2013: 640 OKC Chesapeake Employees Let Go In October 2013

Tuesday, October 13, 2013 afternoon approximately 800 employees nationwide were let go from Chesapeake Energy, including 640 in Oklahoma City.

On September 24, 2013 Chesapeake laid off 86 employees. Those changes came about two weeks after several vice presidents were let go. The executives had served for several years under co-founder and former CEO Aubrey McClendon.

The workforce reductions were part of a company-wide reorganization called for by new CEO Doug Lawler, in order to make Chesapeake a more "sustainable, profitable company in the energy sector."

In a letter sent to Chesapeake employees, Lawler stated,

"The organizational restructuring targeted to be complete by November 1 has concluded, and the initial transformation work is finished. By scaling E&P support services, reducing management layers, and aligning resources with a sharpened focus on accountability and efficiency, we have created a business built to deliver a sustainable and profitable future. As a result of the restructuring, approximately 800 employees – in various groups including Land, Operations, IT, HR, Legal, Facilities, A&D, Finance and Accounting – were informed today that they will be leaving the company."

Officials say currently, they have 6,000 employees in Oklahoma, including 3,500 in Oklahoma City. And they still have 11,000 employees nationwide.