In a statement Murphy President and CEO Claiborne P Deming said, “Kakap is a new discovery in Block K and we are currently studying the options for its development. We found high quality oil in multiple sands with excellent reservoir properties in the Kakap-1 well, and subsequently sidetracked the discovery well and recovered full cores in each of the main reservoirs.”

“This latest discovery at Kakap further confirms our view that there is significant exploration potential across our deepwater Sabah acreage,” added Deming.

Murphy is the operator of Block K and has an 80% working interest. The balance is held by Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd.