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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3

                          CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Pioneer Natural Resources Company

     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Independent
Auditors and Independent Petroleum Consultants," included in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus of Pioneer Natural Resources Company and Pioneer Natural
Resources USA, Inc. that is made a part of the Registration Statement of Pioneer
Natural Resources Company (Form S-4 filed on April 17, 2001) for the
registration of its common stock. We also consent to (1) the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated January 29, 2001, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Pioneer Natural Resources Company included
in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2000 filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and (2) the inclusion of our reports
dated March 9, 2001, with respect to the financial statements of the
Partnerships listed on pages 4 and 5 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, in the
Supplemental Information of each partnership to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

Dallas, Texas
April 17, 2001

                                                 /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                                 Ernst & Young LLP