Fort Worth-based U.S. Energy Development Corporation announced Tuesday that it plans to deploy up to $1 billion in 2026, expanding its portfolio of upstream assets across the lower 48 states while maintaining what company leaders describe as a disciplined investment strategy.
The privately held exploration and production company said the move builds on momentum from recent years. In 2025, USEDC deployed more than $1 billion on behalf of itself and its partners, including what it described as the largest transaction in the firm’s history. That followed a nearly $800 million deployment in 2024.
“In 2025, we deployed more than $1 billion on behalf of ourselves and our partners including the largest transaction in firm history,” said Jordan Jayson, chairman and CEO of USEDC, in a press release. “Our 2026 strategy to build on that momentum is straightforward: stay disciplined, stay selective, and deploy capital where the fundamentals align. Our financial strength and technical depth enable us to evaluate hundreds of deals each year, identifying those with sound economics and manageable risk profiles.”
In 2026, the company will focus most of its capital on expanding its inventory in the Permian Basin. USEDC said it will continue applying selective, stress-tested analysis, prioritizing capital discipline, free cash flow visibility and operational control where appropriate.
“From the capital markets seat, our focus is repeatable, reliable asset selection and disciplined capital allocation,” said Matthew Iak, president of Capital Markets. “With our strong financial foundation and longstanding industry relationships, we remain selective and deliberate — always prioritizing our investors and partners. Our 2026 plan is designed to perform across a range of market scenarios.”
Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Fort Worth, USEDC has invested in, operated, and/or drilled approximately 4,000 wells in 13 states and Canada, deploying more than $4 billion on behalf of itself and its partners.