NEW YORK, May 5 (Reuters) - Gulfport Energy ( GPOR )

named Domenic Dell'Osso on Tuesday as the next chief executive

of the U.S. natural gas-focused producer.

The move, confirming news published by Reuters earlier in the

day, comes three months after Dell'Osso left the CEO role at

larger rival Expand Energy ( EXE ). Dell'Osso will assume the

Gulfport job on May 28, according to a company statement.

"Gulfport is incredibly well-positioned with a high-quality,

deep and concentrated asset base adjacent to growing demand

centers, a strong balance sheet and a talented team from top to

bottom," Dell'Osso said in the statement.

"The macro environment combined with the uniquely attractive

elements of this company create the foundation for long-term

success."

Known as Nick, Dell'Osso ran Expand Energy ( EXE ) as well as

Chesapeake Energy, which combined with Southwestern Energy in

2024 to create Expand. His departure, from a company he first

joined in 2008 and which included more than a decade serving as

chief financial officer of Chesapeake, was announced alongside

news that Expand was set to move its headquarters to Houston

from Oklahoma City by the middle of 2026.

Gulfport has been without a permanent CEO since it was announced

on March 9 that John Reinhart was leaving after three years atop

the company. It has been run in the interim by a board committee

headed by Chairman Timothy Cutt, who praised Dell'Osso as a

"proven leader with the strategic vision, financial discipline

and operational expertise to propel Gulfport forward".

Gulfport operates in Appalachian shale basins and Oklahoma's

Midcontinent formation.