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                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.17



                  CONSENT OF PERSON ABOUT TO BECOME A DIRECTOR


       I hereby consent to being named as a person about to become a director
to the Board of Directors of Pioneer Natural Resources Company, a Delaware
corporation, in its Registration Statement on Form S-4 and any amendments
thereto, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                  /s/ Robert L. Stillwell       
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Robert L. Stillwell


Dated:  April 25, 1997