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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-174402

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of an effective registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell nor do they seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated June 21, 2012

Prospectus Supplement to Prospectus Dated May 20, 2011

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

 

$        

    % Senior Notes due 2022

 

 

We will pay interest on the notes each January 15 and July 15. The first interest payment will be made on January 15, 2013. The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Pioneer Natural Resources Company and will rank equally with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness. There is no sinking fund for the notes. We may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time at the redemption prices set forth under “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption” in this prospectus supplement.

 

 

Investing in the notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement for a discussion of certain risks that you should consider in connection with an investment in the notes.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Price to Public (1)

Underwriting Discounts

Proceeds to Pioneer (before expenses) (1)

Per Note

%

%

%

Total

$

$

$

 

(1)	Plus accrued interest, if any, from June     , 2012, if settlement occurs after that date.

The notes will not be listed on a securities exchange. Currently, there is no public market for the notes.

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes on or about June     , 2012, in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

Citigroup             Deutsche Bank Securities

Credit Suisse      UBS Investment Bank      Wells Fargo Securities

Senior Co-Managers

BofA Merrill Lynch             J.P. Morgan

The date of this prospectus supplement is June     , 2012.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

		Page
Summary			S-1
The Offering			S-2
Risk Factors			S-4
Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements			S-7
Use of Proceeds			S-7
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges			S-8
Capitalization			S-9
Description of Bank Indebtedness			S-10
Description of Notes			S-11
Underwriting			S-26
Conflicts of Interest			S-27
Legal Matters			S-28
Experts			S-28
Where You Can Find More Information			S-28

Prospectus

 

		Page
About This Prospectus			1
Uncertainty of Forward-Looking Statements			2
Risk Factors			2
Where You Can Find More Information			2
Information That Pioneer and Pioneer USA Incorporate by Reference			3
Pioneer and Pioneer USA			4
Use of Proceeds			4
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends			4
Description of Debt Securities			6
Description of Guarantees of Debt Securities			17
Description of Capital Stock			17
Description of Depositary Shares			23
Description of Warrants			25
Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units			27
Plan of Distribution			28
Legal Matters			29
Experts			30

 

 

You should rely only on the information provided in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered to you or to which we have referred you. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This document may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. The information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered to you may only be accurate on the date of this document. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since then.

 

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We provide information to you about this offering of our notes in two separate documents that are bound together: (1) this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific details regarding this offering and (2) the accompanying prospectus, which provides general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to this “prospectus,” we are referring to both documents combined. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on this prospectus supplement.

You should carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference in the prospectus, before you invest. These documents contain information you should consider when making your investment decision.

For the definitions of certain oil and gas terms, see “Definitions of Certain Terms and Conventions Used Herein” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as amended.

 

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RISK FACTORS

If you purchase our notes, you will take on financial risk. Before buying our notes in this offering, you should carefully consider the risks relating to an investment in the notes described below, as well as other information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Additionally, you should carefully consider the risks to our business described in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, in particular the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as amended, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. These risks could result in the loss of all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to the Notes

The notes will be effectively subordinated to certain of our debt.

The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will rank pari passu with all of our other existing and future senior unsecured debt. In addition, we are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries, and the notes will be structurally subordinated to all obligations of our subsidiaries. At March 31, 2012, on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the use of proceeds from this offering as described in “Use of Proceeds,” we would have had $         of indebtedness for borrowed money ranking pari passu in right of payment with the notes, and our subsidiaries would have had aggregate balance sheet liabilities of $1.3 billion.

Any right of ours to receive assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization and the consequent right of the holders of the notes to participate in those assets will be subject to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors, except to the extent that we are recognized as a creditor of that subsidiary, in which case our claims would still be subordinate to any security interests in the assets of that subsidiary and any indebtedness of that subsidiary senior to that held by us.

Our holding company structure creates a dependence on the earnings of our subsidiaries and may impair our ability to repay the notes.

We are a holding company whose assets consist of direct and indirect ownership interests in, and substantially all of whose business is conducted through, its subsidiaries. Consequently, our ability to repay our debt, including the notes, depends on the earnings of our subsidiaries, as well as our ability to receive funds from such subsidiaries through dividends, repayment of intercompany notes or other payments. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends, repay intercompany notes or make other advances to us is subject to restrictions imposed by applicable laws, tax considerations and the terms of agreements governing our subsidiaries.

A change of control may adversely affect our liquidity and require refinancing of our credit facility.

A change of control would constitute a default under our credit facility. Upon such a default, the lenders may declare any outstanding obligations under the credit facility immediately due and payable. We may not have sufficient funds available to repay all of the indebtedness under our credit facility in the event of a change of control. If this occurs, we may be required to refinance the indebtedness under our credit facility. There can be no assurance that we would be able to refinance our indebtedness or, if a refinancing were to occur, that the refinancing would be on terms favorable to us.

A change of control followed by a ratings decline may adversely affect our liquidity and we may not be able to repurchase the notes.

If we experience a change of control and a ratings decline within a certain period of time following the change of control, we must offer to repurchase all of the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. We have a similar provision in certain other outstanding series of notes and

 

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may consider such a provision in future series. We may not have sufficient funds available to repurchase all of the notes tendered pursuant to such an offer. If this occurs, we may be required to refinance some or all of our indebtedness. There can be no assurance that we would be able to refinance our indebtedness or, if a refinancing were to occur, that the refinancing would be on terms favorable to us.

We and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantially more debt, and this could further exacerbate the risks described in this prospectus supplement.

We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. We will not be restricted under the terms of the notes or the indenture pursuant to which the notes are to be issued from incurring additional indebtedness, including secured debt. In addition, the notes do not require us to achieve or maintain any minimum financial results relating to our financial condition or results of operations. Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt, and to take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the notes could have the effect of diminishing our ability to make payments on the notes when due. In addition, we are not restricted from repurchasing common stock by the terms of the notes.

In the event of a default, we may have insufficient funds to make any payments due on the notes.

A default under the indenture pursuant to which the notes are issued could lead to a default under existing and future agreements governing our indebtedness. If, due to a default, the repayment of related indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay such indebtedness and the notes.

The notes are not protected by restrictive covenants.

Except for limitations on liens and sale and leaseback transactions, the indenture does not contain any financial or operating covenants or restrictions on the payment of dividends, the incurrence of indebtedness or the issuance or repurchase of securities by us or any of our subsidiaries. In addition, the indenture does not contain covenants or other provisions to afford protection to holders of the notes in the event of a change of control involving us except to the extent described under “Description of Notes—Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change or Control Repurchase Event.”

The notes currently have no established trading or other public market.

There is no established trading market for the notes and we do not intend to apply for the listing of the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation of the notes on any public market. We cannot assure you that any market for the notes will develop, or if one does develop, that it will be maintained. If an active market for the notes fails to develop or be sustained, the price and liquidity of the notes could be adversely affected. The liquidity of any market for the notes will depend on the number of holders of the notes, our results of operations and financial condition, the market for similar securities, the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the notes and other factors. An active or liquid market may not develop for the notes.

Risks Related to our Business

In addition to the risks set forth in this prospectus supplement, our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. These risks are discussed below and in our annual and quarterly reports and other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You should carefully consider these risks before investing in the notes. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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The prices of oil, NGL and gas are highly volatile. A sustained decline in these commodity prices could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Future price declines could result in a reduction in the carrying value of our proved oil and gas properties, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our revenues, profitability, cash flow and future rate of growth are highly dependent on commodity prices. Commodity prices may fluctuate widely in response to relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for oil, NGL and gas, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control, some of which are more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Declines in commodity prices may result in our having to make substantial downward adjustments to its estimated proved reserves. If this occurs, or if our estimates of production or economic factors change, accounting rules may require us to impair, as a noncash charge to earnings, the carrying value of our oil and gas properties. We are required to perform impairment tests on proved oil and gas properties whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of proved properties may not be recoverable. To the extent such tests indicate a reduction of the estimated useful life or estimated future cash flows of our oil and gas properties, the carrying value may not be recoverable and therefore an impairment charge would be required to reduce the carrying value of the proved properties to their estimated fair value. For example, during 2011 and 2009, we recognized impairment charges of $354.4 million and $21.1 million, respectively, due to the impairment of our Edwards and Austin Chalk gas fields in South Texas and the Uinta/Piceance area in Colorado, primarily due to declines in gas prices and downward adjustments to the economically recoverable resource potential. As disclosed in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, because of recent commodity price volatility, the carrying values of the Raton and Barnett Shale fields’ oil and gas properties in particular continue to be at risk for impairment if future estimates of undiscounted cash flows decline. For example, we estimate that the carrying values of the Raton and Barnett fields may become partially impaired if the average gas price in management’s price outlook, which was approximately $4.70 per Mcf as of March 31, 2012, were to decline by approximately $0.10 per Mcf to $0.30 per Mcf, assuming none of the other impairment inputs changed. Our Raton and Barnett Shale fields are relatively long-lived assets that had carrying values of $2.3 billion and $511.7 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2012. If the Raton and Barnett Shale fields were to become impaired as of the end of the second quarter of 2012 or in a future quarter, we would recognize impairment charges in that period. Such noncash pretax charges could range from $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion for the Raton field and $300 million to $400 million for the Barnett Shale field. Those charges, if incurred, and any other impairment charges that we may incur in the future, could materially affect our results of operations in the period incurred.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “contemplate,” “would” and similar expressions that contemplate future events. These statements appear in a number of places in the documents we incorporate by reference. All statements other than statements of historical fact included or incorporated in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, including statements regarding the financial position, business strategy, production and reserve growth and other plans and objectives for our future operations, are forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we give no assurance that our expectations will in fact occur. Important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including factors identified in our periodic reports incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus by reference. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and include information concerning general economic conditions and possible or assumed future results of operations, estimates of oil and gas production and reserves, drilling plans, future cash flows, anticipated capital expenditures, the level of future expenditures for environmental costs, and our management’s strategies, plans and objectives.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect the net proceeds from this offering to be approximately $         million, after deducting estimated fees and expenses (including underwriting discounts).

We intend to use the net proceeds of approximately $             million from this offering to reduce indebtedness under our credit facility and pay certain fees and expenses related to this offering. Affiliates of certain of the underwriters are lenders under our credit facility and will receive their pro rata portion of the net proceeds from this offering through repayment of the credit facility. See “Conflicts of Interest.” As of June 15, 2012, we had $821 million of outstanding borrowings under our credit facility (at an average interest rate of 2.00%) and cash on hand of $261 million. Capacity under our credit facility may be used for general corporate purposes, including to fund the purchase or redemption of our 2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2038 on or after January 15, 2013. The credit facility matures in March 2016 unless extended in accordance with its terms. For further discussion, see “Description of Bank Indebtedness.”

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

 

		Three  months ended March 31, 2012				Year ended December 31,
						2011				2010				2009				2008				2007
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (a)			7.02				3.98				4.63				(b	)			2.08				2.18

 

(a)	The ratio has been computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For purposes of computing the ratio:

 

•

earnings consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, adjustments for net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and the Company’s share of investee’s income or loss accounted for under the equity method, and adjustment for capitalized interest, plus fixed charges and the Company’s share of distributed income from investees accounted for under the equity method; and

 

•

fixed charges consist of interest expense, capitalized interest and the portion of rental expense deemed to be representative of the interest component of rental expense.

 

(b)	The ratio indicates a less than one-to-one coverage because the earnings are inadequate to cover the fixed charges during the year ended December 31, 2009 by $244.7 million.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2012, our consolidated cash and cash equivalents and total capitalization:

 

•

on a historical basis; and

 

•

on an as adjusted basis to reflect (i) the completion of this offering and (ii) our application of the estimated net proceeds from this offering in the manner described in “Use of Proceeds.”

You should read this table in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our unaudited consolidated interim financial statements appearing in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 

		March 31, 2012
		Historical				As Adjusted
		(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	316,918			$
Long-term debt:
Lines of credit (a)		$	117,000			$
5.875% senior notes due 2016			455,385				455,385
6.65% senior notes due 2017			485,100				485,100
6.875% senior notes due 2018			449,500				449,500
7.50% senior notes due 2020			450,000				450,000
7.20% senior notes due 2028			250,000				250,000
2.875% convertible senior notes due 2038			479,930				479,930
Notes offered hereby			—
			2,686,915
Issuance discounts and premiums, net			(64,668	)
Net deferred fair value hedge losses			(1,632	)			(1,632	)
Total long-term debt			2,620,615
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value			1,348				1,348
Additional paid-in capital			3,640,595				3,640,595
Treasury stock			(511,630	)			(511,630	)
Retained earnings			2,543,873				2,543,873
Accumulated other comprehensive income—deferred hedge losses, net of tax			(1,550	)			(1,550	)
Total stockholders’ equity attributable to common stockholders			5,672,636				5,672,636
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries			160,035				160,035
Total equity			5,832,671				5,832,671
Total capitalization		$	8,453,286			$

 

(a)

Includes $50 million of outstanding borrowings by Pioneer Southwest Energy Partners L.P., pursuant to its line of credit. As of June 15, 2012, our credit facility balance totaled $821 million and cash on hand was $261 million. Credit facility indebtedness increased following March 31, 2012 as a result of the April 2012 funding of the previously announced $297 million acquisition of a fracture stimulation sand mining company and borrowings to support our capital budget and vertical integration expenditures for 2012, which were front-end loaded. In addition, the mid-month balance typically declines by month end because proceeds from commodity sales are received during the second half of each month.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF BANK INDEBTEDNESS

We currently have a credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and a syndicate of participating financial institutions. The credit facility matures in March 2016 unless extended in accordance with its terms. The credit facility provides for aggregate loan commitments of $1.25 billion. Borrowings under the credit facility may be in the form of revolving loans or swing line loans. Aggregate outstanding swing line loans may not exceed $150 million. As of June 15, 2012, we had total borrowings of $821 million outstanding under our credit facility, of which $715 million outstanding was in the form of a revolving loan and $106 million outstanding was in the form of swing line loans and we had cash on hand of $261 million. Revolving loans bear interest, at our option, based on (a) a rate per annum equal to the higher of the prime rate announced from time to time by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association or the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System during the last preceding business day plus 0.50% plus a defined alternate base rate spread margin, which is currently 0.75% based on our debt rating or (b) a base Eurodollar rate, substantially equal to LIBOR, plus a margin (the “Applicable Margin”), which is currently 1.75% and is also determined by our debt rating. Swing line loans under the credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the “ASK” rate for Federal funds periodically published by the Dow Jones Market Service plus the Applicable Margin. Outstanding revolving and swing line loans presently bear interest at annual rates of 2.00% and 1.97%, respectively. We also pay commitment fees on the undrawn amounts under the credit facility that are determined by our debt rating (currently 0.325%). Borrowings under the credit facility are incurred for general corporate purposes, including the funding of our capital budget. Any amounts repaid with the proceeds from this offering may be reborrowed in the future.

The credit facility has one financial covenant requiring the maintenance of a ratio of total debt to book capitalization less intangible assets, accumulated other comprehensive income and certain noncash asset impairments not to exceed .60 to 1.0. The terms of the credit facility provide for customary representations and warranties, negative and affirmative covenants (in addition to the financial covenant described above) and events of default. The lenders may declare any outstanding obligations under the credit facility immediately due and payable upon the occurrence, and during the continuance of, an event of default, which includes a change in control of our company. Under the credit facility, a change in control includes any person or group acquiring equity interests representing more than 35% of the voting power of our equity interests. As of June 15, 2012, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants.

As of June 15, 2012, we had $40 million of undrawn letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility. The letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility are subject to a per annum fee, representing the Applicable Margin (1.75% at June 15, 2012) plus 0.125%. As of June 15, 2012, we had unused borrowing capacity of $389 million under the credit facility.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

The terms of the notes we are offering are described below. The notes are a series of debt securities described in the prospectus that follows this prospectus supplement. The provisions described below supplement, and to the extent they conflict they supersede, the information in the prospectus with respect to the notes.

You can find the definitions of capitalized terms used in this description under “—Certain Definitions.” In this description, the words “we,” “us,” “our” or “Pioneer” refer only to Pioneer Natural Resources Company and not to any of its subsidiaries and “Pioneer USA” refers to our wholly-owned subsidiary Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.

We will issue the notes as a series of debt securities under a base indenture to be entered into between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture creating the notes. We refer to the base indenture, as so supplemented, as the “indenture”. The indenture is governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, or the “Trust Indenture Act.” The terms of the notes include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. We urge you to read the base indenture and the supplemental indenture because they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of the notes.

We will issue notes only in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

We may in the future issue other series of notes under the indenture.

Principal, Maturity and Interest

The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations, initially limited to $         million aggregate principal amount, and will mature on July 15, 2022. We may, without the consent of the holders, increase such aggregate principal amount in the future, on the same terms and conditions and with the same CUSIP numbers as the notes offered by this prospectus supplement. We will not issue any such additional notes unless the additional notes are fungible with the notes offered by this prospectus supplement for United States federal income tax purposes. The notes will bear interest at the rate per annum shown on the cover page of this prospectus supplement from June     , 2012, for the first interest payment, and from the most recent date on which interest has been paid after the first interest payment date. Interest will be payable semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing January 15, 2013, to those persons who were holders of record at the close of business on the January 1 and July 1 immediately preceding each interest payment date. We will pay interest on overdue principal at     % per annum in excess of the stated rate of interest, and we will pay interest on overdue installments of interest at that higher rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be paid on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Possible Future Guarantee

The notes will not be guaranteed by our principal U.S. Subsidiary, Pioneer USA, or any of our other Subsidiaries, when issued. If our credit facility is ever guaranteed by Pioneer USA, Pioneer USA will be required to guarantee our Existing Senior Notes on a pari passu basis. If Pioneer USA becomes obligated to guarantee those certain Existing Senior Notes, Pioneer USA will likewise be obligated to guarantee the notes offered by this prospectus supplement on a pari passu basis. See “—Certain Definitions” for a definition of our Existing Senior Notes.

Ranking

The notes will be:

 

•

our general unsecured senior obligations;

 

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•

equal (“pari passu”) in ranking with all of our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness; and

 

•

senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness.

At March 31, 2012, we had approximately $2.7 billion of indebtedness for borrowed money ranking pari passu in right of payment with the notes, including approximately $67 million outstanding under our credit facility. As of June 15, 2012, we had $821 million outstanding under our credit facility, a portion of which we intend to repay with the net proceeds from this offering, and cash on hand of $261 million.

The notes will be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future secured or guaranteed indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness or of the value of the Subsidiaries providing the guarantees. In addition, we are a holding company and conduct all of our operations through Subsidiaries, and the notes will be structurally subordinated to all obligations of our Subsidiaries. At March 31, 2012, on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the use of proceeds from this offering as described in “Use of Proceeds,” we would have had $         of indebtedness for borrowed money ranking pari passu in right of payment with the notes, and our Subsidiaries would have had aggregate balance sheet liabilities of $1.3 billion, excluding intercompany liabilities.

Substantially all of our operating income and cash flow is generated by our subsidiaries. As a result, funds necessary to meet our debt service obligations are provided in part by distributions or advances from our subsidiaries. Under certain circumstances, contractual and legal restrictions, as well as the financial condition and operating requirements of our subsidiaries, could limit our ability to obtain cash from our subsidiaries for the purpose of meeting our debt service obligations, including the payment of principal and interest on the notes.

Optional Redemption

The notes will be redeemable at any time, at our option, in whole or from time to time in part, upon not less than 30 or more than 60 days notice, as provided in the indenture, on any date prior to maturity. If the notes are redeemed before the date that is three months prior to their maturity date, the notes will be redeemed at a redemption price equal to the sum of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the date of redemption) plus a make-whole premium described below, if any. In the event that the notes are so redeemed, the redemption price will never be less than 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. If the notes are redeemed on or after the date that is three months prior to their maturity date, the notes will be redeemed at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes then outstanding to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the date of redemption).

The amount of the make-whole premium with respect to any note (or portion of a note) to be redeemed before the date that is three months prior to their maturity date will be equal to the excess, if any, of:

 

•

the sum of the present values, calculated as of the date of redemption, of:

 

•

each interest payment that, but for such redemption, would have been payable on the note (or portion of the note) being redeemed on each interest payment date occurring after the date of redemption (excluding any accrued interest for the period prior to the date of redemption); and

 

•

the principal amount that, but for such redemption, would have been payable at the final maturity of the note (or portion of the note) being redeemed; over

 

•

the principal amount of the note (or portion of the note) being redeemed.

The present values of interest and principal payments referred to above will be determined in accordance with generally accepted principles of financial analysis. Such present values will be calculated by discounting the

 

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amount of each payment of interest or principal from the date that each such payment would have been payable, but for the redemption, to the date of redemption at a discount rate equal to the treasury yield described below plus      basis points.

The make-whole premium will be calculated by an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by us; provided that if we fail to make the appointment at least 30 business days prior to the date of redemption, or if the institution so appointed is unwilling or unable to make the calculation, by an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the trustee.

For purposes of determining the make-whole premium, the treasury yield shall be a rate of interest per annum equal to the weekly average yield to maturity of United States treasury notes that have a constant maturity that corresponds to the remaining term to maturity of the notes, calculated to the nearest 1/12th of a year. The treasury yield will be determined as of the third business day immediately preceding the applicable date of redemption.

The weekly average yields of United States treasury notes will be determined by reference to the most recent statistical release published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated “H.15 (519) Selected Interest Rates” or any successor release. If such statistical release sets forth a weekly average yield for United States treasury notes having a constant maturity that is the same as the remaining term of the notes, then the treasury yield will be equal to such weekly average yield. In all other cases, the treasury yield will be calculated by interpolation, on a straight-line basis, between the weekly average yields on the United States treasury notes that have a constant maturity closest to and greater than the remaining term of the notes and the United States treasury notes that have a constant maturity closest to and less than the remaining term of the notes (in each case as set forth in the statistical release). Any weekly average yields so calculated by interpolation will be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with any figure of 1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward. If weekly average yields for United States treasury notes are not available in the statistical release or otherwise, then the treasury yield will be calculated by interpolation of comparable rates selected by the independent investment banking institution.

In the case of any partial redemption, the trustee will select the notes for redemption on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate, although no note of $1,000 in original principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such note shall state the portion of the principal amount of the note to be redeemed. A note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the note will be issued in the name of the holder of the note upon cancellation of the original note.

Offer to Repurchase Upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event

If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless we have otherwise exercised our right to redeem the notes, we will make an offer to each holder of notes to repurchase all or any portion (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of that holder’s notes at a price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes repurchased to the date of repurchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event, we will mail a notice to each holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event and offering to repurchase the notes on the payment date specified in the notice, which date will not be less than 30 days or more than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by the indenture and described in such notice. We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the notes, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the notes by virtue of such conflict.

 

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On the Change of Control Repurchase Event payment date, we will, to the extent lawful:

 

•

accept for payment all notes or portions of notes properly tendered pursuant to our offer;

 

•

deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price in respect of all notes or portions of notes properly tendered; and

 

•

deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the notes properly accepted, together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or portions of notes being purchased by us.

The paying agent will promptly mail to each holder of notes properly tendered the purchase price for such notes, and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each holder a new note equal to the principal amount of any unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered, if any; provided, that each new note will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000.

Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control Repurchase Event, the indenture will not contain any other provisions that permit the holders of the notes to require us to repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

We will not be required to make an offer to repurchase the notes upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture applicable to an offer made by us, and such third party purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.

Sinking Fund

There will be no mandatory sinking fund payments for the notes.

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

Except as described below, the notes sold will initially be issued in the form of one or more global notes. The global notes will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC or its nominee. Except as set forth below, the global notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to DTC or another nominee of DTC. Investors may hold their beneficial interests in the global notes directly through DTC if they have an account with DTC or indirectly through organizations that have accounts with DTC.

The descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC set forth below are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of DTC and are subject to change by it from time to time. We do not take any responsibility for these operations or procedures, and investors are urged to contact DTC or its participants directly to discuss these matters.

DTC had advised us that it is:

 

•

a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York;

 

•

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

 

•

a member of the Federal Reserve System;

 

•

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, as amended; and

 

•

a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants, which eliminates the need for physical transfer and delivery of certificates. DTC’s participants

 

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include securities brokers and dealers, including the underwriters; banks and trust companies; clearing corporations and some other organizations. Indirect access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies; these indirect participants clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant in DTC, either directly or indirectly. Investors who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through participants or indirect participants in DTC.

We expect that pursuant to procedures established by DTC:

 

•

upon deposit of each global note, DTC will credit the accounts of participants in DTC designated by the underwriters with an interest in the global note; and

 

•

ownership of the notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of the notes will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC, with respect to the interests of participants in DTC, and the records of participants and indirect participants, with respect to the interests of persons other than participants in DTC.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. Accordingly, the ability to transfer interests in the notes represented by a global note to these persons may be limited. In addition, because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having an interest in notes represented by a global note to pledge or transfer that interest to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC’s system, or to otherwise take actions in respect of that interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical definitive security in respect of the interest.

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global note, DTC or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by the global note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note:

 

•

will not be entitled to have notes represented by the global note registered in their names;

 

•

will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes; and

 

•

will not be considered the owners or holders of the notes under the indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction, or approval to the trustee under the indenture.

Accordingly, each holder owning a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if the holder is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which the holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of notes under the indenture or the global note. We understand that under existing industry practice, if we request any action of holders of notes, or if a holder that is an owner of a beneficial interest in a global note desires to take any action that DTC, as the holder of the global note, is entitled to take, then DTC would authorize its participants to take the action and the participants would authorize holders owning through participants to take the action or would otherwise act upon the instruction of such holders. Neither the trustee nor we will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of notes by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any records of DTC relating to the notes.

Payments with respect to the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, any notes represented by a global note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee on the applicable record date will be payable by the trustee to or at the direction of DTC or its nominee in its capacity as the registered holder of the global note representing those notes under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, we and the trustee may treat the persons in whose names the notes, including the global notes, are registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of receiving payment on the notes and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Accordingly, neither we nor the trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of

 

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beneficial interests in a global note, including principal, premium, if any, and interest. Payments by the participants and the indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in a global note will be governed by standing instructions and customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of the participants or the indirect participants and DTC.

Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds.

Although DTC has agreed to the above procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the global notes among participants in DTC, DTC is under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform the procedures, and the procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither the trustee nor we will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of its respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Certificated Notes

The notes represented by the global notes are exchangeable for certificated notes in definitive form of like tenor as such notes in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof only if:

 

•

the Depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global notes or if at any time the depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days;

 

•

we in our discretion at any time determine not to have all of the notes represented by the global notes;

 

•

an event of default has occurred and is continuing; or

 

•

upon the occurrence of certain other events.

Any note that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence is exchangeable for certificated notes issuable in authorized denominations and registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct. Subject to the foregoing, the global notes are not exchangeable, except for a global note of the same aggregate denomination to be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

Same-Day Payment

The indenture will require that payments in respect of notes (including principal, premium and interest) be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders thereof or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such holder’s registered address.

Certain Covenants

Set forth below are summaries of certain covenants contained in the supplemental indenture.

Limitation on Liens. We will not, and will not permit any of our Subsidiaries to, create or permit to exist any Liens upon any Principal Property or any shares of stock or Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that owns or leases any Principal Property (whether such Principal Property, shares of stock or Indebtedness are now owned or hereafter acquired) unless all payments due under the indenture with respect to the notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien. The preceding sentence will not require us to secure the notes if the Liens consist of either (1) Permitted Liens or (2) Liens securing excepted indebtedness as described below.

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Neither we nor any of our Subsidiaries will enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction with respect to any Principal Property unless either (1) we or such Subsidiary would be entitled, pursuant to the provisions of the indenture, to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the

 

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property to be leased without equally and ratably securing the notes pursuant to the covenant described above in “—Limitation on Liens,” or (2) we, within six months after the effective date of such transaction, apply to the voluntary defeasance or retirement of its funded debt an amount equal to the Attributable Indebtedness of such transaction.

Excepted Indebtedness. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on Liens and Sale and Leaseback Transactions, we and our subsidiaries may issue, assume, or guarantee Indebtedness secured by a Lien without securing the notes, or may enter into Sale and Leaseback Transactions without defeasing or retiring funded debt, or enter into a combination of such transactions, if the sum of the principal amount of all such Indebtedness and the Attributable Indebtedness of all such Sale and Leaseback Transactions does not at any time exceed 15% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

Transfer

The notes will be issued in registered form and will be transferable only upon the surrender of the notes being transferred for registration of transfer. We may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge payable in connection with certain transfers and exchanges.

Concerning the Trustee

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association will be the trustee under the indenture and will be appointed by us as registrar and paying agent with regard to the notes. From time to time, we may have banking relationships in the ordinary course of business with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association or its affiliates. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association is a lender under our credit facility.

Events of Default

Each of the following events will constitute an event of default for the notes under the indenture:

 

•

failure to pay interest on the notes, or any payment with respect to the related coupons, if any, for 30 days past the applicable due date;

 

•

failure to pay principal of, or premium, if any, on the notes when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, upon required repurchase or otherwise;

 

•

failure to perform any covenant or agreement in the indenture, including failure to comply with the provisions of the indenture relating to consolidations, mergers and sales of assets, but other than a covenant included in a supplemental indenture solely for the benefit of a different series of Pioneer’s debt securities, which failure to comply continues for 90 days after written notice from the trustee or holders of 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the notes as provided in the indenture;

 

•

acceleration of more than $50 million of indebtedness of Pioneer under the terms of the applicable debt instrument if the acceleration is not rescinded or the indebtedness is not paid within ten days after written notice from the trustee or holders of 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the notes as provided in the indenture;

 

•

specified events relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or any of our significant subsidiaries; and

 

•

any other event of default provided with respect to the notes.

An event of default with respect to one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for another series.

If there is an event of default with respect to the notes, which continues for the requisite amount of time, either the trustee or holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes may declare the

 

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principal amount of and interest on the notes to be due and payable immediately, except that if an event of default occurs due to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization as provided in the indenture, then the principal of and interest on the notes shall become due and payable immediately without any act by the trustee or any holder of the notes. If the notes were issued at an original issue discount, less than the stated principal amount may become payable.

Before the acceleration of the maturity of the notes, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes may, on behalf of the holders of the notes, waive any past default or event of default and its consequences for that series, except (1) a default in the payment of the principal, premium, or interest with respect to the notes or (2) a default with respect to a provision of the indenture that cannot be amended without the consent of each holder affected by the amendment. In case of a waiver of a default, that default shall cease to exist, any event of default arising from that default shall be deemed to have been cured for all purposes, and we, the trustee, and the holders of the notes will be restored to their former positions and rights under the indenture.

The trustee under the indenture will, within 90 days after the occurrence of an event of default, or if later, within 30 days after the trustee obtains actual knowledge of the event of default, with respect to the notes, give to the holders of the notes notice of all uncured events of default with respect to the notes known to it, unless the events of default have been cured or waived before the giving of the notice, but the trustee will be protected in withholding the notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of the notice is in the interest of the holders of the notes, except in the case of an event of default in the payment of principal, premium, or interest with respect to the notes.

A holder may institute a suit against us for enforcement of such holder’s rights under the indenture for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy only if the following conditions are satisfied:

 

•

the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the notes held by that holder;

 

•

holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes make a request, in writing, and offer reasonable indemnity or security, to the trustee for the trustee to institute the requested proceeding;

 

•

the trustee does not receive direction contrary to the holder’s request within 90 days following such notice, request and offer of indemnity or security under the terms of the indenture; and

 

•

the trustee does not institute the requested proceeding within 90 days following such notice.

The indenture will require us every year to deliver to the trustee a statement as to performance of our obligations under the indenture and as to any defaults.

A default in the payment of any of our other debt securities, or a default with respect to our other debt securities that causes them to be accelerated, may give rise to a cross-default under our bank credit facility or other indebtedness.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The legal defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions described under “Description of Debt Securities—Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” in the attached prospectus shall be applicable to the notes.

Reports

We will deliver to the trustee (unless such reports have been filed within the time period set forth below on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system), within 30 calendar days after we file them with the SEC, copies of our annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such

 

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portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which we are required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. We also will comply with the provisions of Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Certain Definitions

Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the base indenture and the supplemental indenture. Reference is made to the base indenture and the supplemental indenture for the full definition of all such terms as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided. Unless the context otherwise requires, an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

“Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

 

•

the sum of:

 

•

discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves of us and our Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any provincial, territorial, state, federal or foreign income taxes, as estimated by us in a reserve report prepared as of the end of our most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available;

 

•

as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from:

 

•

estimated proved oil and gas reserves acquired since such year end, which reserves were not reflected in such year end reserve report; and

 

•

estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves since such year end due to exploration, development or exploitation activities, in each case calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year end reserve report);

 

•

and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from:

 

•

estimated proved oil and gas reserves produced or disposed of since such year end; and

 

•

estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves since such year-end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, in each case calculated on a pre-tax basis and substantially in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year end reserve report);

in each case as estimated by our petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineers engaged by us for that purpose; plus

 

•

the capitalized costs that are attributable to oil and gas properties of us and our Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and gas reserves are attributable, based on our books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of our latest available annual or quarterly financial statements; plus

 

•

the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of our latest annual or quarterly financial statements; and plus

 

•

the greater of:

 

•

the net book value of other tangible assets of us and our Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of our latest annual or quarterly financial statements; and

 

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•

the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets of us and our Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of our latest audited financial statements; minus

 

•

the sum of:

 

•

noncontrolling interests in consolidating subsidiaries;

 

•

any net gas balancing liabilities of us and our Subsidiaries reflected in our latest audited financial statements;

 

•

to the extent included in the sum obtained under the first item in this definition, the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in our year-end reserve report), attributable to reserves that are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of us and our subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto); and

 

•

the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the discounted future net revenues specified in the first item in the definition, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of us and our Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto).

If we change our method of accounting from the successful efforts method to the full cost or a similar method of accounting, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if we were still using the successful efforts method of accounting.

“Attributable Indebtedness” with respect to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, as of the time of determination, (i) if the obligation with respect to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is a capitalized lease obligation, the amount equal to the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and included in the financial statements of the lessee or (ii) if the obligation with respect to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is not a capitalized lease obligation, the amount equal to the total Net Amount of Rent required to be paid by the lessee under such lease during the remaining term thereof (including any period for which the lease has been extended), discounted from the respective due dates thereof to such determination date at the rate per annum borne by the notes compounded semiannually.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(1) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provisions to either of the foregoing) of persons become the “beneficial owners” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, except that a person will be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of Pioneer, whether as a result of the issuance of securities of Pioneer, any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of Pioneer or otherwise; or

(2) the sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition, directly or indirectly, of all or substantially all the assets of Pioneer and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole (other than a disposition of such assets as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to a wholly-owned subsidiary) shall have occurred, or Pioneer merges, consolidates or amalgamates with or into any other person or any other person merges, consolidates or amalgamates with or into Pioneer, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of Pioneer is reclassified into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where:

(a) the outstanding Voting Stock of Pioneer is reclassified into or exchanged for other Voting Stock of Pioneer or for Voting Stock of the surviving corporation, and

 

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(b) the holders of the Voting Stock of Pioneer immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the Voting Stock of Pioneer or the surviving corporation immediately after such transaction and in substantially the same proportion as before the transition; or

(3) during any period, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (together with any new directors whose election or appointment by such Board or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of Pioneer was approved by a vote of not less than a majority of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors then in office; or

(4) the stockholders of Pioneer shall have approved any plan of liquidation or dissolution of Pioneer.

“Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline.

“Consolidated Net Worth” means, with respect to any person, the stockholders’ equity of such person and its Subsidiaries, as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, less (to the extent included in stockholders’ equity) amounts attributable to redeemable stock of such person or its Subsidiaries.

“Credit Agreement” means our Second Amended and Restated 5-Year Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 2011, among us, as Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Issuing Banks, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Swingline Lenders, the Lenders party hereto, Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents, Bank of Montreal and Citibank N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as Co-Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, as supplemented, amended or modified or Refinanced from time to time. It is understood and agreed that the Credit Agreement may be refinanced, refunded, extended, renewed or replaced (through one or more such refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements), as a whole, or in part, from time to time after the termination of the applicable Credit Agreement.

“Dollar-Denominated Production Payments” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

“Existing Senior Notes” means our (i) 5.875% Senior Notes due 2016, (ii) 6.65% Senior Notes due 2017, (iii) 6.875% Senior Notes due 2018, (iv) 7.50% Senior Notes due 2020, (v) 7.20% Senior Notes due 2028 and (vi) 2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2038.

“Government Contract Lien” means any Lien required by any contract, statute, regulation or order in order to permit us or any of our Subsidiaries to perform any contract or subcontract made by us or our Subsidiaries with or at the request of the United States or any State thereof or any department, agency or instrumentality of either or to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments by us or any of our Subsidiaries to the United States or any State thereof or any department, agency or instrumentality of either pursuant to the provisions of any contract, statute, regulation or order.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any person, at any date, any obligation created or assumed by such person for the repayment of borrowed money and any guarantee thereof.

“Investment Grade” means BBB- or higher by S&P and Baa3 or higher by Moody’s, or the equivalent of such ratings by S&P or Moody’s, or, if either S&P and Moody’s shall not make a rating on the notes publicly available, another Rating Agency.

 

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“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, charge or adverse claim affecting title or resulting in an encumbrance against real or personal property or a security interest of any kind (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof or any filing or agreement to file a financing statement as debtor under the Uniform Commercial Code or any similar statute other than to reflect ownership by a third party of property leased to us or any of our Subsidiaries under a lease that is not in the nature of a conditional sale or title retention agreement).

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

“Net Amount of Rent” as to any lease for any period means the aggregate amount of rent payable by the lessee with respect to such period after excluding amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates and similar charges. In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as payable under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.

“Net Working Capital” means (a) all current assets of us and our Subsidiaries, less (b) all current liabilities of us and our Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness, in each case as set forth in our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

“Non-Recourse Indebtedness” means Indebtedness or that portion of Indebtedness of Pioneer incurred in connection with the acquisition by Pioneer of any property and as to which:

 

•

the holders of such Indebtedness agree in writing that they will look solely to the property so acquired and securing such Indebtedness for payment on or in respect of such Indebtedness and

 

•

no default with respect to such Indebtedness would permit (after notice or passage of time or both), according to the terms of any other Indebtedness of Pioneer or a Subsidiary, any holder of such other Indebtedness to declare a default under such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of such other Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.

“Oil and Gas Business” means the business of exploiting, exploring for, developing, acquiring, operating, producing, processing, gathering, marketing, storing, selling, hedging, treating, swapping, refinancing and transporting hydrocarbon and other related energy businesses.

“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any person,

 

•

pledges or deposits by such person under worker’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such person or deposits of cash or United States government bonds to secure performance, surety or appeal bonds to which such person is a party or which are otherwise required of such person, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent or other obligations of like nature, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

•

Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, laborers’, materialmen’s, landlords’, vendors’, workmen’s, operators’, producers’ (including those arising pursuant to Article 9.343 of the Texas Uniform Commercial Code or other similar statutory provisions of other states with respect to production purchased from others) and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

•

Liens for property taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

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•

minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of or with respect to, or rights of others for or with respect to, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric and other utility lines and usages, telegraph and telephone lines, pipelines, surface use, operation of equipment, permits, servitudes and other similar matters or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of such properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such person;

 

•

Liens existing or provided for under the terms of agreements existing on the date the notes were originally issued;

 

•

Liens on property or assets of, or any shares of stock of or secured debt of, any person at the time we or any of our Subsidiaries acquired the property or the person owning such property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into us or any of our Subsidiaries;

 

•

Liens securing a hedging obligation so long as such hedging obligation is of the type customarily entered into in connection with, and is entered into for the purpose of, limiting risk;

 

•

Liens upon specific properties of us or any of our Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business to provide all or part of the funds for the exploration, drilling or development of those properties;

 

•

Purchase Money Liens and Liens securing certain Non-Recourse Indebtedness; provided, however, that the related purchase money Indebtedness and Non-Recourse Indebtedness, as applicable, shall not be secured by any property or assets of Pioneer or any Subsidiary other than the property acquired by Pioneer with the proceeds of such purchase money Indebtedness or Non-Recourse Indebtedness, as applicable;

 

•

Liens securing only Indebtedness of one of our wholly-owned Subsidiaries to us or to one or more of our wholly-owned Subsidiaries;

 

•

Liens on any property to secure bonds for the construction, installation or financing of pollution control or abatement facilities or other forms of industrial revenue bond financing or Indebtedness issued or guaranteed by the United States, any state or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof;

 

•

Government Contract Liens;

 

•

Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

 

•

Liens resulting from the deposit of funds or evidences of Indebtedness in trust for the purpose of defeasing Indebtedness of us or any of our Subsidiaries;

 

•

legal or equitable encumbrances deemed to exist by reason of negative pledges or the existence of any litigation or other legal proceeding and any related lis pendens filing (excluding any attachment prior to judgment, judgment lien or attachment lien in aid of execution on a judgment);

 

•

rights of a common owner of any interest in property held by such person;

 

•

farmout, carried working interest, joint operating, unitization, royalty, overriding royalty, sales and similar agreements relating to the exploration or development of, or production from, oil and gas properties entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

•

any defects, irregularities or deficiencies in title to easements, rights-of-way or other properties that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of such properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such person; and

 

•

Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements), as a whole or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing fifth through thirteenth items of this

 

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definition; provided, however, that (i) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien, plus improvements on such property, and (ii) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under the fifth through thirteenth items of this definition at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement.

“Principal Property” means any property owned or leased by us or any of our Subsidiaries, the gross book value of which exceeds 1% of Consolidated Net Worth.

“Production Payments and Reserve Sales” means the grant or transfer by Pioneer or a Subsidiary of Pioneer to any person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar denominated), partnership or other interest in oil and gas properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to Pioneer or a Subsidiary of Pioneer.

“Purchase Money Lien” means a Lien on property securing Indebtedness Incurred by the us or any of our Subsidiaries to provide funds for all or any portion of the cost of (i) acquiring such property incurred before, at the time of, or within six months after the acquisition of such property or (ii) constructing, developing, altering, expanding, improving or repairing such property or assets used in connection with such property.

“Rating Agency” means each of S&P and Moody’s, or if S&P or Moody’s or both shall not make a rating on the notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by us (as certified by a resolution of our board of directors) which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s, or both, as the case may be.

“Rating Decline” means the rating of the notes shall be decreased by one or more gradations (including gradations within categories as well as between rating categories) by each of the Rating Agencies; provided, however, if the rating of the notes by each of the Rating Agencies is Investment Grade, then “Rating Decline” will mean the rating of the notes shall be decreased by one or more gradations (including gradations within categories as well as between rating categories) by each Rating Agency so that the rating of the notes by each of the Rating Agencies falls below Investment Grade, on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 30-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 30-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by either of the Rating Agencies; provided, that the other Rating Agency has either downgraded, or publicly announced that it is considering downgrading, the notes).

“Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such indebtedness. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any person pursuant to which we or any of our Subsidiaries leases any Principal Property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or the Subsidiary to such person, other than (i) temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than five years; (ii) leases between us and our Subsidiaries or between our Subsidiaries; (iii) leases of Principal Property executed by the time of, or within 12 months after the latest of, the acquisition, the completion

 

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of construction or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation of the Principal Property; and (iv) arrangements pursuant to any provision of law with an effect similar to the former Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

“Subsidiary” of any person means (i) any person of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of that person or a combination thereof, and (ii) any partnership, joint venture or other person in which such person or one or more of the Subsidiaries of that person or a combination thereof has the power to control by contract or otherwise the board of directors or equivalent governing body or otherwise controls such entity; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Pioneer and its Subsidiaries, the definition of Subsidiary shall not include (A) Pioneer Southwest Energy Partners L.P. or any Subsidiary of Pioneer Southwest Energy Partners L.P., (B) EFS Midstream LLC or any Subsidiary of EFS Midstream LLC, or (C) any person (other than a guarantor of the notes) that has securities that are listed for trading on a national securities exchange or that is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

“Volumetric Production Payments” means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

“Voting Stock” of any person means all classes of capital stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

Governing Law

The indenture and the notes will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, the underwriters named below, for whom Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. are acting as representatives, have severally agreed to purchase from us the following respective principal amounts of notes set forth opposite their name below.

 

Underwriters		Principal Amount of Notes
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.		$
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
UBS Securities LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith                           Incorporated
Total		$

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to purchase the notes offered hereby are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters will purchase all of the notes offered by this prospectus supplement if any of these notes are purchased.

The representatives of the underwriters have advised us that the underwriters propose to offer the notes to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement and to selected dealers at a price that represents a selling concession not in excess of     % of the principal amount of the notes. In addition, the underwriters may allow, and those selected dealers may re-allow, a selling concession of not more than     % of the principal amount of the notes to other dealers. After the initial public offering, the representatives of the underwriters may change the public offering price and other selling terms.

In addition, we estimate that our share of the total expenses of this offering, excluding underwriting discounts, will be approximately $675,000.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any of these liabilities.

The representatives of the underwriters have advised us that the underwriters do not intend to confirm sales to any account over which they exercise discretionary authority.

The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. In addition, the notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or on any automated dealer quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes. However, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time in their sole discretion. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the notes or that an active public market for the notes will develop. If an active public trading market for the notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position for the underwriters. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the notes in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the notes. Syndicate covering transactions involve the purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short

 

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positions. Stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the notes to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of those transactions. If the underwriters engage in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the representative, in covering syndicate short positions or making stabilizing purchases, repurchases notes originally sold by that syndicate member.

Conflicts of Interest

For a discussion of certain conflicts of interest involving the underwriters, see “Conflicts of Interest.”

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have in the past provided, and may in the future provide, investment banking, commercial banking, derivative transactions and financial advisory services to us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business. Specifically, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, serves as the administrative agent and as a lender under our credit facility. In addition, affiliates of each of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, UBS Securities LLC, J.P Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated are each lenders under our credit facility.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, these underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Additionally, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, will serve as the trustee for the indenture governing the notes.

Affiliates of certain of the underwriters are lenders under our credit facility and will receive their pro rata portion of the net proceeds from this offering through the repayment of the commitments they have extended under the credit facility. As a result, each of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, or their respective affiliates, may receive in excess of 5% of the net offering proceeds and may have a “conflict of interest” within the meaning of Rule 5121 of FINRA. Accordingly, this offering will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated will not confirm sales of the debt securities to any account over which they exercise discretionary authority without the prior written approval of the customer.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the notes offered in this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Dallas, Texas. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Pioneer Natural Resources Company appearing in Pioneer Natural Resources Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the effectiveness of Pioneer Natural Resources Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Estimated quantities of our oil and gas reserves and the net present value of such reserves as of December 31, 2011, set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus are based upon reserve reports prepared by us and audited by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. for our major properties in the United States and reserve reports prepared by our engineers for all other properties. The reserve audit conducted by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. for our major properties in the United States in aggregate represented 90% of our estimated proved quantities of reserves as of December 31, 2011. We have incorporated these estimates in reliance on the authority of such firm as experts in such matters.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. The SEC also maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains the reports, proxy and information statements that we file electronically with the SEC. Our reports, proxy and information statements are also available through our Internet site at www.pxd.com. The information contained in this website is not part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PXD.” Our reports and other information filed with the SEC can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement, and information we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities laws and regulations, we incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until all of the notes offered hereby have been sold or we have filed with the SEC an amendment to the registration statement relating to this offering which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold:

 

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC on February 29, 2012, as amended by our Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2012;

 

•

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC on May 7, 2012; and

 

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•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on January 30, 2012, February 28, 2012, May 1, 2012 and May 18, 2012 (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any such current report on Form 8-K).

We will provide, upon written or oral request, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with this prospectus. You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

5205 North O’Connor Blvd.

Suite 200

Irving, Texas 75039

Attention: Investor Relations

Telephone: (972) 444-9001

 

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PROSPECTUS

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc., as Guarantor

Debt Securities

Guarantees of Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Stock Purchase Contracts

Stock Purchase Units

 

 

We may offer and sell the securities listed above from time to time in one or more classes or series and in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering. Any debt securities we issue under this prospectus may be guaranteed by Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary that we call Pioneer USA.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. We will provide specific terms of the securities to be sold by us, including any guarantee by Pioneer USA, and the methods by which we will sell them in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities without a prospectus supplement describing the methods and terms of the offering. We may sell the securities directly or we may distribute them through underwriters or dealers. In addition, the underwriters may overallot a portion of the securities.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PXD.”

Investing in these securities involves risks. We recommend that you read carefully the risks we describe in any accompanying prospectus supplement and the risks factors that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus from our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is May 20, 2011.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
About This Prospectus			1
Uncertainty of Forward-Looking Statements			2
Risk Factors			2
Where You Can Find More Information			2
Information That Pioneer and Pioneer USA Incorporate by Reference			3
Pioneer and Pioneer USA			4
Use of Proceeds			4
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends			4
Description of Debt Securities			6
Description of Guarantees of Debt Securities			17
Description of Capital Stock			17
Description of Depositary Shares			23
Description of Warrants			25
Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units			27
Plan of Distribution			28
Legal Matters			29
Experts			30

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 that Pioneer and Pioneer USA filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, Pioneer or Pioneer USA may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities Pioneer or Pioneer USA may offer. Each time Pioneer or Pioneer USA sells securities, Pioneer or Pioneer USA will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the Registration Statement. For a more complete understanding of the offering of the securities, you should refer to the Registration Statement, including its exhibits. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus as described below under the heading “Information that Pioneer and Pioneer USA Incorporate by Reference.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. Pioneer and Pioneer USA have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. Pioneer and Pioneer USA are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

The information in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any other date.

In this prospectus, references to the terms “we,” “us” or “Pioneer” or other similar terms refer to Pioneer Natural Resources Company, and not to Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc., unless we state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise. References to “Pioneer USA” refer to Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.

 

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UNCERTAINTY OF FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents Pioneer and Pioneer USA incorporate by reference contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and Pioneer and Pioneer USA undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “contemplate,” “would” and similar expressions that contemplate future events. These statements appear in a number of places in this prospectus and in documents Pioneer and Pioneer USA incorporate by reference. All statements other than statements of historical fact included or incorporated in this prospectus, including statements regarding Pioneer’s or Pioneer USA’s financial position, business strategy, production and reserve growth and other plans and objectives for Pioneer’s or Pioneer USA’s future operations, are forward-looking statements.

Although Pioneer and Pioneer USA believe that such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, Pioneer and Pioneer USA give no assurance that Pioneer’s or Pioneer USA’s expectations will in fact occur. Important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including factors identified in Pioneer’s periodic and current reports incorporated in this prospectus by reference or as stated in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors.” Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and include information concerning general economic conditions and possible or assumed future results of operations, estimates of oil and gas production and reserves, drilling plans, future cash flows, anticipated capital expenditures, Pioneer’s realization of deferred tax assets, the level of future expenditures for environmental costs, government regulation or action and the strategies, plans and objectives of Pioneer’s management.

This cautionary statement expressly qualifies in their entirety all forward-looking statements attributable to Pioneer or Pioneer USA.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the specific risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement, and any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 before making an investment decision. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Pioneer files annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document Pioneer files at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. The SEC also maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains the reports, proxy and information statements that Pioneer files electronically with the SEC. Pioneer’s reports, proxy and information statements are also available through its Internet site at www.pxd.com. The information contained in this website is not part of this prospectus.

Pioneer’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PXD.” Pioneer’s reports and other information filed with the SEC can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

 

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INFORMATION THAT PIONEER AND PIONEER USA INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows Pioneer and Pioneer USA to incorporate by reference the information Pioneer files with the SEC, which means that Pioneer and Pioneer USA can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information Pioneer files later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Except to the extent that information therein is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities laws and regulations, Pioneer and Pioneer USA incorporate by reference the documents listed below that Pioneer filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

 

•

the description of Pioneer’s common stock contained in its Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on August 5, 1997, the amendment to that Registration Statement filed with the SEC on August 8, 1997, and any subsequently filed amendments and reports updating such description;

 

•

the description of the rights to purchase Pioneer’s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock pursuant to Pioneer’s stockholder rights plan contained in Pioneer’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on July 24, 2001, the amendment to that Registration Statement filed with the SEC on May 23, 2006, and any subsequently filed amendments and reports updating such description;

 

•

Pioneer’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010;

 

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Pioneer’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as amended on May 19, 2011;

 

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Pioneer’s current reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 6, 2011, February 22, 2011, February 25, 2011, April 5, 2011 and May 18, 2011.

Pioneer and Pioneer USA also incorporate by reference each of the documents that Pioneer files with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (excluding any information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 in any Current Report on Form 8-K and any other information that is deemed furnished and not filed) after the date of this prospectus until the offering of the securities terminates or Pioneer or Pioneer USA has filed with the SEC an amendment to the Registration Statement relating to this offering that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold.

You may request a copy of any of these filings, other than an exhibit to those filings unless Pioneer or Pioneer USA has specifically incorporated that exhibit by reference into the filing, at no cost, by telephoning or writing Pioneer or Pioneer USA at the following address:

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

5205 North O’Connor Blvd., Suite 200

Irving, Texas 75039

Attention: Investor Relations

Telephone: (972) 444-9001

 

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PIONEER AND PIONEER USA

Pioneer is a large independent oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States and South Africa. Pioneer USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pioneer and owns the majority of Pioneer’s United States oil and gas properties.

The executive offices of Pioneer and Pioneer USA are located at 5205 North O’Connor Blvd., Suite 200, Irving, Texas 75039, telephone number: (972) 444-9001. Pioneer maintains other offices in Anchorage, Alaska; Denver, Colorado; Midland, Texas; London, England; and Capetown, South Africa.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless Pioneer or Pioneer USA informs you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, each of Pioneer and Pioneer USA expects to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes. These purposes may include, but are not limited to:

 

•

reduction or refinancing of debt or other corporate obligations;

 

•

acquisitions;

 

•

capital expenditures; and

 

•

working capital.

Pending any specific application, each of Pioneer and Pioneer USA may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND

EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The following table sets forth Pioneer’s ratios of consolidated earnings to fixed charges and earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the periods presented:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2011				Year Ended December 31,
						2010				2009				2008				2007				2006
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(a)				(b)			4.67					(b)			2.38				2.39				2.78
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends(c)				(b)			4.67					(b)			2.38				2.39				2.78

 

(a)	The ratio has been computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For purposes of computing the ratio:

 

•

earnings consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, adjustments for net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and the Company’s share of investee’s income or loss accounted for under the equity method, and adjustment for capitalized interest, plus fixed charges and the Company’s share of distributed income from investees accounted for under the equity method; and

 

•

fixed charges consist of interest expense, capitalized interest and the portion of rental expense deemed to be representative of the interest component of rental expense.

 

(b)	The ratios indicate a less than one-to-one coverage because the earnings are inadequate to cover the fixed charges (i) during the three months ended March 31, 2011 by $116.8 million and (ii) for the year ended December 31, 2009 by $266.9 million.

 

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(c)	The ratio has been computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges and preferred stock dividends. For purposes of computing the ratio:

 

•

earnings consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, adjustments for net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests and the Company’s share of investee’s income or loss accounted for under the equity method, and adjustment for capitalized interest, plus fixed charges, the Company’s share of distributed income from investees accounted for under the equity method and preferred stock dividends, net of preferred stock dividends of a consolidated subsidiary; and

 

•

fixed charges and preferred stock dividends consist of interest expense, capitalized interest and the portion of rental expense deemed to be representative of the interest component of rental expense, preferred stock dividends of a consolidated subsidiary and preferred stock dividends.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities that Pioneer may issue separately, upon exercise of a debt warrant, in connection with a stock purchase contract, or as part of a stock purchase unit from time to time in the form of one or more series of debt securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the debt securities offered through that prospectus supplement as well as any general terms described in this section that will not apply to those debt securities.

Pioneer’s debt securities will be issued under an indenture to be entered into between Pioneer and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, as supplemented from time to time. Under the indenture, Pioneer’s debt securities may be subordinated to other indebtedness of Pioneer. See “Description of Debt Securities — Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities” below. We have filed the indenture as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part. You can obtain a copy of the indenture and any indenture supplements by following the directions outlined in “Where You Can Find More Information.” We urge you to read the indenture and any supplement thereto because they, and not this description, control your rights as a debt securities holder.

The indenture will not limit the amount of debt securities that Pioneer may issue and will permit Pioneer to issue securities from time to time in one or more series. The debt securities will be unsecured obligations of Pioneer, unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Pioneer currently conducts substantially all of its operations through subsidiaries, and the holders of debt securities (whether senior or subordinated debt securities) will be effectively subordinated to the creditors of Pioneer’s subsidiaries. This means that creditors of Pioneer’s subsidiaries will have a claim to the assets of Pioneer’s subsidiaries that is superior to the claim of Pioneer’s creditors, including holders of Pioneer’s debt securities.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any series of debt securities that Pioneer may offer:

 

•

the title of the debt securities;

 

•

whether they are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

 

•

the total amount of the debt securities authorized and the amount outstanding, if any;

 

•

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities offered through that prospectus supplement;

 

•

the identity of the person to whom Pioneer will pay interest if it is anybody other than the holder;

 

•

when the principal of the debt securities will mature;

 

•

the interest rate or the method for determining it, including any procedures to vary or reset the interest rate;

 

•

when interest will be payable, as well as the record dates for determining to whom Pioneer will pay interest;

 

•

where the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities will be paid;

 

•

whether Pioneer has any obligation to redeem, repurchase or repay the debt securities under any mandatory or optional sinking funds or similar arrangements and the terms of those arrangements;

 

•

when the debt securities may be redeemed if they are redeemable, as well as the redemption prices, and a description of the terms of redemption;

 

•

whether Pioneer has any obligation to redeem or repurchase the debt securities at the holder’s option;

 

•

the denominations of the debt securities, if other than $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000;

 

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•

the amount that Pioneer will pay the holder if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated, if other than their principal amount;

 

•

the currency in which Pioneer will make payments to the holder and, if a foreign currency, the manner of conversion from United States dollars;

 

•

any index Pioneer may use to determine the amount of payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities;

 

•

whether the debt securities will be issued in electronic, global or certificated form;

 

•

if the debt securities will be issued only in the form of a global note, the name of the depositary or its nominee and the circumstances under which the global note may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual debt securities in definitive registered form;

 

•

the applicability of the legal defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions in the applicable indenture;

 

•

any additions or changes to events of default and any additional events of default that would result in acceleration of their maturity;

 

•

whether the debt securities will be issued as registered securities or bearer securities and, if the debt securities are bearer securities, whether coupons will be attached, whether and to whom any additional interest payments shall be made, and the circumstances, if any, under which the bearer debt securities may be exchanged for registered debt securities;

 

•

the applicability or inapplicability of any covenants and any additions or changes to the covenants, including those relating to permitted consolidations, mergers or sales of assets or otherwise;

 

•

if any debt securities do not bear interest, the dates for any required reports to the trustee;

 

•

the amount that will be deemed to be the principal amount of the debt securities as of a particular date before maturity if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity date will not be able to be determined on that date;

 

•

whether the debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities and the terms and conditions upon which a conversion or exchange may occur, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other additional provisions;

 

•

the terms of any repurchase or remarketing rights of third parties;

 

•

the terms of any guarantee of the debt securities; and

 

•

any other material terms of the debt securities.

Generally, Pioneer will pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Pioneer’s registered debt securities either at an office or agency that Pioneer maintains for that purpose or, if Pioneer elects, Pioneer may pay interest by mailing a check to your address as it appears on Pioneer’s register (or, at the election of the holder, by wire transfer to an account designated by the holder). Except as may be provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, no payment on a bearer security will be made by mail to an address in the United States or by wire transfer to an account in the United States. Except as may be provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, Pioneer will issue its debt securities only in fully registered form without coupons, generally in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000. Pioneer will not apply a service charge for a transfer or exchange of its debt securities, but Pioneer may require that you pay the amount of any applicable tax or other governmental charge.

Debt securities may bear interest at fixed or floating rates. Pioneer may issue its debt securities at an original issue discount, bearing no interest or bearing interest at a rate that, at the time of issuance, is below market rate,

 

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to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Generally speaking, if Pioneer’s debt securities are issued at an original issue discount and there is an event of default or acceleration of their maturity, holders will receive an amount less than their principal amount. Tax and other special considerations applicable to any series of debt securities, including original issue discount debt, will be described in the prospectus supplement in which Pioneer offers those debt securities.

Pioneer will have the ability under the indenture to reopen a previously issued series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series or establish additional terms of the series. Pioneer is also permitted to issue debt securities with the same terms as previously issued debt securities.

Pioneer will comply with Section 14(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other tender offer rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that may then apply to any obligation Pioneer may have to purchase debt securities at the option of the holders. Any such obligation applicable to a series of debt securities will be described in the related prospectus supplement.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

Debt securities of a series may be subordinated to senior indebtedness to the extent set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subordinated debt securities. The definition of “senior indebtedness” (1) will include, among other things, Pioneer’s indebtedness, whether outstanding on the original issue date of the debt securities or incurred after such date, unless the instrument that creates or evidences such indebtedness provides that such obligations are subordinate in right of payment to the debt securities, and (2) will be specifically set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subordinated debt securities.

Subordinated debt securities of a particular series and any coupons relating to those debt securities will be subordinate in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the indenture and the prospectus supplement relating to those subordinated debt securities, to the prior payment of all of Pioneer’s indebtedness that is designated as senior indebtedness with respect to that series.

Upon any payment or distribution of Pioneer’s assets to creditors or upon a total or partial liquidation or dissolution of Pioneer or in a bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceeding relating to Pioneer or its property, holders of senior indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of the senior indebtedness before holders of subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest with respect to the subordinated debt securities and, until the senior indebtedness is paid in full, any distribution to which holders of subordinated debt securities would otherwise be entitled will be made to the holders of senior indebtedness (except that holders of subordinated debt securities may receive shares of stock and any debt securities that are subordinated to senior indebtedness to at least the same extent as the subordinated debt securities), all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise provided in an applicable prospectus supplement, Pioneer may not (1) make any payments of principal, premium, if any, or interest with respect to subordinated debt securities, (2) make any deposit for the purpose of defeasance of the subordinated debt securities, or (3) repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire (except, in the case of subordinated debt securities that provide for a mandatory sinking fund, by Pioneer’s delivery of subordinated debt securities to the trustee in satisfaction of Pioneer’s sinking fund obligation) any subordinated debt securities if:

 

•

any principal, premium or interest with respect to senior indebtedness is not paid within any applicable grace period (including at maturity); or

 

•

any other default on senior indebtedness occurs and the maturity of that senior indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms,

unless, in either case, the default has been cured or waived and the acceleration has been rescinded, the senior indebtedness has been paid in full in cash, or Pioneer and the trustee receive written notice approving the

 

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payment from the representatives of each issue of specified senior indebtedness as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Unless otherwise provided in an applicable prospectus supplement, during the continuance of any default (other than a default described in the preceding paragraph) with respect to any senior indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity of that senior indebtedness may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect the acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, Pioneer may not pay the subordinated debt securities for such periods after notice of the default from the representative of specified senior indebtedness as shall be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

By reason of this subordination, in the event of insolvency, Pioneer’s creditors who are holders of senior indebtedness or holders of any indebtedness or preferred stock of Pioneer’s subsidiaries, as well as certain of Pioneer’s general creditors, may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the subordinated debt securities.

Events of Default

Except as may be provided otherwise in a prospectus supplement, any of the following events will constitute an event of default for a series of debt securities under the indenture:

 

•

failure to pay interest on Pioneer’s debt securities of that series, or any payment with respect to the related coupons, if any, for 30 days past the applicable due date;

 

•

failure to pay principal of, or premium, if any, on Pioneer’s debt securities of that series when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, upon required repurchase or otherwise;

 

•

failure to make any sinking fund payment on debt securities of that series when due;

 

•

failure to perform any covenant or agreement in the indenture, including failure to comply with the provisions of the indenture relating to consolidations, mergers and sales of assets, but other than a covenant included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a different series of Pioneer’s debt securities, which failure to comply continues for 90 days after written notice from the trustee or holders of 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of that series as provided in the applicable indenture;

 

•

acceleration of more than $50,000,000 of indebtedness of Pioneer under the terms of the applicable debt instrument if the acceleration is not rescinded or the indebtedness is not paid within ten days after written notice from the trustee or holders of 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

•

specified events relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Pioneer or any of its significant subsidiaries; and

 

•

any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series.

An event of default with respect to one series of debt securities is not necessarily an event of default for another series. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it considers such withholding of notice to be in the interests of the holders.

If an event of default described in the sixth bullet point above occurs, the entire principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on, all debt securities then outstanding will be due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders. If any other event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues for the requisite amount of time, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of, and accrued interest on, all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If this happens, subject to

 

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certain conditions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series can rescind the declaration. Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. If they provide this reasonable security or indemnification, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for that series of debt securities.

Before the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities of any series, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities and any related coupons of that series, waive any past default or event of default and its consequences for that series, except (1) a default in the payment of the principal, premium or interest with respect to those debt securities or (2) a default with respect to a provision of the indenture that cannot be amended without the consent of each holder affected by the amendment. In case of a waiver of a default, that default shall cease to exist, any event of default arising from that default shall be deemed to have been cured for all purposes, and Pioneer, the trustee and the holders of the senior debt securities of that series will be restored to their former positions and rights under the indenture.

A default in the payment of any of Pioneer’s debt securities, or a default with respect to Pioneer’s debt securities that causes them to be accelerated, may give rise to a cross-default under Pioneer’s bank credit facility or other indebtedness.

Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture

The indenture will generally cease to be of any further effect with respect to a series of debt securities if:

 

•

Pioneer has delivered to the trustee for cancellation all debt securities of that series (with certain limited exceptions); or

 

•

all debt securities and coupons of that series not previously delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, whether by redemption, at stated maturity or otherwise, and Pioneer has deposited with the trustee as trust funds the entire amount sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all of those debt securities and coupons;

and if, in either case, Pioneer also pays or causes to be paid all other sums payable under the indenture by Pioneer.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

Any series of Pioneer’s debt securities may be subject to the defeasance and discharge provisions of the indenture if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If those provisions are applicable, Pioneer may elect either:

 

•

legal defeasance — which will permit Pioneer to defease and be discharged from, subject to limitations, all of its obligations with respect to those debt securities; or

 

•

covenant defeasance — which will permit Pioneer to be released from its obligations to comply with covenants relating to those debt securities as described in the applicable prospectus supplement, which may include obligations concerning subordination of Pioneer’s subordinated debt securities.

If Pioneer exercises its legal defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of those debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default. If Pioneer exercises its covenant defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of those debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default related to the specified covenants.

 

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Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, Pioneer may invoke legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to any series of its debt securities only if:

 

•

Pioneer irrevocably deposits with the trustee, in trust, an amount in funds or U.S. government obligations that, through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay, when due upon maturity or redemption, as the case may be, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on those debt securities;

 

•

Pioneer delivers to the trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. government obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest when due with respect to all the debt securities of that series to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

•

91 days pass after the deposit is made and, during the 91-day period, no default relating to Pioneer’s bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs that is continuing at the end of that period;

 

•

no event of default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit and after giving effect to the deposit;

 

•

the deposit is not a default under any other material agreement binding on Pioneer and, in the case of subordinated debt securities, is not prohibited by the subordination provisions of the indenture;

 

•

Pioneer delivers to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit is not, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

 

•

Pioneer delivers to the trustee an opinion of counsel addressing certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the defeasance; and

 

•

Pioneer delivers to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance of the debt securities of that series as contemplated by the applicable indenture have been complied with.

Modification and Waiver

Pioneer may enter into supplemental indentures for the purpose of modifying or amending the indenture with the consent of holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of each series of Pioneer’s outstanding debt securities affected. However, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the consent of all of the holders of Pioneer’s debt securities that are affected by any modification or amendment is required for any of the following:

 

•

to reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities of any series whose holders must consent to an amendment or waiver;

 

•

to reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any debt security or coupon or reduce the amount of any interest payment to be made with respect to any debt security or coupon;

 

•

to reduce the principal of or extend the stated maturity of principal of any debt security;

 

•

to reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of any debt security or change the time at which any debt security may or shall be redeemed;

 

•

to make any debt security payable in a currency other than that stated in that debt security;

 

•

to modify the subordination provisions of Pioneer’s subordinated debt securities in a manner adverse to holders;

 

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•

to release any security that may have been granted with respect to the debt securities;

 

•

to impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities on and after the due date therefor;

 

•

to make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to waivers of defaults or amendments that require unanimous consent;

 

•

to change any obligations provided for in the indenture to pay any additional interest with respect to bearer securities; and

 

•

to limit Pioneer’s obligations to maintain a paying agency outside the United States for payment on bearer securities or limit Pioneer’s obligation to redeem certain bearer securities.

In addition, with respect to the indenture, Pioneer and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities for one or more of the following purposes (in addition to any other purposes specified in an applicable prospectus supplement):

 

•

to evidence that another person has become Pioneer’s successor under the provisions of the indenture relating to consolidations, mergers and sales of assets and that the successor assumes Pioneer’s covenants, agreements and obligations in the indenture and in the debt securities;

 

•

to surrender any of Pioneer’s rights or powers under the indenture, to limit the applicability of or consequences of breach of any covenant under the indenture, to add to Pioneer’s covenants further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders of all or any series of debt securities issued under the indenture, and to make a default in any of these additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a default or an event of default under the indenture;

 

•

to cure any ambiguity or omission or to make corrections or supplements to the indenture, any supplemental indenture or any debt securities issued under the indenture, or to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the trustee;

 

•

to modify or amend the indenture to permit the qualification of the indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as then in effect;

 

•

to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide that bearer securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal or premium with respect to registered securities or of principal, premium or interest with respect to bearer securities, or to permit registered securities to be exchanged for bearer securities, so long as none of these actions adversely affects the interests of the holders of debt securities or any coupons of any series in any material respect or permits the issuance of debt securities of any series in uncertificated form;

 

•

to comply with the provisions of the indenture relating to consolidations, mergers and sales of assets;

 

•

to modify the subordination provisions of Pioneer’s subordinated debt securities in a manner that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of senior indebtedness (or its representative) under such subordination provisions;

 

•

to add guarantees with respect to any or all of the debt securities or to secure any or all of the debt securities;

 

•

to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of a series of debt securities under the indenture;

 

•

to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture with respect to one or more series of debt securities, so long as the addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under the indenture will (1) neither apply to any debt security of any series created before the execution of the supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of that provision nor modify the rights of the holders of that debt security with respect to that provision or (2) become effective only when there is none of that debt security outstanding;

 

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•

to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor or separate trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as necessary to provide for the administration of the indenture by more than one trustee;

 

•

to establish the form or terms of debt securities and coupons, if any, of any series; and

 

•

to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities, subject to certain limitations.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture prohibits Pioneer from consolidating with or merging into another business entity, or transferring or leasing substantially all of Pioneer’s assets, unless:

 

•

Pioneer is the continuing entity in the case of a merger; or the surviving or acquiring entity, if other than Pioneer, is organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia and it expressly assumes Pioneer’s obligations with respect to Pioneer’s debt securities by executing a supplemental indenture;

 

•

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default would occur or be continuing;

 

•

the successor company waives any right to redeem any bearer security under circumstances in which the successor company would be entitled to redeem the bearer security but Pioneer would have not been entitled to redeem that bearer security if the consolidation, merger or sale had not occurred; and

 

•

Pioneer has delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the consolidation, merger or sale complies with the indenture.

The surviving or acquiring company will be substituted for Pioneer in the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture, and the issuer will be relieved from any further obligations under the indenture.

No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control

Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that protect the holders of the debt securities in the event of a change of control of Pioneer or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, whether or not such transaction results in a change of control of Pioneer.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

If debt securities of any series are convertible or exchangeable, the applicable prospectus supplement will specify:

 

•

the type of securities into which they may be converted or exchanged;

 

•

the conversion price or exchange ratio, or its method of calculation;

 

•

whether conversion or exchange is mandatory or at the holder’s election;

 

•

how and when the conversion price or exchange ratio may be adjusted; and

 

•

any other important terms concerning the conversion or exchange rights.

 

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Global Securities

Pioneer’s debt securities may be issued in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so, each global security will be issued in the denomination of the aggregate principal amount of securities that it represents. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities that are in definitive registered form, a global security may not be transferred or exchanged except as a whole to the depositary, another nominee of the depositary, or a successor of the depositary or its nominee. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe this concept more fully.

The specific material terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of a series of Pioneer’s debt securities that will be represented by a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Pioneer anticipates that the following provisions will apply to Pioneer’s depositary arrangements.

Upon the issuance of any global security, and its deposit with or on behalf of the depositary, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal amounts of Pioneer’s debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of participating institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee. The underwriters or agents engaging in the distribution of Pioneer’s debt securities, or Pioneer, if Pioneer is offering and selling its debt securities directly, will designate the accounts to be credited. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participating institutions or their clients. The depositary or its nominee will keep records of the ownership and transfer of beneficial interests in a global security by participating institutions. Participating institutions will keep records of the ownership and transfer of beneficial interests by their clients. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that purchasers of Pioneer’s securities receive physical certificates, which may impair a holder’s ability to transfer its beneficial interests in global securities.

While the depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or its nominee will be considered the sole owner of all of Pioneer’s debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indentures. Generally, if a holder owns beneficial interests in a global security, that holder will not be entitled to have Pioneer’s debt securities registered in that holder’s own name, and that holder will not be entitled to receive a certificate representing that holder’s ownership. Accordingly, if a holder owns a beneficial interest in a global security, the holder must rely on the depositary and, if applicable, the participating institution of which that holder is a client to exercise the rights of that holder under the applicable indenture.

The depositary may grant proxies and otherwise authorize participating institutions to take any action that a holder is entitled to take under the indentures. Pioneer understands that, according to existing industry practices, if Pioneer requests any action of holders, or any owner of a beneficial interest in a global security wishes to give any notice or take any action, the depositary would authorize the participating institutions to give the notice or take the action, and the participating institutions would in turn authorize their clients to give the notice or take the action.

Generally, Pioneer will make payments on its debt securities represented by a global security directly to the depositary or its nominee. It is Pioneer’s understanding that the depositary will then credit the accounts of participating institutions, which will then distribute funds to their clients. Pioneer also expects that payments by participating institutions to their clients will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of clients registered in “street names,” and will be the responsibility of the participating institutions. Neither Pioneer nor the trustee, nor their respective agents, will have any responsibility, or bear any liability, for any aspects of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing records relating to beneficial interests.

 

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Generally, a global security may be exchanged for certificated debt securities only in the following instances:

 

•

the depositary notifies Pioneer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary, or it ceases to be a registered clearing agency, if required to be registered by law, and a successor is not appointed within 90 days; or

 

•

Pioneer determines in its sole discretion that it will no longer have debt securities represented by global securities or that it will permit global securities to be exchanged for certificated debt securities.

The following is based on information furnished to Pioneer:

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, which Pioneer refers to as “DTC,” will act as depositary for securities issued in the form of global securities. Global securities will be issued only as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., which is DTC’s nominee. One or more fully-registered global securities will be issued for these securities representing in the aggregate the total number of these securities, and will be deposited with or on behalf of DTC.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with it. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, known as indirect participants, such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain custodial relationships with direct participants, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of securities within the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security, commonly referred to as the beneficial owner, is in turn to be recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owners purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in securities issued in the form of global securities are accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in these securities, except if use of the book-entry system for such securities is discontinued.

DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities issued in the form of global securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts such securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping accounts of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners, will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Any redemption notices need to be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a series or class are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount to be redeemed from each participant.

 

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Although voting with respect to securities issued in the form of global securities is limited to the holders of record, when a vote is required, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will itself consent or vote with respect to such securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC would send an omnibus proxy to the issuer of the securities as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts such securities are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

Payments in respect of securities issued in the form of global securities will be made by the issuer of such securities to DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts on the relevant payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payments on such payment date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such participant and not of DTC or Pioneer, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payments to DTC are the responsibility of the issuer of the applicable securities, disbursement of such payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursements of such payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as depositary with respect to any securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the issuer of such securities. If a successor depositary is not obtained, individual security certificates representing such securities are required to be printed and delivered. Pioneer, at its option, may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC or a successor depositary.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that Pioneer believes to be accurate, but Pioneer assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. Pioneer has no responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants of their obligations as described in this prospectus or under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Debt securities may be issued as registered securities (which will be registered as to principal and interest in the register maintained by the registrar for those senior debt securities) or bearer securities (which will be transferable only by delivery). If debt securities are issuable as bearer securities, certain special limitations and considerations will apply, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Reports

Pioneer will deliver to the trustee (unless such reports have been made available on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system), within 30 calendar days after Pioneer has filed with the SEC, copies of its annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that Pioneer is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Pioneer will also comply with the provisions of Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

Pioneer’s Trustee

Pioneer has designated Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, to serve as trustee under the indenture. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, is also the trustee for Pioneer’s 2008 indenture, including for Pioneer’s 2.875% senior notes due 2038 and 7.500% senior notes due 2020 issued under that indenture, and Pioneer’s 6.65% Senior Notes issued under its 1998 indenture. Pioneer may engage additional or substitute trustees with respect to particular series of Pioneer’s debt securities. Pioneer or Pioneer USA may maintain banking and other commercial relationships with any trustee, including Wells Fargo, National Association and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business. A trustee may own Pioneer’s debt securities.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities are governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES

Pioneer USA may issue guarantees of debt securities offered by Pioneer in any prospectus supplement. A copy of the guarantee will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of guarantees. Each guarantee will be issued under the indenture. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of guarantees will describe the terms of those guarantees, including the following:

 

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the series of debt securities to which the guarantees apply;

 

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whether the guarantees are secured or unsecured;

 

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whether the guarantees are conditional or unconditional;

 

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whether the guarantees are senior or subordinate to other guarantees or debt;

 

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the terms under which the guarantees may be amended, modified, waived, released or otherwise terminated, if different from the provisions applicable to the guaranteed debt securities;

 

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any additional terms of the guarantees; and

 

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any other information Pioneer USA thinks is important about the guarantees.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Pioneer’s authorized capital stock consists of 600,000,000 shares of stock, including:

 

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500,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share, of which 116,193,197 shares were issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2011; and

 

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100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, including 500,000 shares that have been designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, in connection with Pioneer’s rights agreement, of which no shares are currently issued or outstanding.

Common Stock

This section describes the general terms of Pioneer’s common stock. For more detailed information, you should refer to Pioneer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, copies of which have been filed with the SEC. These documents are also incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Holders of Pioneer’s common stock are entitled to one vote per share with respect to each matter submitted to a vote of Pioneer’s stockholders, subject to voting rights that may be established for shares of Pioneer’s preferred stock, if any. Except as may be provided in connection with Pioneer’s preferred stock or as otherwise may be required by law or Pioneer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, Pioneer’s common stock is the only capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors. Pioneer’s common stock does not have cumulative voting rights.

Subject to the rights of holders of Pioneer’s preferred stock, if any, holders of Pioneer’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends and distributions lawfully declared by Pioneer’s board of directors. If Pioneer liquidates, dissolves or winds up its business, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, holders of Pioneer’s common stock will be entitled to receive any assets available for distribution to Pioneer’s stockholders after Pioneer has paid or set apart for payment the amounts necessary to satisfy any preferential or participating rights to which the holders of each outstanding series of preferred stock are entitled by the express terms of such series of preferred stock.

 

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The outstanding shares of Pioneer’s common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Pioneer’s common stock does not have any preemptive, subscription or conversion rights. Pioneer may issue additional shares of its authorized common stock as it is authorized by its board of directors from time to time, without stockholder approval, except as may be required by applicable stock exchange requirements.

Preferred Stock

This section describes the general terms and provisions of Pioneer’s preferred stock. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the shares of preferred stock offered through that prospectus supplement, as well as any general terms described in this section that will not apply to those shares of preferred stock. Pioneer will file a copy of the certificate of designations that contains the terms of each new series of preferred stock with the SEC each time Pioneer issues a new series of preferred stock. Each certificate of designations will establish the number of shares included in a designated series and fix the designation, powers, privileges, preferences and rights of the shares of each series as well as any applicable qualifications, limitations or restrictions. You should refer to the applicable certificate of designations as well as Pioneer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation before deciding to buy shares of Pioneer’s preferred stock as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Pioneer’s board of directors has been authorized to provide for the issuance of shares of Pioneer’s preferred stock in multiple series without the approval of stockholders. With respect to each series of Pioneer’s preferred stock, Pioneer’s board of directors has the authority to fix the following terms:

 

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the designation of the series;

 

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the number of shares within the series;

 

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whether dividends are cumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends are cumulative;

 

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the rate of any dividends, any conditions upon which dividends are payable, and the dates of payment of dividends;

 

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whether the shares are redeemable, the redemption price and the terms of redemption;

 

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the amount payable to a holder of such shares for each share owned if Pioneer dissolves or liquidates;

 

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whether the shares are convertible or exchangeable, the price or rate of conversion or exchange, and the applicable terms and conditions;

 

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any restrictions on issuance of shares in the same series or any other series;

 

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voting rights applicable to the series of preferred stock; and

 

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any other rights, preferences or limitations of such series.

A preferred stockholder’s rights with respect to such holder’s shares of preferred stock will be subordinate to the rights of Pioneer’s general creditors. Shares of Pioneer’s preferred stock that Pioneer issues will be fully paid and nonassessable and will not be entitled to preemptive rights unless specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Pioneer’s ability to issue preferred stock, or rights to purchase such shares, could discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal. For example, Pioneer could impede a business combination by issuing a series of preferred stock containing class voting rights that would enable the holders of such preferred stock to block a business combination transaction. Alternatively, Pioneer could facilitate a business combination transaction by issuing a series of preferred stock having sufficient voting rights to provide a required percentage vote of the stockholders. Additionally, under certain circumstances, Pioneer’s issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Pioneer’s common stock. Although Pioneer’s board of directors is required to make any determination to issue any preferred stock based on its judgment as to the best interests of Pioneer’s stockholders,

 

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Pioneer’s board of directors could act in a manner that would discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction that some, or a majority, of Pioneer’s stockholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which stockholders might receive a premium for their stock over prevailing market prices of such stock. Pioneer’s board of directors does not at present intend to seek stockholder approval prior to any issuance of currently authorized stock, unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange requirements.

Rights Agreement

Attached to each share of Pioneer’s common stock is one preferred share purchase right. Each right entitles the registered holder to purchase from Pioneer one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01, at a price of $95.00 per one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment. The rights expire on July 31, 2011, unless the final expiration date is extended or unless the rights are earlier redeemed by Pioneer.

The rights represented by the certificates for Pioneer’s common stock are not exercisable, and are not separately transferable from the common stock, until the earlier of:

 

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ten days after a person or group has become an “acquiring person.” A person or group becomes an acquiring person when the person acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of Pioneer’s common stock; or

 

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ten business days, or a later date determined by Pioneer’s board of directors, after the commencement or first public announcement of a tender or exchange offer that would result in a person or group beneficially owning 15% or more of Pioneer’s outstanding common stock.

The earlier of these two dates is called the “distribution date.” Separate certificates for the rights will be mailed to holders of record of Pioneer’s common stock as of the distribution date. The rights could then begin trading separately from Pioneer’s common stock.

Generally, in the event that a person or group becomes an acquiring person, each right, other than the rights owned by the acquiring person, will entitle the holder to receive, upon exercise of the right, common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. In the event that Pioneer is acquired in a merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction or more than 50% of Pioneer’s assets, cash flow or earning power is sold or transferred, each right, other than the rights owned by an acquiring person, will entitle the holder to receive, upon the exercise of the right, common stock of the surviving corporation having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right.

At any time after the acquisition by the acquiring person of beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Pioneer’s common stock and before the acquisition by the acquiring person of 50% or more of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Pioneer’s common stock, Pioneer’s board of directors may exchange the rights, other than rights owned by the acquiring person, which would have become void, in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Pioneer’s common stock for each two shares of Pioneer’s common stock for which each right is then exercisable, subject to adjustment.

The rights are redeemable in whole, but not in part, at $.001 per right until any person or group becomes an acquiring person. The ability to exercise the rights terminates at the time that Pioneer’s board of directors elects to redeem the rights. Notice of redemption will be given by mail to the registered holders of the rights. At no time will the rights have any voting rights.

The number of outstanding rights, the exercise price payable, and the number of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable upon exercise of the rights are subject to customary adjustments from time to time to prevent dilution.

 

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The rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The rights may cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire Pioneer on terms not approved by Pioneer’s board of directors, except in the case of an offer conditioned on a substantial number of rights being acquired. The rights should not interfere with any merger or other business combination that Pioneer’s board of directors approves.

The shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock that may be purchased upon exercise of the rights will rank junior to all other series of Pioneer’s preferred stock, if any, or any similar stock that specifically provides that it ranks prior to the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. The shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock will be nonredeemable. Each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend of $1.00 per share, if, as and when declared, but will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 1,000 times the dividend declared per share of Pioneer’s common stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $1,000 per share, but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 1,000 times the payment made per share of Pioneer’s common stock. Each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock will have 1,000 votes, voting together with Pioneer’s common stock. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which Pioneer’s common stock is exchanged, each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount and type of consideration received per share of Pioneer’s common stock. These rights are protected by customary anti-dilution provisions. Because of the nature of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock’s dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of the interest in a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock purchasable upon the exercise of each right should approximate the value of one share of Pioneer’s common stock.

The description of the rights contained in this section does not describe every aspect of the rights. The rights agreement dated as of July 20, 2001, between Pioneer and the rights agent, as amended, contains the full legal text of the matters described in this section. A copy of the rights agreement, as amended, has been incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain a copy.

Limitation on Directors’ Liability

Pioneer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides, as authorized by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, that a director of Pioneer will not be personally liable to Pioneer or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:

 

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for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to Pioneer or its stockholders;

 

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for acts or omission not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

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for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or

 

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for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

The inclusion of this provision in Pioneer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors, and may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their duty of care, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited Pioneer and its stockholders.

 

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Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law prohibits a defined set of transactions between a Delaware corporation, such as Pioneer, and an “interested stockholder.” An interested stockholder is defined as a person who, together with any affiliates or associates of such person, beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of the outstanding voting shares of a Delaware corporation. This provision may prohibit business combinations between an interested stockholder and a corporation for a period of three years after the date the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. The term “business combination” is broadly defined to include a broad array of transactions, including mergers, consolidations, sales or other dispositions of assets having a total value in excess of 10% of the consolidated assets of the corporation or all of the outstanding stock of the corporation, and some other transactions that would increase the interested stockholder’s proportionate share ownership in the corporation.

This prohibition is effective unless:

 

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the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved by the corporation’s board of directors prior to the time the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder;

 

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the interested stockholder acquired at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation, other than stock held by directors who are also officers or by qualified employee stock plans, in the transaction in which it becomes an interested stockholder; or

 

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the business combination is approved by a majority of the corporation’s board of directors and by the affirmative vote of 662/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Special Charter and Bylaw Provisions

Pioneer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions requiring that advance notice be delivered to Pioneer of any business to be brought by a stockholder before an annual meeting of stockholders and providing for certain procedures to be followed by stockholders in nominating persons for election to Pioneer’s board of directors. Generally, such advance notice provisions provide that the stockholder must give written notice to Pioneer’s Secretary not less than 60 days before the scheduled date of the annual meeting of Pioneer’s stockholders or, if later, ten days after the first public notice of the annual meeting is sent to Pioneer’s stockholders. The notice must set forth specific information regarding such stockholder and such business or director nominee, as described in Pioneer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Such requirement is in addition to those set forth in the regulations adopted by the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Pioneer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to any rights of holders of preferred stock to elect one or more directors, the number of directors shall not be fewer than three or more than 21 and provides for a classified board of directors, consisting of three classes as nearly equal in size as practicable. Each class holds office until the third annual stockholders’ meeting for election of directors following the most recent election of such class. Pioneer’s directors may be removed only for cause.

Pioneer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders may not act by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Special meetings of the stockholders may be called by Pioneer’s board of directors, but may not be called by Pioneer’s stockholders. Pioneer’s amended and restated bylaws may be amended by Pioneer’s board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662/3% of the aggregate voting power of Pioneer’s outstanding capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors.

 

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Pioneer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation also contains a “fair price” provision that applies to certain business combination transactions involving any person or group that beneficially owns at least 10% of the aggregate voting power of Pioneer’s outstanding capital stock, referred to as a “related person.” The “fair price” provision requires the affirmative vote of the holders of:

 

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at least 80% of Pioneer’s voting stock, and

 

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at least 66 2/3% of Pioneer’s voting stock not beneficially owned by the related person

to approve certain transactions between the related person and Pioneer or its subsidiaries, including any merger, consolidation or share exchange, any sale, lease, exchange, pledge or other disposition of Pioneer’s assets or its subsidiaries having a fair market value of at least $10 million, any transfer or issuance of Pioneer’s securities or its subsidiaries’ securities, any adoption of a plan or proposal by Pioneer of its voluntary liquidation or dissolution, certain reclassifications of Pioneer’s securities or recapitalizations or certain other transactions, in each case involving the related person.

This voting requirement will not apply to certain transactions, including:

 

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any transaction in which the consideration to be received by the holders of each class or series of capital stock is:

 

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the same in form and amount as that paid in a tender offer in which the related person acquired at least 50% of the outstanding shares of such class or series and which was consummated not more than one year earlier; or

 

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not less in amount than the highest per share price paid by the related person for shares of such class or series; and

 

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any transaction approved by Pioneer’s continuing directors.

This provision could have the effect of delaying or preventing change in control in a transaction or series of transactions that did not satisfy the “fair price” criteria.

The provisions of Pioneer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation relating to the limitation of actions taken by written consent and the “fair price” provision may be amended only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the aggregate voting power of Pioneer’s outstanding capital stock entitled to vote for the election of directors.

The foregoing provisions of Pioneer’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and Pioneer’s amended and restated bylaws, together with the rights agreement and the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or the removal of existing management, of deterring potential acquirors from making an offer to Pioneer’s stockholders and of limiting any opportunity to realize premiums over prevailing market prices for Pioneer’s common stock in connection therewith. This could be the case notwithstanding that a majority of Pioneer’s stockholders might benefit from such a change in control or offer.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company serves as the registrar and transfer agent for the common stock.

Stock Exchange Listing

Pioneer’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The trading symbol for Pioneer’s common stock is “PXD.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

Pioneer may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If Pioneer does so, Pioneer may issue receipts for depositary shares that each represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between Pioneer and a bank depositary. The phrase “bank depositary” means a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by Pioneer. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.

Pioneer has summarized some common provisions of a depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. The forms of the depositary agreement and the depositary receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC each time Pioneer issues depositary shares, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.

Dividends and Other Distributions

If Pioneer pays a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the bank depositary will distribute such dividends to the record holders of such depositary shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the bank depositary will distribute the property to the record holders of the depositary shares. However, if the bank depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the bank depositary may, with Pioneer’s approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the record holders of the depositary shares.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If Pioneer redeems a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the bank depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the bank depositary in connection with the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the bank depositary may determine.

Voting the Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by depositary shares are entitled to vote, the bank depositary will mail the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) may instruct the bank depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The bank depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and Pioneer will take all action that the bank depositary deems necessary in order to enable the bank depositary to do so. The bank depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock.

Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may be amended by agreement between the bank depositary and Pioneer. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless such

 

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amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The depositary agreement may be terminated by the bank depositary or Pioneer only if (1) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or (2) there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Pioneer and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary shares.

Charges of Bank Depositary

Pioneer will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. Pioneer will pay charges of the bank depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the depositary agreement to be payable by such holders.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

Except as may be provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the bank depositary, subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, the owner of the depositary shares may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the bank depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the depositary agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.

Miscellaneous

The bank depositary will forward to holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from Pioneer that are delivered to the bank depositary and that Pioneer is required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.

Neither the bank depositary nor Pioneer will be liable if Pioneer is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the depositary agreement. The obligations of the bank depositary and Pioneer under the depositary agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of their respective duties under the depositary agreement, and Pioneer will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Pioneer may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary shares or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

Resignation and Removal of Bank Depositary

The bank depositary may resign at any time by delivering to Pioneer notice of its election to do so, and Pioneer may at any time remove the bank depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor bank depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor bank depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company meeting the requirements of the depositary agreement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

General Description of Warrants

Pioneer may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with other securities and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between Pioneer and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as Pioneer’s agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. A copy of the warrant agreement will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of warrants.

Debt Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to purchase debt securities will describe the terms of those warrants, including the following:

 

•

the title of the warrants;

 

•

the offering price for the warrants, if any;

 

•

the aggregate number of the warrants;

 

•

the designation and terms of the debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

 

•

if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities that the warrants are issued with and the number of warrants issued with each debt security;

 

•

if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any debt securities issued with them will be separately transferable;

 

•

the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the debt securities may be purchased upon exercise;

 

•

the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

 

•

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

•

whether the warrants represented by the warrant certificates or the debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;

 

•

information relating to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

•

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

 

•

if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

•

anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

 

•

redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants;

 

•

any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; and

 

•

any other information Pioneer thinks is important about the warrants.

Stock Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock will describe the terms of the common stock warrants and preferred stock warrants, including the following:

 

•

the title of the warrants;

 

•

the offering price for the warrants, if any;

 

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•

the aggregate number of the warrants;

 

•

the designation and terms of the common stock or preferred stock that maybe purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

 

•

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities that the warrants are issued with and the number of warrants issued with each security;

 

•

if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable;

 

•

the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the shares may be purchased upon exercise;

 

•

the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants commence and expire;

 

•

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

•

the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;

 

•

if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

•

anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;

 

•

redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants;

 

•

any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; and

 

•

any other information Pioneer thinks is important about the warrants.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the principal amount of debt securities or shares of preferred stock or common stock being offered. Holders may exercise warrants at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants are void. Holders may exercise warrants as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants being offered.

Until a warrant holder exercises such holder’s warrants to purchase Pioneer’s debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, the holder will not have any rights as a holder of Pioneer’s debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, as the case may be, by virtue of the holder’s ownership of warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND

STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

Pioneer may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from Pioneer and contracts obligating Pioneer to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or other securities at a future date or dates, which Pioneer refers to in this prospectus as “stock purchase contracts.” The price per share of the securities and the number of shares of the securities may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities, warrants or other securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the securities under the stock purchase contracts, which Pioneer refers to in this prospectus as “stock purchase units.” The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the stock purchase contracts in a specified manner. The stock purchase contracts also may require Pioneer to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or refunded on some basis.

The stock purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements, relating to the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units, will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units will describe the terms of those stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units, including the following:

 

•

if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

•

any other information Pioneer thinks is important about the stock purchase contracts or the stock purchase units.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Pioneer or Pioneer USA may sell the offered securities in and outside the United States (1) through underwriters or dealers, (2) directly to purchasers, including Pioneer’s affiliates and stockholders, in a rights offering, (3) through agents or (4) through a combination of any of these methods. The prospectus supplement will include the following information:

 

•

the terms of the offering;

 

•

the names of any underwriters or agents;

 

•

the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;

 

•

the purchase price or initial public offering price of the securities;

 

•

the net proceeds to Pioneer or Pioneer USA from the sale of the securities;

 

•

any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

•

any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

•

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

•

any commissions paid to agents.

Sale through Underwriters or Dealers

If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account for resale to the public, either on a firm commitment basis or a best efforts basis. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless Pioneer or Pioneer USA informs you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.

Some or all of the securities that Pioneer or Pioneer USA offers though this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom Pioneer or Pioneer USA sells its securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, each of Pioneer and Pioneer USA cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that it offers.

If dealers are used in the sale of securities, Pioneer or Pioneer USA will sell the securities to them as principals. The dealers may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. Pioneer or Pioneer USA will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

 

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Direct Sales and Sales through Agents

Pioneer or Pioneer USA may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. Pioneer or Pioneer USA may also sell the securities through agents designated from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, Pioneer or Pioneer USA will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and Pioneer or Pioneer USA will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless Pioneer or Pioneer USA informs you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

Pioneer or Pioneer USA may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any sale of those securities. Pioneer or Pioneer USA will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.

Pioneer may also make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to its existing stockholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to Pioneer’s stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, Pioneer may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.

Remarketing Arrangements

Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for Pioneer or Pioneer USA. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with Pioneer or Pioneer USA and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, in connection with the securities remarketed.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If Pioneer or Pioneer USA so indicates in the prospectus supplement, Pioneer or Pioneer USA may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from Pioneer or Pioneer USA at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

General Information

Pioneer or Pioneer USA may have agreements with the agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers, underwriters or remarketing firms may be required to make. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for Pioneer or Pioneer USA in the ordinary course of their businesses.

LEGAL MATTERS

Except as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, will pass upon the validity of Pioneer’s debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units and Pioneer USA’s guarantees of debt securities.

 

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Pioneer Natural Resources Company appearing in Pioneer Natural Resources Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2010, and the effectiveness of Pioneer Natural Resources Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Estimated quantities of our oil and gas reserves and the net present value of such reserves as of December 31, 2010, set forth in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus are based upon reserve reports prepared by us and audited by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. for our major properties in the United States and reserve reports prepared by our engineers for all other properties. The reserve audit conducted by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. for our major properties in the United States in aggregate represented 90% of our estimated proved quantities of reserves as of December 31, 2010. We have incorporated these estimates in reliance on the authority of such firm as experts in such matters.

 

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$        

 

    % Senior Notes due 2022

 

 

Prospectus Supplement

June     , 2012

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

Citigroup

Deutsche Bank Securities

Credit Suisse

UBS Investment Bank

Wells Fargo Securities

 

 

Senior Co-Managers

BofA Merrill Lynch             J.P. Morgan