Houston-based Devon Energy (DVN) expects its 2026 production to average 1.38 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, following the completion of its merger with Coterra Energy.
The company also raised its capital spending outlook to $4.9 billion for the whole of 2026, with more than 60% earmarked for the Permian Basin region, across 31 rigs and 10 completion crews, with an estimated 460 to 480 wells set to come online.
Prior to the $58 billion merger that closed in May, the company had expected output of 845,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, with capital expenditures in the range of $3.5 billion to $3.7 billion for the year.
Devon is working to concentrate its portfolio around the Permian, aimed at maximizing shareholder gains. It expects to capture $600 million in synergies from the merger in 2027, and is on track for $1.0 billion in pre-tax synergies by end of 2027.
"Optimizing our portfolio remains a top priority, and a complete review of our strategic and financial criteria is well underway," Devon CEO Clay Gaspar said.
In addition to its growing capital expenditures, the company plans to return 70% of its free cash flow to investors in the form of a fixed quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share, alongside its $8 billion stock buyback program that was announced previously.
It also plans to pay back $1.25 billion in debt during the year, with its total outstanding debt currently at $8.7 billion, in a bid to bolster balance sheet strength.