8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 26, 2009

SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

1-08246	71-0205415
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

2350 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E., Suite 125, Houston, Texas	77032
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(281) 618-4700

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

       o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 5 - Corporate Governance and Management

Item 5.02(b)-(c), (e) Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b)-(c) On February 26, 2009, Southwestern Energy Company (the “Company”) announced that Harold M. Korell intends to retire as an executive of the Company in the first quarter of 2010.  In connection with Mr. Korell’s retirement, the company intends to promote Steven L. Mueller, 55, to Chief Executive Officer on May 19, 2009. Mr. Korell is the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and the company intends to have Mr. Korell serve as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors upon his re-election at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders until his retirement, after which he would be the non-executive Chairman of the Board until the 2010 Annual Meeting.  At the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Mr. Korell will seek re-election to the Board.  

A graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, Mr. Mueller has over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry.  Since June 2, 2008, Mr. Mueller has served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company.  Prior to joining the Company, from September 2007, Mr. Mueller served as the Executive Vice President of CDX Gas, LLC.   Prior to that, he was employed with The Houston Exploration Company, where he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from November 2004 through June 2007 and the Senior Vice President and GM Onshore from September 2001 through November 2004.   

(e)  No changes were made to the compensation arrangements of Mr. Korell or Mr. Mueller in connection with matters described above.

Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Press release dated February 26, 2009.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY
Dated: February 27, 2009	By:	/s/ GREG D. KERLEY
	Name:	Greg D. Kerley
	Title:	Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release dated February 26, 2009.

EX-99

2350 N. Sam Houston Parkway East Suite 125 Houston, Texas  77032 (281) 618-4700     Fax: (281) 618-4820

NEWS RELEASE

SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY ANNOUNCES SUCCESSION PLANS

Steven L. Mueller to be Promoted to Chief Executive Officer

Houston, Texas – February 26, 2009…Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE: SWN) today announced that Harold M. Korell intends to retire as an executive of the company in the first quarter of 2010.  In connection with Mr. Korell’s retirement, the company intends to promote Steven L. Mueller to Chief Executive Officer on May 19, 2009.  With over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Mr. Mueller joined Southwestern in June 2008 as President and Chief Operating Officer.  A graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, Mr. Mueller has served in multiple operational and managerial roles at Tenneco Oil Company, Fina Oil Company, American Exploration Company, Belco Oil & Gas Company, The Houston Exploration Company and CDX Gas, LLC.  

The company intends to have Mr. Korell serve as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors until his retirement, after which he will become the non-executive Chairman of the Board.  At the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Mr. Korell will seek re-election to the Board.  The company also announced that Mr. Korell has advised that he will be making certain sales in his stock holdings in preparation for his retirement.

Mr. Korell joined Southwestern in 1997 and has served as the Chief Executive Officer since January 1999.  Over the last 10 years, he has orchestrated the transformation of Southwestern Energy Company from a little-known utility company with E&P operations into one of the leading E&P companies in the United States today.  Under his leadership, the company’s market capitalization has grown from $187 million at year-end 1998 to over $9 billion today, resulting in Southwestern Energy being one of the best performing stocks over that time period.  

“This has been a fabulous experience for me personally and for all of the employees of Southwestern Energy Company,” stated Harold M. Korell. “We have seen amazing value creation for our shareholders and I’m so proud to have been a part of the process.  It has been the full experience of the American dream, and I have been privileged to live it.  I look forward to my continued involvement with the company.  I have known Steve Mueller for many years and have had the good fortune to work with him at Tenneco, American Exploration and now here at Southwestern.  His leadership, technical abilities and focus on value creation are tremendous assets to our company.  We are extremely fortunate to have Steve and our strong management team to guide Southwestern Energy Company into the future.”

- MORE –

Southwestern Energy Company is an independent energy company whose wholly-owned subsidiaries are engaged in oil and gas exploration and production, natural gas gathering and marketing. Additional information on the company can be found on the Internet at http://www.swn.com.

Contacts:

Greg D. Kerley

Brad D. Sylvester, CFA

Executive Vice President

Vice President, Investor Relations

and Chief Financial Officer

           (281) 618-4897

(281) 618-4803

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