CONGO: Murphy To Appraise The Turquoise

Murphy Oil plans to drill two appraisal wells on the Turquoise discovery in 2010. It will form the base for decision about field development. The Turquoise Marine-1 prospect located in the Mer Profonde Sud (MPS) block, offshore Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), encountered in excess of 4lmetres (136 feet) of net oil pay in a total measured depth of 3675m(12,060 feet). The water depth is 1,6llmetres (5285ft) of water. The Turquoise Marine-1 discovery is approximately 27 kilometres from the Murphy operated Azurite Field. For appraisal and development of Turquoise, Murphy will seek to optimize the existing Azurite field infrastructure. Murphy serves as operator and has a 50% working interest in the MPS block. Partners are PA Resources (35%) and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (15%).