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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 7, 2011</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 3pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;</B>
</DIV>


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<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933<BR>
<BR>
<DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
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    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>75-2702753</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or Other Jurisdiction of
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Incorporation or Organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>5205 North O&#146;Connor Boulevard<BR>
Suite&nbsp;200<BR>
Irving, Texas 75039</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN</B><BR>
(Full Title of the Plan)</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Mark S. Berg<BR>
Pioneer Natural Resources Company<BR>
5205 North O&#146;Connor Boulevard<BR>
Suite&nbsp;200<BR>
Irving, Texas 75039<BR>
(972)&nbsp;444-9001</B>
</DIV>
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent For Service)</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">copy to:
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Robert L. Kimball<BR>
Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P.<BR>
2001 Ross Avenue, Suite&nbsp;3700<BR>
Dallas, Texas 75201-2975<BR>
(214)&nbsp;220-7700</B>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated
filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;).
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
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    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">Large accelerated filer <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#254;</FONT></FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">Accelerated filer <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">Non-accelerated filer <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">Smaller Reporting Company <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></FONT></TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
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<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 3px">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="41%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="16%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="17%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Amount to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">maximum offering</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">maximum aggregate</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Amount of</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left">Title of securities to be registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">Registered(1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">price per share</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">offering price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">registration fee</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">250,000 shares</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$78.80(2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$19,700,000(2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$2,287</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 0pt; width: 18%; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, there are also being
registered such additional and indeterminate shares of Common Stock of Pioneer Natural
Resources Company as may become issuable because of changes resulting from stock dividends,
stock splits and similar changes and pursuant to the antidilution provisions of the Pioneer
Natural Resources Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The price for 250,000 shares being
registered hereby is based on a price of $78.80, the average of the high and low trading
prices per share of Pioneer Natural Resources Company Common Stock as reported by the New York
Stock Exchange on September&nbsp;1, 2011.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">












<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pioneer Natural Resources Company (the &#147;Company&#148; or the &#147;Registrant&#148;) is filing this
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the &#147;Registration Statement&#148;) to register an additional 250,000
shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (&#147;Common Stock&#148;) issuable under
the Pioneer Natural Resources Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;), as amended and
restated effective September&nbsp;1, 2007. This Registration Statement is submitted in accordance with
General Instruction E to Form S-8 regarding registration of additional securities, and pursuant to
such instruction, the contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.
333-35165) relating to the Plan, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September&nbsp;8, 1997, are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II<BR>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities
laws and regulations, the following documents have been filed by the Company with the Commission
and are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and will be deemed to be a part
hereof:
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No.&nbsp;001-13245), filed with the
Commission on February&nbsp;25, 2011, for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31, 2010 pursuant to Section
13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;).
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or 10-Q/A (File No.&nbsp;001-13245), filed with
the Commission on August&nbsp;5, 2011, for the fiscal quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 2011, and on May&nbsp;19, 2011
and May&nbsp;10, 2011, for the fiscal quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2011.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K (File No.&nbsp;001-13245), filed with the
Commission on August&nbsp;31, 2011 (Item&nbsp;5.02); August&nbsp;5, 2011 (Items 8.01 and 9.01); May&nbsp;18, 2011 (Item
5.07); April&nbsp;5, 2011 (Items 1.01, 2.03 and 9.01); February&nbsp;25, 2011 (Items 2.01 and 9.01); February
22, 2011 (Item&nbsp;5.02); and January&nbsp;6, 2011 (Items 1.01 and 9.01).
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp;All other reports filed by the Registrant with the Commission since December&nbsp;31, 2010,
pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e)&nbsp;The description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, contained in
Item&nbsp;1 of the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission pursuant to
the Exchange Act on August&nbsp;8, 1997, and any subsequently filed amendments and reports updating that
description.
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities laws
and regulations, all documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters all securities then
remaining unsold shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part
hereof from the dates of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained
herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration
Statement.
</DIV>





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<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><I>Delaware General Corporation Law</I>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact
that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including
attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a
manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe the person&#146;s conduct was unlawful.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in
its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in
connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if the person acted in good faith
and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter as to which the person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and
only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which the action or suit was
brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of
all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for
the expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that to the extent that a
present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 145(a) and (b), or in
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the person shall be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection therewith.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(d) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that any indemnification under
Section 145(a) and (b) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as
authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former
director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 145(a) and (b). The determination shall be
made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1)
by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even
though less than a quorum, (2)&nbsp;by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such
directors, even though less than a quorum, (3)&nbsp;if there are no such directors, or if such directors
so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4)&nbsp;by the stockholders.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(e) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that expenses (including
attorneys&#146; fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be
determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in
Section&nbsp;145. The expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) incurred by former directors and officers or
other employees and agents may be so paid upon those terms and conditions, if any, as the
corporation deems appropriate.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(f) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that the indemnification and
advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section&nbsp;145 shall not be deemed
exclusive of any
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled
under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation shall have
the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against the person and incurred
by the person in any such capacity, or arising out of the person&#146;s status as such, whether or not
the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under Section
145.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(k) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that the indemnification and
advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section&nbsp;145 shall, unless otherwise
provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such a person.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><I>Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation</I>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;Twelfth of the Company&#146;s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides
that each person who at any time is or was a director or officer of the Company, or any person
who, while a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving at the Company&#146;s request as a
director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary
of another foreign or domestic corporation, limited liability company, association, partnership,
joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall be
entitled to (a)&nbsp;indemnification and (b)&nbsp;the advancement of expenses incurred by such person from
the Company as, and to the fullest extent, permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law or any
successor statutory provision, as from time to time amended. Any repeal or modification of Article
Twelfth of the Company&#146;s amended and restated certificate of incorporation shall be prospective
only, and shall not limit the rights of any director or officer or the obligations of the Company
with respect to any claim arising from the services of such director or officer in the capacities
described above prior to any such repeal or amendment of Article&nbsp;Twelfth. Article&nbsp;Twelfth further
provides that, in the event of the death of any person having a right of indemnification under the
foregoing provisions, such right shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors,
administrators, and personal representatives. The rights conferred in Article&nbsp;Twelfth of the
Company&#146;s amended and restated certificate of incorporation are not exclusive of any other right
which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, bylaw, resolution of stockholders
or directors, agreement or otherwise.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;Thirteenth of the Company&#146;s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides
that the Company&#146;s directors shall not be personally liable to the Company or any of its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director involving any act or
omission of any such director; provided, however, that such Article&nbsp;Thirteenth does not eliminate
or limit the liability of a director (1)&nbsp;for any breach of such director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the
Company or its stockholders, (2)&nbsp;for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3)&nbsp;under Section&nbsp;174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (which relates to certain unlawful dividend payments or stock purchases or
redemptions), as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, supplemented or replaced, or (4)&nbsp;for
a transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the Delaware General
Corporation Law is amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of
directors, then the liability of a director, in addition to the limitation on personal liability
described above, shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, as so amended. Furthermore, any repeal or modification of Article&nbsp;Thirteenth of
the Company&#146;s amended and restated certificate of incorporation by its stockholders shall be
prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a
director existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><I>Indemnification Agreements</I>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of
its officers. Under the terms of the indemnification agreements, the Company has generally agreed
to indemnify an officer or director for liabilities incurred to the fullest extent permitted by
the Delaware General Corporation Law. Also, as permitted under Delaware law, the indemnification
agreements require the Company to advance expenses in
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-4<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>



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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">defending any such action provided that the director or executive officer undertakes to repay
the amounts if the person ultimately is determined not to be entitled to indemnification from the
Company. The Company has additionally agreed to make the indemnitee whole for taxes imposed on the
indemnification payments and for costs in any action to establish indemnitee&#146;s right to
indemnification, whether or not wholly successful.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In general, the disinterested directors on the board of the Company or a committee of
disinterested directors have the authority to determine an indemnitee&#146;s right to indemnification,
but the indemnitee can require that independent legal counsel make this determination if a change
in control or potential change in control has occurred. In addition, the indemnitee can require the
Company to establish a trust fund with a third-party trustee sufficient to satisfy the
indemnification obligations and expenses if a change in control or potential change in control has
occurred.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The indemnification agreements require the Company to continue directors&#146; and officers&#146;
liability insurance coverage for an indemnitee for six years after the indemnitee ceases to be an
officer or director, and they obligate the Company to procure up to a six-year run-off policy in
the event of a change in control or termination of the person in the year following a change in
control of the Company. The indemnification agreements also limit the period in which the Company
can bring an action against the indemnitee to three years for breaches of fiduciary duty and to one
year for other types of claims.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>D&#038;O Liability Insurance</I>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company maintains directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability insurance.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">The above discussion of Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company&#146;s amended
and restated certificate of incorporation, the indemnification agreements and the Company&#146;s
maintenance of directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability insurance is not intended to be exhaustive and is
respectively qualified in its entirety by such statute and documents.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unless otherwise indicated below as being incorporated by reference to another filing of the
Company with the Commission, each of the following exhibits is filed herewith:
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-4 (No.
333-26951) filed with the Commission on June&nbsp;26, 1997).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K (No.&nbsp;001-13245) filed with the
Commission on February&nbsp;17, 2006).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Pioneer Natural Resources Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and
restated effective September&nbsp;1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 to the
Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 2007, File No.
1-13245).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Netherland, Sewell &#038; Associates, Inc.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P. (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1
to this Registration Statement).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration
statement).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-5<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
&#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective Registration Statement; and
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material
change to such information in the Registration Statement;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%"><I>provided, however, </I>that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled
by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-6<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Irving, State of Texas, on September&nbsp;6, 2011.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Scott D. Sheffield
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Scott D. Sheffield&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left"><I>Chairman of the Board and<br>
Chief Executive Officer</I>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Mark S. Berg, Richard P. Dealy and Frank W. Hall, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in
his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
pre-and post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any additional registration
statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Scott D. Sheffield
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Scott D. Sheffield
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Chairman of the Board and <br>
Chief Executive Officer<br>
(<I>Principal Executive Officer</I>)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">September&nbsp;6, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Richard P. Dealy
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Richard P. Dealy
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Executive Vice President and <br>
Chief Financial Officer<br>
(<I>Principal Financial Officer</I>)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">September&nbsp;6, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Frank W. Hall
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Frank W. Hall
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Vice President and <br>
Chief Accounting Officer<br>
(<I>Principal Accounting Officer</I>)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">September&nbsp;6, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Thomas D. Arthur
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Thomas D. Arthur
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;September&nbsp;4,
2011</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-7<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Edison C. Buchanan
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Edison C. Buchanan
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;September&nbsp;6,
2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Andrew F. Cates
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Andrew F. Cates
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;September&nbsp;6,
2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ R. Hartwell Gardner
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
R. Hartwell Gardner
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;September&nbsp;6,
2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Andrew D. Lundquist
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Andrew D. Lundquist
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;September&nbsp;6,
2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Charles E. Ramsey, Jr.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Charles E. Ramsey, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;September&nbsp;6,
2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Scott J. Reiman
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Scott J. Reiman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;September&nbsp;6,
2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Frank A. Risch
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Frank A. Risch
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;September&nbsp;2,
2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ James Kenneth Thompson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
James Kenneth Thompson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;September&nbsp;6,
2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Jim A. Watson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Jim A. Watson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;September&nbsp;6,
2011</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->II-8<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left">Exhibit</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Number</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-4 (No.
333-26951) filed with the Commission on June&nbsp;26, 1997).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K (No.&nbsp;001-13245) filed with the
Commission on February&nbsp;17, 2006).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Pioneer Natural Resources Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and
restated effective September&nbsp;1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 to the
Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 2007, File No.
1-13245).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P.*</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.*</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Netherland, Sewell &#038; Associates, Inc.*</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P. (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit&nbsp;5.1
to this Registration Statement).*</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration
statement).*</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>filed herewith.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>



</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "d84530sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 61213}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES CO", "cik": "0001038357", "assigned-sic": "1311", "irs-number": "752702753", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-176712", "film-number": "111077717"}, "business-address": {"street1": "200 WILLIAMS SQUARE WEST", "street2": "5205 N OCONNOR BLVD", "city": "IRVING", "state": "TX", "zip": "75039", "phone": "9724449001"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "200 WILLIAMS SQUARE WEST", "street2": "5205 N OCONNOR BLVD", "city": "IRVING", "state": "TX", "zip": "75039"}}
sv8
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 7, 2011
Registration No. 333-_____
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
75-2702753
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
Identification No.)
5205 North O'Connor Boulevard
Suite 200
Irving, Texas 75039
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(Full Title of the Plan)
Mark S. Berg
Pioneer Natural Resources Company
5205 North O'Connor Boulevard
Suite 200
Irving, Texas 75039
(972) 444-9001
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent For Service)
copy to:
Robert L. Kimball
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 3700
Dallas, Texas 75201-2975
(214) 220-7700
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated
filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller Reporting Company
o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
Amount to be
maximum offering
maximum aggregate
Amount of
Title of securities to be registered
Registered(1)
price per share
offering price
registration fee
Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share
250,000 shares
$78.80(2)
$19,700,000(2)
$2,287
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, there are also being
registered such additional and indeterminate shares of Common Stock of Pioneer Natural
Resources Company as may become issuable because of changes resulting from stock dividends,
stock splits and similar changes and pursuant to the antidilution provisions of the Pioneer
Natural Resources Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The price for 250,000 shares being
registered hereby is based on a price of $78.80, the average of the high and low trading
prices per share of Pioneer Natural Resources Company Common Stock as reported by the New York
Stock Exchange on September 1, 2011.
Pioneer Natural Resources Company (the "Company" or the "Registrant") is filing this
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to register an additional 250,000
shares of the Registrant's common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock") issuable under
the Pioneer Natural Resources Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan"), as amended and
restated effective September 1, 2007. This Registration Statement is submitted in accordance with
General Instruction E to Form S-8 regarding registration of additional securities, and pursuant to
such instruction, the contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.
333-35165) relating to the Plan, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 8, 1997, are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities
laws and regulations, the following documents have been filed by the Company with the Commission
and are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and will be deemed to be a part
hereof:
(a) The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-13245), filed with the
Commission on February 25, 2011, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 pursuant to Section
13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
(b) The Registrant's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or 10-Q/A (File No. 001-13245), filed with
the Commission on August 5, 2011, for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2011, and on May 19, 2011
and May 10, 2011, for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011.
(c) The Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13245), filed with the
Commission on August 31, 2011 (Item 5.02); August 5, 2011 (Items 8.01 and 9.01); May 18, 2011 (Item
5.07); April 5, 2011 (Items 1.01, 2.03 and 9.01); February 25, 2011 (Items 2.01 and 9.01); February
22, 2011 (Item 5.02); and January 6, 2011 (Items 1.01 and 9.01).
(d) All other reports filed by the Registrant with the Commission since December 31, 2010,
pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(e) The description of the Registrant's Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, contained in
Item 1 of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission pursuant to
the Exchange Act on August 8, 1997, and any subsequently filed amendments and reports updating that
description.
Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities laws
and regulations, all documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that
indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters all securities then
remaining unsold shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part
hereof from the dates of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained
herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration
Statement.
II-2
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Delaware General Corporation Law
Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact
that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a
manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe the person's conduct was unlawful.
Section 145(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in
its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in
connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if the person acted in good faith
and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter as to which the person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and
only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which the action or suit was
brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of
all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for
the expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Section 145(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that to the extent that a
present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 145(a) and (b), or in
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, the person shall be indemnified against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection therewith.
Section 145(d) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that any indemnification under
Section 145(a) and (b) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as
authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former
director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 145(a) and (b). The determination shall be
made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1)
by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even
though less than a quorum, (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such
directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors
so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.
Section 145(e) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that expenses (including
attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be
determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in
Section 145. The expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by former directors and officers or
other employees and agents may be so paid upon those terms and conditions, if any, as the
corporation deems appropriate.
Section 145(f) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that the indemnification and
advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 shall not be deemed
exclusive of any
II-3
other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled
under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
Section 145(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation shall have
the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against the person and incurred
by the person in any such capacity, or arising out of the person's status as such, whether or not
the corporation would have the power to indemnify the person against such liability under Section
145.
Section 145(k) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that the indemnification and
advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 shall, unless otherwise
provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such a person.
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Article Twelfth of the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides
that each person who at any time is or was a director or officer of the Company, or any person
who, while a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving at the Company's request as a
director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary
of another foreign or domestic corporation, limited liability company, association, partnership,
joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall be
entitled to (a) indemnification and (b) the advancement of expenses incurred by such person from
the Company as, and to the fullest extent, permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law or any
successor statutory provision, as from time to time amended. Any repeal or modification of Article
Twelfth of the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation shall be prospective
only, and shall not limit the rights of any director or officer or the obligations of the Company
with respect to any claim arising from the services of such director or officer in the capacities
described above prior to any such repeal or amendment of Article Twelfth. Article Twelfth further
provides that, in the event of the death of any person having a right of indemnification under the
foregoing provisions, such right shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors,
administrators, and personal representatives. The rights conferred in Article Twelfth of the
Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation are not exclusive of any other right
which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, bylaw, resolution of stockholders
or directors, agreement or otherwise.
Article Thirteenth of the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides
that the Company's directors shall not be personally liable to the Company or any of its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director involving any act or
omission of any such director; provided, however, that such Article Thirteenth does not eliminate
or limit the liability of a director (1) for any breach of such director's duty of loyalty to the
Company or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (which relates to certain unlawful dividend payments or stock purchases or
redemptions), as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, supplemented or replaced, or (4) for
a transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the Delaware General
Corporation Law is amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of
directors, then the liability of a director, in addition to the limitation on personal liability
described above, shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, as so amended. Furthermore, any repeal or modification of Article Thirteenth of
the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation by its stockholders shall be
prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a
director existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
Indemnification Agreements
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of
its officers. Under the terms of the indemnification agreements, the Company has generally agreed
to indemnify an officer or director for liabilities incurred to the fullest extent permitted by
the Delaware General Corporation Law. Also, as permitted under Delaware law, the indemnification
agreements require the Company to advance expenses in
II-4
defending any such action provided that the director or executive officer undertakes to repay
the amounts if the person ultimately is determined not to be entitled to indemnification from the
Company. The Company has additionally agreed to make the indemnitee whole for taxes imposed on the
indemnification payments and for costs in any action to establish indemnitee's right to
indemnification, whether or not wholly successful.
In general, the disinterested directors on the board of the Company or a committee of
disinterested directors have the authority to determine an indemnitee's right to indemnification,
but the indemnitee can require that independent legal counsel make this determination if a change
in control or potential change in control has occurred. In addition, the indemnitee can require the
Company to establish a trust fund with a third-party trustee sufficient to satisfy the
indemnification obligations and expenses if a change in control or potential change in control has
occurred.
The indemnification agreements require the Company to continue directors' and officers'
liability insurance coverage for an indemnitee for six years after the indemnitee ceases to be an
officer or director, and they obligate the Company to procure up to a six-year run-off policy in
the event of a change in control or termination of the person in the year following a change in
control of the Company. The indemnification agreements also limit the period in which the Company
can bring an action against the indemnitee to three years for breaches of fiduciary duty and to one
year for other types of claims.
D&O Liability Insurance
The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance.
The above discussion of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company's amended
and restated certificate of incorporation, the indemnification agreements and the Company's
maintenance of directors' and officers' liability insurance is not intended to be exhaustive and is
respectively qualified in its entirety by such statute and documents.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Unless otherwise indicated below as being incorporated by reference to another filing of the
Company with the Commission, each of the following exhibits is filed herewith:
4.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No.
333-26951) filed with the Commission on June 26, 1997).
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (No. 001-13245) filed with the
Commission on February 17, 2006).
4.3
Pioneer Natural Resources Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and
restated effective September 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, File No.
1-13245).
5.1
Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.2
Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
23.3
Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1
to this Registration Statement).
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration
statement).
II-5
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
"Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material
change to such information in the Registration Statement;
provided, however,
that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled
by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
II-6
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Irving, State of Texas, on September 6, 2011.
PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY
By:
/s/ Scott D. Sheffield
Scott D. Sheffield
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Mark S. Berg, Richard P. Dealy and Frank W. Hall, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in
his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
pre-and post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any additional registration
statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to file the same with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Scott D. Sheffield
Scott D. Sheffield
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(
Principal Executive Officer
)
September 6, 2011
/s/ Richard P. Dealy
Richard P. Dealy
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(
Principal Financial Officer
)
September 6, 2011
/s/ Frank W. Hall
Frank W. Hall
Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
(
Principal Accounting Officer
)
September 6, 2011
/s/ Thomas D. Arthur
Thomas D. Arthur
Director
September 4,
2011
II-7
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Edison C. Buchanan
Edison C. Buchanan
Director
September 6,
2011
/s/ Andrew F. Cates
Andrew F. Cates
Director
September 6,
2011
/s/ R. Hartwell Gardner
R. Hartwell Gardner
Director
September 6,
2011
/s/ Andrew D. Lundquist
Andrew D. Lundquist
Director
September 6,
2011
/s/ Charles E. Ramsey, Jr.
Charles E. Ramsey, Jr.
Director
September 6,
2011
/s/ Scott J. Reiman
Scott J. Reiman
Director
September 6,
2011
/s/ Frank A. Risch
Frank A. Risch
Director
September 2,
2011
/s/ James Kenneth Thompson
James Kenneth Thompson
Director
September 6,
2011
/s/ Jim A. Watson
Jim A. Watson
Director
September 6,
2011
II-8
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Description
4.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No.
333-26951) filed with the Commission on June 26, 1997).
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (No. 001-13245) filed with the
Commission on February 17, 2006).
4.3
Pioneer Natural Resources Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and
restated effective September 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, File No.
1-13245).
5.1
Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.*
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.*
23.2
Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.*
23.3
Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1
to this Registration Statement).*
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration
statement).*
*
filed herewith.