This editorial was written by Chad Warmington, President and CEO of The State Chamber of Oklahoma
There’s a quiet giant in our backyard, and it’s time we recognized what a remarkable Oklahoma story it truly is.
Expand Energy, the product of Chesapeake Energy’s remarkable turnaround and its merger with Southwestern Energy, could’ve gone the way of so many post-bankruptcy companies: acquired, relocated, and gradually erased. Instead, it doubled down. Chesapeake didn’t just survive, it evolved, merged, and emerged as Expand Energy, now one of the largest natural gas producers in the world.
Don’t overlook what just happened. A company that could’ve quietly disappeared has instead become one of the largest natural gas producers in the world, and it’s still headquartered in our backyard.
That’s not just good for shareholders, it’s good for workers, communities, and the future of our state.
Much of that credit belongs to CEO Nic Dell’Oso and his team, who just wrapped up their first full year leading Expand Energy. Their steady hands, strategic focus, and commitment to operational excellence have laid the foundation for long-term success. At a time when many energy companies were playing defense, they went on offense and delivered.
Natural gas is no longer just a bridge fuel. It’s the backbone of America’s energy security, and it’s playing a critical role in enabling the technologies of tomorrow. The computing demands of artificial intelligence, from data centers to advanced manufacturing, require vast amounts of affordable, reliable energy. Expand Energy is positioned to deliver exactly that. And here’s the thing, Oklahoma is, too.
We have the land. We have the resources. We have the infrastructure. What we need now is the vision.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Oklahoma to lead, not just in powering the AI revolution, but in hosting it. The advanced industries of tomorrow will need to be built near stable, low-cost energy sources. That puts Oklahoma at the top of the list. But we can’t settle for being the utility room for the next economy. We have to build the labs, the plants, and the companies that go with it. And just as critically, we must invest in developing the workforce to support them, from skilled trades to engineers to next-generation technicians.
We need policies that attract capital. We need leadership that sees the opportunity. And we need pride in companies like Expand Energy, who prove that resilience, innovation, and smart strategy still matter, and that they can still thrive here, in the heart of the country.
The story of Expand Energy is more than a corporate comeback. It’s a symbol of what’s possible when we don’t give up on our industries, and when we don’t give up on ourselves.
Oklahoma helped power the last century. Let’s make sure we’re doing more than just keeping the lights on in the next one. Let’s lead it.
