Rusty Hutson, CEO of Diversified Energy Company (DEC), grew up in West Virginia, a place that taught him the value of perseverance. “I come from an area where you have to work hard to be successful,” he reflects, noting that he could either let his environment drive his success or allow it to become an excuse for not succeeding. He chose the former, becoming the first in his family to attend university, despite his family’s deep ties to the oil and gas industry.
Surprisingly, Hutson didn’t follow a traditional path within the field, opting instead to study accounting at West Virginia’s Fairmont State University. However, his connection to oil and gas remained strong. While working in banking, including senior roles at Bank One and Compass Bank, he was drawn back to the energy sector. In the late 1990s, he bought his first wells with a home equity loan, followed quickly by the purchase of 40 more wells in West Virginia, marking the beginning of DEC.
For several years, Hutson juggled his full-time banking career in Birmingham, Alabama, while expanding DEC on the side. By 2005, he was ready to fully commit, growing the company beyond its West Virginian base into Ohio and Pennsylvania. By 2017, DEC went public on the London Stock Exchange, and in 2022, it also joined the New York Stock Exchange. DEC now produces around 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, predominantly natural gas, with small portions of NGL and oil.
DEC’s approach has diverged significantly from traditional exploration and production models. Instead of continuously drilling new wells, the company focuses on acquiring, managing, optimising, and responsibly retiring existing wells. This distinct approach has allowed DEC to operate across various basins, expanding its footprint into states like Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana while maintaining a presence in the northeastern states where it originated.
Beyond its operational strategy, DEC is dedicated to sustainability and community support. The company has made notable progress in emissions management, reducing methane intensity by 50% by 2023—well ahead of its original 2030 goal. DEC’s commitment to environmental standards has earned it an AA MSCI ESG rating and a prestigious OGMP 2.0 gold star rating.
Hutson’s commitment extends to community involvement, with DEC investing over US$2.1 million in outreach, including university scholarships and paid internships. As the official energy partner of West Virginia University (WVU) and a recent appointee to its Board of Governors, Hutson sees value beyond charity. “What I really love about our community involvement is that our employees are involved,” he explains, appreciating how his team’s engagement reinforces DEC’s connection to the communities they serve.
At its core, Hutson emphasises that DEC’s success hinges on its employees. Their dedication fuels not just the company’s growth but also a larger mission: “We’re energising our country and providing a much-needed energy source, contributing to national security.” Hutson sees DEC’s work as an essential service, creating jobs, fostering sustainability, and reinforcing the vital role of domestic energy production.
DEC’s journey under Hutson’s leadership reflects both strategic focus and a commitment to community and sustainability, aiming to balance business growth with responsible practices that support employees and the wider community.
Diversified Energy Company plc (LON:DEC) is an independent energy company engaged in the production, marketing, transportation and retirement of primarily natural gas and natural gas liquids related to its U.S. onshore upstream and midstream assets.
