Pioneer Natural Resources CEO to Retire and Be Replaced by COO
Scott Sheffield, CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources, will retire at the end of the year and be replaced by COO Rich Dealy. The announcement comes amid speculation that Exxon Mobil has been in early-stage talks to buy Pioneer. Sheffield, who has been at the helm of Pioneer for over 20 years, cut his teeth in the Permian Basin and was instrumental in the company's growth. He is also an outspoken advocate for the US shale sector.