with prolonged market weakness.
CLOSING
As we navigate the evolving energy landscape, our commitment to operational excellence, responsible stewardship, and long-term value creation remains unwavering. With US shale production forecasted to plateau in the early 2030s, we believe Murphy, with its diverse portfolio, is uniquely positioned to deliver long-term value for shareholders. Through market cycles, our focus remains clear: strong execution, organic growth, and sustainable returns.
Thank you for your continued trust as a valued
President and Chief Executive Officer
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST SCHEDULED FOR
Murphy will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2025 financial and operating results on
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This letter contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally identified through the inclusion of words such as “aim”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “drive”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “future”, “goal”, “guidance”, “intend”, “may”, “objective”, “outlook”, “plan”, “position”, “potential”, “project”, “seek”, “should”, “strategy”, “target”, “will” or variations of such words and other similar expressions. These statements, which express management’s current views concerning future events, results and plans, are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions (many of which are beyond our control) and are not guarantees of performance. In particular, statements, express or implied, concerning the Company’s future operating results or activities and returns or the Company's ability and intent to replace or increase reserves, increase production, generate returns and rates of return, replace or increase drilling locations, reduce or otherwise control operating costs and expenditures, generate cash flows, pay down or refinance indebtedness, achieve, reach or otherwise meet initiatives, plans, goals, ambitions or targets with respect to emissions, safety matters or other environmental, social and governance) matters, make capital expenditures, pay and/or increase dividends or make share repurchases and other capital allocation decisions are forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause one or more of these future events, results or plans not to occur as implied by any forward-looking statement, which consequently could cause actual results or activities to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to: macro conditions in the oil and natural gas industry, including supply and demand levels, actions taken by major oil exporters and the resulting impacts on commodity prices; geopolitical concerns; increased volatility or deterioration in the success rate of our exploration programs or in our ability to maintain production rates and replace reserves; reduced customer demand for our products due to environmental, regulatory, technological or other reasons; adverse foreign exchange movements; political and regulatory instability in the markets where we do business; the impact on our operations or markets of health pandemics and related government responses; natural hazards impacting our operations or markets; any other deterioration in our business, markets or prospects; cyber attacks and other cybersecurity risks; any failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals; the impact of current and future laws, rulings and governmental regulations; any inability to service or refinance our outstanding debt or to access debt markets at acceptable prices; or adverse developments in the
1 This letter contains certain non-GAAP financial measures that management believes are useful tools for internal use and the investment community in evaluating Murphy Oil Corporation’s overall financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are broadly used to value and compare companies in the crude oil and natural gas industry. Not all companies define these measures in the same way. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should therefore be considered only as supplemental to such GAAP financial measures. Please see Exhibit 99.1 on Form 8-K filed on
2 In accordance with GAAP, Murphy reports the 100 percent interest, including a 20 percent noncontrolling interest (NCI), in its subsidiary, MP
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