Chord Energy Corp: CEO resigns and company reports preliminary Q3 2026 results

What happened

• The filing reports that Daniel Brown notified the company on Oct 16, 2026 and resigned as president & chief executive officer and as a member of the board, effective Oct 19, 2026. The filing states Mr. Brown is resigning to pursue another professional opportunity and that his resignation was not the result of any disagreement with the company on any matter relating to operations, policies, or practices.
• The filing reports that on Oct 18, 2026 the board appointed Michael Lou as president & chief executive officer and as a director, effective Oct 19, 2026. The filing also reports that on Oct 19, 2026 the company issued a press release reporting certain preliminary financial results for the 3-month period ended Sep 30, 2026 and a press release announcing the leadership transition.

Key details

• Daniel Brown notified the company on Oct 16, 2026 and resigned effective Oct 19, 2026; because he resigned without Good Reason under the company’s Executive Severance Plan, he will not be entitled to any severance-related payments or benefits.
• Michael Lou, age 52, was appointed president & chief executive officer and director effective Oct 19, 2026; he previously served as the company’s executive vice president, chief strategy officer and chief commercial officer from Mar 2024 through Oct 2026 and as executive vice president and chief financial officer from Jul 2022 to Mar 2024.
• The filing states there are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Lou and any other persons regarding his selection, no family relationships with any director or executive officer, and no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
• As of the filing date, the company had not entered into any material plan, contract or arrangement with Mr. Lou in connection with his appointment; Mr. Lou remains subject to the company’s Executive Severance Plan and his previously reported compensatory arrangements, grants and awards remain in effect. The filing states the company intends to file an amendment to this filing containing the information called for by Item 5.02. The filing also states the press releases were furnished under General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K and are not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.

Why it may matter

• Item 5.02 of the 8-K reports the departure of a principal officer and the appointment of a new principal officer and director. Item 2.02 reports results of operations and financial condition by furnishing preliminary Q3 2026 financial results. Item 7.01 furnishes Regulation FD disclosure about the leadership transition. The filing does not show why the insider traded or why the company acted.