Denver-based Whiting Petroleum Corp. began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday after exiting Chapter 11 with less debt and an overhauled management team.

The exploration and production (E&P) operator filed for voluntary protection under Chapter 11 in March as Covid-19 began to smother oil and gas demand. Whiting’s largest E&P projects are in the Bakken Shale and Three Forks plays in North Dakota, where it is one of the top producers. It also has stakes in the Niobrara formation in northeastern Colorado. 

“We are excited to begin our new chapter at Whiting, with a focus on capital discipline and free cash flow generation to create long-term value for our shareholders,” said newly appointed CEO Lynn Peterson.

Peterson, who has 40 years of industry...