Expand Energy to Move Headquarters from Oklahoma City to Houston

The company, formerly known as Chesapeake Energy, will relocate its executive leadership team while maintaining its 500-person workforce in Oklahoma City.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Expand Energy, formerly known as Chesapeake Energy, has announced plans to move its headquarters from Oklahoma City to Houston by mid-2026. The relocation will primarily impact the company's executive leadership team, while its 500 employees in Oklahoma City will remain unaffected. The move is part of Expand Energy's strategy to strengthen relationships with key industry and commercial partners, taking advantage of Houston's position as a global hub for the natural gas market.

Why it matters

The decision by Expand Energy to relocate its headquarters follows a similar move by Devon Energy, another major energy company with a significant presence in Oklahoma City. These headquarters relocations raise questions about the long-term economic future of Oklahoma City, which has historically been a hub for the energy industry.

The details

Expand Energy, previously known as Chesapeake Energy, is moving its headquarters to Houston in order to capitalize on the city's leading role as a gateway to the global natural gas market. The relocation will primarily focus on the company's executive leadership team, while its 500-person workforce in Oklahoma City will remain unaffected. The move coincides with a leadership change, as Michael Wichterich has been appointed Interim President and CEO, succeeding Domenic (Nick) J. Dell'Osso, Jr.

  • Expand Energy's headquarters relocation to Houston will be completed by mid-2026.
  • Wichterich was appointed Interim President and CEO effective immediately.

The players

Expand Energy

An energy company formerly known as Chesapeake Energy, which is moving its headquarters from Oklahoma City to Houston.

Michael Wichterich

The new Interim President and CEO of Expand Energy, who is also the founder and CEO of Three Rivers Operating Company LLC.

Domenic (Nick) J. Dell'Osso, Jr.

The former President and CEO of Expand Energy, who has stepped down from the role and will serve as an external advisor during the transition.

Devon Energy

Another major energy company that has announced plans to move its headquarters from Oklahoma City to Houston.

Mark Beffort

The leader of a local investment group that purchased the core of Expand Energy's (formerly Chesapeake Energy's) sprawling campus in Oklahoma City.

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What they’re saying

“As North America's largest natural gas producer, this will allow us to capitalize on Houston's leading role as a gateway to the global natural gas market and accelerate our strategy to connect our leading scale to growing markets.”

— Michael Wichterich, Interim President and CEO, Expand Energy (The Oklahoman)

“During (Dell'Osso's) tenure as CEO, the company has grown from a $5 billion business to a $26 billion investment-grade enterprise included in the S&P 500 Index. We are grateful for his leadership in setting a strong foundation for our future.”

— Michael Wichterich, Interim President and CEO, Expand Energy (The Oklahoman)

What’s next

The company has announced it will use a consulting firm to help find a new permanent CEO to replace the outgoing Domenic (Nick) J. Dell'Osso, Jr.

The takeaway

The decision by Expand Energy to relocate its headquarters to Houston, following a similar move by Devon Energy, highlights the shifting dynamics of the energy industry and raises concerns about the long-term economic future of Oklahoma City, which has historically been a hub for the sector.