Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD) 8-K Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

Exhibit 5.1

Tel +1.214.220.7700 Fax +1.214.999.7816

May 12, 2021

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

777 Hidden Ridge

Irving, Texas 75038

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Pioneer Natural Resources Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), with respect to certain legal matters in connection with the registration by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) of the offer and sale by certain of the Company’s stockholders (the “Selling Stockholders”) of 6,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Shares”), pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated May 10, 2021 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), by and among the Company, the Selling Stockholders and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as underwriters (together, the “Underwriters”).

The Shares have been offered for sale pursuant to a prospectus supplement, dated May 10, 2021 (the “Prospectus Supplement”), and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) on May 12, 2021, to a prospectus dated August 5, 2020 (such prospectus, as amended and supplemented by the Prospectus Supplement, the “Prospectus”) that constitutes a part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-241031), filed with the Commission on August 5, 2020 (the “Registration Statement”), which Registration Statement became effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act.

We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement; (iii) the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and its amended and restated bylaws, each as amended to the date hereof (collectively, the “Charter Documents”); (iv) certain resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company relating to the Registration Statement and related matters; and (v) such other certificates, statutes and other instruments and documents as we considered appropriate for purposes of the opinions hereafter expressed.

As to any facts material to our opinions contained herein, we have made no independent investigation of such facts and have relied, to the extent that we deem such reliance proper, upon certificates from officers of the Company and other representatives of the Company, and upon certificates of public officials.

Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at Law Austin Dallas Dubai Houston London Los Angeles New York Richmond Riyadh San Francisco Tokyo Washington Trammell Crow Center, 2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 3900 Dallas, TX 75201-2975 Tel +1.214.220.7700 Fax +1.214.220.7716 velaw.com

May 12, 2021 Page 2

In rendering the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that (i) all information contained in all documents reviewed by us is true and correct; (ii) all signatures on all documents examined by us are genuine; (iii) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and all documents submitted to us as copies conform to the originals of those documents; (iv) each natural person signing any document reviewed by us had the legal capacity to do so; (v) each person signing in a representative capacity (other than on behalf of the Company) any document reviewed by us had authority to sign in such capacity; (vi) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), is effective and complies with all applicable laws; (vii) the Company has timely filed all necessary reports pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (viii) the Prospectus Supplement complies with all applicable laws; (ix) all Shares have been sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement; and (x) the Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters. We express no opinion as to the requirements of or compliance with federal or state securities laws or regulations.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Shares are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The opinions expressed in this letter are limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the federal laws of the United States of America as in effect on the date hereof, and we undertake no duty to update or supplement the foregoing opinions to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention or to reflect any changes in any law that may hereafter occur or become effective. We do not express any opinions as to the laws of any other jurisdiction.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K. We also consent to the reference to this firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder.

We disclaim any duty to advise you regarding any changes in, or otherwise communicate with you with respect to, the matters addressed herein.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.