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Murphy OIL Corp.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 28 January 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 16 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Full-year net income and EPS: Net income attributable to Murphy was $104.2 million, or $0.72 diluted EPS, for 2025, against $407.2 million in 2024. Fourth-quarter net income was $11.9 million, or $0.08 per diluted share. Source
  • Free cash flow down from 2024: Free cash flow was $301.3 million for 2025, against $754.0 million in 2024, and $109.6 million in the fourth quarter. Net cash provided by continuing operations was $1,247.8 million for 2025. Source
  • Quarter output above guidance midpoint: Fourth-quarter net production was 181,431 BOEPD excluding noncontrolling interest, with oil at 87,044 BOPD in the quarter. Source
  • Hai Su Vang-2X flow test: Drill stem tests on Hai Su Vang-2X indicated about 12,000 BOPD combined flow from the primary reservoir. The company said the recoverable resource midpoint is now toward the high end of the 170 to 430 MMBOE range. Source
  • Cello and Banjo discoveries: Cello #1 encountered 30 feet of net pay and Banjo #1 encountered 50 feet, both in the Gulf of America, after quarter end. Source
  • Proved reserves at 715 MMBOE: Preliminary year-end 2025 proved reserves were 715 MMBOE, with 36 percent oil and 41 percent liquids, after 67 MMBOE produced in the year. Source
  • Shareholder returns of $286 million: The company returned $46 million through the quarterly dividend in the fourth quarter. $550 million remained under the repurchase authorization at year-end, with 142.8 million shares outstanding. Source

“Our accomplishments in 2025 have provided a robust foundation for continued progress in 2026, positioning us to deliver sustainable value through all market cycles”

Eric M. Hambly, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total net production, excl. NCI Source1Q 2026164,000 to 172,000 BOEPDNew
Total net production, excl. NCI Sourcefull year 2026167,000 to 175,000 BOEPDNew
Capital expenditures, excl. NCI Source1Q 2026$500 - $580 millionNew
Exploration expense Source1Q 2026$100 - $140 millionNew
Capital expenditures, excl. NCI Sourcefull year 2026$1,200 to $1,300 millionNew
Quarterly cash dividend Source2026$0.35 per share quarterly, $1.40 per share annualizedRaised from $0.325 per share
Capital, Gulf of America offshore Source2026$330 million (26% of total)New
Capital, Offshore Canada Source2026$25 million (2% of total)New
Capital, Eagle Ford Shale Source2026$285 million (23% of total)New
Capital, Tupper Montney Source2026$100 million (8% of total)New
Capital, Kaybob Duvernay Source2026$35 million (3% of total)New
Capital, Lac Da Vang development (Vietnam) Source2026$120 million (9% of total)New
Capital, Hai Su Vang appraisal (Vietnam) Source2026$75 million (6% of total)New
Capital, exploration drilling Source2026$150 million (12% of total)New
Capital, exploration data acquisition and other Source2026$95 million (8% of total)New
Capital, corporate Source2026$35 million (3% of total)New
Onshore wells online Source2026Eagle Ford Shale 30 operated; Kaybob Duvernay 4; Tupper Montney 8; non-operated Eagle Ford Shale 13 (gross well counts)New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: First-quarter and full-year 2026 production and capital expenditure guidance was given; the January 2026 presentation covered 2025 guidance. Source
  • New: Morocco Gharb Deep Offshore petroleum agreement signed, a new country entry; the January 2026 presentation did not include Morocco. Source
  • New: Cello #1 and Banjo #1 moved from spud, as shown in the January 2026 presentation, to reported discoveries. Source
  • New: Civette-1X in Côte d’Ivoire was announced as a dry hole; the January 2026 presentation listed the well as spud in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source

Results and cash generation

  • Full-year net income and EPS: Net income attributable to Murphy was $104.2 million, or $0.72 diluted EPS, for 2025, against $407.2 million in 2024. Fourth-quarter net income was $11.9 million, or $0.08 per diluted share. Source
  • Adjusted earnings below 2024: Adjusted net income from continuing operations was $197.0 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, for 2025, against $416.7 million, or $2.76, in 2024. Fourth-quarter adjusted net income was $19.7 million. Source
  • Free cash flow down from 2024: Free cash flow was $301.3 million for 2025, against $754.0 million in 2024, and $109.6 million in the fourth quarter. Net cash provided by continuing operations was $1,247.8 million for 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDAX for quarter and year: Adjusted EBITDAX attributable to Murphy was $352.4 million in the fourth quarter and $1,474.0 million for 2025. Adjusted EBITDA was $298.1 million in the quarter and $1,362.4 million for 2025. Source
  • Revenue lower than 2024: Total revenues and other income were $624.6 million in the fourth quarter, against $671.0 million a year earlier, and $2,718.8 million for 2025, against $3,028.5 million in 2024. Source

Production by area

  • Quarter output above guidance midpoint: Fourth-quarter net production was 181,431 BOEPD excluding noncontrolling interest, with oil at 87,044 BOPD in the quarter. Source
  • Onshore output with no new wells: Onshore output was about 109 MBOEPD in the fourth quarter, with 31 percent liquids. Eagle Ford Shale produced 36,100 BOEPD and Tupper Montney 68,000 BOEPD. Source
  • Gulf of America output and mix: Offshore output was about 72 MBOEPD, with 88 percent liquids. Gulf of America produced 64,000 BOEPD, of which 51,000 BOPD was oil, and offshore Canada produced 7,900 BOEPD. Source
  • Eagle Ford drilling and completions: Drilling and completion activity continued in Karnes and Catarina in the Eagle Ford Shale, with wells expected online in the first quarter of 2026. Source

“Our Hai Su Vang discovery and appraisal success, along with our broader Vietnam portfolio, position us for material new growth over the coming decade.”

Eric M. Hambly, President and Chief Executive Officer

Exploration and appraisal progress

  • Hai Su Vang-2X flow test: Drill stem tests on Hai Su Vang-2X indicated about 12,000 BOPD combined flow from the primary reservoir. The company said the recoverable resource midpoint is now toward the high end of the 170 to 430 MMBOE range. Source
  • Cello and Banjo discoveries: Cello #1 encountered 30 feet of net pay and Banjo #1 encountered 50 feet, both in the Gulf of America, after quarter end. Source
  • Civette well dry in Côte d’Ivoire: The Civette-1X exploration well in Côte d’Ivoire was announced as a dry hole. Source
  • Lac Da Vang drilling ahead of schedule: Development drilling started at the Lac Da Vang (Golden Camel) project in Vietnam ahead of schedule, after the platform jacket was installed. Source

Costs, prices and margins

  • Lease operating expense per BOE fell: Lease operating expense was $9.16 per BOE in the fourth quarter, against $13.12 a year earlier, and $10.89 for 2025, against $13.60. The company reported that LOE per BOE was reduced by twenty percent compared with 2024. Source
  • US offshore unit cost fell: US offshore lease operating expense was $12.18 per BOE in the fourth quarter, against $20.95 a year earlier, and $17.78 for 2025, against $21.38. Source
  • Onshore oil realizations lower: US onshore oil realized $59.20 per barrel in the fourth quarter, against $70.44 a year earlier, and $64.59 for 2025, against $75.77. Source
  • Onshore gas realizations higher: US onshore natural gas realized $3.03 per thousand cubic feet in the fourth quarter, against $2.28, and $2.91 for 2025, against $1.90. Source
  • Exploration expense higher in quarter: Exploration expenses, including undeveloped lease amortization, were $54.3 million in the fourth quarter, against $15.1 million, and $111.7 million for 2025, against $133.5 million. Source
  • Foreign exchange loss in 2025: The adjusted schedule shows a foreign exchange loss of $29.4 million for 2025, against a gain of $45.4 million in 2024. Source

“We are excited about our entry into Morocco, which offers exposure to exploration in a frontier basin with attractive entry costs and competitive terms.”

Eric M. Hambly, President and Chief Executive Officer

Reserves and reserve life

  • Proved reserves at 715 MMBOE: Preliminary year-end 2025 proved reserves were 715 MMBOE, with 36 percent oil and 41 percent liquids, after 67 MMBOE produced in the year. Source
  • Reserve replacement and life: Reserve replacement was 103 percent in 2025, and reserve life was held at 11 years, with 57 percent proved developed. Source
  • Proved developed and undeveloped split: Proved developed reserves were 406 MMBOE and proved undeveloped reserves 309 MMBOE. Reserves exclude noncontrolling interest and use SEC pricing. Source

2026 plan and capital allocation

  • Capital weighted to offshore and Eagle Ford: The largest 2026 allocation lines are Gulf of America offshore, Eagle Ford Shale and exploration drilling, as set out in the allocation by area. Source
  • Onshore wells phased through 2026: Operated Eagle Ford Shale wells are concentrated in the first half of 2026, while non-operated Eagle Ford wells are weighted to the fourth quarter. Source
  • Vietnam and exploration spending lines: Vietnam development and appraisal, exploration drilling, exploration data and corporate are shown as separate lines in the 2026 allocation table. Source

Cash, debt and shareholder returns

  • Shareholder returns of $286 million: The company returned $46 million through the quarterly dividend in the fourth quarter. $550 million remained under the repurchase authorization at year-end, with 142.8 million shares outstanding. Source
  • Notes issued and redeemed: Murphy issued $500 million of 6.5 percent notes due 2034, redeemed $227 million of 2027 and 2028 notes, and repaid the remaining $100 million revolver balance. Fourth-quarter revolver paydown was $50 million. Source
  • Liquidity about $1.6 billion: Liquidity comprised $1.25 billion undrawn under the $1.35 billion facility and $377 million of cash, inclusive of NCI. Total debt was $1.4 billion. Source
  • Fixed-rate notes maturity and coupon: The fixed-rate notes averaged 8.3 years to maturity, with a 6.1 percent weighted average coupon. Source
  • Revolving facility upsized and extended: The revolving credit facility was enlarged to $2.00 billion and its maturity moved from 2029 to 2031. Source

Strategy and new country entry

  • Morocco petroleum agreement signed: Murphy signed a Petroleum Agreement for the Gharb Deep Offshore block, more than 4 million acres, holding a 75 percent working interest. ONHYM holds the remaining 25 percent. Source
  • Diversified exploration portfolio: The Morocco entry is described as consistent with a strategy of building a diverse exploration portfolio that balances risk and value. Source
  • Strategy summarized as disciplined capital: Management described its 2025 strategy as capital allocation with discipline, execution of the core plan and selective, high-impact exploration. Source

Coming up, as management said on 28 January 2026

  • Lac Da Vang first oil targeted: Management said the Lac Da Vang project remains on schedule for first oil in the fourth quarter of 2026. Source
  • Kaybob and Tupper wells in 2026: Drilling began on a four-well Kaybob Duvernay pad and an eight-well Tupper Montney pad, with wells expected online in 2026. Source
  • Morocco exploration phase without firm wells: The Morocco petroleum agreement includes no firm well commitments in its initial three-year exploration phase. Source
  • Quarterly onshore well plan: Management detailed the 2026 onshore well delivery plan by quarter. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Production volumes Source181,431 BOEPD in Q4 and 182,294 BOEPD for 2025, excluding NCI; oil 87,044 BOPD in Q4
Realized oil price, US onshore Source$59.20 per barrel in Q4; $64.59 per barrel for 2025
Realized natural gas price, US onshore Source$3.03 per thousand cubic feet in Q4; $2.91 for 2025
Proved reserves Source715 MMBOE preliminary at year-end 2025
Capital expenditure Source$340.8 million in Q4; $1,157.0 million for 2025, excluding acquisition-related costs
Lease operating expense per BOE Source$9.16 in Q4; $10.89 for 2025, excluding NCI
Shareholder returns Source$286 million in 2025, of which $186 million dividends and $100 million buybacks; $46 million in Q4 dividends

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: A dry hole was announced at Civette-1X in Côte d’Ivoire, one of four exploration and appraisal wells spud in the quarter. Source
  • Financial: Impairments of assets were $115.0 million for 2025, against $62.9 million in 2024. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Development drilling at Lac Da Vang was started ahead of schedule. Source
  • On track: Four exploration and appraisal wells were spud in the fourth quarter, described as in line with plan. Source
  • Met: Fourth-quarter production exceeded the midpoint of quarterly guidance. Source
  • Met: Full-year 2025 production was at the high end of the annual guidance range. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.