Devon, Coterra begin integration work ahead of projected close (CTRA)

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Devon Energy Corporation and Coterra Energy have begun formal merger integration planning ahead of a projected close in the second quarter. An integration steering team was named and McKinsey & Co. was selected as an external integration adviser. Devon and Coterra state they will continue to operate independently until closing and that Devon will file a registration statement on Form S-4 to register shares to be issued in the proposed transaction. The companies say the integration will be co-led by Devon’s Trey Lowe and Coterra’s Blake Sirgo and that the integration management team will provide ongoing milestone updates.

Insights

M&A Integration Expert

Integration planning has formally started with a named steering team and an external adviser.

The communication confirms that integration planning officially kicks off, with McKinsey & Co. engaged and co-leads from Devon and Coterra assigned. The message emphasizes governance (an integration management team) and ongoing milestone updates.

The companies project a close in the second quarter; until then they will operate independently and will file a Form S-4. Execution risks include regulatory approvals and successful technology/IT integration, which are noted as potential contingencies in the statement.

Filed by Devon Energy Corporation

Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933

and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

Subject Company: Coterra Energy Inc.

Commission File No.: 1-10447

Strata Article Title: Message from Clay

Good morning Devon Team -

I hope you were able to listen to the Q4 Earnings call yesterday and hear details about our strong Q4 results. I am very proud of our shared successes, EDGE accomplishments, and technology adoption. Today I have some additional and important merger-related information to share with you.

Merger integration planning officially kicks off today. We’ve named an integration steering team and selected an external partner, McKinsey & Co., to support our integration efforts. Taking this step will set us up for success Day One post-close. I’m confident by uniting our talent and expertise, we’ll unlock new opportunities and set a new standard for operational excellence in our industry. As we launch this work, I ask that each of you remain focused, work safely, and support each other throughout the integration process.

The executive team is committed to move swiftly and thoughtfully through integration efforts. We are equally committed to unlocking the synergies and driving the performance gains that will allow the go-forward Devon to be a powerhouse in our industry. Moving forward, all merger integration planning will be an ongoing collaboration, co-led by Devon’s Trey Lowe, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer and Coterra’s Blake Sirgo, Executive Vice President, Business Units.

Trey and Blake will do a great job leading this work, and I’m excited the expertise each of the team leads will bring to their roles. The combined integration management team includes the people below. This team will provide ongoing integration progress updates as milestones are achieved.

Integration Management Team		DVN Lead		CTRA Lead
Master Planning/Lead		Justin Porter, VP Delaware Business Unit		Bryan Phillips, VP Business Units & Strategic Planning
Synergy/Value Capture		Scott Coody, VP Strategic Planning		Daniel Guffey, SVP Finance, Investor Relations, & Treasury
Org Design & Talent		Cathy Lebsack, VP Human Resources		Philip Johnson, VP Production
Culture, Change Management, & Communication		Cathy Lebsack, VP Human Resources		Shelley Conroy, Director Organizational Development
Technology & AI Roadmap		Heath Satterfield, VP and CIO		Doyle Kindle, Director Data Technology Jeff Minor, Director IT Security
Planning / Capital Allocation		Cory DeSantis, Director Asset Planning		Rita Behm, VP Corporate Engineering

Timing of merger closing date: Both Devon and Coterra are working to achieve the necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals and continue to project a close in the second quarter.

It’s important to remember that until close, Devon and Coterra continue to operate as independent companies. Until then, please stay safe and focused on your day-to-day responsibilities.

~ Clay

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

In connection with the proposed merger (the “Proposed Transaction”) of Devon Energy Corporation (“Devon”) and Coterra Energy Inc. (“Coterra”), Devon will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the shares of Devon’s common stock to be issued in connection with the Proposed Transaction. The registration statement will include a document that serves as a prospectus of Devon and a joint proxy statement of each of Devon and Coterra (the “joint proxy statement/prospectus”), and each party will file other documents regarding the Proposed Transaction with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF DEVON AND COTERRA ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DEVON, COTERRA, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. A definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to stockholders of each of Devon and Coterra when it becomes available. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain copies of the registration statement and the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents containing important information about Devon and Coterra free of charge from the SEC’s website when it becomes available. The documents filed by Devon with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at Devon’s website at investors.devonenergy.com or at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These documents may also be obtained free of charge from Devon by requesting them by mail at Devon, Attn. Investor Relations, 333 West Sheridan Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. The documents filed by Coterra with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at Coterra’s website at investors.coterra.com or at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These documents may also be obtained free of charge from Coterra by requesting them by mail at Coterra, Attn: Investor Relations, Three Memorial City Plaza, 840 Gessner Road, Suite 1400, Houston, Texas 77024.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

Devon, Coterra and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Devon’s and Coterra’s stockholders with respect to the Proposed Transaction. Information about Devon’s directors and executive officers is available in Devon’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2025 fiscal year filed with the SEC on February 18, 2026 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090012/000119312526056485/dvn-20251231.htm), and its definitive proxy statement for the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders filed with the SEC on April 23, 2025 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0001090012/000110465925037545/tm252204-6_def14a.htm). Information about Coterra’s directors and executive officers is available in Coterra’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2024 fiscal year filed with the SEC on February 25, 2025 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000858470/000085847025000075/cog-20241231.htm), and its definitive proxy statement for the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders filed with the SEC on March 20, 2025 (and which is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000858470/000110465925026126/tm2429648-2_def14a.htm). Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the registration statement, the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the Proposed Transaction when they become available. Stockholders, potential investors and other readers should read the joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions.

NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION

This communication is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote of approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication includes “forward-looking statements” as defined by the SEC. Such statements include those concerning strategic plans, Devon’s and Coterra’s expectations and objectives for future operations, as well as other future events or conditions, and are often identified by use of the words and phrases such as “expects,” “believes,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “continue,” “may,” “aims,” “likely to be,” “intends,” “forecasts,” “projections,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expectations,” “targets,” “opportunities,” “potential,” “anticipates,” “outlook” and other similar terminology. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this communication that address activities, events or developments that Devon or Coterra expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Devon’s and Coterra’s control. Consequently, actual future results could differ materially and adversely from Devon’s and Coterra’s expectations due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to those, identified below.

With respect to the Proposed Transaction, these factors could include, but are not limited to: the risk that Devon or Coterra may be unable to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals required for the Proposed Transaction, or that required governmental and regulatory approvals may delay the Proposed Transaction or result in the imposition of conditions that could reduce the anticipated benefits from the Proposed Transaction or cause the parties to abandon the Proposed Transaction; the risk that a condition to closing of the Proposed Transaction may not be satisfied; the length of time necessary to consummate the Proposed Transaction, which may be longer than anticipated for various reasons; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings, synergies and growth from the Proposed Transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the expected dividends and share repurchases, as well as related growth and yield, may not be approved by the board of directors of the combined company or realized on the stated timeline or at all; the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; the effect of future regulatory or legislative actions on the companies or the industries in which they operate; the risk that the credit ratings of the combined company or its subsidiaries may be different from what the companies expect; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation; changes in the general economic environment, or social or political conditions, that could affect the businesses; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the Proposed Transaction on relationships with customers, suppliers, competitors, business partners, management and other employees; the ability to hire and retain key personnel; reliance on and integration of information technology systems; the risks associated with assumptions the parties make in connection with the parties’ critical accounting estimates and legal proceedings; the volatility of oil, gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) prices, including from changes in trade relations and policies, such as the imposition of tariffs by the U.S., China or other countries; uncertainties inherent in estimating oil, gas and NGL reserves; the uncertainties, costs and risks involved in Devon’s and Coterra’s operations; natural disasters and epidemics; counterparty credit risks; risks relating to Devon’s and Coterra’s indebtedness; risks related to Devon’s and Coterra’s hedging activities; risks related to Devon’s and Coterra’s environmental, social and governance initiatives; claims, audits and other proceedings impacting the business of Devon or Coterra, including with respect to historic and legacy operations; governmental interventions in energy markets; competition for assets, materials, people and capital, which can be exacerbated by supply chain disruptions, including as a result of tariffs or other changes in trade policy; regulatory restrictions, compliance costs and other risks relating to governmental regulation, including with respect to federal lands, environmental matters and water disposal; cybersecurity risks; risks associated with artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies; Devon’s and Coterra’s limited control over third parties who operate some of their respective oil and gas properties and investments; midstream capacity constraints and potential interruptions in production, including from limits to the build out of midstream infrastructure; the extent to which insurance covers any losses Devon or Coterra may experience; risks related to shareholder activism; general domestic and international economic and political conditions; the impact of a prolonged federal, state or local government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit; as well as changes in tax, environmental and other laws, including court rulings, applicable to Devon’s and Coterra’s respective businesses.

Additional information concerning other risk factors is also contained in Devon’s and Coterra’s most recently filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other SEC filings.

Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond Devon’s or Coterra’s ability to control or predict. Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Nothing in this communication is intended, or is to be construed, as a profit forecast or to be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of Devon or Coterra for the current or any future financial years or those of the combined company, will necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of Devon or Coterra, as applicable. Neither Devon nor Coterra gives any assurance (1) that either Devon or Coterra will achieve their expectations, or (2) concerning any result or the timing thereof, in each case, with respect to the Proposed Transaction or any regulatory action, administrative proceedings, government investigations, litigation, warning letters, consent decree, cost reductions, business strategies, earnings or revenue trends or future financial results.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning Devon, Coterra, the Proposed Transaction, the combined company or other matters and attributable to Devon or Coterra or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Devon and Coterra do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any duty to update or revise their respective forward-looking statements based on new information, future events or otherwise.

FAQ

What did Devon and Coterra announce about the merger integration?

They announced that merger integration planning has officially begun and that an integration steering team was named. They selected McKinsey & Co. to support integration and named co-leads Trey Lowe (Devon) and Blake Sirgo (Coterra).

When do Devon and Coterra project the merger to close?

Both companies project a close in the second quarter. The communication reiterates that necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals remain required and that timing is therefore conditional.

Will Devon and Coterra operate together before the merger closes?

No; the companies stated they will operate as independent companies until the merger closes. Integration planning is underway, but day-to-day operations remain separate until closing.

What SEC filings did the announcement say will be made?

Devon stated it will file a registration statement on Form S-4 to register Devon shares to be issued in the proposed transaction, and a joint proxy statement/prospectus will be provided to stockholders.

Who are the integration co-leads named in the communication?

Integration planning will be co-led by Devon’s Trey Lowe, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, and Coterra’s Blake Sirgo, Executive Vice President, Business Units, per the message.