Direct Midstream Announces Transition to Sole Ownership and Leadership Under Chris Early
Midland, Texas — March 2, 2026 — Direct Midstream, a leading provider of produced water infrastructure and saltwater disposal (SWD) solutions in the Permian Basin, today announced that the company is now solely owned and operated by Chris Early, who will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer and Jennifer Early Executive V.P of Business of Relations and Corporate Development.
This transition marks the beginning of Direct Midstream’s next phase of disciplined growth, operational excellence, and continued investment in high-performance water infrastructure across the Permian. A fourth-generation oilman with more than three decades of experience, Chris has built, operated, and successfully exited multiple oilfield service companies totaling $380 million in enterprise value. His background spans saltwater disposal, pipeline construction, and produced water management — core pillars of Direct Midstream’s infrastructure platform.
With over 16 years in the oil and gas industry, Jennifer brings deep expertise in standard compliance, financial management, and workforce development to Direct Midstream. Her comprehensive operational background perfectly complements Chris's legacy of building and scaling oilfield service companies — together ensuring Direct Midstream runs as a top-tier operation from the front office to the field.
“Direct Midstream was built on the principles of operational discipline, strategic growth, and longterm infrastructure value,” said Chris Early, President and CEO. “As produced water volumes continue to increase across the Permian, our focus remains on building scalable, technology-enabled systems that deliver reliability, compliance, and strong returns for our producer partners and stakeholders.”
Under Early’s leadership, Direct Midstream will continue expanding its asset and services portfolio, which includes saltwater disposals, R9 reclamation, oil recovery, slop oil processing, water management, and digital operational intelligence. The company remains committed to capital-efficient growth while maintaining rigorous safety, regulatory, and environmental standards. The transition reinforces Direct Midstream’s long-term vision: to operate produced water infrastructure as a strategic asset class engineered for performance, transparency, and durability in an increasingly regulated and capital-conscious market.
Direct Midstream also extends its sincere appreciation to Bryan Benson for his leadership and contributions as CEO. His vision and dedication were instrumental in positioning the company for sustainable growth and operational strength. The foundation he helped establish will continue to support Direct Midstream’s forward trajectory.
About Direct Midstream
Direct Midstream Partners, LLC is a leading provider of comprehensive fluid management solutions for the energy sector. With state-of-the-art Class II UIC wells and advanced SCADA systems, we deliver reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible services throughout the Permian Basin. For more information, please visit www.directmidstream.com.