EXHIBIT 99.1



                                  NEWS RELEASE

                                                              Company Contacts:
                                      Investors: Frank Hopkins or Chris Paulsen
                                      Media and Public Affairs:  Susan Spratlen
                                                                 (972) 444-9001


                  Pioneer Announces Retirement of Board Member

Dallas, Texas, December 19, 2005 -- Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD)
announced  that  James  L.  Houghton  ("Jim")  has  retired  from  its  board of
directors,  effective today, having reached the Company's  mandatory  retirement
age of 75 for  board  members.  Mr.  Houghton  joined  the  board  of  Pioneer's
predecessor,  Parker & Parsley  Petroleum  Company,  in 1991 and  continued  his
service on the board of Pioneer  upon its  formation  in 1997.  He served as the
Audit Committee Chairman for both companies from 1991 to early 2005.

During  Mr.  Houghton's  tenure,  Pioneer  has grown  from a West  Texas-focused
domestic independent to an international  company with diverse operations in the
United States, Canada, Argentina and Africa.

Scott  Sheffield,  Pioneer's  Chairman and CEO,  stated,  "Jim has been a valued
asset to Pioneer for many years as his exemplary service,  knowledge,  integrity
and dedication have been significant  contributors to the Company's success. Jim
is a treasured  friend,  and we will all miss his presence on the board. We wish
Jim and his wife, Barbara, the very best in his retirement."

Pioneer is a large  independent oil and gas exploration and production  company,
headquartered in Dallas, with operations in the United States, Argentina, Canada
and Africa. For more information, visit Pioneer's website at www.pioneernrc.com.