Diversified Energy Company (NYSE: DEC) Under Investigation by Highful Law PLLC

Law Firm Investigates Potential Breaches of Fiduciary Duty Related to Decommissioning Liabilities

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Highful Law PLLC is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duty by the directors and officers of Diversified Energy Company (NYSE: DEC) related to the Company's Asset Retirement Obligations for well decommissioning.

Diversified Energy is the largest owner of natural gas wells in the United States, with over 73,000 wells across the Appalachian Basin and Central Region. The Company discloses approximately $642 million in Asset Retirement Obligations—an average of roughly $8,800 per well. Industry benchmarks for decommissioning costs, however, range from $50,000 to $150,000 per well, suggesting actual liabilities may be $3 billion to $5 billion higher than disclosed.

In November 2024, Diversified settled a class action brought by West Virginia landowners, agreeing to plug 2,600 wells by 2034—a 4.5-fold increase over prior commitments. At the Company's current plugging rate, its full well inventory would take over 200 years to retire. Congressional Democrats have formally questioned whether Diversified is "severely underestimating" its plugging costs, citing independent estimates of over $2 billion in deferred environmental liabilities.

Highful Law PLLC is investigating whether Diversified's directors breached their fiduciary duties by permitting materially understated decommissioning liability disclosures and failing to implement adequate oversight of this mission-critical risk.

If you are a Diversified Energy shareholder with information relevant to this investigation, please contact Highful Law PLLC at [e-mail] or [phone].

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About Highful Law PLLC

Highful Law PLLC is a boutique law firm in Austin, Texas, dedicated to representing plaintiffs in securities litigation. With a focus on strategic, client-centered representation, the firm combines defense-side insight with a commitment to corporate accountability. Find out more at www.highful.law.