Chesapeake currently operates nine rigs — five in Haynesville and four in Marcellus. Given “market dynamics,” the company plans to drop one rig and one frac crew in each play by midyear, according to its fourth-quarter earnings report. The company will also defer placing wells into production, though it still expects to drill 95 to 115 wells in 2024.

Nick Dell’Osso, Chesapeake’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “2023 marked another year of strong operational performance for Chesapeake as we delivered approximately $840 million to shareholders via our capital return framework despite a challenging commodity price environment.