The initial oil production has commenced at the Azurite field in the Mer Profond Sud (MPS) block, in territorial water (Atlantic Ocean), offshore Republic of Congo (Brazzaville). The oil and gas group PA Resources holds a 35 percent interest in the field.

The Azurite development is located in about 4,500 feet of water and utilizes the industry's first Floating Production Storage and Offloading facility with drilling capability (FDPSO). The FDPSO has storage capacity of 1.3 million barrels of oil and the capability to process 40,000 barrels of oil per day and is being used for drilling and completing the production and injection wells.

- The Azurite project marks an innovative approach to deepwater development. Production from the field will continue to ramp up for the remainder of the year as additional wells are brought on stream. This is an important milestone for us adding significant production from a second region, says Ulrik Jansson, President and CEO at PA Resources.

Murphy Oil Corporation serves as operator and has a 50 % working interest in the Azurite field and the MPS block. Partners are PA Resources (35 %) and Societe Nationale Petroles du Congo (15 %).