News

Junction City School District Encourages Precautions Amid Spread of Illness

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2025

Staff Reports

JUNCTION CITY – The Junction City School District is urging students, staff, and parents to help minimize the spread of several contagious illnesses currently affecting the community and schools. With attendance being important for student learning, the district emphasizes that health and well-being must take priority to ensure children can fully participate in school activities.

To stop the spread of illness, the district recommends the following measures:

Keep Sick Children at Home: If your child is experiencing symptoms of an illness that could spread, it’s best to keep them home until they’re well.
Fever-Free Policy: Students should remain at home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of medications like Tylenol or Motrin.
Vomiting and Diarrhea: Children experiencing these symptoms should stay home until they’ve been episode-free for at least 24 hours.
Hygiene Practices: Teach and remind children to wash their hands frequently and cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Rest and Nutrition: Encourage children to get adequate rest and eat healthy, balanced meals to support their immune systems.

The district understands the challenge of deciding when to send a child to school or keep them home but encourages parents to prioritize their child’s ability to learn and participate fully. By working together, the community can help reduce the spread of illnesses and keep schools a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

For more information, parents are encouraged to contact the Junction City School District office.

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News

Murphy Oil Announces Fourth Quarter Financial Results

Published

5 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Grant Merrill

HOUSTON – Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE: MUR) today announced its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, including net income attributable to Murphy of $50 million, or $0.34 net income per diluted share. Excluding discontinued operations and other items affecting comparability between periods, adjusted net income attributable to Murphy was $51 million, or $0.35 adjusted net income per diluted share.

For full year 2024, the company recorded net income attributable to Murphy of $407 million, or $2.70 net income per diluted share. Murphy reported adjusted net income, which excludes both the results of discontinued operations and other items affecting comparability between periods, of $417 million, or $2.76 adjusted net income per diluted share.

Unless otherwise noted, the financial and operating highlights and metrics discussed in this commentary exclude noncontrolling interest (NCI). ¹

Highlights for the fourth quarter include:

Drilled an oil discovery at Hai Su Vang-1X in offshore Vietnam and encountered approximately 370 feet of net oil pay from two reservoirs
Commenced LDV-A platform construction and executed the contract for the floating storage and offloading vessel for the Lac Da Vang field development project in Vietnam
Upsized new five-year senior unsecured credit facility to $1.35 billion, significantly enhancing liquidity with a nearly 70 percent increase from previous facility
Issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of 6.000 percent senior notes due 2032, and redeemed a total $600 million of senior notes due 2027, 2028 and 2029
Recorded lowest net debt in over a decade at approximately $850 million
Completed seismic reprocessing for Côte d’Ivoire

Highlights for full year 2024 include:

Achieved lowest Total Recordable Incident Rate since 2016
Entered Murphy 3.0 of capital allocation framework, repurchased $300 million of stock or 8.0 million shares, and repurchased $50 million of senior notes
Recorded lowest annual selling and general expense since 2002 at $108 million
Achieved record high peak gross production rate of 496 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) in Tupper Montney, effectively reaching processing plant capacity
Drilled a discovery at the non-operated Ocotillo #1 exploration well in Mississippi Canyon 40 in the Gulf of Mexico
Awarded six deepwater blocks from Gulf of Mexico Federal Lease Sale 261

Subsequent to the fourth quarter:

Announced an additional 8 percent increase of the quarterly cash dividend to $0.325 per share, or $1.30 per share annualized for 2025

“I am pleased that in 2024, we continued to focus on our priorities of Delever, Execute, Explore and Return. As a result, we achieved Murphy 3.0 of our capital allocation framework, strengthened our balance sheet, increased our liquidity, made two impactful discoveries and advanced our Lac Da Vang field development project in Vietnam,” said Eric M. Hambly, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our discoveries at Hai Su Vang-1X in Vietnam and non-operated Ocotillo #1 in the Gulf of Mexico demonstrate our commitment to organically creating shareholder value and increasing our resource potential. These opportunities, alongside our existing portfolio, provide multi-basin optionality as we strive to remain an industry leader for decades to come. In 2025, we are looking forward to drilling multiple exploration prospects in the Gulf of Mexico, Vietnam and Côte d’Ivoire, and continually rewarding shareholders with our long-standing dividend and further share repurchases.”

FOURTH QUARTER 2024 RESULTS

The company recorded net income attributable to Murphy of $50 million, or $0.34 net income per diluted share, for the fourth quarter 2024. Adjusted net income, which excludes both the results of discontinued operations and certain other items that affect comparability of results between periods, was $51 million, or $0.35 per diluted share for the same period. Details for fourth quarter results and an adjusted net income reconciliation can be found in the attached schedules.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) attributable to Murphy were $315 million. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization and exploration expenses (EBITDAX) attributable to Murphy were $330 million. Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Murphy was $321 million. Adjusted EBITDAX attributable to Murphy was $337 million. Reconciliations for fourth quarter EBITDA, EBITDAX, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAX can be found in the attached schedules.

Fourth quarter production averaged 175 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOEPD), which included 85 thousand barrels of oil per day (MBOPD). Production impacts of 10.8 MBOEPD were mostly attributed to:

5.6 MBOEPD of unplanned downtime across operated assets, including 1.8 MBOEPD due to a mechanical issue at a Khaleesi well, 1.4 MBOEPD for an offshore rig delay for the Samurai #3 well workover in the Gulf of Mexico, and 2.4 MBOEPD for other onshore and offshore assets;
2.8 MBOEPD of unplanned downtime across non-operated assets, including 2.4 MBOEPD for offshore weather impacts;
1.9 MBOEPD of lower performance as a result of a revised Eagle Ford Shale completion design on a four-well Catarina pad that was less successful than anticipated; and
0.5 MBOEPD due to a timing delay in the Mormont #4 (Green Canyon 478) well as a result of evaluating and completing additional pay.

Accrued capital expenditures (CAPEX) for fourth quarter 2024 totaled $186 million, excluding NCI. Details for fourth quarter production and CAPEX can be found in the attached schedules.

FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS

The company recorded net income attributable to Murphy of $407 million, or $2.70 net income per diluted share, for full year 2024. Adjusted net income, which excludes both the results of discontinued operations and certain other items that affect comparability of results between periods, was $417 million, or $2.76 per diluted share for the same period. Details for full year 2024 results and an adjusted net income reconciliation can be found in the attached schedules.

EBITDA attributable to Murphy was $1.4 billion. EBITDAX attributable to Murphy was $1.6 billion. Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Murphy was $1.5 billion. Adjusted EBITDAX attributable to Murphy was $1.6 billion. Reconciliations for full year 2024 EBITDA, EBITDAX, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAX can be found in the attached schedules.

Production for full year 2024 averaged 177 MBOEPD, which included 88 MBOPD. Accrued CAPEX for full year 2024 totaled $953 million, excluding NCI. Details for full year 2024 production and CAPEX can be found in the attached schedules.

CAPITAL ALLOCATION FRAMEWORK

Share Repurchases

In 2024, Murphy repurchased $300 million of stock, or 8.0 million shares. Murphy did not repurchase any shares in the fourth quarter. The company had $650 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization and 145.8 million shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024.

FINANCIAL POSITION

As previously announced, in the fourth quarter Murphy issued $600 million of 6.000 percent senior notes due 2032 and redeemed a total $600 million of senior notes, comprised of $338 million of senior notes due 2027, $200 million of senior notes due 2028 and $62 million of senior notes due 2029.

Also in the fourth quarter, Murphy entered into a new five-year senior unsecured credit facility, with a total facility size of $1.35 billion as of December 31, 2024. This represents a nearly 70 percent increase from the previous credit facility.

Murphy had approximately $1.8 billion of liquidity on December 31, 2024, with no borrowings on the $1.35 billion senior unsecured credit facility and $424 million of cash and cash equivalents, inclusive of NCI.

As of December 31, 2024, Murphy’s total debt of $1.27 billion was comprised of long-term, fixed-rate notes with a weighted average maturity of 9.4 years and a weighted average coupon of 6.1 percent.

“We executed a series of debt transactions during the fourth quarter to extend our maturity profile by two years, and I am excited at the 6.000 percent rate we received on our new 2032 senior notes. More importantly, our bank group remained supportive of Murphy as we strive to achieve investment grade, and we established a new credit facility with nearly 70 percent more liquidity than our previous facility,” said Thomas J. Mireles, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “Through our focus on delevering, we have achieved our lowest net debt in over a decade at approximately $850 million, with a strong net debt to total capital ratio of only 13 percent. This solid balance sheet positions us well to capitalize on future opportunities.”

YEAR-END 2024 PROVED RESERVES

After producing 65 MMBOE for the year, Murphy’s preliminary year-end 2024 proved reserves were 713 MMBOE, consisting of 37 percent oil and 42 percent liquids. Total reserve replacement was 83 percent in 2024.

The company maintained a consistent reserve life of 11 years with 59 percent proved developed reserves.

	2024 Proved Reserves – Preliminary *
Category	Net Oil (MMBBL) Advertisement	Net NGLs (MMBBL)	Net Gas (BCF)	Net Equiv. (MMBOE) Advertisement
Proved Developed (PD)	172	24	1,360 Advertisement	422
Proved Undeveloped (PUD)	89	14 Advertisement	1,127	291
Total Proved	261 Advertisement	38	2,487	713
* Proved reserves exclude NCI and are based on preliminary year-end 2024 third-party audited volumes using SEC pricing. Advertisement

OPERATIONS SUMMARY

Onshore

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the onshore business produced approximately 100 MBOEPD, which included 29 percent liquids volumes.

Eagle Ford Shale – Production averaged 30 MBOEPD with 69 percent oil volumes and 85 percent liquids volumes in the fourth quarter. As planned, Murphy brought online four operated wells in Catarina during the quarter, and drilled six operated and one non-operated well in Karnes in preparation for its 2025 well delivery program.

Tupper Montney – During the fourth quarter, natural gas production averaged 387 MMCFD. As planned, Murphy drilled two operated wells during the quarter in preparation for its 2025 well delivery program.

Kaybob Duvernay – Production averaged 4 MBOEPD with 56 percent oil volumes and 71 percent liquids volumes in the fourth quarter.

Offshore

Excluding NCI, in the fourth quarter of 2024, the offshore business produced approximately 75 MBOEPD, which included 82 percent oil.

Gulf of Mexico – Production averaged approximately 68 MBOEPD, consisting of 80 percent oil during the fourth quarter. During the quarter, Murphy drilled and began completing the Mormont #4 (Green Canyon 478) well and progressed the Samurai #3 (Green Canyon 432) well workover.

Also during the quarter, Murphy sanctioned the non-operated Zephyrus development project in the Gulf of Mexico in 2024, with targeted first oil in second half 2025.

Canada – In the fourth quarter, production averaged 7 MBOEPD, consisting of 100 percent oil.

Vietnam – During the fourth quarter, Murphy progressed the Lac Da Vang field development project by commencing construction of the LDV-A platform and executing the contract for the floating storage and offloading vessel.

EXPLORATION

Vietnam – As previously announced, during the fourth quarter Murphy drilled an oil discovery at the Hai Su Vang-1X exploration well in Block 15-2/17 in the Cuu Long Basin, located 40 miles offshore Vietnam. The well was drilled to total depth of 13,124 feet in 149 feet of water. Hai Su Vang-1X encountered approximately 370 feet of net oil pay from two reservoirs.

Murphy achieved a facility-constrained flow rate of 10,000 BOPD. Additional testing showed high-quality, 37-degree oil with a gas-oil ratio of approximately 1,100 standard cubic feet per barrel.

Murphy’s subsidiary, Murphy Cuu Long Tay Oil Co., Ltd., is the operator of the block with 40 percent working interest. PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation Ltd. holds 35 percent working interest and SK Earthon Co., Ltd. holds the remaining 25 percent.

Côte d’Ivoire – In the fourth quarter, Murphy received final seismic data and completed reprocessing in preparation for its upcoming three-well exploration drilling program.

2025 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND PRODUCTION GUIDANCE

The 2025 CAPEX plan is expected to be in the range of $1,135 million to $1,285 million. Full year 2025 production is expected to be in the range of 174.5 to 182.5 MBOEPD, consisting of approximately 91 MBOPD oil and 101 MBOEPD liquids volumes, equating to 51 percent oil and 57 percent liquids volumes, respectively.

Production for first quarter 2025 is estimated to be in the range of 159 to 167 MBOEPD with 83.5 MBOPD, or 51 percent, oil volumes. Production is impacted by 4.4 MBOEPD of planned operated onshore downtime and 2.9 MBOEPD of planned offshore downtime, primarily at non-operated assets. Both production and CAPEX guidance ranges exclude NCI.

2025 CAPEX by Quarter ($ MMs)
1Q 2025E	2Q 2025E	3Q 2025E Advertisement	4Q 2025E	FY 2025E
$425	$280 Advertisement	$275	$230	$1,210

Accrual CAPEX, based on midpoint of guidance range and excluding NCI.

The table below illustrates the capital allocation by area.

2025 Capital Expenditure Guidance
Area	Total CAPEX $ MMs Advertisement	Percent of Total CAPEX
Offshore
Gulf of Mexico	$410 Advertisement	34
Hibernia / Terra Nova	$20	2 Advertisement
Vietnam and Other	$115	9
Exploration Advertisement	$145	12
Onshore
Eagle Ford Shale Advertisement	$360	30
Kaybob Duvernay / Tupper Montney	$140 Advertisement	11
Corporate	$20	2 Advertisement

Offshore

Murphy has allocated approximately $410 million of its 2025 CAPEX to the Gulf of Mexico for operated and non-operated development drilling and field development projects.

Murphy plans to spend approximately $20 million of CAPEX in offshore Canada in 2025, with the majority designated for non-operated Hibernia development drilling.

Approximately $115 million of CAPEX has been allocated to Vietnam and other offshore operations in 2025. This includes $20 million for Lac Da Vang development drilling and $90 million designated for Lac Da Vang field development activities, with the remaining $5 million allocated to Paon field development in Côte d’Ivoire.

Exploration

The company has allocated approximately $145 million to its 2025 exploration program, which includes drilling two operated exploration wells in the Gulf of Mexico, one exploration well in Côte d’Ivoire, the Lac Da Hong-1X exploration well in Vietnam and a Hai Su Vang appraisal well in Vietnam.

“We have an ambitious exploration program ahead of us over the next 18 months, with operated wells planned in the Gulf of Mexico, Vietnam and Côte d’Ivoire, in addition to an appraisal well in Vietnam. This optionality across multiple play types in key basins provides significant resource upside for our offshore business. It is an exciting time at Murphy, and exploration will remain a key differentiator and value creator for our company for years to come,” said Hambly.

Onshore

Murphy plans to spend approximately $360 million of its 2025 CAPEX in the Eagle Ford Shale, with $275 million allocated to drill 34 and bring online 35 operated wells, as well as drill 24 and bring online 28 non-operated wells. The remaining $85 million will support field development.

Approximately $140 million of Murphy’s 2025 CAPEX is allocated to Canada onshore. The company plans to spend $65 million in the Tupper Montney to drill 8 and bring online 10 operated wells, with $50 million allocated in the Kaybob Duvernay to drill 6 and bring online 4 operated wells. The remaining $25 million is designated for field development in both areas.

The table below details the 2025 onshore well delivery plan by quarter.

2025 Onshore Wells Online Advertisement
	1Q 2025	2Q 2025	3Q 2025	4Q 2025 Advertisement	2025 Total
Eagle Ford Shale	–	21 Advertisement	14	–	35
Kaybob Duvernay Advertisement	–	–	4	– Advertisement	4
Tupper Montney	5	5 Advertisement	–	–	10
Non-Op Eagle Ford Shale Advertisement	1	11	4	12 Advertisement	28

Note: All well counts are shown gross. Eagle Ford Shale non-operated working interest averages 26 percent.

Detailed guidance for the first quarter and full year 2025 is contained in the attached schedules.

FIXED PRICE FORWARD SALES CONTRACTS

The company employs derivative commodity instruments to manage certain risks associated with commodity price volatility and underpin capital spending associated with certain assets. Murphy holds NYMEX natural gas swaps of 20 MMCFD of January 2025 production at an average price of $3.20 per thousand cubic feet (MCF), 40 MMCFD of February through June 2025 production at an average price of $3.58 per MCF, 60 MMCFD of third quarter 2025 production at an average price of $3.65 per MCF and 60 MMCFD of fourth quarter 2025 production at $3.74 per MCF.

Murphy also maintains fixed price forward sales contracts in Canada to mitigate volatility of AECO prices. These contracts are for physical delivery of natural gas volumes at a fixed price, with no mark-to-market income adjustments. Details for the current fixed price contracts can be found in the attached schedules.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 30, 2025

Murphy will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2024 financial and operating results on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. EST. The call can be accessed either via the Internet through the events calendar on the Murphy Oil Corporation Investor Relations website at http://ir.murphyoilcorp.com or via telephone by dialing toll free 1-800-717-1738, reservation number 18687. For additional information, please refer to the Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings Presentation available under the News and Events section of the Investor Relations website.

FINANCIAL DATA

Summary financial data and operating statistics for fourth quarter 2024, with comparisons to the same period from the previous year, are contained in the attached schedules. Additionally, a schedule indicating the impacts of items affecting comparability of results between periods, a reconciliation of EBITDA, EBITDAX, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAX between periods, as well as guidance for the first quarter and full year 2025, are also included.

CAPITAL ALLOCATION FRAMEWORK

This news release contains references to the company’s capital allocation framework and adjusted free cash flow. As previously disclosed, Murphy now allocates capital pursuant to Murphy 3.0 of the company’s capital allocation framework, under which the company allocates a minimum of 50 percent of adjusted free cash flow to shareholder returns, primarily through buybacks. Murphy will continue to assess the appropriate shareholder return allocation under the framework, including potential dividend increases. The remainder of adjusted free cash flow will be allocated to the balance sheet as the company maintains the $1.0 billion total long-term debt goal.

Adjusted free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations before working capital change, less capital expenditures, distributions to NCI and projected payments, quarterly dividend and accretive acquisitions.

ABOUT MURPHY OIL CORPORATION

As an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company, Murphy Oil Corporation believes in providing energy that empowers people by doing right always, staying with it and thinking beyond possible. Murphy challenges the norm, taps into its strong legacy and uses its foresight and financial discipline to deliver inspired energy solutions. Murphy sees a future where it is an industry leader who is positively impacting lives for the next 100 years and beyond. Additional information can be found on the company’s website at www.murphyoilcorp.com.

News

One killed in Highway 82 collision

Published

5 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Staff Reports

LEWISVILLE – A fatal head-on collision early Tuesday morning on U.S. Highway 82 claimed the life of a Texarkana man and left another man injured, according to Arkansas State Police.

The accident occurred at approximately 1:09 a.m. near Lewisville in Lafayette County. Authorities reported that Shannon L. Johnston, 54, of Texarkana, was driving a 2014 GMC Sierra westbound on the highway when his vehicle crossed the center lane and struck an eastbound 2014 Freightliner truck head-on.

Johnston, the driver of the GMC Sierra, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to Smith Funeral Home in Stamps, Arkansas.

The driver of the Freightliner, Thomas E. Davis, 64, of Waldo, was injured in the crash. He was transported to Christus St. Michael Health System in Texarkana, Texas, for treatment.

Road conditions were dry, and weather conditions were clear at the time of the accident. Arkansas State Police Trooper Jordan Drake is leading the investigation.

No additional vehicles were involved, and next of kin for the deceased have been notified.

News

Flood Warning Issued For Ouachita River

Published

5 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Grant Merrill

LITTLE ROCK – The National Weather Service (NWS) in Little Rock has issued a Flood Warning for the Ouachita River at Camden, affecting both Calhoun and Ouachita counties. The warning, issued at 8:29 PM CST on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, forecasts minor flooding in the area.

The warning encompasses the Ouachita River at various points, including Jones Mill DCP, Arkadelphia, Camden, and Thatcher L&D. Residents are urged to take precautions and remain vigilant as water levels rise.

Safety Precautions

The NWS emphasizes the importance of staying safe during flooding events:

Do not drive through flooded roads. Most flood-related fatalities occur in vehicles.
Exercise additional caution during nighttime hours, as flood dangers are harder to recognize in the dark.

Forecast and Updates

River forecasts are based on current conditions and anticipated rainfall over the next 24 hours. Updates will be issued as conditions change, particularly during evening hours when rainfall data is reassessed.

For the latest river stage data and flood updates, residents can visit the NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) website at www.weather.gov/lzk under the “River and Lakes AHPS” section.

Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to stay informed and prepare for potential flooding as water levels rise in the Ouachita River.

News

Camden Chamber Banquet Set For Tonight

Published

5 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Grant Merrill

CAMDEN – The Camden Regional Chamber of Commerce is set to host an unforgettable evening of elegance and celebration with its Great Gatsby Chamber Gala. This exciting event, designed to honor community excellence and achievement, will take place on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at the Camden Fairview High School Gymnasium.

Doors will open at 5:00 PM, with the evening’s festivities officially kicking off at 6:00 PM. The event will feature a special appearance by MLB star Jonathan Ratshad Davis, adding a touch of celebrity flair to the glamorous proceedings.

In keeping with the theme of the Roaring Twenties, attendees are encouraged to embrace the era’s opulent style. The formal dress code calls for gentlemen to don their finest tuxedos, suits, and bow ties, while ladies are invited to sparkle in glamorous evening gowns, sequins, pearls, and feathers. The event aims to bring the immense glamour of the Gatsby era to life.

The gala promises to be a night to remember, blending sophistication with a sense of nostalgia for the golden age of the 1920s. Tickets are available through the Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact the Chamber at 870-836-6426 or email chamberdirectorcamden@gmail.com.

News

Senate Bill Proposes Statewide School Cell Phone Ban

Published

5 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Grant Merrill

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Senate has introduced Senate Bill 142, titled the “Bell to Bell, No Cell Act,” aimed at restricting student use of personal electronic devices in public schools during school hours.

Sponsored by a coalition of state senators and representatives, the bill seeks to address concerns over the impact of cellphone use on students’ academic performance and mental well-being. Lawmakers argue that widespread cellphone use in schools has led to distractions, increased social media influence, and potential safety concerns.

Key Provisions of SB142:

Mandatory Restrictions: By the 2025-2026 school year, all public schools and open-enrollment charter schools must implement policies prohibiting student use of personal electronic devices during school hours.
Limited Exemptions: Students may only use devices in emergency situations, for health-related reasons, or if required under an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 plan.
School Responsibility: Districts must publish their electronic device policies online and enforce them consistently. Schools that fail to comply could face citations for violating Arkansas Standards for Accreditation.
Liability Protection: Schools will not be held responsible for confiscated devices that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

Supporters of the bill say it strikes a balance between maintaining communication channels for emergencies and eliminating classroom distractions. Critics argue it may limit students’ access to technology for educational purposes.

If passed, the bill would take effect in time for the 2025-2026 school year.