FOR OKLAHOMA AND THE BROADER IMPACT ON ON EVERYTHING. IT’S DIFFICULT TO SWALLOW A PILL, YOU KNOW, WITH DEVIN MOVING AND NOW EXPAND MOVING. MONDAY MORNING, ANOTHER MAJOR ENERGY COMPANY ANNOUNCED A BIG MOVE TO HOUSTON. IN A STATEMENT, EXPANDING ENERGY, THE LARGEST NATURAL GAS PRODUCER IN NORTH AMERICA, SAYS IT WILL RELOCATE ITS HEADQUARTERS TO HOUSTON MID 2026, JUST ONE WEEK AFTER DEVON ENERGY ANNOUNCED THEIR MOVE. THEY SAY THIS MOVE WILL TARGET ITS LEADERSHIP IN THAT OKLAHOMA WILL STAY AS AN IMPORTANT CENTER. IF IT IS THE CASE THAT BOTH DEVIN AND EXPAND KEEP THE BULK OF THEIR EMPLOYEES IN OKLAHOMA CITY, THAT WILL HAVE A MUCH SOFTER IMPACT THAN IT WOULD IF THEY IF THEY MOVED LARGE NUMBERS, FOR SURE. AND WHY? HOUSTON ECONOMIST AG SAYS THIS COULD OPEN DOORS TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. THEY CAN GET MARKETS IF THEY CAN ENHANCE THEIR MARKETS OVERSEAS BY MAKING THIS MOVE, EVEN IF THEY DON’T MOVE, MOST OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, AT LEAST THEY’LL HAVE THOSE EXECUTIVES MAKING THOSE TRADES, CONTACTS AND CONTRACTS TO SELL THEIR GAS, PROBABLY FOR A HIGHER PRICE IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. AS FOR THE ENERGY MARKET HERE IN OKLAHOMA, I THINK IT’S STILL VERY STRONG. BUT I DO THINK IT PROVIDES THOSE COMPANIES WITH JUST BROADER CONTEXT FROM AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE. SO IT ACTUALLY COULD ENHANCE THE VALUE OF THOSE COMPANIES. IN THAT SAME ANNOUNCEMENT, THE COMPANY ALSO CONFIRMED A LEADERSHIP CHANGE. CEO NICK DALE ALSO STEPPING DOWN. BOARD CHAIR MICHAEL VICTORY TAKING HIS PLACE. PAST THE TARGET, IS INCREASING SHAREHOLDER VALUE. THEN THEY’RE TAKING THE STE
Second Oklahoma City-based energy company moving headquarters to Houston
Expand Energy, formerly Chesapeake Energy, announced its headquarters move to Houston, following Devon Energy’s similar decision.
Updated: 5:27 PM CST Feb 9, 2026
Expand Energy, formerly Chesapeake Energy, announced Monday morning that it will relocate its headquarters to Houston by mid-2026, following Devon Energy’s recent decision to move. “It’s difficult to swallow a pill, you know, with Devon moving and Max brand moving,” said economist Steve Agee, reflecting on the impact of these relocations.Agee said that if both Devon and Expand Energy retain the majority of their employees in Oklahoma City, the impact on the local economy would be less severe than if large numbers of employees were relocated.>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning NewsletterThe decision to move to Houston was seen as a strategic step to access international markets. Agee explained that the move could enhance the companies’ ability to secure international contracts and potentially sell their gas at higher prices overseas, even if most employees remain in Oklahoma.”If they can get markets, if they can enhance their markets, overseas by making this move, even if they don’t move most of their employees, that we still have those securities making those trades, contacts and contracts to sell their gas, probably for a higher price in international markets,” Agee said.>> Video Below: What impact will Devon Energy’s merger with Coterra Energy have on Oklahoma?Despite these changes, Agee said he believes the energy market in Oklahoma remains robust. “I think it is still very strong,” he said, adding that the move could provide companies with broader international contacts, potentially enhancing their value.In the same announcement, Expand Energy confirmed a leadership change, with CEO Nick Del’Osso stepping down and board chair Michael Wichterich taking his place.Top Headlines 2 people found dead inside Logan County home, deputies say Oklahoma City-based Expand Energy moving headquarters to Houston Oklahoma tribes react to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call for “One Oklahoma” Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl 60 halftime show highlights Latino representation, draws new viewers Driver flees scene after car almost flips into northwest Oklahoma City home
OKLAHOMA CITY —
Expand Energy, formerly Chesapeake Energy, announced Monday morning that it will relocate its headquarters to Houston by mid-2026, following Devon Energy’s recent decision to move.
“It’s difficult to swallow a pill, you know, with Devon moving and Max brand moving,” said economist Steve Agee, reflecting on the impact of these relocations.
Agee said that if both Devon and Expand Energy retain the majority of their employees in Oklahoma City, the impact on the local economy would be less severe than if large numbers of employees were relocated.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning Newsletter
The decision to move to Houston was seen as a strategic step to access international markets. Agee explained that the move could enhance the companies’ ability to secure international contracts and potentially sell their gas at higher prices overseas, even if most employees remain in Oklahoma.
“If they can get markets, if they can enhance their markets, overseas by making this move, even if they don’t move most of their employees, that we still have those securities making those trades, contacts and contracts to sell their gas, probably for a higher price in international markets,” Agee said.
>> Video Below: What impact will Devon Energy’s merger with Coterra Energy have on Oklahoma?
Despite these changes, Agee said he believes the energy market in Oklahoma remains robust.
“I think it is still very strong,” he said, adding that the move could provide companies with broader international contacts, potentially enhancing their value.
In the same announcement, Expand Energy confirmed a leadership change, with CEO Nick Del’Osso stepping down and board chair Michael Wichterich taking his place.
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