Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE: MUR) today announced its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2025.
Q4 2025 Financial Performance
Murphy Oil posted a mixed quarter, characterized by strong cost controls but softer top-line revenue due to lower commodity prices.
Adjusted EPS: $0.14, a massive beat compared to the analyst consensus of -$0.02.
Revenue: $613.1 million, missing the estimated $641 million.
Net Production: Averaged 181,431 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOEPD), exceeding the upper end of company guidance.
Operating Expenses: Lease operating expenses (LOE) dropped to $9.16 per BOE, a 20% reduction year-over-year, showcasing improved field-level efficiency.
Conference Call Highlights: Exploration Wins & Strategic Shifts
During the earnings call on January 29, CEO Eric Hambly and the executive team outlined a strategy focused on “disciplined allocation” and high-impact exploration.
Vietnam Remains the “Golden” Growth Engine. Management highlighted significant success in its Vietnam portfolio:
Hai Su Vang (Golden Sea Lion): Successful appraisal drilling confirmed robust potential, with test rates indicating up to 12,000 barrels per day.
Lac Da Vang (Golden Camel): Development drilling was initiated ahead of schedule, setting the stage for future production growth in the region.
Gulf of Mexico Discoveries
The company reported two new oil discoveries at the Cello #1 and Banjo #1 wells. These successes in the Gulf of Mexico validate Murphy’s strategy of targeting infrastructure-led exploration (ILX) to bring barrels online quickly with lower capital intensity.
Shareholder Returns & Balance Sheet
Murphy returned $286 million to shareholders in 2025 through dividends and buybacks.
Dividend Hike: The board increased the quarterly dividend by 8% to $0.35 per share.
Reserves: The company achieved a 103% reserve replacement rate, ending 2025 with 715 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE) in proved reserves.
2026 Outlook: The “Reset” Year?
While 2025 ended on a high note operationally, the guidance for 2026 tempered market enthusiasm.
Production Guidance: Forecasted between 167,000 and 175,000 BOEPD, a decline from the 182,000 BOEPD average in 2025.
Capital Expenditure (Capex): Set between $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion, with spending tilted toward long-cycle projects like the Vietnam development which won’t contribute immediately to production.
“Throughout 2025 we stayed true to our strategy, allocate capital with discipline, execute our core plan, and pursue selective, high impact exploration. Our Hai Su Vang discovery and appraisal success, along with our broader Vietnam portfolio, position us for material new growth over the coming decade,” said Eric Hambly, President and CEO.
The Investor Takeaway
The market’s negative reaction, sending shares down roughly 4% reflects a short-term concern over shrinking production volumes in 2026. However, long-term investors may see value in Murphy’s reserve durability (11-year reserve life), cost discipline, and the high-potential Vietnam expansion that promises to replace declining shale volumes in the coming years.
