Oklahoma-based energy company layoffs affect Wyoming

CBS NewsChannel 5 has learned that at least 400 employees are being laid off by Chesapeake Energy Corp.

Most of the layoffs will affect its Oklahoma City-based headquarters, with the remainder hitting offices in Wyoming, Louisiana, Ohio, Texas, and Pennsylvania. That accounts for about 13 percent of the company's workforce.

Chesapeake Energy Corp. has Wyoming offices in Cheyenne, Casper, and Douglas. According to their website, there are 39 employees listed, with two rigs and one frac crew located in the Powder River Basin. A call Tuesday morning to their Cheyenne office, located within the Jonah Financial Center, only comes up with a busy signal.

The layoffs were announced Tuesday (1/30/18) in an email to employees from Chesapeake CEO Doug Lawler. In the email, he says the layoffs are part of the company's continuing effort to "structure and position" itself for success.

"The decision to reduce headcount did not come easily for the leadership team. Dedicated, value-driven, hard-working people have been affected.” Lawler said in the email, “You have my personal assurance that we are treating these employees fairly, respectfully, and with considerable effort to assist them with their personal and career transition.”

The job cuts leave Chesapeake with a total of about 2,900 employees. About 1,800 of them are in Oklahoma City. The company previously laid off more than 700 employees in 2015 in Oklahoma City.

You can read the full press release