EXPAND ENERGY Corp

Southwestern Merger

On January 10, 2024, Chesapeake and Southwestern entered into an all-stock agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”). Southwestern was an independent energy company engaged in development, exploration and production activities, including related marketing activities, within its operating areas in the Appalachia and Haynesville shale plays. Our Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of Southwestern both approved the Merger Agreement. At separate special meetings each held on June 18, 2024, Chesapeake’s stockholders approved the issuance of Chesapeake’s common stock to the stockholders of Southwestern in connection with the Southwestern Merger, and Southwestern’s stockholders approved the Merger Agreement.

On October 1, 2024, the Southwestern Merger was completed, and we issued approximately 95.7 million shares of our common stock to Southwestern’s shareholders in connection with the Merger Agreement. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, each share of Southwestern common stock was converted into the right to receive 0.0867 of a share of the Company’s common stock. Based on the closing price of our common stock, the total value of the shares of our common stock issued to Southwestern’s shareholders was approximately $7.9 billion. During 2024, we recognized approximately $312 million of costs related to the Southwestern Merger, which included $148 million related to employee expenses and the remainder of the costs relating to transaction fees, consulting and legal fees and other fees related to the transaction. These acquisition-related costs are included within other operating expense, net within our consolidated statements of operations. The Southwestern Merger was structured as a tax-free reorganization for United States federal income tax purposes.

Preliminary Southwestern Merger Purchase Price Allocation

We have accounted for the Southwestern Merger as a business combination, using the acquisition method, with Expand Energy (formerly Chesapeake) treated as the accounting acquirer. The following table represents the preliminary allocation of the total purchase price of Southwestern to the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on the fair values as of the acquisition date. Certain data necessary to complete the purchase price allocation is not yet available, and includes, but is not limited to, final tax returns that provide the underlying tax basis of Southwestern’s assets and liabilities and final appraisals of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We expect to complete the purchase price allocation during the 12-month period following the acquisition date, during which time the value of the assets and liabilities may be revised as appropriate.

(a)Reflects the repayment of $585 million outstanding on Southwestern's 2022 revolving credit facility including $2 million of accrued interest and fees, as the facility was repaid and retired upon close of the Southwestern Merger.

(b)The fair value of our common stock is a Level 1 input, as our stock price is a quoted price in an active market as of the acquisition date.

For the Southwestern Merger, we applied the business combination guidance, under which an acquirer should recognize the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed on the acquisition date at fair value. The fair value estimate of proved and unproved natural gas and oil properties as of the acquisition date was based on estimated natural gas and oil reserves and related future net cash flows discounted using a weighted average cost of capital, including estimates of future production rates and future development costs. We utilized NYMEX strip pricing adjusted for inflation to value the reserves. We then applied various discount rates depending on the classification of reserves and other risk characteristics. Management utilized the assistance of a third-party valuation expert to estimate the value of the natural gas and oil properties acquired. Additionally, the fair value estimate of proved and unproved natural gas and oil properties was corroborated by utilizing a market approach, which considers recent comparable transactions for similar assets.

The inputs used to value natural gas and oil properties require significant judgment and estimates made by management and represent Level 3 inputs.

As part of the Southwestern Merger, we assumed gathering, processing and transportation contracts, certain of which were deemed to be above or below current market rates. We recognized assets and liabilities for the difference in the contractual and market rates of these contracts, as of the date of the Merger. The terms of the contracts extend through 2035.

Southwestern Merger Revenues and Expenses Subsequent to Acquisition

We included in our consolidated statements of operations natural gas, oil and NGL revenues of$1,021 million, marketing revenues of$482 million, net losses on natural gas, oil and NGL derivatives of$34 million, and direct operating expenses of$1,384 million, including depreciation, depletion and amortization, and net earnings of$36 million, related to the Southwestern Merger businesses for the period from October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.

Marcellus Acquisition

On March 9, 2022, we completed the acquisition of Chief and associated non-operated interests held by affiliates of Tug Hill, of premium drilling locations in the Marcellus Shale in Northeast Pennsylvania (“Marcellus Acquisition”) for total consideration of approximately $2.77 billion, consisting of approximately $2 billion in cash, including working capital adjustments and approximately 9.4 million shares of our common stock, to acquire high quality producing assets and a deep inventory of premium drilling locations in the prolific Marcellus Shale in Northeast Pennsylvania. The Marcellus Acquisition was indebtedness free, effective as of January 1, 2022 and was subject to customary purchase price adjustments. We funded the cash portion of the consideration with cash on hand and $914 million of borrowings under the Company’s Exit Credit Facility. During 2022, we recognized approximately $41 million of costs related to our Marcellus Acquisition, which included integration costs, consulting fees, financial advisory fees, legal fees and change in control expense in accordance with Chief’s existing employment agreements. These acquisition-related costs are included within other operating expense, net within our consolidated statements of operations.

Marcellus Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation

We have accounted for the Marcellus Acquisition as a business combination, using the acquisition method. The following table represents the allocation of the total purchase price to the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on the fair values as of the acquisition date.

(a)The fair value of our common stock is a Level 1 input, as our stock price is a quoted price in an active market as of the acquisition date.

For the Marcellus Acquisition, we applied the business combination guidance, under which an acquirer should recognize the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed on the acquisition date at fair value. The fair value estimate of proved and unproved natural gas and oil properties as of the acquisition date was based on estimated natural gas and oil reserves and related future net cash flows discounted using a weighted average cost of capital, including estimates of future production rates and future development costs. We utilized NYMEX strip pricing adjusted for inflation to value the reserves. We then applied various discount rates depending on the classification of reserves and other risk characteristics. Management utilized the assistance of a third-party valuation expert to estimate the value of the natural gas and oil properties acquired. Additionally, the fair value estimate of proved and unproved natural gas and oil properties was corroborated by utilizing a market approach, which considers recent comparable transactions for similar assets.

The inputs used to value natural gas and oil properties require significant judgment and estimates made by management and represent Level 3 inputs.

Marcellus Acquisition Revenues and Expenses Subsequent to Acquisition

We included in our consolidated statements of operations natural gas, oil and NGL revenues of $1,331 million, marketing revenues of $20 million, net losses on natural gas, oil and NGL derivatives of $379 million, and direct operating expenses of $483 million, including depreciation, depletion and amortization, and net earnings of

$381 million, related to the Marcellus Acquisition businesses for the period from March 10, 2022 (the date immediately following the completion of the Marcellus Acquisition) through December 31, 2022.

Combined Pro Forma Financial Information

The following unaudited pro forma financial information is based on our historical consolidated financial statements adjusted to reflect as if the Southwestern Merger and the divestiture of our Eagle Ford assets had each occurred on January 1, 2023. The information below reflects pro forma adjustments based on available information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable, including the estimated tax impact of the pro forma adjustments.

Eagle Ford Divestitures

In January 2023, we entered into an agreement to sell a portion of our Eagle Ford assets to WildFire Energy I LLC for approximately $1.425 billion, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. Approximately $225 million of the purchase price was recorded as deferred consideration and treated as a non-interest-bearing note to be paid in installments of $60 million per year for the first three years following the transaction close date, with $45 million to be paid in the fourth year following the transaction close date. During 2024, we received the first installment payment related to this transaction. The deferred consideration is recorded at fair value with an imputed rate of interest as a Level 2 input, and approximately $59 million and $58 million of the deferred consideration is reflected within other current assets and approximately $89 million and $135 million is reflected within other long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The divestiture, which closed on March 20, 2023 (with an effective date of October 1, 2022), resulted in a gain of approximately $337 million, inclusive of post-closing adjustments, based on the difference between the carrying value of the assets and consideration received.

In February 2023, we entered into an agreement to sell a portion of our remaining Eagle Ford assets to INEOS Upstream Holdings Limited (“INEOS Energy”) for approximately $1.4 billion, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. Approximately $225 million of the purchase price was recorded as deferred consideration and treated as a non-interest-bearing note to be paid in installments of approximately $56 million per year forfour years following the transaction close date. During 2024, we received the first installment payment related to this transaction. The deferred consideration is recorded at fair value with an imputed rate of interest as a Level 2 input, and approximately $55 million and $55 million of the deferred consideration is reflected within other current assets and approximately $99 million and $144 million is reflected within other long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The divestiture, which closed on April 28, 2023 (with an effective date of October 1, 2022), resulted in a gain of approximately $470 million, based on the difference between the carrying value of the assets and consideration received. Included within the liabilities assumed by INEOS Energy was approximately $53 million of asset retirement obligations.

In August 2023, we entered into an agreement to sell the final portion of our remaining Eagle Ford assets to SilverBow Resources, Inc. (“SilverBow”) for approximately $700 million, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. Approximately $50 million of the purchase price was recorded as deferred consideration and treated as a non-interest-bearing note to be paid one year from the closing date. The deferred consideration is recorded at fair value with an imputed rate of interest as a Level 2 input, and approximately $46 million of the deferred consideration is reflected within other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023. During 2024, we received the deferred consideration. Additionally, SilverBow agreed to pay us an additional contingent payment of $25 million should WTI NYMEX prices average between $75 and $80 per barrel or $50 million should WTI NYMEX prices average above $80 per barrel during the year following the close of the transaction. On July 30, 2024, Crescent Energy Company (“Crescent”) acquired SilverBow. The fair value of the contingent consideration as of December 31, 2023 of $12 million is reflected within short-term derivative assets within our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 13 for additional information. During 2024, we received the contingent payment of $25 million from Crescent based upon the average NYMEX prices during the year following the close of the transaction. The divestiture, which closed on November 30, 2023 (with an effective date of February 1, 2023), resulted in a gain of approximately $140 million, based on the difference between the carrying value of the assets and consideration received. Included within the liabilities assumed by SilverBow was approximately $11 million of asset retirement obligations.

During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we amortized approximately $31 million and $24 million related to the deferred consideration from the Eagle Ford divestiture transactions described above. The deferred consideration amortization is recorded within other income, net, in our consolidated statements of operations.

Powder River Divestiture

In January 2022, we signed an agreement to sell our Powder River Basin assets in Wyoming to Continental Resources, Inc. for approximately $450 million, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. The divestiture, which closed on March 25, 2022, resulted in the recognition of a gain of approximately $293 million, which included $13 million of post-close adjustments, based on the difference between the carrying value of the assets and the cash received.

Basic earnings (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share is calculated in the same manner but includes the impact of potentially dilutive securities utilizing the treasury stock method. Potentially dilutive securities consists of issuable shares related to warrants, unvested restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and unvested performance share units (“PSUs”).

The reconciliations between basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are as follows:

During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the diluted earnings per share calculation excludes the effect of 308,646,777,369 and 789,458 reserved shares of common stock and 582,109,1,466,502 and 1,489,337 reserved Class C Warrants related to the settlement of General Unsecured Claims associated with the Chapter 11 Cases, as all necessary conditions had not been met for such shares to be considered dilutive shares during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Additionally, the diluted loss per share calculation during the year ended December 31, 2024 excludes the antidilutive effect of 9,058,361 Warrants,315,318 RSUs and 86,421 PSUs.

Our long-term debt consisted of the following as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:

(a)The carrying value of borrowings under our Credit Facility approximates fair value as the interest rates are based on prevailing market rates; therefore, they are a Level 1 fair value measurement. For all other debt, a market approach, based upon quotes from major financial institutions, which are Level 2 inputs, is used to measure the fair value.

(b)On October 1, 2024, we assumed the debt of Southwestern in connection with the Southwestern Merger, which primarily consisted of these senior notes. See Note 2 for additional discussion on the Southwestern Merger and further discussion of these senior notes below.

(c)On December 2, 2024, we issued $750 million of 5.70% senior notes. See further discussion below.

The table below presents debt maturities as of December 31, 2024, excluding debt issuance costs, discounts and premiums:

Credit Facility. In December 2022, we entered into a senior secured reserve-based credit agreement, as amended pursuant to the Amendment No. 1 and Borrowing Base Agreement, dated April 29, 2024 (the “Initial Credit Agreement Amendment”) and as automatically amended on October 28, 2024 by the Investment Grade Credit Agreement Amendment (as defined below), with the lenders and issuing banks party thereto from time to time (the “Lenders”), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) (such credit agreement as amended by the Initial Credit Agreement Amendment, the “Pre-IG Credit Agreement”, and as further amended by the Investment Grade Credit Agreement Amendment, the “Credit Agreement”), providing for a revolving credit facility (such facility as amended pursuant to the Initial Credit Agreement Amendment, the “Pre-IG Credit Facility”, and as further amended pursuant to the Investment Grade Credit Agreement Amendment, the “Credit Facility”) maturing in December 2027. The Initial Credit Agreement Amendment, among other things, increased the aggregate commitments under the Pre-IG Credit Facility from $2.0 billion to $2.5 billion and increased the sublimit available for the issuance of letters of credit from $200 million to $500 million. The Credit Facility continues to provide for a $50 million sublimit available for swingline loans. As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $2.5 billion available for borrowings under the Credit Facility.

The obligations under the Pre-IG Credit Facility were guaranteed by certain of Expand Energy’s subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”), and the Pre-IG Credit Facility was secured by substantially all of the assets owned by the Company and the Guarantors (subject to customary exceptions), including mortgages on not less than 85% of the total PV-9 of the borrowing base properties evaluated in the most recent reserve report (where PV-9 is the net present value, discounted at 9% per annum, of the estimated future net revenues). Since the effectiveness of the Investment Grade Credit Agreement Amendment, the Credit Facility is no longer guaranteed or secured, or subject to a borrowing base.

The Pre-IG Credit Agreement contained restrictive covenants, subject to customary exceptions for reserve-based credit facilities, that limited Expand Energy and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness, (ii) make investments, (iii) enter into mergers; (iv) make or declare dividends; (v) repurchase or redeem certain indebtedness; (vi) enter into certain hedges; (vii) incur liens; (viii) sell assets; and (ix) engage in certain transactions with affiliates. Since the effectiveness of the Investment Grade Credit Agreement Amendment on October 28, 2024, the Credit Agreement contains restrictive covenants that, subject to exceptions customary to investment grade credit facilities, limit Expand Energy and its subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things: (i) incur priority indebtedness, (ii) enter into mergers; (iii) make or declare dividends; (iv) incur liens; (v) sell all or substantially all of their assets; and (vi) engage in certain transactions with affiliates. The Pre-IG Credit Agreement required Expand Energy to maintain compliance with the following financial ratios: (A) a current ratio, which was the ratio of Expand Energy’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ consolidated current assets (including unused commitments under the Pre-IG Credit Facility but excluding certain non-cash assets) to their consolidated current liabilities (excluding the current portion of long-term debt and certain non-cash liabilities), of not less than 1.00 to 1.00; (B) a net leverage ratio, which was the ratio of total indebtedness (less unrestricted cash up to a specified threshold) to Consolidated EBITDAX (as defined in the Pre-IG Credit Agreement) for the prior four fiscal quarters, of not greater than 3.50 to 1.00 and (C) a PV-9 coverage ratio of the net present value, discounted at 9% per annum, of the estimated future net revenues expected in the proved reserves to Expand Energy’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ total indebtedness of not less than 1.50 to 1.00. The Investment Grade Credit Agreement Amendment, among other things, (i) removed the current ratio, net leverage ratio and PV-9 coverage ratio previously contained in the Pre-IG Credit Agreement and (ii) provides for our compliance with an indebtedness to capitalization ratio, which is the ratio of the Company’s total indebtedness to the sum of total indebtedness plus stockholders’ equity (the “Debt to Capitalization Ratio”), not to exceed 65%. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the Debt to Capitalization Ratio.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement may be alternate base rate loans or term SOFR loans, at our election. Interest is payable quarterly for alternate base rate loans and at the end of the applicable interest period for term SOFR loans. Term SOFR loans bear interest at term SOFR plus an applicable rate ranging from 125 to 187.5 basis points per annum, depending on the Company’s unsecured debt ratings (which rate under the Pre-IG Credit Agreement previously ranged from 175 to 275 basis points per annum, depending on the percentage of the commitments utilized), plus an additional 10 basis points per annum credit spread adjustment. Alternate base rate loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greatest of: (i) the prime rate; (ii) the federal funds effective rate plus 50 basis points; and (iii) the adjusted term SOFR rate for a one-month interest period plus 100 basis points, plus an applicable margin ranging from 25 to 87.5 basis points per annum, depending on the Company’s unsecured debt ratings (which applicable margin under the Pre-IG Credit Agreement previously ranged from 75 to 175 basis points per annum, depending on the percentage of the commitments utilized). Expand Energy also pays a commitment fee on unused commitment amounts under the Credit Facility ranging from 15 to 27.5 basis points per annum, depending on the Company’s unsecured debt ratings (which commitment fee rate under the Pre-IG Credit Agreement previously ranged from 37.5 to 50 basis points per annum, depending on the percentage of the commitments utilized).

The Credit Facility is subject to customary events of default, remedies, and cure rights for investment grade credit facilities of this nature.

Investment Grade Rating.

On October 1, 2024, we received an investment grade rating from S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”). S&P assigned an issuer-level rating of ‘BBB-’ on our unsecured debt and raised our issuer credit rating to ‘BBB-’, with a stable outlook. Additionally, on October 2, 2024, we received an investment grade rating from Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”). Fitch affirmed our revolver credit rating at ‘BBB-’ and upgraded the rating on our senior notes to ‘BBB-’, with a stable outlook. As a result of these investment grade ratings and the satisfaction of certain other conditions, (i) the Pre-IG Credit Agreement was automatically amended in its entirety as set forth in an exhibit to the Pre-IG Credit Agreement (such automatic amendment, the “Investment Grade Credit Agreement Amendment”, and the Pre-IG Credit Agreement as amended by such amendment, the “Credit Agreement”), (ii) all liens and guarantees previously provided by the Company and its subsidiaries in connection with the Pre-IG Credit Agreement were released and (iii) all guarantees previously provided in connection with the Company’s senior notes were released. Such Investment Grade Credit Agreement Amendment, among other things, removed the application of the borrowing base provided for in the Pre-IG Credit Agreement and modified the pricing and covenants as described above.

Assumption of Southwestern’s Senior Notes and Southwestern Credit Facility Extinguishment.

On October 1, 2024, the Southwestern Merger was completed, and we became the successor issuer in respect to Southwestern’s (i) $389 million aggregate principal amount of 4.950% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “SWN 2025 Notes”), (ii) $304 million aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “SWN 2028 Notes”), (iii) $700 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “SWN 2029 Notes”), (iv) $1,200 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “SWN 2030 Notes”) and (v) $1,150 million aggregate principal amount of 4.750% Senior Notes due 2032 (the “SWN 2032 Notes” and together with the SWN 2025 Notes, the SWN 2028 Notes, the SWN 2029 Notes and the SWN 2030 Notes, the “SWN Notes”). We assumed the obligations under (i) the SWN 2025 Notes pursuant to Supplemental Indenture No. 9 (“SWN 2025 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 9”) to a base indenture dated January 23, 2015, by and among Southwestern and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, (ii) the SWN 2028 Notes pursuant to Supplemental Indenture No. 9 (“SWN 2028 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 9”) to a base indenture dated September 25, 2017, by and among Southwestern and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, (iii) the SWN 2029 Notes pursuant to Supplemental Indenture No. 6 (“Supplemental Indenture No. 6”) to a base indenture dated August 30, 2021 (the “2021 Base Indenture”) by and among Southwestern and Regions Bank, as Trustee, (iv) the 2030 Notes pursuant to Supplemental Indenture No. 7 (“Supplemental Indenture No. 7”) to the 2021 Base Indenture and (v) the 2032 Notes pursuant to Supplemental Indenture No. 8 (“Supplemental Indenture No. 8” and, together with SWN 2025 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 9, SWN 2028 Notes Supplemental Indenture No. 9, Supplemental Indenture No. 6 and Supplemental Indenture No. 7, the “SWN Supplemental Indentures”) to the 2021 Base Indenture. In addition, pursuant to each SWN Supplemental Indenture, existing subsidiaries of the Company that guarantee our notes provided guarantees of the SWN Notes. As a result of the investment grade ratings we received on October 1 and October 2, 2024, and the satisfaction of certain other conditions, all guarantees previously provided in connection with the Company’s outstanding senior notes, including the SWN Notes, were released.

The SWN 2025 Notes matured on January 23, 2025 and bore interest at a rate of 4.950% per annum, with interest that was payable on January 23 and July 23 of each year. The SWN 2029 Notes mature on February 1, 2029 and bear interest at a rate of 5.375% per annum, with interest payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year. The SWN 2030 Notes mature on March 15, 2030 and bear interest at a rate of 5.375% per annum, with interest payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The SWN 2032 Notes mature on February 1, 2032 and bear interest at a rate of 4.750% per annum, with interest payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year.

On October 1, 2024, Southwestern’s existing credit facility was terminated, with all loan amounts and other obligations outstanding thereunder repaid in full and all commitments thereunder extinguished, for approximately $585 million, which included all outstanding borrowings, accrued interest and transaction fees.

Issuance of 5.70% Senior Notes

On December 2, 2024, we completed our underwritten public offering of $750 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.70% Senior Notes due 2035 (the “2035 Notes”). The 2035 Notes were issued pursuant to the Indenture (the “Base Indenture”), dated as of December 2, 2024, between the Company and Regions Bank (the “Trustee”), as trustee, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 2, 2024 (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), between the Company and the Trustee, setting forth specific terms applicable to the 2035 Notes.

The 2035 Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right to payment of the holders of the Company’s other current and future unsecured senior debt, including debt under the Company’s revolving credit facility and the Company’s existing senior notes, and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated debt that the Company may incur. The 2035 Notes are not guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries and are therefore structurally subordinated to any indebtedness incurred by any of the Company’s subsidiaries.

The 2035 Notes mature on January 15, 2035 and interest on the 2035 Notes is payable semi-annually, on January 15 and July 15 of each year to holders of record on the immediately preceding January 1 and July 1. The first interest payment date will commence on July 15, 2025 to holders of record on July 1, 2025.

Outstanding Senior Notes. On October 28, 2024, the Company satisfied the “Investment Grade Date” conditions set forth under the Credit Facility (the “Investment Grade Date Event”) and, as a result, entered into supplemental indentures pursuant to which each subsidiary guarantor party thereto was released of all of its obligations under its guarantee of the Company’s obligations under the indenture, dated as of February 5, 2021, among the Issuer, the guarantor party thereto and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, that issued the $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Notes due 2026 (“the 2026 Notes”) and the $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”). Additionally, as a result of receiving such investment grade rating, pursuant to the indenture governing the 2026 Notes and the 2029 Notes, certain restrictive covenants under such indentures are no longer in effect upon the Company.

Interest on the 2026 Notes and 2029 Notes is payable semi-annually, on February 1 and August 1 of each year to holders of record on the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15.

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries previously agreed to guarantee such obligations under the indenture dated April 7, 2021 with Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (the “Vine Indenture”) under which the Company assumed the obligations under Vine’s $950 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Vine Notes”). Additionally, certain subsidiaries of Vine entered into a supplemental indenture to the Company’s existing indenture, dated February 5, 2021, with Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as trustee (the “CHK Indenture”), pursuant to which such subsidiaries of Vine have agreed to guarantee obligations under the CHK Indenture. On October 28, 2024, in connection with the Investment Grade Date Event, the Company entered into a supplemental indenture to the CHK Indenture pursuant to which each subsidiary guarantor party thereto was released of all its obligations under its guarantee of the Company’s obligations under the CHK Indenture.

Interest on the Vine Notes is payable semi-annually, on April 15 and October 15 of each year to holders of record on the immediately preceding April 1 and October 1.

In connection with the completion of the Southwestern Merger, on October 1, 2024, the Company entered into (i) Supplemental Indenture No. 3 to the Indenture dated February 5, 2021, by and among Chesapeake Escrow LLC, as issuer, the guarantors signatory thereto and Deutsche Bank Trust Company, as Trustee governing the 2026 Notes and 2029 Notes and (ii) Supplemental Indenture No. 5 to the Indenture dated April 7, 2021, by and among Vine Energy Holdings LLC, the guarantors signatory thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee governing the Company’s existing 6.75% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Vine Notes” and together with the 2026 Notes and the 2029 Notes, the “Existing Notes”), in each case to add as guarantors of the Existing Notes, the subsidiaries of Southwestern that guarantee SWN Notes that are described above. As discussed above, on October

28, 2024, each Southwestern subsidiary guarantor was released of all its obligations under its guarantee of the Company’s obligations under each of the indentures governing the Existing Notes in connection with the Investment Grade Date Event.

The Credit Facility, the SWN Notes and the Existing Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations. Accordingly, they rank (i) equal in right of payment to all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, (ii) effectively subordinate in right of payment to all existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness, (iii) structurally subordinate in right of payment to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of any future subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Credit Facility, the SWN Notes and/or Existing Notes and any entity that is not a subsidiary that does not guarantee the Credit Facility, the SWN Notes and/or Existing Notes and (iv) senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness.

The Company hadno secured debt as of December 31, 2024.

Tender Offer and Early Redemption of Senior Notes

During the fourth quarter of 2024, we announced an offer to purchase for cash, any and all of our outstanding 2026 Notes, the “Tender Offer”. Upon expiration of the Tender Offer, approximately 91%, or $453 million, of the 2026 Notes were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. In a separate transaction during the fourth quarter of 2024, we redeemed all of the $304 million aggregate principal of the SWN 2028 Notes for approximately $312 million, which included an $8 million premium to call the notes. We utilized the proceeds from the 2035 Notes to fund the Tender Offer for the 2026 Notes and the early redemption of the SWN 2028 Notes.

Subsequent Event - Maturity and Repayment of the SWN 2025 Notes

On January 23, 2025, the $389 million aggregate principal of SWN 2025 Notes was repaid and terminated with cash on hand and borrowings on the Credit Facility.

Contingencies

Business Operations and Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings

We are involved in, and expect to continue to be involved in, various lawsuits and disputes incidental to our business operations, including commercial disputes, personal injury claims, royalty claims, property damage claims and contract actions. We are also party to the consolidated Chapter 11 Cases pending for the Debtors in the Bankruptcy Court.

Our total accrued liability in respect of litigation and regulatory proceedings is determined on a case-by-case basis and represents an estimate of probable losses after considering, among other factors, the progress of each case or proceeding, our experience and the experience of others in similar cases or proceedings, and the opinions and views of legal counsel. Significant judgment is required in making these estimates. While it is not possible at this time to estimate the amount of any additional loss, or range of loss that is reasonably possible, based on the nature of the claims, management believes that current litigation, claims and proceedings, individually or in aggregate and after taking into account insurance, are not likely to have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Many of these matters are in early stages and are all subject to inherent uncertainties. Therefore, management’s view may change in the future. If an unfavorable final outcome were to occur, there exists the possibility of our final liabilities being materially different.

The majority of Chesapeake’s pre-petition legal proceedings were settled during the Chapter 11 Cases or will be resolved in connection with the claims reconciliation process before the Bankruptcy Court, together with actions seeking to collect pre-petition indebtedness or to exercise control over the property of Chesapeake’s bankruptcy estates. Any allowed claim related to such litigation will be treated in accordance with the Plan. The Plan in the Chapter 11 Cases, which became effective on February 9, 2021, provided for the treatment of claims against Chesapeake’s bankruptcy estates, including pre-petition liabilities that had not been satisfied or addressed during the Chapter 11 Cases. Many of these proceedings were in early stages as of the Petition Date, and many of them sought damages and penalties, the amount of which is indeterminate. Any legal proceeding pending against Southwestern and assumed by us in connection with the Southwestern Merger is not subject to discharge or resolution as part of the Chapter 11 Cases.

Environmental Contingencies

The nature of the natural gas and oil business carries with it certain environmental risks for us and our subsidiaries. We have implemented various policies, programs, procedures, training and audits to reduce and mitigate such environmental risks. We conduct periodic reviews, on a company-wide basis, to assess changes in our environmental risk profile. Environmental reserves are established for environmental liabilities for which economic losses are probable and reasonably estimable. We manage our exposure to environmental liabilities in acquisitions by using an evaluation process that seeks to identify pre-existing contamination or compliance concerns and address the potential liability. Depending on the extent of an identified environmental concern, we may, among other things, exclude a property from the transaction, require the seller to remediate the property to our satisfaction in an acquisition or agree to assume liability for the remediation of the property.

Other Matters

Based on management’s current assessment, we are of the opinion that no pending or threatened lawsuit or dispute relating to our business operations is likely to have a material adverse effect on our future consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The final resolution of such matters could exceed amounts accrued, however, and actual results could differ materially from management’s estimates.

Commitments

Gathering, Processing and Transportation Agreements

We have contractual commitments with midstream service companies and pipeline carriers for future gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas, oil and NGL to move certain of our production to market. Working interest owners and royalty interest owners, where appropriate, will be responsible for their proportionate share of these costs. Commitments related to gathering, processing and transportation agreements are not recorded as obligations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The aggregate undiscounted commitments under our gathering, processing and transportation agreements, excluding any reimbursement from working interest and royalty interest owners, credits for third-party volumes or future costs under cost-of-service agreements, are presented below:

As a result of the Southwestern Merger, during the year ended December 31, 2024, we acquired certain gathering, processing and transportation agreements from Southwestern and have reflected these agreements within the table above. In addition, we have long-term agreements for certain natural gas gathering and related services within specified acreage dedication areas in exchange for cost-of-service based fees redetermined annually, or tiered fees based on volumes delivered relative to scheduled volumes. Future gathering fees may vary with the applicable agreement.

Other Commitments

As part of our normal course of business, we enter into various agreements providing, or otherwise arranging for, financial or performance assurances to third parties on behalf of our wholly owned guarantor subsidiaries. These agreements may include future payment obligations or commitments regarding operational performance that effectively guarantee our subsidiaries’ future performance.

In connection with acquisitions and divestitures, our purchase and sale agreements generally provide indemnification to the counterparty for liabilities incurred as a result of a breach of a representation or warranty by the indemnifying party and/or other specified matters. These indemnifications generally have a discrete term and are intended to protect the parties against risks that are difficult to predict or cannot be quantified at the time of entering into or consummating a particular transaction. For divestitures of natural gas and oil properties, our purchase and sale agreements may require the return of a portion of the proceeds we receive as a result of uncured title or environmental defects.

While executing our strategic priorities, we have incurred certain cash charges, including contract termination charges, financing extinguishment costs and charges for unused natural gas transportation and gathering capacity.

Other current liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 are detailed below:

We are a lessee under various agreements for drilling rigs, pressure pumping equipment, vehicles, office space, compressors, certain water transportation lines and other equipment under non-cancelable operating leases expiring through 2036. Certain of our lease agreements include options to renew the lease, terminate the lease early or purchase the underlying asset at the end of the lease. We determine the lease term at the lease commencement date as the non-cancelable period of the lease, including options to extend or terminate the lease when we are reasonably certain to exercise the option. The Company’s vehicles are the only leases with renewal options that we are reasonably certain to exercise. The renewals are reflected in the right of use (“ROU”) asset and lease liability balances.

On October 1, 2024, we completed the Southwestern Merger. As part of the purchase price allocation, we recognized additional operating lease liabilities of $134 million and a related ROU asset of $134 million related to drilling rigs, pressure pumping equipment, vehicles, office space, compressors, certain water transportation lines and other equipment. Regarding our drilling rigs and pressure pumping equipment, our policy is to treat both lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. See Note 2 for additional information about the Southwestern Merger.

Our operating ROU assets are included inother long-term assets while operating lease liabilities are included in other current and other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

The following table presents our ROU assets and lease liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we did not have any finance leases.

Additional information for the Company’s operating leases is presented below:

Maturity analysis of operating lease liabilities is presented below:

The following tables show revenue disaggregated by operating area and product type, for the periods presented:

Major Customers

For the year ended December 31, 2024, we had no purchaser that accounted for 10% or greater of our total revenues (before the effects of hedging). For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had sales to two purchasers that accounted for approximately 17% and 10% of total revenues (before the effects of hedging). For the year ended December 31, 2022, was had sales to two purchasers that accounted for approximately 13% and 10% of total revenues (before the effects of hedging). No other purchasers accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues during the years ended December 31, 2023 or 2022.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 are detailed below:

The components of the income tax expense (benefit) for each of the periods presented below are as follows:

The income tax expense (benefit) reported in our consolidated statement of operations is different from the federal income tax expense (benefit) computed using the federal statutory rate for the following reasons:

In 2024, the Company’s overall effective tax rate decreased compared to 2023 due to the revaluation of state deferred taxes as a result of Louisiana’s recent enactment of a tax rate decrease and as a result of permanent differences for transaction and compensation costs associated with the Southwestern Merger. The Company’s effective tax rate in 2023 increased from 2022 due to the release of the valuation allowance in 2022 which resulted in that year being a net benefit.

Deferred income taxes are provided to reflect temporary differences in the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. The tax-effected temporary differences, net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and excess business interest expense carryforwards that comprise our deferred income taxes are as follows:

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had deferred tax assets of $2.691 billion and $1.735 billion, respectively, upon which we had a valuation allowance of $343 million and $312 million, respectively. The net change in the valuation allowance of $31 million is primarily due to the additional valuation allowance recorded related to the acquisition of Southwestern tax attributes partially offset by the expiration of a capital loss carryforward and state net operating loss carryforwards. Of this $31 million net change in the valuation allowance, $35 million is reflected in components of stockholders’ equity which is partially offset by $4 million reflected as a component of income tax benefit in the consolidated statements of operations.

We maintain a partial valuation allowance of $343 million against a portion of our federal and state deferred tax assets such as NOLs, credit carryovers, and capital losses, which may expire before we are able to utilize them due to the application of the limitations under Section 382 and the ordering in which such attributes may be applied.

Our ability to utilize NOL carryforwards, disallowed business interest carryforwards, tax credits and possibly other tax attributes to reduce future taxable income and federal income tax is subject to various limitations under Section 382 of the Code. The utilization of such attributes may be subject to an annual limitation under Section 382 of the Code should transactions involving our equity result in a cumulative shift of more than 50% in the beneficial ownership of our stock during any three-year testing period (an “Ownership Change”).

The Company experienced an Ownership Change in 2021 (“First Ownership Change”). The amount of the annual limitation due to the First Ownership Change is $54 million. This limitation applies to our NOL carryforwards, disallowed business interest carryforwards and general business tax credits that existed at the time of the First Ownership Change until such attributes expire or are fully utilized. As a result of the Southwestern Merger on October 1, 2024, the Company experienced another Ownership Change (“Second Ownership Change”). The base amount of the annual limitation due to the Second Ownership Change has been estimated to be $380 million. This limitation applies to our NOL carryforwards, disallowed business interest carryforwards and general business credits generated subsequent to the First Ownership Change until such attributes expire or are fully utilized. We believe that we are in a net unrealized built-in gain position at the time of the Second Ownership Change, which may result in increases to the annual limitation amount for a 5-year period. Some states impose similar limitations on tax attribute utilization upon experiencing an Ownership Change.

On October 1, 2024, we completed the Southwestern Merger. For federal income tax purposes, the transaction qualified as a tax-free merger under Section 368 of the Code and, as a result, we acquired carryover tax basis in Southwestern’s assets and liabilities. We recorded a $479 million net deferred tax liability determined through business combination accounting. Additionally, we acquired NOL and interest expense carryforwards which were previously subject to base annual Section 382 limitations of $2 million and $48 million. The acquired NOL and interest expense carryforwards that were not previously subject to a base annual Section 382 limitation are now subject to a base annual Section 382 limitation of approximately $269 million as a result of the merger. The base annual limitation is estimated to be increased over the first five years for recognized built-in gains.

The Marcellus Acquisition during 2022 was treated as a taxable asset acquisition with no tax carryovers acquired.

As of December 31, 2024, and after taking into account each of the foregoing matters, the federal NOLs are as follows:

We had state NOL carryforwards of approximately $4.296 billion. Several states adopt the federal NOL carryforward period such that our more recent state NOLs do not expire. The state NOL carryforwards are subject to apportioned amounts of the federal Section 382 limitations.

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we have an income tax receivable of $32 million and $33 million included in other current assets within our consolidated balance sheets, respectively.

On August 16, 2022, the President of the United States signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”) which, among other things, includes provisions for a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax on book income for companies whose average book income exceeds $1 billion for any three consecutive years preceding the tax year. We believe that we are an applicable corporation beginning in 2024 for purposes of this alternative tax. We estimate no tax due to this as a result of the book loss.

Accounting guidance for recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions requires a more likely than not threshold condition be met on a tax position, based solely on the technical merits of being sustained, before any benefit of the tax position can be recognized in the financial statements. Guidance is also provided regarding recognition, classification and disclosure of uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to NOL carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards, and tax liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions was $80 million and $68 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, $24 million is related to state tax receivables not expected to be recovered, $14 million is related to a liability for tax credits taken, $9 million is related to tax credit carryforwards, and the remainder is related to NOL carryforwards. As of December 31, 2023, $24 million is related to state tax receivables not expected to be recovered, $10 million is related to a liability for tax credits taken, and the remainder is related to NOL carryforwards. If recognized, $47 million of the uncertain tax positions identified would have an effect on the effective tax rate. As of December 31, 2024, we had $1 million accrued for interest related to these uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2023, we hadno amounts accrued for interest related to these uncertain tax positions. We recognize interest related to uncertain tax positions as a component of interest expense. Penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions would be recorded in other expenses.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

Our federal and state income tax returns are subject to examination by federal and state tax authorities. Our tax years 2021 through 2024 remain open for all purposes of examination by the IRS as well as the Southwestern 2021 through 2023 returns, the Southwestern short period return for January 1, 2024 through October 1, 2024, and the Vine short period return for January 1, 2021 through November 1, 2021. However, certain earlier tax years remain open for adjustment to the extent of their NOL carryforwards available for future utilization.

In addition, tax years 2021 through 2024 as well as certain earlier years remain open for examination by state tax authorities. We do not anticipate that the outcome of any federal or state audit will have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Common Stock

On March 9, 2022, we completed the Marcellus Acquisition and issued 9,442,185 shares of common stock. On October 1, 2024, we issued 95,700,325 shares of our common stock to Southwestern’s shareholders in connection with the closing of the Southwestern Merger. See further discussion of both transactions in Note 2.

During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022,468,723,12,089 and 439,370 reserved shares, respectively, were issued to resolve allowed General Unsecured Claims.

Dividends

In May 2021, we initiated an annual base dividend on our shares of common stock, expected to be paid quarterly. In March 2022, we adopted a variable return program that resulted in the payment of an additional variable dividend equal to the sum of Adjusted Free Cash Flow from the prior quarter less the base quarterly dividend, multiplied by 50%. The following table summarizes our dividend payments during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022:

On February 26, 2025, we declared a base quarterly dividend payable of $0.575 per share, which will be paid on March 27, 2025 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 11, 2025.

Share Repurchase Programs

As of December 2, 2021, the Company was authorized to purchase up to $1.0 billion of the Company’s common stock and/or warrants under a share repurchase program, and in March 2022, we commenced our share repurchase program. In June 2022, our Board of Directors authorized an expansion of the share repurchase program by $1.0 billion, bringing the total authorized share repurchase amount to $2.0 billion for common stock and/or warrants. The $2.0 billion share repurchase program expired on December 31, 2023.

The table below presents the shares purchased under the $2.0 billion share repurchase program.

The repurchased shares of common stock were retired and recorded as a reduction to common stock and retained earnings. All share repurchases made after January 1, 2023 are subject to a 1% excise tax on share repurchases, as enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. We are able to net this 1% excise tax on share repurchases against certain issuance of shares of our common stock. The impact of this 1% excise tax was immaterial during the year ended December 31, 2023.

On October 22, 2024, our Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $1.0 billion, in aggregate, of the Company’s common stock and/or warrants under a new share repurchase program.

Enhanced Returns Framework

In October 2024, we announced our enhanced capital returns framework which is designed to more effectively return cash to shareholders and reduce net debt. The plan became effective January 1, 2025, and prioritizes the base dividend of $2.30 per share and a targeted $500 million of annual net debt reduction in 2025, which target will be redetermined annually. Once both have been funded, it is anticipated that 75% of remaining free cash flow will be distributed as market conditions warrant, between share repurchases and additional dividend payments. The remaining free cash flow will be maintained on the balance sheet.

Warrants

(a)As of December 31, 2024, we had 582,109 of reserved Class C Warrants.

(b)During the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we issued 4,083,103 and 221,952 common shares, respectively, as a result of Warrant exercises. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we issued 18,408,228 common shares as a result of Warrant exercises, inclusive of the shares issued as part of the Warrant exchange offers described below.

Our Class A, Class B and Class C Warrants were initially exercisable forone share of common stock per Warrant at initial exercise prices of $27.63, $32.13 and $36.18 per share, respectively, subject to adjustments pursuant to the terms of the Warrants. The Warrants are exercisable until February 9, 2026. The Warrants contain customary anti-dilution adjustments in the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, reclassification, stock dividend or other distributions. The exercise prices of the Warrants were adjusted to prevent the dilution of rights for the effects of the quarterly dividend distribution on December 4, 2024, and the adjusted exercise prices are $22.58, $26.25, and $29.56 per share for the Class A, Class B and Class C Warrants, respectively. Additionally, we have recalculated the number of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of each of the Class A, Class B and Class C Warrants, respectively, and as a result,1.22 shares are issuable upon the exercise of a Class A, Class B or Class C Warrant.

On August 18, 2022, we announced exchange offers relating to our outstanding Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants and Class C Warrants. The exchange offers expired on October 7, 2022 and resulted in the issuance of 16,305,984 shares of our common stock in exchange for the cancellation of (i)4,752,207 Class A Warrants, (ii)7,879,030 Class B Warrants and (iii)7,252,004 Class C Warrants. Under the exchange offers, the Warrants were exchanged in a cashless transaction and were converted to shares of our common stock at a ratio of 0.8636 for Class A Warrants,0.8224 for Class B Warrants and 0.7890 for Class C Warrants, respectively. As the fair value of the common stock issued was greater than the fair value of the Warrants tendered in the exchange offers due to stated exchange premiums, we recorded a non-cash deemed dividend of $67 million. Such fair values were determined using our stock price that is considered a Level 1 input.

Our long-term incentive plan, as amended and adopted by our Board of Directors (the “LTIP”), provides for the grant of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), restricted stock awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards and other stock awards to the Company’s employees and non-employee directors and has a share reserve equal to 6,800,000 shares of common stock.

Restricted Stock Units. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, we granted RSUs to employees and non-employee directors under the LTIP, which will vest over athree-year tofive-year period andone-year period, respectively. The fair value of RSUs is based on the closing sales price of our common stock on the date of grant, and compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period. A summary of the changes in unvested RSUs is presented below:

(a)Approximately 5.2 million Southwestern RSUs were converted to 478 thousand Company RSUs, of which approximately 384 thousand RSUs were accelerated. We recognized the accelerated share-based compensation expense related to these awards in other operating expense, net on our consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, approximately 105 thousand RSUs were accelerated related to one-time termination benefits for certain employees.

The aggregate intrinsic value of RSUs that vested during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was approximately $77 million, $25 million and $26 million, respectively, based on the stock price at the time of vesting.

As of December 31, 2024, there was approximately $46 millionof total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.04 years.

Performance Share Units. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, we granted performance share units (“PSUs”) to senior management under the LTIP, which will generally vest over athree-year period and will be settled in shares. The performance criteria include total shareholder return (“TSR”) and relative TSR (“rTSR”) and could result in a total payout between 0% -200% of the target units. The fair value of the PSUs was measured on the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation, and compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period because these awards depend on a combination of service and market criteria.

The following table presents the assumptions used in the valuation of the PSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.

A summary of the changes in unvested PSUs is presented below:

The aggregate intrinsic value of PSUs that vested during the year ended December 31, 2024 was approximately $19 million based on the stock price at the time of vesting.

As of December 31, 2024, there was approximately $14 millionof total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested PSUs. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.84 years.

RSU and PSU Compensation.

We recognized the following compensation costs, net of actual forfeitures, related to RSUs and PSUs for the periods presented:

Our qualified 401(k) profit sharing plan (“401(k) Plan”) is the Expand Energy Corporation 401(k) Plan, which is open to employees of Expand Energy and all our subsidiaries. Eligible employees may elect to defer compensation through voluntary contributions to their 401(k) Plan accounts, subject to plan limits and those set by the IRS. We match employee contributions dollar for dollar (subject to a maximum contribution of 6% of an employee's base salary and performance bonus) in cash. In addition to our employer match contributions, in 2022 we commenced a discretionary fixed dollar contribution benefit for all employees, paid quarterly, which is based upon a calculation of 1% of Adjusted Free Cash Flow less the base quarterly dividend. This discretionary fixed dollar contribution is subject to an annual maximum contribution of $15,000 per employee. We contributed $8 million, $13 million and $22 million to the 401(k) Plan during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

We use derivative instruments to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in future commodity prices and to protect our expected operating cash flow against significant market movements or volatility. All of our natural gas, oil and NGL derivative instruments are net settled based on the difference between the fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty. None of our open natural gas, oil and NGL derivative instruments were designated for hedge accounting as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Natural Gas, Oil and NGL Derivatives

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, our natural gas, oil and NGL derivative instruments consisted of the following types of instruments:

•Swaps: We receive a fixed price and pay a floating market price to the counterparty for the hedged commodity. In exchange for higher fixed prices on certain of our swap trades, we may sell call options and swap options.

•Options: We have bought and sold call options in exchange for a premium. At the time of settlement, if the market price exceeded the fixed price of the call option, we paid the counterparty the excess on sold call options and received the excess on bought call options. If the market price settled below the fixed price of the call option, no payment was due from either party.

•Collars: These instruments contain a fixed floor price (put) and ceiling price (call). If the market price exceeds the call strike price or falls below the put strike price, we receive the fixed price and pay the market price. If the market price is between the put and the call strike prices, no payments are due from either party. Three-way collars included the sale by us of an additional put option in exchange for a more favorable strike price on the call option. This eliminated the counterparty’s downside exposure below the second put option strike price.

•Basis Protection Swaps: These instruments are arrangements that guarantee a fixed price differential to NYMEX from a specified delivery point. We receive the fixed price differential and pay the floating market price differential to the counterparty for the hedged commodity.

Contingent Consideration Arrangement

In November 2023, we sold the final portion of our Eagle Ford assets to SilverBow. As part of the divestiture agreement, SilverBow agreed to pay the Company an additional contingent payment of $25 million should WTI NYMEX prices average between $75 and $80 per barrel or $50 million should WTI NYMEX prices average above $80 per barrel during the year following the close of the transaction. On July 30, 2024, Crescent acquired SilverBow. The changes in fair value, and the realized gains were recognized as a gain or loss in earnings in the period they occurred within natural gas, oil and NGL derivatives in our consolidated statements of operations. During 2024, we received the contingent payment of $25 million from Crescent based upon the average NYMEX prices during the year following the close of the transaction.

The estimated fair values of our natural gas, oil and NGL derivative instrument assets (liabilities) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 are provided below:

Effect of Derivative Instruments – Consolidated Balance Sheets

The following table presents the fair value and location of each classification of derivative instrument included in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 on a gross basis and after same-counterparty netting:

(a)These financial assets (liabilities) are measured at fair value on a recurring basis utilizing significant other observable inputs; see further discussion on fair value measurements below.

Fair Value

The fair value of our commodity derivatives is based on third-party pricing models, which utilize inputs that are either readily available in the public market, such as natural gas, oil and NGL forward curves and discount rates, or can be corroborated from active markets or broker quotes, and, as such, are classified as Level 2. These values are compared to the values given by our counterparties for reasonableness. Derivatives are also subject to the risk that either party to a contract will be unable to meet its obligations. We factor non-performance risk into the valuation of our derivatives using current published credit default swap rates. To date, this has not had a material impact on the values of our derivatives. The valuation of the contingent consideration is based on an option pricing model using significant Level 2 inputs that include quoted future commodity prices based on active markets.

Credit Risk Considerations

Our derivative instruments expose us to our counterparties’ credit risk. To mitigate this risk, we only enter into commodity contracts derivatives with counterparties that are highly rated or deemed by us to have acceptable credit strength and deemed by management to be competent and competitive market-makers, and we attempt to limit our exposure to non-performance by any single counterparty. As of December 31, 2024, our commodity contracts derivative instruments were spread among 20 counterparties.

Hedging Arrangements

Certain of our hedging arrangements are with counterparties that are also Lenders (or affiliates of Lenders) under our Credit Facility. The contracts entered into with these counterparties were previously secured by the same collateral that secured the Pre-IG Credit Facility, but such collateral was released on October 28, 2024 in connection with the Investment Grade Credit Agreement Amendment. We do not expect to post cash or letters of credit to secure our obligations under such contracts while we have the investment grade ratings described in Note 4. The obligations under these contracts must be secured by cash or letters of credit to the extent that any mark-to-market amounts exceed defined thresholds. As of December 31, 2024, we didnot have any cash or letters of credit posted as collateral for our commodity derivatives.

A summary of other property and equipment held for use and the estimated useful lives thereof is as follows:

(a)These assets were acquired as a result of the Southwestern Merger. See Note 2 for further discussion of this transaction.

Momentum Sustainable Ventures LLC. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with Momentum Sustainable Ventures LLC to build a new natural gas gathering pipeline and carbon capture project, which will gather and treat natural gas produced in the Haynesville Shale for re-delivery to Gulf Coast markets, including LNG export. The pipeline is expected to have an initial capacity of 1.7 Bcf/d expandable to 2.2 Bcf/d. The carbon capture portion of the project anticipates capturing approximately 1.0 million tons per annum of CO2 and delivering the CO2 to ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions Onshore Storage, LLC for additional transportation and storage. The natural gas gathering pipeline is projected for a potential in-service date in the fourth quarter of 2025. We have a 35% interest in the joint venture entity. We have accounted for this investment as an equity method investment, and its carrying value, which is reflected within other long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets, was $307 million and $238 million as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, the carrying value of our investment included approximately $17 million of capitalized interest related to the project.

The components of the change in our asset retirement obligations are shown below:

(a) During the year ended December 31, 2024, approximately $251 million of additions relate to the Southwestern Merger. See Note 2 for further discussion of this transaction.

(b) Revisions primarily represent changes in the present value of liabilities resulting from changes in estimated costs and economic lives of producing properties.

(c) During the year ended December 31, 2023, approximately $64 million of disposals related to the divestitures of our Eagle Ford assets. See Note 2 for further discussion of these transactions.

Supplemental disclosures to the consolidated statements of cash flows are presented below.

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses for which separate operational financial information is available and is regularly evaluated by the CODM, who is our Chief Executive Officer, for the purpose of allocating an enterprise’s resources and assessing its operating performance. Our revenues are derived from the production, marketing and sale of natural gas, oil and NGL. Additional information on our revenues, including the disaggregation of our revenues and major customers, is found in Note 8. As of December 31, 2024, we considered each of our operating areas as operating segments, however, we have aggregated those operating segments intoone reportable segment due to the similar nature of the exploration and production business across Expand Energy and its consolidated subsidiaries and the fact that our marketing activities are ancillary to our operations.

Our CODM uses consolidated net income (loss), for purposes of allocating resources and in assessing Expand Energy’s operating performance. Additionally, our CODM is regularly provided information on production expense, gathering, processing and transportation expense, severance and ad valorem taxes and general and administrative expense, which are our significant segment expenses. Other segment items primarily consist of depreciation, depletion and amortization, marketing expense, interest expense and income tax expense (benefit). Our significant segment expenses and other segment items are derived from, and can be found within the consolidated statements of operations.

The measure of segment assets is total assets as reported on our consolidated balance sheets, and as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 our total assets were $27,894 million and $14,376 million, respectively. Additionally, in analyzing company performance, our CODM reviews capital expenditures. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, our capital expenditures were $1,529 million, $1,782 million and $1,936 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, we contributed approximately $58 million, $220 million and $18 million, respectively, to equity method investments, which primarily consisted of our investment with Momentum Sustainable Ventures LLC. Additional discussion around our investment with Momentum Sustainable Ventures LLC is in Note 15. Our interest revenue during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $45 million, $29 million and $1 million, respectively.