U.S.-based Diversified Energy has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Maverick Natural Resources from EIG Global Energy Partners for approximately $1.275 billion, including assumed debt. The deal marks Diversified’s entry into the Permian Basin—an opportunity the company’s leadership sees as a key step toward expanding their oil and gas production footprint.
The acquisition puts together two complementary asset portfolios, pairing Maverick’s strong liquids output with Diversified’s established natural gas operations. Maverick, which holds producing fields in West Texas and New Mexico, adds to Diversified’s existing presence in the Appalachian and Central regions while also introducing a substantial footprint in the Cherokee Play of the Western Anadarko Basin. Altogether, the new company expects to benefit from a broader resource base, the ability to pursue high-return development projects, and enhanced free cash flow.
Following the merger, EIG will own roughly 20% of the combined entity and have two seats on the board. Diversified’s CEO, Rusty Hutson, Jr., will lead the enlarged company, while current Chair David Johnson will stay in that role. The combined enterprise value is pegged at about $3.8 billion, with production reaching around 1,200 MMcfe per day—equivalent to approximately 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily—across five operating regions. This output mix will include more liquids than Diversified’s historical portfolio, positioning the merged firm to capture market opportunities in both oil and gas segments.
Management expects significant free cash flow from these assets, which will help maintain a sustainable fixed dividend, provide room for continued share repurchases, and support disciplined debt reduction. Hutson emphasizes that Diversified’s track record of successfully integrating acquisitions and applying its “Smarter Asset Management” will unlock further operational efficiencies. The new portfolio gives the company optionality to pursue joint ventures, spur incremental organic growth, and diversify geographically into multiple high-return basins.
Beyond the production upside, the company sees strategic advantages in adding Maverick’s employees and technical capabilities. Hutson notes that Maverick’s skill set in drilling and developing assets will mesh with Diversified’s established operational framework, creating a stronger, more resilient producer of American energy. As the deal closes, investors anticipate greater scale, more consistent returns, and a solid runway for future expansion—helping the combined company maintain a competitive edge in an industry reshaped by mergers and acquisitions over the past few years.
