Southwestern Energy Co. expects to spend more in the Haynesville Shale during 2022 after entering the play last year to become the nation’s second largest natural gas producer.

Haynesville Prices

The Houston-based independent also became the Haynesville’s largest operator after acquiring Indigo Natural Resources LLC in September and completed the GEP Haynesville takeover at year’s end. As a result, the fourth quarter results did not include the GEP operations.

“Now that we have assumed operations, we see an opportunity to improve on the overall operational execution by leveraging our full field development expertise,” COO Clay Carrell said during a year-end call to discuss the financial results.

The company was still active in the play during the fourth quarter, when it turned 21...