PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES CO
10-Q, 2000-05-11
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

     / x /       Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000

                                       or

     /   /     Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

               For the transition period from _______ to ________


                           Commission File No. 1-13245

                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



                             Delaware                         75-2702753
             -----------------------------------------  ---------------------
                  (State or other jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. Employer
                   incorporation or organization)       Identification Number)

1400 Williams Square West, 5205 N. O'Connor Blvd., Irving, Texas     75039
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    --------
            (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip code)

       Registrant's Telephone Number, including area code : (972) 444-9001

                                 Not applicable
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                          if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  Registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                Yes / x / No / /

Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
  as of April 30, 2000.............................................   99,617,796







<PAGE>



                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                         Page

                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.    Financial Statements

           Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2000 and
               December 31, 1999 ......................................    3

           Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive
              Income (Loss) for the three months ended March 31,
              2000 and 1999............................................    4

           Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the
              three months ended March 31, 2000........................    5

           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three
              months ended March 31, 2000 and 1999.....................    6

           Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................    7

Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
              Condition and Results of Operations......................   18

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
              Market Risk..............................................   25


                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings...........................................   30

Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................   30

           Signatures..................................................   31



                                        2


<PAGE>



                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.     Financial Statements

                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (in thousands, except share data)
<TABLE>
                                                                    March 31,      December 31,
                                                                      2000             1999
                                                                   -----------     -----------
                                                                   (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                <C>             <C>
                                  ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents......................................  $    33,136     $    34,788
  Accounts receivable:
     Trade, net..................................................      135,483         116,456
     Affiliates..................................................        2,413           2,119
  Inventories....................................................       12,905          13,721
  Deferred income taxes..........................................        5,800           5,800
  Other current assets...........................................       11,228          10,252
                                                                    ----------      ----------
       Total current assets......................................      200,965         183,136
                                                                    ----------      ----------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
  Oil and gas properties, using the successful efforts method
   of accounting:
     Proved properties...........................................    3,062,829       2,997,335
     Unproved properties.........................................      248,026         257,583
  Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization...........     (799,602)       (751,956)
                                                                    ----------      ----------
                                                                     2,511,253       2,502,962
                                                                    ----------      ----------
Deferred income taxes............................................       83,400          83,400
Other property and equipment, net................................       40,633          43,006
Other assets, net................................................      133,640         116,969
                                                                    ----------      ----------
                                                                   $ 2,969,891     $ 2,929,473
                                                                    ==========      ==========
             LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
    Current maturities of long-term debt.........................  $       505     $       828
    Accounts payable:
       Trade.....................................................       72,175          86,442
       Affiliates................................................          498             426
    Interest payable.............................................       27,533          36,045
    Other current liabilities....................................       97,165          73,072
                                                                    ----------      ----------
          Total current liabilities..............................      197,876         196,813
                                                                    ----------      ----------
Long-term debt, less current maturities..........................    1,745,818       1,745,108
Other noncurrent liabilities.....................................      167,997         169,438
Deferred income taxes............................................       41,600          43,500
Stockholders' equity:
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares
       authorized; one share issued and outstanding..............          -               -
    Common stock, $.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized;
       100,885,078 and 100,876,789 shares issued as of March 31,
       2000 and December 31, 1999, respectively..................        1,009           1,009
    Additional paid-in-capital...................................    2,348,496       2,348,448
    Treasury stock, at cost; 1,046,625 and 537,206 shares as of
       March 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999, respectively........      (14,496)        (10,384)
    Accumulated deficit..........................................   (1,560,114)     (1,574,884)
    Accumulated other comprehensive income:
       Unrealized gain on available for sale securities..........       31,742             -
       Cumulative translation adjustment.........................        9,963          10,425
                                                                    ----------      ----------
          Total stockholders' equity.............................      816,600         774,614
Commitments and contingencies....................................   ----------      ----------
                                                                   $ 2,969,891     $ 2,929,473
                                                                    ==========      ==========
</TABLE>
  The financial information included as of March 31, 2000 has been prepared by
           management without audit by independent public accountants.

              The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
                       consolidated financial statements.

                                        3


<PAGE>



                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                         AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
                      (in thousands, except per share data)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
                                                            Three months ended March 31,
                                                                2000           1999
                                                             ----------     ----------
<S>                                                          <C>            <C>
Revenues:
    Oil and gas...........................................   $  174,375     $  147,151
    Interest and other....................................        3,755         45,973
    Gain on disposition of assets, net....................        8,372             67
                                                              ---------      ---------
                                                                186,502        193,191
                                                              ---------      ---------
Costs and expenses:
    Oil and gas production................................       43,122         47,194
    Depletion, depreciation and amortization..............       51,908         69,372
    Exploration and abandonments..........................       13,075         11,776
    General and administrative............................        9,759         10,249
    Reorganization........................................          -            5,529
    Interest..............................................       39,755         42,521
    Other.................................................       14,413          8,651
                                                              ---------      ---------
                                                                172,032        195,292
                                                              ---------      ---------
Income (loss) before income taxes.........................       14,470         (2,101)
Income tax (provision) benefit............................          300           (400)
                                                              ---------      ---------
Net income (loss).........................................       14,770         (2,501)

Other comprehensive income (loss):
    Unrealized gain on available for sale securities......       31,742            -
    Translation adjustment................................         (462)            95
                                                              ---------      ---------
Comprehensive income (loss)...............................   $   46,050     $   (2,406)
                                                              =========      =========
Net income (loss) per share:
    Basic ................................................   $      .15     $     (.02)
                                                              =========      =========
    Diluted...............................................   $      .15     $     (.02)
                                                              =========      =========
Weighted average basic shares outstanding.................      100,163        100,300
                                                              =========      =========
</TABLE>
         The financial information included herein has been prepared by
           management without audit by independent public accountants.

              The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
                       consolidated financial statements.

                                        4


<PAGE>



                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 (in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
                                                                                               Accumulated Other
                                 Common                                                       Comprehensive Income
                                 Stock                Additional                            ------------------------      Total
                                 Shares     Common     Paid-in     Treasury   Accumulated   Investment   Translation   Stockholders'
                              Outstanding    Stock     Capital      Stock       Deficit        Gains     Adjustment       Equity
                              -----------   -------   ----------   --------   -----------   ----------   -----------   ------------
<S>                           <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
Balance as of January 1,
 2000.......................    100,340    $ 1,009   $2,348,448   $(10,384)  $(1,574,884)   $     -      $  10,425     $  774,614

 Stock options exercised....          8        -             48        -             -            -            -               48
 Treasury stock purchases...       (510)       -            -       (4,112)          -            -            -           (4,112)
 Net income.................        -          -            -          -          14,770          -            -           14,770
 Other comprehensive
  income (loss):
    Unrealized gain on
      available for sale
      securitis.............        -          -            -          -             -         31,742          -           31,742
    Translation adjustment..        -          -            -          -             -            -           (462)          (462)
                               --------     ------    ---------    --------   ----------      -------     --------      ---------
Balance as of March 31,
 2000.......................     99,838    $ 1,009   $2,348,496   $(14,496)  $(1,560,114)   $  31,742    $   9,963     $  816,600
                               ========     ======    =========    =======    ==========     ========     ========      =========


</TABLE>


         The financial information included herein has been prepared by
           management without audit by independent public accountants.

              The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
                        consolidatedfinancial statements.

                                        5


<PAGE>



                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
                                                                      Three months ended
                                                                           March 31,
                                                                   -----------------------
                                                                      2000         1999
                                                                   ---------     ---------
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income (loss)...........................................   $  14,770     $  (2,501)
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
      provided by operating activities:
      Depletion, depreciation and amortization..................      51,908        69,372
      Exploration expenses, including dry holes.................       9,732        10,310
      Deferred income taxes.....................................      (1,500)         (100)
      Gain on disposition of assets, net........................      (8,372)          (67)
      Other noncash items.......................................      17,664       (30,286)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable.......................................     (18,950)        2,295
      Inventory.................................................        (190)        1,815
      Other current assets......................................        (649)         (173)
      Accounts payable..........................................     (13,763)      (26,514)
      Interest payable..........................................      (8,512)      (11,090)
      Other current liabilities.................................       5,063        (4,770)
                                                                    --------      --------
         Net cash provided by operating activities..............      47,201         8,291
                                                                    --------      --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
    Proceeds from disposition of assets.........................      19,547         5,150
    Additions to oil and gas properties.........................     (60,034)      (47,173)
    Other property dispositions, net............................         553           101
                                                                    --------      --------
         Net cash used in investing activities..................     (39,934)      (41,922)
                                                                    --------      --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
    Borrowings under long-term debt.............................      30,839       307,217
    Principal payments on long-term debt........................     (31,707)     (279,741)
    Payment of noncurrent liabilities...........................      (3,909)      (12,927)
    Exercise of long-term incentive plan stock options..........          48           -
    Purchase of treasury stock..................................      (4,112)          -
    Deferred loan fees/issuance costs...........................         (71)       (6,891)
                                                                    --------      --------
         Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities....      (8,912)        7,658
                                                                    --------      --------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents.......................      (1,645)      (25,973)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents....          (7)          315
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period..................      34,788        59,221
                                                                    --------      --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period........................   $  33,136     $  33,563
                                                                    ========      ========
</TABLE>
         The financial information included herein has been prepared by
           management without audit by independent public accountants.

              The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
                       consolidated financial statements.

                                        6


<PAGE>



                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 March 31, 2000
                                   (Unaudited)

NOTE A.      Organization and Nature of Operations

       Pioneer  Natural   Resources   Company  (the  "Company")  is  a  Delaware
corporation  whose  common  stock is listed  and  traded  on the New York  Stock
Exchange  and  the  Toronto  Stock  Exchange.  The  Company  is an oil  and  gas
exploration  and  production  company  with  ownership  interests in oil and gas
properties  located  principally in the Mid Continent,  Southwestern and onshore
and offshore Gulf Coast  regions of the United  States and in Argentina,  Canada
and South Africa.

NOTE B.      Basis of Presentation

       In the  opinion  of  management,  the  unaudited  consolidated  financial
statements  of the Company as of March 31, 2000 and for the three month  periods
ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 include all adjustments  and accruals,  consisting
only of normal  recurring  accrual  adjustments,  which are necessary for a fair
presentation of the results for the interim  periods.  These interim results are
not  necessarily  indicative of results for a full year.  Certain amounts in the
prior  period  financial  statements  have been  reclassified  to conform to the
current period presentation.

       Certain  information  and  footnote   disclosures  normally  included  in
financial  statements  prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles  have been  condensed  or omitted in this Form 10-Q  pursuant  to the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission  ("SEC").  These
consolidated  financial  statements  should  be  read  in  connection  with  the
consolidated  financial  statements and notes thereto  included in the Company's
1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

NOTE C.      Commitments and Contingencies

       Legal actions.  The Company is party to various legal actions  incidental
to its business, including, but not limited to, the proceedings described below.
The majority of these lawsuits primarily involve claims for damages arising from
oil and gas leases and ownership  interest  disputes.  The Company believes that
the ultimate disposition of these legal actions will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's  consolidated  financial  position,  liquidity,  capital
resources or future results of operations. The Company will continue to evaluate
its  litigation  matters  on a  quarter-by-  quarter  basis and will  adjust its
litigation  reserves  as  appropriate  to  reflect  the then  current  status of
litigation.

       Masterson.  In February 1992, the current lessors of an oil and gas lease
(the "Gas  Lease")  dated April 30,  1955,  between  R.B.  Masterson  et al., as
lessor,  and Colorado  Interstate Gas Company  ("CIG"),  as lessee,  sued CIG in
Federal  District  Court in Amarillo,  Texas,  claiming  that CIG had  underpaid
royalties due under the Gas Lease.  Under the agreements  with CIG, the Company,
as successor to MESA Inc. ("Mesa"),  has an entitlement to gas produced from the
Gas Lease. In August 1992, CIG filed a third-party complaint against the Company
for any  such  royalty  underpayment  which  may be  allocable  to the  Company.
Plaintiffs  alleged  that the  underpayment  was the  result  of CIG's use of an
improper gas sales price upon which to calculate  royalties  and that the proper
price should have been determined  pursuant to a  "favored-nations"  clause in a
July  1,  1967,  amendment  to the Gas  Lease.  The  plaintiffs  also  sought  a
declaration  by the  court as to the  proper  price  to be used for  calculating
future royalties.

       The  plaintiffs  alleged  royalty  underpayments  of  approximately  $500
million  (including  interest at 10 percent)  dating from July 1, 1967. In March
1995, the court made certain pretrial rulings that eliminated approximately $400
million of the plaintiff's  claims (which related to periods prior to October 1,
1989),  but which also reduced a number of the Company's  defenses.  The Company
and CIG filed  stipulations  with the court  whereby the Company would have been
liable for  between 50 percent  and 60  percent,  depending  on the time  period
covered, of an adverse judgment against CIG for post-February 1988 underpayments
of royalties.

                                        7


<PAGE>


                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 March 31, 2000
                                   (Unaudited)

       On March  22,  1995,  a jury  trial  began and on May 4,  1995,  the jury
returned its  verdict.  Among its  findings,  the jury  determined  that CIG had
underpaid  royalties  for the period after  September 30, 1989, in the amount of
approximately    $140,000.    Although   the   plaintiffs    argued   that   the
"favored-nations"  clause  entitled  them to be paid for all of their gas at the
highest price  voluntarily paid by CIG to any other lessor,  the jury determined
that the  plaintiffs  were estopped  from  claiming  that the  "favored-nations"
clause provides for other than a pricing-scheme  to pricing- scheme  comparison.
In  light  of  this  determination,  and  the  plaintiff's  stipulation  that  a
pricing-scheme  to  pricing-scheme  comparison  would not result in any "trigger
prices" or damages,  defendants  asked the court for a judgment that  plaintiffs
take nothing. The court, on June 7, 1995, entered final judgment that plaintiffs
recover no monetary  damages.  The plaintiffs  filed a motion for a new trial on
June 22, 1995.  The court,  on July 18, 1997,  denied  plaintiffs'  motion.  The
plaintiffs  have  appealed to the Fifth  Circuit  Court of  Appeals,  where oral
arguments  were heard in December  1998.  The Court's  decision  regarding  this
litigation could be announced at any time.

       On June 7, 1996, the plaintiffs filed a separate suit against CIG and the
Company in state court in Amarillo,  Texas,  similarly claiming  underpayment of
royalties  under  the  "favored-nations"  clause,  but  based  upon  the  above-
described pricing-scheme to pricing-scheme  comparison on a well-by-well monthly
basis.  The plaintiffs also claim  underpayment of royalties since June 7, 1995,
under the  "favored-nations"  clause  based upon  either the  pricing-scheme  to
pricing-scheme  method or their  previously  alleged  higher price  method.  The
Company  believes it has several  defenses to this action and intends to contest
it vigorously. The Company has not yet determined the amount of damages, if any,
that would be payable if such action was determined adversely to the Company.

       The federal court in the  above-referenced  first suit issued an order on
July 29, 1996, which stayed the state suit pending the plaintiffs' resolution of
the first suit.

       Based on the jury  verdict  and  final  judgment,  the  Company  does not
currently  expect the ultimate  resolution of either of these lawsuits to have a
material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.

       Kansas ad valorem tax. The Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 ("NGPA") allows
a "severance,  production or similar" tax to be included as an add-on,  over and
above the  maximum  lawful  price for  natural  gas.  Based on a Federal  Energy
Regulatory Commission ("FERC") ruling that Kansas ad valorem tax was such a tax,
Mesa  collected the Kansas ad valorem tax in addition to the  otherwise  maximum
lawful  price.  The FERC's  ruling was  appealed to the United  States  Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia ("D.C.  Circuit"),  which held in June 1988
that the FERC failed to provide a reasoned  basis for its  findings and remanded
the case to the FERC for further consideration.

       On December 1, 1993, the FERC issued an order reversing its prior ruling,
but  limiting  the effect of its  decision to Kansas ad valorem  taxes for sales
made on or after June 28, 1988.  The FERC  clarified the  effective  date of its
decision by an order dated May 18, 1994. The order  clarified that the effective
date applies to tax bills  rendered  after June 28,  1988,  not sales made on or
after that date. Numerous parties filed appeals on the FERC's action in the D.C.
Circuit.  Various  natural gas  producers  challenged  the FERC's  orders on two
grounds: (1) that the Kansas ad valorem tax, properly  understood,  does qualify
for  reimbursement  under the NGPA;  and (2) the FERC's  ruling  should,  in any
event,  have been applied  prospectively.  Other parties  challenged  the FERC's
orders  on  the  grounds  that  the  FERC's  ruling  should  have  been  applied
retroactively  to December 1, 1978,  the date of the  enactment  of the NGPA and
producers should have been required to pay refunds accordingly.

       The D.C.  Circuit issued its decision on August 2, 1996, which holds that
producers  must make refunds of all Kansas ad valorem tax collected with respect
to production since October 4, 1983, as opposed to June 28, 1988.  Petitions for
rehearing  were  denied on  November  6, 1996.  Various  natural  gas  producers
subsequently  filed a  petition  for writ of  certiori  with the  United  States
Supreme  Court seeking  to limit the scope of the potential refunds to tax bills

                                        8


<PAGE>


                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 March 31, 2000
                                   (Unaudited)

rendered on or after June 28, 1988 (the  effective date  originally  selected by
the FERC).  Williams  Natural Gas Company  filed a  cross-petition  for certiori
seeking to impose refund liability back to December 1, 1978. Both petitions were
denied on May 12, 1997.

       The Company and other  producers  filed petitions for adjustment with the
FERC on June 24, 1997.  The Company is seeking  waiver or set-off from FERC with
respect  to that  portion  of the  refund  associated  with (i) non-  recoupable
royalties,  (ii)  non-recoupable  Kansas property taxes based, in part, upon the
higher prices  collected,  and (iii) interest for all periods.  On September 10,
1997,  FERC denied this request,  and on October 10, 1997, the Company and other
producers filed a request for rehearing. Pipelines were given until November 10,
1997 to file  claims on refunds  sought  from  producers  and  refunds  totaling
approximately  $30 million were made against the Company.  The Company is unable
at this time to predict the final outcome of this matter or the amount,  if any,
that will  ultimately  be refunded.  As of March 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999,
the  Company  had set  aside  $31.7  million  and $31.3  million,  respectively,
including  accrued  interest,   in  an  escrow  account  and  had  corresponding
obligations  for this  litigation  recorded in other current  liabilities in the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NOTE D.      Commodity Hedge Derivatives

       The Company utilizes  various  commodity swap and option contracts to (i)
reduce the effect of the  volatility  of price  changes on the  commodities  the
Company produces and sells,  (ii) support the Company's annual capital budgeting
and expenditure  plans and (iii) lock in prices to protect the economics related
to certain capital projects.

       Crude oil. All material  sales  contracts  governing  the  Company's  oil
production are tied directly or indirectly to the New York  Mercantile  Exchange
("NYMEX")  prices.  In addition to the oil hedge contracts set forth below,  the
Company has deferred oil hedge losses of $17.6  million that will be  recognized
during the following  periods:  $2.2 million  during the second quarter of 2000,
$5.9 million  during the third quarter of 2000,  $5.9 million  during the fourth
quarter of 2000 and $3.6 million during 2001. The following table sets forth the
Company's outstanding oil hedge contracts as of March 31, 2000:

<TABLE>
                                                                                          Yearly
                                          Second           Third          Fourth        Outstanding
                                          Quarter         Quarter         Quarter         Average
                                       -------------   -------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                    <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Daily oil production:
  2000 - Swap Contracts

    Volume (Bbl)....................           6,571             478             435           2,480
    Price per Bbl...................   $       16.49   $       15.76   $       15.76   $       16.00

  2000 - Collar Contracts*
    Volume (Bbl)....................           7,714           7,898           7,977           7,864
    Price per Bbl...................   $17.44-$20.66   $17.48-$20.71   $17.50-$20.74   $17.47-$20.70
</TABLE>
- ----------
*    Concurrent with the Company's  purchase of the year 2000 collar  contracts,
     the Company sold year 2000 put contracts to the  counterparties for average
     notional contract volumes of 7,000 Bbls per day at a weighted average index
     price of $14.29 per Bbl.  Consequently,  if the weighted  average year 2000
     index price  falls  below  $14.29 per Bbl,  the  Company  will  receive the
     weighted average index price for the notional contract volumes,  plus $3.18
     per Bbl. The counterparties  have the contractual right to extend contracts
     for  notional  volumes of 5,000 Bbls per day through  year 2001 at weighted
     average per Bbl strike prices of $17.00-$20.09 for the collar contracts and
     $14.00 for the put contracts.

                                        9


<PAGE>


                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 March 31, 2000
                                   (Unaudited)

       The Company  reports  average oil prices per Bbl including the effects of
oil quality,  gathering and  transportation  costs and the net effect of the oil
hedges.  The following table sets forth the Company's oil prices,  both realized
and reported, and the net effects of settlements of oil price hedges to revenue:

                                                         Three months ended
                                                              March 31,
                                                       ---------------------
                                                         2000         1999
                                                       --------     --------

     Average price reported per Bbl..................  $  22.44     $  11.80
     Average price realized per Bbl..................  $  27.74     $  11.02
     Addition (reduction) to revenue (in millions)...  $  (16.8)    $    3.5

       Natural Gas. The Company employs a policy of hedging gas production based
on the index price upon which the gas is actually  sold in order to mitigate the
basis risk  between  NYMEX  prices and actual  index  prices.  The  Company  has
deferred gas hedge losses of $5.9  million  that will be  recognized  during the
following periods:  $1.1 million during the second quarter of 2000, $1.1 million
during the third quarter of 2000, $1.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2000
and $2.5  million  during 2001.  The  following  table sets forth the  Company's
outstanding  gas hedge  contracts as of March 31, 2000 (prices  included  herein
represent the Company's weighted average index price per MMBtu):

<TABLE>
                                                                                           Yearly
                                     First       Second         Third        Fourth      Outstanding
                                    Quarter      Quarter       Quarter       Quarter       Average
                                    --------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                 <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Daily gas production:
   2000 - Collar Contracts*
     Volume (Mcf)................                   39,029        58,223        55,571        57,227
     Index price per MMBtu.......   $          $2.01-$2.58   $2.01-$2.58   $2.02-$2.61   $2.01-$2.59

   2002 - Swap Contracts

     Volume (Mcf)................     10,000        10,000        10,000        10,000        10,000
     Index price per MMBtu.......   $   2.42   $      2.42   $      2.42   $      2.42   $      2.42
</TABLE>
- ----------
 *  Concurrent  with the Company's  purchase of the year 2000 collar  contracts,
    the Company sold year 2000 put contracts to the  counterparties for an equal
    volume at an average  index price of $1.73 per MMBtu.  Consequently,  if the
    weighted  average  year 2000 index price  falls  below $1.73 per MMBtu,  the
    Company  will  receive the  weighted  average  index price for the  notional
    contract volumes, plus approximately $.28 per MMBtu.

       In addition to the hedge  contracts shown above,  certain  counterparties
have the  contractual  right to sell 2001,  2002 and 2003 swap  contracts to the
Company for notional contract volumes of 49,233; 12,500; and 10,000 Mcf per day,
respectively,  at weighted  average index prices of $2.21,  $2.52, and $2.58 per
MMBtu,  respectively.  Certain counterparties also have the contractual right to
sell 2001 and 2002 collar contracts with associated put contracts to the Company
for notional contract volumes of 54,482 and 60,000 Mcf per day, respectively, at
weighted  average  index  prices  of  $2.09-$2.71  and  $2.25-$2.64  per  MMBtu,
respectively,  for  the  collar  contracts,  and  $1.80  and  $1.95  per  MMBtu,
respectively, for the associated put contracts.

       The Company  reports  average gas prices per Mcf including the effects of
Btu content,  gathering and  transportation  costs, gas processing and shrinkage
and the net effect of gas hedges.  The following  table sets forth the Company's
gas prices,  both realized and reported,  and the net effects of  settlements of
gas price hedges to revenue:

                                       10


<PAGE>


                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 March 31, 2000
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                          Three months ended
                                                               March 31,
                                                          ------------------
                                                            2000      1999
                                                          -------    -------

       Average price reported per Mcf...................  $  1.97    $  1.71
       Average price realized per Mcf...................  $  1.99    $  1.50
       Addition (reduction) to revenue (in millions)....  $   (.9)   $   9.3

NOTE E.     Other Revenue

       In December  1998,  the Company  announced  the sale of an exclusive  and
irrevocable  option to a third party to  purchase,  on or before March 31, 1999,
certain oil and gas properties of the Company.  In consideration for the option,
the third party paid an option fee of $41.3  million to the  Company.  The third
party  was  unable  to  complete  the  purchase  of the  Company's  oil  and gas
properties.   Accordingly,  interest  and  other  revenue  in  the  accompanying
Consolidated  Statement of Operations  and  Comprehensive  Income (Loss) for the
three months ended March 31, 1999 includes other income of $41.3 million.  Other
noncash items in the accompanying  Consolidated  Statement of Cash Flows for the
three months ended March 31, 1999  includes a $41.3  million  reduction for this
noncash component of earnings.

NOTE F.     Mark-to-Market Financial Instruments

       Available for sale  securities.  On December 31, 1999,  the Company owned
2,376.923  shares  of Prize  Energy  Corp.  ("Prize")  six  percent  convertible
preferred  stock ("Prize  Preferred")  having a liquidation  preference of $30.0
million.  Prior to February 9, 2000, Prize was a closely held, non-public entity
and the fair  value of the Prize  Preferred  was not  readily  determinable.  On
February 9, 2000,  Prize merged with Vista Energy  Resources Inc. and the common
stock of the merged Prize entity began to publicly  trade on the American  Stock
Exchange.  Additionally,  on February 9, 2000, the Company's Prize Preferred was
exchanged for 3,984,197 shares of Prize Series A 6% Convertible  Preferred Stock
("Prize  Senior A  Preferred"),  which was  subsequently  increased to 4,018,161
shares as a result of  associated  in- kind  dividends.  On March 31, 2000,  the
Company and Prize  converted  the Company's  4,018,161  shares of Prize Senior A
Preferred to 4,018,161 shares of Prize common stock ("Prize Common") and sold to
Prize  1,380,446  shares of the Prize Common for $18.6 million.  Associated with
these  transactions,  the Company  recognized  an $8.3 million gain on the Prize
Common disposition that is included in the accompanying  Statement of Operations
and  Comprehensive  Income (Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2000. The
fair value of the Company's  remaining  investment in 2,637,715  shares of Prize
Common was $51.4  million as of March 31,  2000,  representing  a $31.7  million
unrealized gain on the Company's  original  investment in the underlying shares.
The Company has  classified its investment in Prize Common as available for sale
securities and,  accordingly,  recognized a $31.7 million unrealized gain on the
securities in the stockholders' equity section of the accompanying  Consolidated
Balance  Sheet as of March 31, 2000,  and in other  comprehensive  income in the
accompanying  Consolidated  Statement of  Operations  and  Comprehensive  Income
(Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2000. These securities will continue
to be  marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period. The related effects
on the Company's future comprehensive income (loss) could be significant.

       Non-hedge  commodity  derivatives.  During the first quarter of 1999, the
Company sold NYMEX crude oil call contracts for 8,000 barrels per day of oil, at
a weighted  average  strike price of $17.15 per barrel,  for a nine month period
ending on December 31, 1999.  Additionally,  the Company sold calls that provide
the counter  party an option to exercise call  provisions on 10,000  barrels per
day of oil,  at a strike  price of $20.00 per  barrel,  for a  twenty-one  month
period that began on April 1, 1999 and ends on December 31, 2000, or to exercise
call  provisions  over that same time period on 100,000 MMBtu per day of natural
gas, at a weighted  average  price of $2.75 per MMBtu.  These  contracts  do not
qualify for hedge  accounting  treatment.  Other  expenses  in the  accompanying
Consolidated  Statement of Operations  and  Comprehensive  Income (Loss) for the
three  month  periods  ended  March 31,  2000 and 1999,  include  noncash  mark-
to-market  increases to the  liabilities  recognized on these contracts of $14.1

                                       11


<PAGE>


                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 March 31, 2000

                                   (Unaudited)

million  and $2.6  million,  respectively.  The  Company's  non-hedge  commodity
derivatives will continue to be marked-to-market  until they mature. The related
effects on the Company's future results of operations could be significant.

       The Company is a party to certain BTU swap agreements that do not qualify
as  hedges.  Other  expenses  in  the  accompanying  Consolidated  Statement  of
Operations and Comprehensive  Income (Loss) for the three months ended March 31,
2000 include a noncash mark-to-market decrease of $.7 million to the liabilities
recognized for the BTU swap agreements;  during the three months ended March 31,
1999, the Company  recorded a $2.0 million  noncash  mark-to- market increase to
other expenses and the BTU swap  agreements  liabilities.  These  contracts will
continue to be marked-  to-market  at the end of each  reporting  period  during
their  respective  lives. The related effects on the Company's future results of
operations could be significant.

       Foreign currency agreements.  The Company has a series of forward foreign
exchange swap agreements to exchange  Canadian dollars for United States dollars
at future dates for a fixed amount of the first currency.  As these contracts do
not qualify as hedges, the Company recorded a $.1 million noncash mark-to-market
increase to the recognized  liabilities  associated with these agreements during
the three months  ended March 31, 2000.  During the three months ended March 31,
1999, the Company recorded a $2.6 million noncash  market-to-market  decrease to
the recognized  liabilities  associated with these  agreements.  These contracts
will continue to be  marked-to-market  until they mature at various dates during
the fourth quarter of 2000. The related effects on the Company's  future results
of operations could be significant.

       Trading  securities.  During the  fourth  quarter  of 1998,  the  Company
received  three  million  shares of common stock of a  non-affiliated,  publicly
traded entity in partial  payment of option fees.  During the three months ended
March 31, 1999,  the market quoted value of the three  million  shares of common
stock declined by $4.9 million to $7.1 million.  Accordingly,  other expenses in
the accompanying  Consolidated  Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(Loss)  for the three  months  ended  March 31,  1999  includes  a $4.9  million
noncash,  mark-to-market  decrease to the carrying value of the investment.  The
investment  in the  common  stock of the  non-affiliated  entity was sold by the
Company for $.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 1999.

NOTE G.     Reorganization

       During 1998,  the Company  announced its  intentions  to  reorganize  its
operations to realize additional  operational and  administrative  efficiencies.
During the three months ended March 31, 1999,  the Company  recorded  severance,
relocation,  lease  termination and other costs of $5.5 million  relating to the
reorganization.  The $5.5 million of reorganization  costs recognized during the
first quarter of 1999 primarily  consisted of relocation costs that were related
to the Company's 1998 initiatives, but were not incurred until 1999.

NOTE H.     Geographic Operating Segment Information

       The Company has operations in only one industry  segment,  that being the
oil and gas  exploration  and  production  industry;  however,  the  Company  is
organizationally structured along geographic operating segments, or regions. The
Company has reportable operations in the United States, Argentina and Canada.

       The following table provides the Company's interim  geographic  operating
segment data. Geographic operating segment income tax benefits (provisions) have
been   determined   based  on  statutory  rates  existing  in  the  various  tax
jurisdictions  where  the  Company  has oil and gas  producing  activities.  The
"Headquarters  and other" table column  includes  revenues and expenses that are
not  routinely  included  in  the  earnings  measures   internally  reported  to
management on a geographic operating segment basis.

                                       12


<PAGE>


                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 March 31, 2000
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
                                      United                            Other    Headquarters   Consolidated
                                      States    Argentina    Canada    Foreign     and other        Total
                                     --------   ---------   --------   -------   ------------   ------------
                                                                  (in thousands)

<S>                                  <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>       <C>            <C>
Three months ended March 31, 2000:
  Oil and gas revenue.............   $132,442    $ 31,118   $ 10,815   $   -       $    -        $ 174,375
  Interest and other..............        -           -          -         -          3,755          3,755
  Gain (loss) on disposition of
     assets.......................        (10)        -            6       -          8,376          8,372
                                      -------     -------    -------    ------      -------       --------
                                      132,432      31,118     10,821       -         12,131        186,502
                                      -------     -------    -------    ------      -------       --------
  Production costs................     34,413       5,400      3,309       -            -           43,122
  Depletion, depreciation and
     amortization.................     30,989      11,180      5,729       -          4,010         51,908
  Exploration and abandonments....      4,949       6,171        447     1,508          -           13,075
  General and administrative......        -           -          -         -          9,759          9,759
  Interest........................        -           -          -         -         39,755         39,755
  Other ..........................        -           -          -         -         14,413         14,413
                                      -------     -------    -------    ------      -------       --------
                                       70,351      22,751      9,485     1,508       67,937        172,032
                                      -------     -------    -------    ------      -------       --------
  Income (loss) before income taxes    62,081       8,367      1,336    (1,508)     (55,806)        14,470
  Income tax benefit (provision)..    (21,728)     (2,928)      (596)      528       25,024            300
                                      -------     -------    -------    ------      -------       --------
  Net income (loss)...............   $ 40,353    $  5,439   $    740   $  (980)    $(30,782)     $  14,770
                                      =======     =======    =======    ======      =======       ========
Three months ended March 31, 1999:
  Oil and gas revenue.............   $117,473    $ 14,547   $ 15,131   $   -       $    -        $ 147,151
  Interest and other..............        -           -          -         -         45,973         45,973
  Gain on disposition of assets...        -           -          -         -             67             67
                                      -------     -------    -------    ------      -------       --------
                                      117,473      14,547     15,131       -         46,040        193,191
                                      -------     -------    -------    ------      -------       --------
  Production costs................     37,519       4,393      5,282       -            -           47,194
  Depletion, depreciation and
     amortization.................     48,987       8,201      7,581       -          4,603         69,372
  Exploration and abandonments....      7,857         819      1,811     1,289          -           11,776
  General and administrative......        -           -          -         -         10,249         10,249
  Reorganization..................        -           -          -         -          5,529          5,529
  Interest........................        -           -          -         -         42,521         42,521
  Other ..........................        -           -          -         -          8,651          8,651
                                      -------     -------    -------    ------      -------       --------
                                       94,363      13,413     14,674     1,289       71,553        195,292
                                      -------     -------    -------    ------      -------       --------
  Income (loss) before income taxes    23,110       1,134        457    (1,289)     (25,513)        (2,101)
  Income tax benefit (provision)..     (8,551)       (397)      (204)      451        8,301           (400)
                                      -------     -------    -------    ------      -------       --------
  Net income (loss)...............   $ 14,559    $    737   $    253   $  (838)    $(17,212)     $  (2,501)
                                      =======     =======    =======    ======      =======       ========
</TABLE>

NOTE I.      Pioneer USA

       Pioneer  Natural  Resources USA, Inc.  ("Pioneer  USA") is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company that has fully and unconditionally  guaranteed certain
debt  securities of the Company.  In accordance  with practices  accepted by the
SEC, the Company has prepared  Consolidating  Financial  Statements  in order to
quantify  the assets of Pioneer USA as a  subsidiary  guarantor.  The  following
Consolidating  Balance  Sheets,   Consolidating  Statements  of  Operations  and
Comprehensive  Income (Loss) and Consolidating  Statements of Cash Flows present
financial  information for Pioneer Natural  Resources Company as the Parent on a
stand-alone  basis (carrying any  investments in  subsidiaries  under the equity
method),  financial information for Pioneer USA on a stand-alone basis (carrying
any  investment in  non-guarantor  subsidiaries  under the equity  method),  the
non-guarantor   subsidiaries  of  the  Company  on  a  consolidated  basis,  the
consolidation and elimination entries necessary to arrive at the information for
the Company on a  consolidated  basis,  and the  financial  information  for the
Company on a  consolidated  basis.  Pioneer  USA is not  restricted  from making
distributions to the Company.

                                       13


<PAGE>


                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 March 31, 2000
                                   (Unaudited)

                           CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
                              As of March 31, 2000
                                 (in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

                                     ASSETS
<TABLE>
                                                                           Non-
                                                          Pioneer       Guarantor                         The
                                            Parent          USA        Subsidiaries    Eliminations     Company
                                          ----------    -----------    ------------    ------------    ----------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.............  $      641    $    17,354     $  15,141       $              $   33,136
  Other current assets..................   2,159,934     (1,372,385)     (619,720)                        167,829
                                           ---------     ----------      --------                       ---------
       Total current assets.............   2,160,575     (1,355,031)     (604,579)                        200,965
                                           ---------     ----------      --------                       ---------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
  Oil and gas properties, using the
    successful efforts method of
    accounting:
     Proved properties..................         -        2,231,649       831,180                       3,062,829
     Unproved properties................         -           19,952       228,074                         248,026
  Accumulated depletion, depreciation
    and amortization....................         -         (643,507)     (156,095)                       (799,602)
                                           ---------     ----------      --------                       ---------
                                                 -        1,608,094       903,159                       2,511,253
                                           ---------     ----------      --------                       ---------
Deferred income taxes...................      83,400            -             -                            83,400
Other property and equipment, net.......          -          25,787        14,846                          40,633
Other assets, net.......................      12,581         78,312        42,747                         133,640
Investment in subsidiaries..............     194,316        114,831           -          (309,147)            -
                                           ---------     ----------      --------                       ---------
                                          $2,450,872    $   471,993     $ 356,173                      $2,969,891
                                           =========     ==========      ========                       =========

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current maturities of long-term debt    $      -      $       505     $     -                        $      505
  Other current liabilities............       27,349        130,969        39,053                         197,371
                                           ---------     ----------      --------                       ---------
       Total current liabilities.......       27,349        131,474        39,053                         197,876
                                           ---------     ----------      --------                       ---------
Long-term debt, less current maturities    1,745,818            -             -                         1,745,818
Other noncurrent liabilities...........          -          135,327        32,670                         167,997
Deferred income taxes..................          -              -          41,600                          41,600
Stockholders' equity...................      677,705        205,192       242,850        (309,147)        816,600

Commitments and contingencies..........   ----------     ----------      --------                       ---------
                                          $2,450,872    $   471,993     $ 356,173                      $2,969,891
                                           =========     ==========      ========                       =========
</TABLE>
                           CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
                             As of December 31, 1999
                                 (in thousands)

                                     ASSETS
<TABLE>
                                                                           Non-
                                                          Pioneer       Guarantor                         The
                                            Parent          USA        Subsidiaries    Eliminations     Company
                                          ----------    -----------    ------------    ------------    ----------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents............   $        5    $    22,699     $  12,084       $              $   34,788
  Other current assets.................    2,160,134     (1,455,442)     (556,344)                        148,348
                                           ---------     ----------      --------                       ---------
       Total current assets............    2,160,139     (1,432,743)     (544,260)                        183,136
                                           ---------     ----------      --------                       ---------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
  Oil and gas properties, using the
    successful efforts method of
    accounting:
     Proved properties.................          -        2,200,173       797,162                       2,997,335
     Unproved properties...............          -           24,267       233,316                         257,583
  Accumulated depletion, depreciation
    and amortization...................          -         (614,402)     (137,554)                       (751,956)
                                           ---------     ----------      --------                       ---------
                                                 -        1,610,038       892,924                       2,502,962
                                           ---------     ----------      --------                       ---------
Deferred income taxes..................       83,400            -             -                            83,400
Other property and equipment, net......          -           28,144        14,862                          43,006
Other assets, net......................       13,293         58,117        45,559                         116,969
Investment in subsidiaries.............      190,293        161,061           -          (351,354)            -
                                           ---------     ----------      --------                       ---------
                                          $2,447,125    $   424,617     $ 409,085                      $2,929,473
                                           =========     ==========      ========                       =========

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current maturities of long-term debt $       -        $       828     $     -                        $      828
  Other current liabilities.........        36,115          120,857        39,013                         195,985
                                         ---------       ----------      --------                       ---------
       Total current liabilities....        36,115          121,685        39,013                         196,813
                                         ---------       ----------      --------                       ---------
Long-term debt, less current maturities  1,745,108              -             -                         1,745,108
Other noncurrent liabilities........           -            137,848        31,590                         169,438
Deferred income taxes...............           -                -          43,500                          43,500
Stockholders' equity................       665,902          165,084       294,982        (351,354)        774,614

Commitments and contingencies.......    ----------       ----------     ---------                       ---------
                                       $ 2,447,125      $   424,617     $ 409,085                      $2,929,473
                                        ==========       ==========      ========                       =========
</TABLE>
                                       14


<PAGE>


                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 March 31, 2000
                                   (Unaudited)

      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
                    For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2000
                                 (in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
                                                                Non-        Consolidated
                                                 Pioneer      Guarantor         Income                         The
                                      Parent       USA       Subsidiaries    Tax Benefit     Eliminations    Company
                                     --------    --------    ------------    ------------    ------------    --------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Revenues:
   Oil and gas.....................  $    -      $125,477      $  48,898        $   -         $              $174,375
   Interest and other..............        18       2,060          1,677            -                           3,755
   Gain on disposition of assets,
     net...........................       -         8,337             35            -                           8,372
                                      -------     -------       --------         ------                       -------
                                           18     135,874         50,610            -                         186,502
                                      -------     -------       --------         ------                       -------
Costs and expenses:
   Oil and gas production..........       -        33,745          9,377            -                          43,122
   Depletion, depreciation and
     amortization..................       -        32,771         19,137            -                          51,908
   Exploration and abandonments....       -         5,664          7,411            -                          13,075
   General and administrative......      (196)      7,814          2,141            -                           9,759
   Interest........................   (11,621)     36,151         15,225            -                          39,755
   Equity income from subsidiaries.    (2,927)     (2,709)           -              -            5,636            -
   Other...........................       -        14,071            342            -                          14,413
                                      -------     -------       --------         ------                       -------
                                      (14,744)    127,507         53,633            -                         172,032
                                      -------     -------       --------         ------                       -------
Income (loss) before income taxes      14,762       8,367         (3,023)           -                          14,470
Income tax benefit.................       -           -              292              8                           300
                                      -------     -------       --------         ------                       -------
Net income (loss)..................    14,762       8,367         (2,731)             8                        14,770

Other comprehensive income (loss):
   Unrealized gain on available
     for sale securities...........       -        31,742            -              -                          31,742
   Translation adjustment..........       -           -             (462)           -                            (462)
                                      -------     -------       --------         ------                       -------
Comprehensive income (loss)........  $ 14,762    $ 40,109      $  (3,193)       $     8                      $ 46,050
                                      =======     =======       ========         ======                       =======
</TABLE>
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
                    For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
                                 (in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
                                                                 Non-        Consolidated
                                                 Pioneer      Guarantor         Income                         The
                                      Parent       USA       Subsidiaries    Tax Provision   Eliminations    Company
                                     --------    --------    ------------    -------------   ------------    -------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Revenues:
   Oil and gas.....................  $    -      $110,082      $  37,069        $   -         $              $147,151
   Interest and other..............        11      42,634          3,328            -                          45,973
   Gain on disposition of assets,
     net...........................       -            67            -              -                             67
                                      -------     -------       --------         ------                       -------
                                           11     152,783         40,397            -                         193,191
                                      -------     -------       --------         ------                       -------
Costs and expenses:
   Oil and gas production..........       -        36,046         11,148            -                          47,194
   Depletion, depreciation and
     amortization..................       -        48,099         21,273            -                          69,372
   Exploration and abandonments....       -         8,889          2,887            -                          11,776
   General and administrative......       320       7,460          2,469            -                          10,249
   Reorganization..................       -         5,529            -              -                           5,529
   Interest........................    (9,619)     39,338         12,802            -                          42,521
   Equity (income) loss from
     subsidiaries..................    11,255        (273)           -              -          (10,982)            -
   Other...........................       544       9,959         (1,852)           -                           8,651
                                      -------     -------       --------         ------                       -------
                                        2,500     155,047         48,727            -                         195,292
                                      -------     -------       --------         ------                       -------
Loss before income taxes...........    (2,489)     (2,264)        (8,330)                                      (2,101)
Income tax (provision) benefit.....       -          (483)            95            (12)                         (400)
                                      -------     -------       --------         ------                       -------
Net loss...........................    (2,489)     (2,747)        (8,235)           (12)                       (2,501)

Other comprehensive income:
   Translation adjustment..........       -           -               95            -                              95
                                      -------     -------       --------         ------                       -------
Comprehensive loss.................  $ (2,489)   $ (2,747)     $  (8,140)       $   (12)                     $ (2,406)
                                      =======     =======       ========         ======                       =======
</TABLE>
                                       15


<PAGE>



                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 March 31, 2000
                                   (Unaudited)

                      CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                    For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2000
                                 (in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
                                                                             Non-
                                                              Pioneer      Guarantor         The
                                                   Parent       USA       Subsidiaries     Company
                                                 ---------    --------    ------------    ---------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>         <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net cash provided by operating activities....   $   5,316    $  4,450     $  37,435      $  47,201
                                                  --------     -------      --------       --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
 Proceeds from disposition of assets..........         -        18,885           662         19,547
 Additions to oil and gas properties..........         -       (22,925)      (37,109)       (60,034)
 Other property (additions) dispositions, net.         -        (1,767)        2,320            553
                                                  --------     -------      --------       --------
    Net cash used in investing activities.....         -        (5,807)      (34,127)       (39,934)
                                                  --------     -------      --------       --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
 Borrowings under long-term debt..............      30,839         -             -           30,839
 Principal payments on long-term debt.........     (31,384)       (323)          -          (31,707)
 Payment of noncurrent liabilities............         -        (3,665)         (244)        (3,909)
 Exercise of long-term incentive plan
    stock options.............................          48         -             -               48
 Purchase of treasury stock...................      (4,112)        -             -           (4,112)
 Deferred loan fees/issuance costs............         (71)        -             -              (71)
                                                  --------     -------      --------       --------
    Net cash used in financing activities.....      (4,680)     (3,988)         (244)        (8,912)
                                                  --------     -------      --------       --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
  equivalents.................................         636      (5,345)        3,064         (1,645)
Effect of exchange rate changes on
  cash and cash equivalents...................         -           -              (7)            (7)
Cash and cash equivalents,
  beginning of period.........................           5      22,699        12,084         34,788
                                                  --------     -------      --------       --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end
  of period...................................   $     641    $ 17,354     $  15,141      $  33,136
                                                  ========     =======      ========       ========
</TABLE>
                      CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                    For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1999
                                 (in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
                                                                              Non-
                                                              Pioneer       Guarantor        The
                                                   Parent       USA       Subsidiaries     Company
                                                 ---------    --------    ------------    ---------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>         <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net cash provided by (used
    in) operating activities..................   $(299,916)   $ 26,977     $ 281,230      $   8,291
                                                  --------     -------      --------       --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
 Proceeds from disposition of assets..........         -         3,286         1,864          5,150
 Additions to oil and gas properties..........         -       (24,798)      (22,375)       (47,173)
 Other property (additions) dispositions, net.         -        (1,890)        1,991            101
                                                  --------     -------      --------       --------
    Net cash used in
      investing activities....................         -       (23,402)      (18,520)       (41,922)
                                                  --------     -------      --------       --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
 Borrowings under long-term debt..............     306,925         -             292        307,217
 Principal payments on long-term debt.........      (3,226)       (290)     (276,225)      (279,741)
 Payment of noncurrent liabilities............         -       (10,847)       (2,080)       (12,927)
 Deferred loan fees/issuance costs............      (6,891)        -             -           (6,891)
                                                  --------     -------      --------       --------
    Net cash provided by
      (used in) financing
      activities..............................     296,808     (11,137)     (278,013)         7,658
                                                  --------     -------      --------       --------
Net decrease in cash and cash
  equivalents.................................      (3,108)     (7,562)      (15,303)       (25,973)
Effect of exchange rate changes on
  cash and cash equivalents...................         -           -             315            315
Cash and cash equivalents,
  beginning of period.........................       3,161      37,932        18,128         59,221
                                                  --------     -------      --------       --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end
  of period...................................   $      53    $ 30,370     $   3,140      $  33,563
                                                  ========     =======      ========       ========
</TABLE>
                                       16


<PAGE>



                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 March 31, 2000
                                   (Unaudited)

NOTE J.     Subsequent Events

       Senior  notes.  During  April 2000,  the Company  issued $425  million of
9-5/8% Senior Notes Due April 1, 2010 (the "9-5/8%  Senior  Notes").  The 9-5/8%
Senior  Notes were  issued at a discount  of .353  percent  and  resulted in net
proceeds to the Company, after underwriting discounts,  commissions and costs of
issuance,  of  approximately  $413.5  million.  The proceeds were used to reduce
outstanding  borrowings under the Company's  existing revolving credit facility.
The 9-5/8% Senior Notes are unsecured  senior  obligations of the Company,  bear
interest that is due semi- annually on April 1 and October 1, and impose certain
restrictive covenants on the Company,  including  restrictions on the incurrence
of additional  indebtedness and restricted payments.  The principal and interest
payments on the 9-5/8%  Senior Notes are  unconditionally  guaranteed by Pioneer
USA.

       Asset sale.  During April 2000,  the Company  sold an office  building in
Midland, Texas that served as its headquarters prior to the Company's relocation
to Irving,  Texas during 1998.  The Company sold the building for gross proceeds
of $4.5 million and will recognize a loss on the sale of the office  building of
approximately $5.3 million during the second quarter of 2000.

                                       17


<PAGE>



                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY

Item 2.      Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
              Results of Operations(1)

Financial Performance

       The Company reported net income of $14.8 million ($.15 per share) for the
three  months  ended March 31,  2000,  as compared to a net loss of $2.5 million
($.02 per share) for the same  period in 1999.  The  Company's  results  for the
three  months ended March 31, 2000 were  significantly  impacted by increases in
commodity  prices (see "Trends and  Uncertainties"  and "Results of Operations",
below),  an  $8.3  million  gain  on the  sale  of a  portion  of the  Company's
investment in the common stock of a non-affiliated  entity (see Note F. of Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements")
and $14.4  million  of  derivative  mark-to-market  charges  to other  costs and
expenses (see "Results of Operations - Other Costs and  Expenses",  below).  The
net income for the three months ended March 31, 1999  includes  $41.3 million of
other income  related to option fees  received for a terminated  property  sales
agreement.  See Note E of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in
"Item 1. Financial Statements".

       Net cash provided by operating  activities  was $47.2 million  during the
three  ended March 31,  2000,  as  compared  to net cash  provided by  operating
activities of $8.3 million for the same period in 1999. The increase in net cash
provided by operating  activities  during the three months ended March 31, 2000,
as compared to the first quarter of 1999, is primarily attributable to increases
in  commodity  prices  and  declines  in  cash  expenses,  partially  offset  by
production declines due primarily to 1999 property dispositions (see "Results of
Operations", below).

       The  Company  strives  to  maintain  its  outstanding  indebtedness  at a
moderate  level in order to provide  sufficient  financial  flexibility  to fund
future opportunities.  The Company's total book capitalization at March 31, 2000
was $2.5  billion,  consisting  of total debt of $1.7 billion and  stockholders'
equity of $.8 billion.  Debt as a percentage of total book capitalization was 68
percent at March 31, 2000 as compared to 69 percent at December  31,  1999.  The
Company intends to continue  reducing its outstanding  indebtedness  during 2000
and 2001  through  the use of funds  generated  by the  individual  or  combined
sources of operating activities and asset dispositions.

Drilling Highlights

       During the first  quarter of 2000,  the Company  spent  $60.0  million on
capital  projects  including  $44.6 million for  development  activities,  $10.8
million for exploration activities and $4.6 million on acquisitions. The Company
completed 92 development wells and 10 exploratory  wells,  plugged and abandoned
six development  wells and two exploratory  wells and temporarily  abandoned six
development  wells.  As of March 31, 2000, the Company had 27 development  wells
and two exploratory wells in progress.

       Domestic.  The Company expended $23.2 million during the first quarter of
2000 on drilling  activities in the Gulf Coast,  Permian Basin and Mid Continent
areas of the United States.

       Gulf Coast area.  In the Gulf Coast  area,  the  Company  expended  $12.9
million  of  drilling  capital  during the first  quarter of 2000,  successfully
completed two exploratory  wells and plugged and abandoned one development well.
The  Company's  successful  completions  were  the  Devil's  Tower  prospect  on
Mississippi  Canyon 773 and the Aconcagua  appraisal well on Mississippi  Canyon
305. The Mississippi Canyon 773 well was drilled to a total depth of 15,625 feet
and encountered a significant number of  hydrocarbon-bearing  sands. The Company
has a 15.8 percent working  interest in the discovery.  The first appraisal well
on the  Devil's  Tower  prospect  is  scheduled  to spud  during  May 2000.  The
Aconcagua  appraisal  well  was  drilled  to a total  depth of  14,113  feet and
encountered  over 250 net feet of gas pay. The Company has a 25 percent  working
interest  in the  discovery.  In the  East  Texas  Bossier  field,  the  Company
currently  has two drilling rigs  contracted  and operating and plans to add two
additional  rigs during the second  quarter of 2000.  As of March 31, 2000,  the
Company has four Gulf Coast area wells in progress.

       Permian Basin area. In the Permian Basin area, the Company  expended $8.9
million of drilling  capital  during the first quarter of 2000 and  successfully
completed  34  development  wells,  of which 21 were in progress at December 31,
1999.  During the first  quarter of 2000, the wells drilled in the Permian Basin

                                       18


<PAGE>



area were primarily  located in the Company's core  Spraberry  field,  where the
Company currently has three drilling rigs contracted and operating.  As of March
31,  2000,  the Company has 15  development  wells in progress in the  Spraberry
field.

       Mid Continent area. In the Mid Continent area, the Company  expended $1.4
million  of  drilling  capital  during the first  quarter of 2000,  successfully
completed  20  development  wells,  12 of which were in progress at December 31,
1999, and temporarily abandoned six development wells. The Company's development
drilling in the Mid Continent  area is focused on West  Panhandle gas prospects,
where the Company currently has three drilling rigs contracted and operating. As
of March 31, 2000, the Company has six development  wells in progress in the Mid
Continent area.

       Argentina.  In Argentina,  the Company expended $11.3 million of drilling
capital during the first quarter of 2000, successfully completed 17 wells, eight
of which were exploratory  wells and nine of which were  development  wells, and
plugged and abandoned two exploratory wells and one development  well.  Included
in the  first  quarter  well  completions  were four  exploratory  wells and one
development  well that were in progress at December  31, 1999.  During  February
2000,  the Company  announced  its first  discovery on new Neuquen Basin acreage
acquired  during 1999. The Borde Colorado 1006 well was drilled in the Al Sur de
la Dorsal  block,  where the Company has a 100 percent  working  interest,  on a
structure  defined  by  3-D  seismic.  The  well  was  drilled  to  a  depth  of
approximately  1,500 meters and initially flowed at a rate of 450 barrels of oil
per day. The Company  currently has four drilling rigs  contracted and operating
in Argentina.  As of March 31, 2000,  the Company has one  exploratory  well and
three development wells in progress in Argentina.

       Canada. In Canada, the Company expended $19.8 million of drilling capital
during the first quarter of 2000,  successfully  completed 29 development wells,
of which three were in progress at December 31, 1999,  and plugged and abandoned
four development wells.  During the first quarter of 2000, the Company completed
its annual winter drilling program in the Chinchaga,  North Chinchaga and Martin
Creek areas that are only accessible to drilling  operations  during the winter.
Additionally,  the  Company  installed  new  pipeline  infrastructure  in  field
extension  areas that have  follow-up  drilling  scheduled  for next  winter and
increased compressor capacity to accommodate production from new wells.

       Africa.  In South Africa,  the Company  expended $1.0 million  during the
first quarter of 2000 to  participate  in the third  appraisal well on the Sable
oil field  project.  The  appraisal  well  encountered  a thin oil  column in an
accumulation separate from the main Sable field formation.  A 3-D seismic survey
is planned to further  establish  the areal  extent of the Western  extension of
this reservoir.

Events, Trends and Uncertainties

       Second quarter 2000 financing activities.  During April 2000, the Company
executed plans to increase its liquidity, extend its debt maturities and improve
the terms of its debt  obligations.  The Company  issued $425  million of 9-5/8%
Senior Notes Due April 1, 2010 (the "9-5/8%  Senior  Notes").  The 9-5/8% Senior
Notes were issued at a discount of .353  percent and resulted in net proceeds to
the Company, after underwriting discounts, commissions and costs of issuance, of
approximately  $413.5 million.  The net proceeds from the issuance of the 9-5/8%
Senior  Notes were used to reduce  outstanding  borrowings  under the  Company's
existing revolving credit facility.

       The Company also obtained  commitments  for a new five-year  $600 million
senior credit facility to replace its existing  revolving  credit  facility.  If
consummated,  the  proposed  credit  facility  would  extend the maturity of the
Company's  debt,  enhance  liquidity and provide  flexibility  in support of the
Company's  business  strategies.  The Company  intends to finalize  the proposed
senior credit facility during the second quarter of 2000; however, no assurances
can be given that the proposed  senior credit  facility will be  consummated  as
planned. If the Company replaces its existing credit facility, approximately $12
million of associated  unamortized debt costs would be charged to earnings as an
extraordinary loss from early extinguishment of debt during the second quarter.

       During April 2000,  the Company  entered into certain  interest rate swap
agreements  to hedge the fair value of a portion  of its fixed  rate  debt.  The
interest  rate swap  agreements  are for an  aggregate  notional  amount of $150
million  of debt;  commenced  on April 19,  2000 and  mature on April 15,  2005;
require  the  counterparties  to pay the  Company a fixed  annual  rate of 8.875
percent  on  the   notional   amount;   and  require  the  Company  to  pay  the
counterparties  a  variable  annual  rate on the  notional  amount  equal to the
periodic  three-month  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate plus a weighted  average
margin rate of 178.2 basis points.

                                       19


<PAGE>




       Second quarter asset disposition.  During April 2000, the Company sold an
office building in Midland,  Texas that served as its headquarters  prior to the
Company's relocation to Irving, Texas during 1998. The Company sold the building
for gross  proceeds  of $4.5  million.  The  Company  will  continue to maintain
certain  administrative and operating  functions in the office building under an
operating lease negotiated with the purchasers. A loss on the sale of the office
building of  approximately  $5.3  million will be  recognized  during the second
quarter of 2000.

       Commodity  prices.  The oil and gas prices that the  Company  reports are
based on the market prices received for the commodities  adjusted by the results
of the Company's hedging activities.  Historically, worldwide oil and gas prices
have been extremely  volatile and subject to significant  changes in response to
real and perceived  conditions  in world  politics,  weather  patterns and other
fundamental supply and demand variables.

       During the first quarter of 1999, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries  ("OPEC") and certain other crude oil exporting  nations reduced their
oil export  volumes.  The export volume  reductions  initiated by OPEC and other
crude oil  exporting  nations,  and strong  North  American  natural  gas market
fundamentals  have sustained a favorable oil and gas commodity price environment
through 1999 and into the second  quarter of 2000. No assurances can be given as
to the duration of the current commodity price environment.

       The benchmark daily average NYMEX West Texas  Intermediate  closing price
increased  120  percent  during  the  three  months  ended  March 31,  2000,  in
comparison  with the three  months  ended March 31, 1999.  The  benchmark  daily
average  NYMEX Henry Hub closing  price  increased  42 percent  during the three
months  ended March 31,  2000,  as compared to the three  months ended March 31,
1999.

       To mitigate  the impact of changing  prices on the  Company's  results of
operations,  cash flows and financial  condition,  the Company from time to time
enters into commodity  derivative  contracts as hedges against oil and gas price
risk (see Note D of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in "Item
1. Financial Statements").

       Market sensitive financial instruments. The Company is a party to various
financial instruments that, by their terms, cause the Company to be at risk from
future changes in commodity  prices,  interest and foreign  exchange rates,  and
other  market   sensitivities.   See  "Item  3.   Quantitative  and  Qualitative
Disclosures About Market Risk" for specific  information  concerning market risk
associated with financial instruments that the Company is a party to.

                                       20


<PAGE>



Results of Operations

       Oil and gas revenues. Revenues from oil and gas operations totaled $174.4
million for the three months ended March 31, 2000 compared to $147.2 million for
the same period in 1999.  The  increase in revenues is  reflective  of commodity
price increases which more than offset decreased  production volumes due to 1999
asset dispositions.

                                          Three Months Ended March 31,
                                         -----------------------------
                                            2000                1999
                                         ---------            --------
    Production:
       Oil (MBbls)....................       3,163               4,537
       NGLs (MBbls)...................       2,063               2,478
       Gas (MMcf).....................      32,688              43,714
       Total (MBOE)...................      10,674              14,301
    Average daily production:
       Oil (Bbls).....................      34,759              50,407
       NGLs (Bbls)....................      22,667              27,539
       Gas (Mcf)......................     359,208             485,707
       Total (BOE)....................     117,294             158,897
    Average prices:
       Oil (per Bbl) (1)..............   $   22.44           $   11.80
       NGL (per Bbl) (2)..............   $   19.00           $    7.63
       Gas (per Mcf) (3)..............   $    1.97           $    1.71

- ----------
    (1)  The Company's  average per Bbl reported oil prices by  geographic  area
         were $20.02,  $29.44 and $29.12 for the United  States,  Argentina  and
         Canada, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2000; and
         $12.19, $11.08 and $10.46 for the United States,  Argentina and Canada,
         respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 1999.
    (2)  The Company's  average per Bbl reported NGL prices by  geographic  area
         were $18.86,  $19.41 and $22.52 for the United  States,  Argentina  and
         Canada, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2000; and
         $7.68,  $6.58 and $6.78 for the United  States,  Argentina  and Canada,
         respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 1999.
    (3)  The Company's  average per Mcf reported gas prices by  geographic  area
         were  $2.29,  $1.11 and  $1.92 for the  United  States,  Argentina  and
         Canada, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2000; and
         $1.88,  $1.09 and $1.62 for the United  States,  Argentina  and Canada,
         respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 1999.

       As is discussed  above,  oil and gas revenues for the quarter ended March
31, 2000 were significantly  impacted by commodity price increases.  As compared
to the first  quarter of 1999,  the average oil price for the three months ended
March 31, 2000  increased  90  percent;  the  average  NGL price  increased  149
percent; and the average gas price increased 15 percent.

       On a BOE basis,  production  decreased by 25 percent for the three months
ended March 31, 2000, as compared to the same period in 1999.  Production,  on a
BOE basis,  declined  28 percent in the United  States and 50 percent in Canada,
where the Company completed asset dispositions  during 1999, while production in
Argentina increased by 12 percent.

       Hedging activities

       The oil and gas prices that the  Company  reports are based on the market
price  received  for the  commodities  adjusted by the results of the  Company's
hedging activities.  The Company utilizes commodity derivative contracts (swaps,
futures  and  options)  in order to (i) reduce the effect of the  volatility  of
price changes on the  commodities the Company  produces and sells,  (ii) support
the Company's annual capital  budgeting and expenditure  plans and (iii) lock in
prices to protect the economics related to certain capital projects.  During the
three months ended March 31, 2000, the Company's  hedging  activities  decreased
the average  price  received  for oil and gas sales 19 percent and one  percent,
respectively.  During the three  months  ended  March 31,  1999,  the  Company's
hedging  activities  increased the average prices received for oil and gas sales
by seven percent and 14 percent, respectively.

                                       21


<PAGE>



       Crude oil. All material  sales  contracts  governing  the  Company's  oil
production  are tied directly or  indirectly  to NYMEX  prices.  The average oil
price per Bbl that the Company  reports  includes  the  effects of oil  quality,
gathering  and  transportation  costs and the net effect of the oil hedges.  The
Company's  average  realized  price  for  physical  oil sales  (excluding  hedge
results) for the three months ended March 31, 2000 was $27.74 per Bbl, while, as
a point of  reference,  the  comparable  daily average NYMEX closing per Bbl was
$28.73 per Bbl.  The Company  recorded a net  decrease to oil  revenues of $16.8
million  during  the  three  months  ended  March 31,  2000,  as a result of its
commodity hedges.

       During the three  months ended March 31,  1999,  the Company  realized an
average  price for physical oil sales  (excluding  hedge  results) of $11.02 per
Bbl, while, as a point of reference,  the comparable daily average NYMEX closing
per Bbl for the same  periods  was $13.05 per Bbl.  The  Company  recorded a net
increase to oil  revenues of $3.5  million for the three  months ended March 31,
1999, as a result of its commodity hedges.

       Natural gas. The Company hedges gas  production  based on the index price
upon which the gas is actually  sold in order to mitigate the basis risk between
NYMEX  prices and actual  index  prices.  The average gas price per Mcf that the
Company   reports   includes   the  effects  of  Btu  content,   gathering   and
transportation costs, gas processing and shrinkage and the net effect of the gas
hedges.  The Company's  average realized price for physical gas sales (excluding
hedge  results) for the three  months  ended March 31, 2000,  was $1.99 per Mcf,
while, as a point of reference,  the comparable  daily average NYMEX closing for
the same period was $2.49 per Mcf.  The Company  recorded a net  decrease to gas
revenues of $.9 million for the three months  ended March 31, 2000,  as a result
of its commodity hedges.

       During the three  months ended March 31,  1999,  the Company  realized an
average price for physical gas sales (excluding hedge results) of $1.50 per Mcf,
while, as a point of reference,  the comparable  daily average NYMEX closing was
$1.75 per Mcf.  The  Company  recorded a net  increase  to gas  revenues of $9.3
million for the three months ended March 31, 1999,  as a result of its commodity
hedges.

       See Note D of Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  included  in
"Item 1. Financial Statements" for information concerning the Company's deferred
hedge losses and open hedge  positions and related  contract  prices as of March
31, 2000.

       Interest and other revenue.  During the three months ended March 31, 2000
and 1999,  the  Company's  interest and other  revenue  totaled $3.8 million and
$46.0  million,  respectively.  Other  revenue  during the first quarter of 1999
includes  $41.3  million of option fees  received  by the  Company  from a third
party.  See Note E of Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  included in
"Item 1. Financial  Statements" for a discussion of transactions  that gave rise
to the 1999 option fee revenue.

       Gain on  disposition  of assets.  During the three months ended March 31,
2000 and 1999, the Company  recorded gains on the  disposition of assets of $8.4
million and $.1  million,  respectively.  The gain  recognized  during the first
quarter of 2000 is primarily  comprised of an $8.3 million gain from the sale of
1,380,446  shares of Prize  Energy  Corp.  common  stock (see Note F of Notes to
Consolidated  Financial Statements included in "Item 1. Financial  Statements").
The fair value of the  Company's  remaining  investment  in 2,637,715  shares of
Prize Energy Corp. common stock was $51.4 million as of March 31, 2000.

       Production  costs.  During the three month  period  ended March 31, 2000,
total production costs per BOE averaged $4.03,  representing an increase of $.72
per BOE, as compared to production costs per BOE of $3.31 during the same period
in 1999. The increase in production costs per BOE is comprised of a $.40 per BOE
increase in production  taxes,  a $.23 per BOE increase in workover  costs and a
$.09 per BOE increase in lease  operating  expenses.  The increase in production
taxes was caused by the  quarter-to-quarter  increase  in oil and gas  commodity
prices.

                                             Three Months Ended March 31,
                                             ---------------------------
                                               2000               1999
                                             --------           --------
                                                      (per BOE)

    Lease operating expense...............   $   3.08           $   2.99
    Production taxes......................        .67                .27
    Workover costs........................        .28                .05
                                              -------            -------

       Total production costs.............   $   4.03           $   3.31
                                              =======            =======



                                       22


<PAGE>




       Depletion expense. Depletion expense per BOE was $4.49 per BOE during the
three months ended March 31, 2000,  as compared to $4.53 per BOE during the same
period  in 1999.  The  decline  in  depletion  expense  per BOE  during  2000 is
primarily associated with the disposition in 1999 of higher cost basis, non-core
properties  and upward  reserve  revisions as of December 31, 1999,  on retained
properties.

       Exploration   and    abandonments/geological   and   geophysical   costs.
Exploration and abandonments/geological and geophysical costs increased to $13.1
million during the three months ended March 31, 2000,  from $11.8 million during
the same period in 1999.  The  increase is largely the result of $3.8 million of
unproved leasehold  abandonments in the Rio Grande Sur area of Argentina,  where
the Company completed an unsuccessful  exploratory well during the first quarter
of 2000.
<TABLE>
                                                  United                           Other
                                                  States    Argentina   Canada    Foreign     Total
                                                  -------   ---------   -------   -------   --------
                                                                     (in thousands)

<S>                                               <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>
       Three months ended March 31, 2000:
         Geological and geophysical costs.....    $ 3,659    $   784    $   265   $ 1,501   $  6,209
         Exploratory dry holes................        291      1,510        (13)      -        1,788
         Leasehold abandonments and other.....        999      3,877        195         7      5,078
                                                   ------     ------     ------    ------    -------

                                                  $ 4,949    $ 6,171    $   447   $ 1,508   $ 13,075
                                                   ======     ======     ======    ======    =======
       Three months ended March 31, 1999:
         Geological and geophysical costs.....    $ 4,176    $   752    $   165   $   966   $  6,059
         Exploratory dry holes................      2,747         67        734       269      3,817
         Leasehold abandonments and other.....        934        -          912        54      1,900
                                                   ------     ------     ------    ------    -------

                                                  $ 7,857    $   819    $ 1,811   $ 1,289   $ 11,776
                                                   ======     ======     ======    ======    =======
</TABLE>

       General and administrative  expense.  General and administrative  expense
was $9.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2000, as compared to $10.2
million for the same period  ended March 31,  1999,  representing  a decrease of
five percent. On a per BOE basis,  general and administrative  expense increased
from $.72 per BOE  during  the first  quarter of 1999 to $.91 per BOE during the
first  quarter of 2000,  primarily  due to a $2.1  million  increase in employee
bonuses.

       Reorganization  costs for the three months ended March 31, 1999,  totaled
$5.5 million.  During 1998 and 1999, the Company  consolidated  its six domestic
operating  divisions;  relocated most of its administrative  services to Dallas,
Texas; closed its regional offices in Corpus Christi,  Texas; Houston, Texas and
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;  and, eliminated  approximately 350 employee positions.
The Company does not expect to recognize any additional  reorganization  charges
during 2000.

       Interest  expense.  Interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2000
was $39.8 million as compared to $42.5 million for the same period in 1999.  The
$2.7 million  decrease in interest  expense during the first quarter of 2000, as
compared  to the  first  quarter  of 1999,  is  reflective  of a $426.1  million
decrease  in the  Company's  average  debt  outstanding  due to the  1999  asset
dispositions,  partially  offset by a 96 basis point  increase in the  Company's
weighted average interest rate on debt.

       During the three months ended March 31, 1999,  the Company was a party to
interest rate swap agreements that resulted in a decrease in interest expense of
$543  thousand.  The interest  rate swap  agreements  matured  during the second
quarter of 1999.

       Other costs and  expenses.  Other costs and expenses for the three months
ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 were $14.4 million and $8.7 million, respectively.
The  increase  in  other  costs  and  expenses  is  primarily   attributable  to
fluctuations   in   mark-to-market    provisions   on   financial   instruments.
Mark-to-market  provisions  during the first  quarter  of 2000  included a $14.1
million  increase in the liabilities  associated  with non-hedge  commodity call
contracts and a $.1 million increase in the liabilities  associated with forward
foreign currency swap agreements,  partially offset by a $.7 million decrease in

                                       23


<PAGE>



the liabilities  associated with the Company's BTU swap  agreements.  During the
quarter ended March 31, 1999,  mark-to-market provisions included a $4.9 million
decrease in the fair value of the Company's  investment in three million  shares
of  a  non-affiliated  entity,  a  $2.6  million  increase  in  the  liabilities
associated with non- hedge commodity call contracts and a $2.0 million  increase
in the liabilities associated with the Company's BTU swap agreements,  partially
offset by a $2. 6 million  decrease in the  liabilities  associated with forward
foreign currency swap agreements.  See Note H of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements included in "Item 1. Financial Statements" for additional information
pertaining to the Company's investment and liabilities that are recorded at fair
value.  Investments and non-hedge derivative contracts that are recorded at fair
value  are  marked-to-market  at the end of each  reporting  period in which the
Company  maintains  ownership  of the  investment  or the  non-hedge  derivative
contract  has not  been  liquidated  or  matured.  The  related  effects  on the
Company's future results of operations and comprehensive  income (loss) could be
significant.

       Income tax  provisions  (benefits).  During the three month periods ended
March 31,  2000 and 1999,  the Company  recognized  an income tax benefit of $.3
million and an income tax provision of $.4 million,  respectively. The Company's
first quarter 2000 income tax benefit is associated  with the tax  attributes of
the Company's operations in Argentina. Due to continuing uncertainties regarding
the likelihood  that certain of the Company's net operating  loss  carryforwards
and other credit  carryforwards  may expire unused,  the Company has established
valuation  reserves to reduce the carrying value of its deferred tax assets. The
Company's  deferred  tax  valuation  reserves  are  reduced  when the  Company's
financial results establish that deferred tax assets previously reserved will be
used prior to their  expiration.  During the three  months ended March 31, 2000,
the Company reduced its deferred tax asset  valuation  reserves by $2.5 million.
The income tax provision  recognized during the first quarter 1999 was primarily
due to state taxes associated with a 1998 property divestiture.

Capital Commitments, Capital Resources and Liquidity

       Capital  commitments.  The  Company's  primary  needs  for  cash  are for
exploration,  development and acquisitions of oil and gas properties,  repayment
of  principal  and  interest on  outstanding  indebtedness  and working  capital
obligations.

       The Company's cash  expenditures  for additions to oil and gas properties
totaled $60.0 million  during the first  quarter of 2000.  This amount  includes
$4.6 million for the  acquisition  of prospects and properties and $55.4 million
for development and exploratory drilling. Drilling expenditures during the first
quarter of 2000 included  $23.2 million in the United  States,  $19.8 million in
Canada,  $11.4 in Argentina and $1.0 million in other  international  areas. See
"Drilling  Highlights",  above, for a specific discussion of capital investments
made during the first quarter of 2000.

       Funding for the  Company's  working  capital  obligations  is provided by
internally-generated  cash flow.  Funding for the  repayment  of  principal  and
interest on outstanding  debt may be provided by any  combination of internally-
generated  cash flows,  proceeds  from the  disposition  of  non-core  assets or
alternative financing sources as discussed in "Capital Resources" below.

       Capital  resources.  The Company's primary capital resources are net cash
provided  by  operating  activities,  proceeds  from  financing  activities  and
proceeds from asset dispositions. The Company expects that its capital resources
will be sufficient to fund its remaining  capital  commitments in 2000 and allow
for reductions in debt during 2000.

       Operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $47.2
million  during the three months  ended March 31, 2000,  as compared to net cash
provided by  operating  activities  of $8.3 million for the same period in 1999.
The  increase  in net  cash  provided  by  operating  activities  was  primarily
attributable  to increases in commodity  prices and cost  reductions,  partially
offset by declines in production volumes (see "Oil and gas revenues," above).

       Financing  activities.  The Company had an outstanding  balance under its
credit  facility  agreements  at March  31,  2000 of $850.5  million  (including
outstanding,  undrawn letters of credit of $26.1 million), leaving approximately
$89.1 million of unused borrowing capacity immediately available.

       During the second  quarter of 2000,  the Company  issued $425  million of
9-5/8% Senior Notes and obtained  commitments for a proposed $600 million senior
credit  facility to  replace  its existing  revolving  credit facility.  The net

                                       24


<PAGE>



proceeds  from the  issuance  of the  9-5/8%  Senior  Notes  were  used to repay
outstanding  borrowings under the Company's  existing revolving credit facility.
See "Events,  Trends and Uncertainties",  above, for information regarding these
financing activities.

       As the Company  pursues its strategy,  it may utilize  various  financing
sources,  including  fixed  and  floating  rate  debt,  convertible  securities,
preferred  stock or common  stock.  The  Company  may also issue  securities  in
exchange for oil and gas  properties,  stock or other interests in other oil and
gas  companies  or  related  assets.  Additional  securities  may be of a  class
preferred  to common  stock  with  respect  to such  matters  as  dividends  and
liquidation  rights and may also have other rights and preferences as determined
by the Company's Board of Directors.

       Asset  dispositions.  During the three  months  ended  March 31, 2000 and
1999,  proceeds from asset dispositions  totaled $19.5 million and $5.2 million,
respectively.  During  the  three  months  ended  March  31,  2000,  the sale of
1,380,446 shares of Prize Common for $18.6 million was the primary source of the
Company's proceeds from asset dispositions. The proceeds from these dispositions
were used to reduce the Company's  outstanding bank indebtedness and for general
working capital purposes.

       Liquidity.  At March 31, 2000,  the Company had $33.1 million of cash and
cash  equivalents  on hand,  compared to $34.8 million at December 31, 1999. The
Company's ratio of current assets to current  liabilities was 1.02 to 1 at March
31, 2000 and .93 to 1 at December 31, 1999.

Other Items

       Year 2000  project.  During 1998,  the Company  established a "Year 2000"
project that  assessed the Company's  internal Year 2000 problem;  took remedial
actions  necessary  to minimize  the Year 2000 risk  exposure to the Company and
third  parties;  and,  tested the Company's  systems and processes once remedial
actions were taken.

       The Company has closely  monitored its  information  and  non-information
technology systems since the beginning of 2000 and has identified no significant
Year 2000 failures or problems.

       Accounting  for  derivatives.  In June  1998,  the  Financial  Accounting
Standards  Board  ("FASB")  issued  Statement of  Accounting  Standards No. 133,
"Accounting  for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities"  ("SFAS 133").
SFAS  133  establishes   accounting  and  reporting   standards  for  derivative
instruments,   including  certain  derivative   instruments  embedded  in  other
contracts, (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities.
It  requires  that an entity  recognize  all  derivatives  as  either  assets or
liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments
at fair value.  If certain  conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically
designated  as (a) a hedge of the  exposure  to  changes  in the fair value of a
recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of
the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction,  or (c) a hedge
of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation,  an
unrecognized   firm   commitment,   an   available-for-sale   security,   or   a
foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction.

       In June 1999, the FASB issued Statement of Accounting  Standards No. 137,
"Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the
Effective  Date of FASB Statement No. 133 - and amendment of FASB Statement 133"
("SFAS 137").  SFAS 137 defers the  effective  date for SFAS 133 to fiscal years
beginning  after June 15, 2000. The Company has not determined  what effect,  if
any, SFAS 133 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (1)

       The following quantitative and qualitative  disclosures about market risk
are  supplementary to the quantitative and qualitative  disclosures  provided in
the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1999. As such, the  information  contained  herein should be read in conjunction
with the related disclosures in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.

       The following  disclosures  provide specific  information  about material
changes that have occurred since December 31, 1999 in the Company's portfolio of
financial instruments. The Company may recognize future earnings gains or losses

                                       25


<PAGE>



on these  instruments  from changes in market interest rates,  foreign  exchange
rates, commodity prices or common stock prices.

       Interest rate  sensitivity.  On April 7, 2000, the Company  announced the
sale of $425 million of 9-5/8%  Senior Notes Due April 1, 2010  ("9-5/8%  Senior
Notes").  Net  proceeds of  approximately  $413.5  million  from the sale of the
9-5/8%  Senior  Notes were used by the  Company to reduce  borrowings  under its
variable  interest rate revolving credit facility that matures in 2002 (see Note
J. of Notes to Consolidated  Financial Statements included in "Item 1. Financial
Statements"). Also in April 2000, the Company entered into certain interest rate
swap agreements to hedge the fair value of a portion of its fixed rate debt. The
interest  rate swap  agreements  are for an  aggregate  notional  amount of $150
million  of debt;  commence  on April 19,  2000 and  mature  on April 15,  2005;
require  the  counterparties  to pay the  Company a fixed  annual  rate of 8.875
percent  on  the  notional   amount;   and,  require  the  Company  to  pay  the
counterparties  a  variable  annual  rate on the  notional  amount  equal to the
periodic  three-month  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate plus a weighted  average
margin rate of 178.2 basis points.

       Foreign  exchange rate  sensitivity.  During the three months ended March
31,  2000,  there were no material  changes to the  Company's  foreign  exchange
exposures.

       Commodity  price  sensitivity.  During  the first  quarter  of 2000,  the
Company  terminated  certain  crude oil and natural gas hedge  derivatives.  The
following tables provide  information  about the Company's crude oil and natural
gas derivative financial instruments that the Company was a party to as of March
31, 2000. The tables segregate hedge derivative contracts from those that do not
qualify as hedges.

       See Notes D and F of Notes to Consolidated  Financial Statements included
in"Item 1.  Financial  Statements"  for  information  regarding the terms of the
Company's  derivative  financial  instruments  that are  sensitive to changes in
natural gas and crude oil commodity prices.

                                       26


<PAGE>



                        Pioneer Natural Resources Company
                           Crude Oil Price Sensitivity
              Derivative Financial Instruments as of March 31, 2000
<TABLE>

                                                    2000       2001       2002       2003       2004     Fair Value
                                                  --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   -----------
                                                             (in thousands, except volumes and prices)
<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Crude Oil Hedge Derivatives:
  Average daily notional Bbl volumes (1):
     Swap contracts...........................       2,480                                               $  (18,952)
      Weighted average per Bbl fixed
        price.................................    $  16.00
   Collar contracts...........................         864                                               $     (686)
      Weighted average short call per Bbl
        ceiling price.........................    $  23.00
      Weighted average long put per Bbl
        floor price...........................    $  19.00
   Collar contracts with short put (2)........       7,000                                               $  (15,420)
      Weighted average short call per Bbl
        ceiling price.........................    $  20.42
      Weighted average long put per Bbl
        floor price...........................    $  17.29
      Weighted average short put per Bbl
        price below which floor becomes
        variable..............................    $  14.29
Crude Oil Non-Hedge Derivatives (3):
   Daily notional crude oil Bbl volumes
     under optional calls sold (4)............      10,000                                               $  (19,386)
      Weighted average short call per Bbl
        ceiling price.........................    $  20.00
      Average forward NYMEX crude
        oil price per Bbl (5).................    $  24.51
   Daily notional MMBtu volumes under
     swap of NYMEX gas price for 10
     percent of NYMEX WTI price...............      13,036     13,036     13,036     13,036     13,036   $  (11,936)
      Average forward NYMEX gas
        prices (5)............................    $   3.12   $   2.92   $   2.77   $   2.77   $   2.79
      Average forward NYMEX oil
        prices (5)............................    $  24.51   $  22.29   $  20.44   $  19.60   $  19.28
- ---------------
</TABLE>

(1)   See Note D of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in "Item
      1.  Financial Statements" for hedge volumes and weighted average prices by
      calendar quarter.

(2)   Certain  counterparties  to the 2000 collar  contracts with short put have
      the  contractual  right to extend  5,000 Bbls per day through year 2001 at
      strike prices of $20.09 per Bbl for the short call ceiling  price,  $17.00
      per Bbl for the long put floor  price and $14.00 per Bbl for the short put
      price below which the floor becomes variable.

(3)   Since the crude oil non-hedge derivatives are sensitive to changes in both
      crude oil and  natural gas  market prices,  they are presented in both the
      Crude Oil Price  Sensitivity table and the accompanying  Natural Gas Price
      Sensitivity table.

(4)   The  counterparties  to the 2000 and 2001 optional call contracts have the
      contractual  right to elect to call either crude volumes or gas volumes at
      the indicated prices.  See the "Natural Gas Price  Sensitivity"  table for
      the  optional  natural  gas  volumes  and  call  prices  available  to the
      counterparties.

(5)   Average forward NYMEX oil and gas prices are as of April 28, 2000.


                                       27


<PAGE>



                        Pioneer Natural Resources Company
                          Natural Gas Price Sensitivity
              Derivative Financial Instruments as of March 31, 2000
<TABLE>

                                                    2000       2001       2002       2003       2004     Fair Value
                                                  --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   ----------
                                                                    (in thousands, except volumes and prices)

<S>                                               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Natural Gas Hedge Derivatives (1):
  Average daily notional MMBtu volumes (2):
   Swap contracts (3).........................                            10,000                          $ (9,829)
      Weighted average MMBtu fixed
        price.................................                          $   2.42
   Collar contracts with short puts (4).......      57,227                                                $(15,374)
      Weighted average short call MMBtu
        ceiling price.........................    $   2.59
      Weighted average long put MMBtu
         contingent floor price...............    $   2.01
      Weighted average short put MMBtu
        price below which floor becomes
        variable..............................    $   1.73
Natural Gas Non-hedge Derivatives (5):
   Daily nominal gas MMBtu volumes
     under optional calls sold (6)............     100,000                                                $(19,386)
      Weighted average short call per
        MMBtu ceiling price...................    $   2.75
      Average forward NYMEX gas
        price per MMBtu (7)...................    $   3.12
   Daily notional MMBtu volumes under
     agreement to swap NYMEX gas
     price for 10 percent of NYMEX
     WTI price................................      13,036     13,036     13,036     13,036     13,036    $(11,936)
      Average forward NYMEX gas
        prices (7)............................    $   3.12   $   2.92   $   2.77   $   2.77   $   2.79
      Average forward NYMEX oil
        prices (7)............................    $  24.51   $  22.29   $  20.44   $  19.60   $  19.28

</TABLE>
- ---------------

(1)   When  necessary,  to minimize  basis risk, the Company enters into natural
      gas basis swaps to connect the index price of the hedging  instrument from
      a  NYMEX  index  to  an  index  which  reflects  the  geographic  area  of
      production.  The  Company  considers  these  basis  swaps  as  part of the
      associated swap and option contracts and, accordingly,  the effects of the
      basis swaps have been presented together with the associated contracts.

(2)   See Note D of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in "Item
      1.  Financial Statements" for hedge volumes and weighted average prices by
      calendar quarter.

(3)   Certain  counterparties have the contractual right to sell year 2001, 2002
      and 2003 swap  contracts  to the Company  for  notional  daily  volumes of
      49,233; 12,500; and 10,000 MMBtu per day, respectively,  at average strike
      prices of $2.21; $2.52 and $2.58 per MMBtu, respectively.

(4)   Certain  counterparties  have the contractual  right to sell year 2001 and
      2002 collar  contracts  with short puts to the Company for notional  daily
      contract  volumes of 54,482 and 60,000  MMBtu,  respectively,  at weighted
      average  index  prices of $2.71  and  $2.64  per MMBtu for the short  call
      ceiling prices,  respectively;  $2.09 and $2.25 per MMBtu for the long put
      floor  prices,  respectively;  and $1.80 and $1.95 per MMBtu for the short
      put prices below which the floors become variable.

(5)   Since the natural gas  non-hedge  derivatives  are sensitive to changes in
      both natural gas and crude oil market  prices,  they are presented in both
      the Natural Gas  Sensitivity  table and the  accompanying  Crude Oil Price
      Sensitivity table.

(6)   The  counterparties  to the 2000 and 2001 optional call contracts have the
      contractual  right to elect to call either crude volumes or gas volumes at
      the indicated prices See the "Crude Oil Price  Sensitivity"  table for the
      optional crude oil volume and call prices available to the counterparties.

(7)   Average forward NYMEX oil and gas prices are as of April 28, 2000.

                                       28


<PAGE>



       Other  price  sensitivity.  On  December  31,  1999,  the  Company  owned
2,376.923  shares  of Prize  Energy  Corp.  ("Prize")  six  percent  convertible
preferred  stock ("Prize  Preferred")  having a liquidation  preference of $30.0
million.  Prior to February 9, 2000, Prize was a closely held, non-public entity
and the fair  value of the Prize  Preferred  was not  readily  determinable.  On
February 9, 2000,  Prize merged with Vista Energy  Resources Inc. and the common
stock of the merged Prize entity began to publicly  trade on the American  Stock
Exchange.  At that  time,  the  Company's  Prize  Preferred  was  exchanged  for
3,984,197 shares of Prize Series A 6% Convertible Preferred Stock ("Prize Senior
Preferred"), which was subsequently increased to 4,018,161 shares as a result of
associated in-kind dividends. On March 31, 2000, the Company and Prize converted
the Company's  4,018,161  shares of Prize Senior A Preferred to 4,018,161 shares
of Prize common stock ("Prize Common") and sold to Prize 1,380,446 shares of the
Prize  Common  for $18.6  million.  The fair  value of the  Company's  remaining
investment in 2,637,715 shares of Prize Common was $51.4 million as of March 31,
2000,  representing a $31.7 million  unrealized  gain on the Company's  original
investment in the underlying shares.

- ---------------

(1)    The information in this document includes forward-looking statements that
       are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities
       Litigation  Reform  Act of  1995.  Forward-looking  statements,  and  the
       business prospects of Pioneer Natural Resources Company, are subject to a
       number of risks and  uncertainties  which may cause the Company's  actual
       results in future periods to differ  materially from the  forward-looking
       statements.  These risks and uncertainties  include,  among other things,
       volatility of oil and gas prices, product supply and demand, competition,
       government  regulation  or action,  litigation,  the costs and results of
       drilling and  operations,  the Company's  ability to replace  reserves or
       implement   its   business   plans,   access  to  and  cost  of  capital,
       uncertainties about estimates of reserves,  quality of technical data and
       environmental risks. These and other risks are described in the Company's
       1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K which is available from the United States
       Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                       29


<PAGE>



                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings

As discussed in Note C of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in
"Item 1. Financial Statements",  the Company is a party to various legal actions
incidental to its business. The probable damages from such legal actions are not
expected to be in excess of 10 percent of the Company's  current  assets and the
Company believes none of these actions to be material.

Item 6.     Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

Exhibits

        10.1    - Second  Supplemental  Indenture,  dated as of April 11,  2000,
                among the Company,  Pioneer USA, as the subsidiary guarantor and
                the Bank of New York, as trustee, with respect to the Indenture,
                dated January 13, 1998,  between the Company and The Bank of New
                York, as trustee.

        10.2    - Form of 9-5/8%  Senior  Notes Due April 1,  2010,  dated as of
                April  11,  2000,   in  the   aggregate   principal   amount  of
                $425,000,000,    together   with   Trustee's    Certificate   of
                Authentication  dated April 11, 2000,  establishing the terms of
                the 9-5/8% Senior Notes Due April 1, 2010 pursuant to the Second
                Supplemental Indenture identified above as Exhibit 10.1.

        10.3    - Guarantee,  dated as of April 11, 2000,  by Pioneer USA as the
                subsidiary  guarantor  relating  to the  $425,000,000  aggregate
                principal amount of 9-5/8% Senior Notes Due April 1, 2010 issued
                under the  Second  Supplemental  Indenture  identified  above as
                Exhibit 10.1

        27.1  - Financial Data Schedule

Reports on Form 8-K

        On March 14, 2000,  the Company filed with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission  (the "SEC") a Current  Report on Form 8-K to report,  under Items 5.
and 7.,  information to supplement its Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
SEC on December 13, 1999.

                                       30


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereto duly authorized.

                                          PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY



Date:   May  11, 2000              By:       /s/ Timothy L. Dove
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Timothy L. Dove
                                          Executive Vice President and Chief
                                          Financial Officer

Date:   May 11, 2000               By:       /s/ Rich Dealy
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Rich Dealy
                                          Vice President and Chief
                                          Accounting Officer

                                       31


<PAGE>




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0001038357
<NAME> PNRC
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

<S>                             <C>
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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                          SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

       THIS  SECOND  SUPPLEMENTAL  INDENTURE,  dated as of April 11,  2000 (this
"Supplemental  Indenture"),  among PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation  (the  "Company"),  PIONEER NATURAL  RESOURCES USA, INC., a Delaware
corporation, as the subsidiary guarantor (the "Guarantor"),  and THE BANK OF NEW
YORK, a New York banking  association,  as trustee (the "Trustee").  Capitalized
terms used herein and not  otherwise  defined have the meanings set forth in the
Indenture referred to below.

                                    RECITALS

       A. The Company and the  Trustee  are parties to that  certain  Indenture,
dated as of January  13, 1998 (the  "Indenture"),  pursuant to which the Company
may from time to time issue its debentures,  notes,  bonds or other evidences of
indebtedness (collectively, the "Debt Securities").

       B. Article IX of the Indenture provides that the Company, when authorized
by a resolution  of the Board of Directors of the Company,  and the Trustee may,
without  the  consent  of the  holders  of the  Debt  Securities,  enter  into a
supplemental  indenture to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any
series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.03 of the Indenture.

       C. The Company desires to issue, and the Guarantor  desires to guarantee,
$425,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9-5/8% Senior Notes Due April 1, 2010
(the "Notes") and in connection  therewith,  the Company and the Guarantor  have
duly  determined to make,  execute and deliver to the Trustee this  Supplemental
Indenture to set forth the terms and provisions of the Notes and the Guarantor's
guarantees thereof (the "Guarantees") as required by the Indenture.

       NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants
set forth herein, the parties hereto agree,  subject to the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth, as follows for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders
of the Notes:

       Section 1.  Notes.  Pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Indenture,  the terms
and provisions of the Notes are as follows:

       (a)  The  title of the  Notes shall be  "9-5/8% Senior Notes Due April 1,
2010."

       (b)  The  Notes  shall be  limited to  $425,000,000  aggregate  principal
amount.

       (c) The Notes shall not require any principal or premium  payments  prior
to maturity on April 1, 2010.

       (d) The rate at which the Notes shall bear  interest  shall be 9-5/8% per
annum;  the date from which such interest  shall accrue shall be April 11, 2000;
the interest  payment  dates on which such  interest  shall be payable  shall be
April 1 and October 1,  beginning  October 1, 2000; and the record dates for the
determination of the holders of the Notes to whom such interest is payable shall




<PAGE>



be the immediately  preceding March 15 (for April 1 payment dates) and September
15 (for October 1 payment dates);  the rate at which the overdue principal shall
bear  interest  shall be 1% per annum in excess of the rate stated  initially in
this clause;  and the rate at which overdue  installments of interest shall bear
interest  shall be 1% per annum in excess of the rate stated  initially  in this
clause to the extent lawful.

       (e) Payments of principal of and interest on the Notes represented by one
or more Global Senior Notes  initially  registered in the name of The Depository
Trust Company (the  "Depositary") or its nominee with respect to the Notes shall
be made by the Company through the Trustee in immediately available funds to the
Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be.

       (f) The  Notes  shall be  redeemable  at any time,  at the  option of the
Company,  in whole or from time to time in part, at the price,  and otherwise in
accordance  with the  terms  and  provisions,  set  forth in  Section  2 of this
Supplemental Indenture and (to the extent they do not conflict with Section 2 of
this Supplemental  Indenture) the terms and provisions of Sections 3.03 and 3.04
of the Indenture.

       (g) The Notes shall be  represented  by one or more Global  Senior  Notes
deposited  with the  Depositary and registered in the name of the nominee of the
Depositary.

       (h)  There  shall be no  mandatory  sinking fund for the  payments of the
Notes.

       (i) In addition to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 of the
Indenture,  failure on the part of the  Guarantor to comply with Section 3(c) of
this  Supplemental  Indenture  shall be an Event of Default  with respect to the
Notes.

       (j) The  obligations  of the Guarantor with respect to the Notes shall be
defeased  if the Notes are  defeased  or if the  Company's  covenants  under the
Indenture are defeased.

       (k) As long as the Depositary or its nominee,  or a successor  Depositary
or its nominee,  is the registered  owner of the Global Senior Notes relating to
the Notes, owners of the beneficial  interests in such Global Senior Notes shall
not be  entitled  to have the  Notes  registered  in their  names  and shall not
receive or be entitled to receive physical  delivery of Notes in definitive form
except (i) as provided in Section  2.15(c) of the  Indenture or (ii) if an Event
of Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing.

       (l)  The  Bank of New York  shall be the  Trustee for the Notes under the
Indenture.

       (m)  Article X of the Indenture shall apply to the Notes.

       (n) The Guarantor shall execute and deliver its guarantee,  substantially
in the form attached  hereto as Exhibit A (the  "Guarantee"),  of the payment of
principal of, and premium,  if any, and interest on the Notes in accordance with
Section 3 hereof.

       (o) The Notes shall not be  subordinated  pursuant to the  provisions  of
Article XII of the Indenture. The Notes shall be senior unsecured obligations of
the Company  ranking pari passu with other existing and future senior  unsecured
indebtedness of the Company.

                                        2


<PAGE>



       (p) The  Company  shall be  subject  to all the  covenants  set  forth in
Article IV of the Indenture with respect to the Notes.

       (q)  To the extent not set forth herein,  the provisions of  Section 2.03
of the Indenture are not applicable.

       Section 2. Optional  Redemption of Notes. The Notes will be redeemable at
any time,  at the option of the Company,  in whole or from time to time in part,
upon not less  than 30 and not more  than 60 days'  notice  as  provided  in the
Indenture,  on any date prior to  maturity  (the  "Redemption  Date") at a price
equal to 100% of the principal  amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest,
if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the
relevant record date to receive  interest due on any interest  payment date that
is on or prior to the Redemption  Date) plus a Make-Whole  Premium,  if any (the
"Redemption  Price"). In no event will a Redemption Price ever be less than 100%
of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid  interest,  if any,
to the Redemption Date.

       The amount of the Make-Whole Premium with respect to any of the Notes (or
portion thereof) to be redeemed will be equal to the excess, if any, of:

       (a)  the sum of the present values, calculated as of the Redemption Date,
of:
                (i) each interest payment that, but for such  redemption,  would
       have been  payable on such Note (or portion  thereof)  being  redeemed on
       each interest payment date occurring after the Redemption Date (excluding
       any accrued interest for the period prior to the Redemption Date); and

                (ii) the principal amount that, but for such  redemption,  would
       have been payable at the final maturity of such Note (or portion thereof)
       being redeemed; over

       (b)  the  principal  amount of  such  Note  (or  portion  thereof)  being
redeemed.

       The present  values of interest  and  principal  payments  referred to in
clause  (a) above will be  determined  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
principles  of financial  analysis.  Such present  values will be  calculated by
discounting  the amount of each payment of interest or  principal  from the date
that each such payment would have been payable,  but for the redemption,  to the
Redemption  Date at a discount  rate  equal to the  Treasury  Yield (as  defined
below) plus 50 basis points.

       The Make-Whole  Premium will be calculated by an  independent  investment
banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company; provided that
if the Company fails to make such appointment at least 45 business days prior to
the Redemption  Date, or if the  institution so appointed is unwilling or unable
to make such  calculation,  such calculation will be made by Credit Suisse First
Boston Corporation (or its successor) or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to
make such  calculation,  by an  independent  investment  banking  institution of
national  standing  appointed by the Trustee (in any such case, an  "Independent
Investment Banker").

                                        3


<PAGE>



       For purposes of determining  the  Make-whole  Premium,  "Treasury  Yield"
means a rate of interest per annum equal to the weekly average yield to maturity
of United States Treasury Notes that have a constant  maturity that  corresponds
to the remaining  term to maturity of the  applicable  Notes,  calculated to the
nearest  1/12th of a year (the  "Remaining  Term").  The Treasury  Yield will be
determined as of the third  business day  immediately  preceding the  applicable
Redemption Date.

       The  weekly  average  yields  of United  States  Treasury  Notes  will be
determined by reference to the most recent statistical  release published by the
Federal  Reserve Bank of New York and designated  "H.15 (519) Selected  Interest
Rates" or any successor  release (the "H.15 Statistical  Release").  If the H.15
Statistical Release sets forth a weekly average yield for United States Treasury
Notes having a constant  maturity that is the same as the Remaining  Term,  then
the  Treasury  Yield will be equal to such weekly  average  yield.  In all other
cases,   the  Treasury  Yield  will  be  calculated  by   interpolation,   on  a
straight-line  basis,  between the weekly  average  yields on the United  States
Treasury  Notes that have a constant  maturity  closest to and greater  than the
Remaining  Term and the  United  States  Treasury  Notes  that  have a  constant
maturity  closest to and less than the Remaining Term (in each case as set forth
in the H.15  Statistical  Release).  Any weekly  average yields so calculated by
interpolation  will be rounded to the nearest  1/100th of 1%, with any figure of
1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward. If weekly average yields for United
States  Treasury  Notes are not  available  in the H.15  Statistical  Release or
otherwise,  then the  Treasury  Yield will be  calculated  by  interpolation  of
comparable rates selected by the Independent Investment Banker.

       In the  case  of any  partial  redemption,  selection  of the  Notes  for
redemption  will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata  basis,  by lot or by such
other  method as the  Trustee in its sole  discretion  shall deem to be fair and
appropriate,  although  no such Note of $1,000 in original  principal  amount or
less shall be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only,  the
notice of  redemption  relating  to such Note  shall  state the  portion  of the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to
the unredeemed  portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof
upon cancellation of the original Note.

       Section 3.  Guarantee.

       (a) The Guarantee.  The Guarantor  hereby  unconditionally  guarantees to
each Holder of the Notes  authenticated  and delivered by the Trustee and to the
Trustee  and its  successors  and  assigns,  irrespective  of the  validity  and
enforceability of this Supplemental Indenture,  the Indenture,  the Notes or the
obligations of the Company  hereunder or thereunder,  that: (i) the principal of
and premium,  if any, and interest,  on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full
when due,  whether at maturity,  by acceleration,  redemption or otherwise,  and
interest on the overdue  principal  of and  interest  on  premium,  if any,  and
interest,  on the Notes if any,  if  lawful,  and all other  obligations  of the
Company to the Holders of the Notes or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall
be promptly paid in full or performed,  all in accordance  with the terms hereof
and thereof;  and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of
any of the  Notes or any of such  other  obligations,  that  the  same  shall be
promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance  with the terms of the
extension or renewal,  whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.
Failing  payment  when due of any amount so  guaranteed  or any  performance  so
guaranteed  for  whatever  reason,  the  Guarantor  shall be obligated to pay or
perform the same immediately.  The Guarantor  hereby agrees that its obligations

                                        4


<PAGE>



hereunder shall be  unconditional,  irrespective of the validity,  regularity or
enforceability of the Notes, this Supplemental  Indenture or the Indenture,  the
absence of any action to enforce the same, any amendment or  modification  of or
waiver or  consent  by any  Holder  with  respect  to any  provisions  hereof or
thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce
the same, any other  circumstance  which might  otherwise  constitute a legal or
equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, or any change in the ownership of
the Guarantor.  The Guarantor hereby waives  diligence,  presentment,  demand of
payment,  filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy
of the  Company,  any right to require a proceeding  first  against the Company,
protest,  notice and all demands  whatsoever and covenants that the  Guarantor's
guarantee  under  this  Section  shall  not be  discharged  except  by  complete
performance of the obligations of the Company and the Guarantor contained in the
Notes,  this  Supplemental  Indenture  and the  Indenture.  If any Holder or the
Trustee is  required by any court or  otherwise  to return to the  Company,  the
Guarantor or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting
in  relation  to either the  Company  or the  Guarantor  any amount  paid by any
thereof to the Trustee or such  Holder,  the  Guarantor's  guarantee  under this
Section, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force
and effect.  The Guarantor  agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of
subrogation  in  relation  to  the  Holders  of  the  Notes  in  respect  of any
obligations  guaranteed  hereby until payment in full in cash of all obligations
with respect to the Notes guaranteed  hereby. The Guarantor further agrees that,
as between  itself as guarantor,  on the one hand,  and the Holders of the Notes
and the  Trustee,  on the  other  hand,  (x)  the  maturity  of the  obligations
guaranteed  hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VI of the Indenture
for the purposes of the Guarantor's  guarantee  hereunder,  notwithstanding  any
stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of
the obligations with respect to the Notes guaranteed hereby and (y) in the event
of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article VI
of the  Indenture,  such  obligations  (whether  or not due and  payable)  shall
forthwith  become  due and  payable by the  Guarantor  for the  purposes  of its
guarantee  hereunder.  The  Guarantor  also  agrees to pay any and all costs and
expenses  (including  reasonable  attorney's fees and expenses)  incurred by the
Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section.

       (b) Execution and Delivery of Guarantee.  To evidence its Guarantee,  set
forth in Section  3(a),  the  Guarantor  hereby  agrees  that a notation of such
Guarantee  shall be endorsed by an officer of the Guarantor on each of the Notes
authenticated  and delivered by the Trustee,  that this  Supplemental  Indenture
shall be executed on behalf of the Guarantor by its President or one of its Vice
Presidents and that the Company on behalf of the Guarantor  shall deliver to the
Trustee  an Opinion of Counsel  that the  foregoing  have been duly  authorized,
executed and delivered by the  Guarantor and that such  Guarantee is a valid and
legally binding obligation of the Guarantor,  enforceable  against the Guarantor
in accordance  with its terms.  The Guarantor  hereby agrees that its Guarantee,
set forth in Section 3(a), shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding
any failure to endorse on each of the Notes a notation of the  Guarantee.  If an
officer of the Guarantor whose signature is on this Supplemental Indenture or on
the Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee  authenticates
the Notes on which the  Guarantee  is  endorsed,  the  Guarantee  shall be valid
nevertheless.  The  delivery  of any of the  Notes  by the  Trustee,  after  the
authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee
set forth in this Supplemental Indenture on behalf of the Guarantor.

                                        5


<PAGE>



       (c)  Guarantor  May  Consolidate,  etc., on Certain Terms.  The Guarantor
shall  not consolidate  with or merge  with or  into any Person,  or sell all or
substantially  all  its  assets,  unless  the  following  conditions  have  been
satisfied:

                (i) Either (1) the Guarantor  shall be the continuing  Person in
       the case of a  merger,  or (2) the  resulting,  surviving  or  transferee
       Person, if other than the Guarantor (the "Successor Guarantor"), shall be
       a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States,
       any  State  thereof,  or the  District  of  Columbia  and  the  Successor
       Guarantor shall expressly  assume all of the obligations of the Guarantor
       under the Guarantee;

                (ii)  Immediately  after giving effect to the  transaction  (and
       treating any  Indebtedness  that becomes an  obligation  of the Successor
       Guarantor  or  any  Subsidiary  of  the  Guarantor  as a  result  of  the
       transaction  as having been  Incurred by the  Successor  Guarantor or the
       Subsidiary  at the  time of the  transaction),  no  Default  or  Event of
       Default would occur or be continuing; and

                (iii) The  Guarantor  shall  have  delivered  to the  Trustee an
       Officers'  Certificate  and an Opinion of Counsel,  each stating that the
       consolidation, merger or sale complies with this Supplemental Indenture.

       Upon any  consolidation by the Guarantor with, or merger by the Guarantor
into, any other person or any sale of the properties and assets of the Guarantor
as an  entirety  or  virtually  as an entirety  as  described  in the  preceding
paragraph,  the successor  resulting from such  consolidation  or into which the
Guarantor  is merged or the  transferee  of such sale,  will  succeed to, and be
substituted  for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Guarantor under
this  Supplemental  Indenture,  and  thereafter  the  predecessor  (if  still in
existence)  will be  released  from its  obligations  and  covenants  under this
Supplemental Indenture and all outstanding Notes.

       (d)  Release and  Reinstatement  of  Guarantee.  The  Guarantor  shall be
released and relieved of any  obligations  under its  Guarantee  upon release or
other termination of both (A) that certain Guaranty, dated as of March 19, 1999,
by the Guarantor with respect to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Facility
Agreement (Primary  Facility),  dated as of March 19, 1999 (the "Existing Credit
Facility"), among the Company, NationsBank,  N.A., as administrative agent, CIBC
Inc., as  documentation  agent,  Morgan  Guaranty  Trust Company of New York, as
documentation agent, Chase Bank of Texas, National  Association,  as syndication
agent, the co-agents signatory thereto,  and the other lenders signatory thereto
and (B) to the extent made  available,  that certain  Guarantee by the Guarantor
with respect to the credit facility to be made available to the Company pursuant
to the  Commitment  Letter  dated March 22,  2000,  among the  Company,  Bank of
America,  N.A.,  Credit Suisse First Boston,  The Chase  Manhattan Bank, Banc of
America  Securities LLC and Chase  Securities  Inc. (the "New Credit  Facility")
(the foregoing  guarantees  being  referred to herein as the "Credit  Facilities
Guarantees").  The  obligations  of the Guarantor  under its Guarantee  shall be
reinstated  upon the  reinstatement  of the  obligations of the Guarantor  under
either of the Credit  Facilities  Guarantees and the Guarantor  hereby agrees to
execute  a  guarantee  substantially  in the  form of the  Guarantee  upon  such
reinstatement. Any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or
successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements), as a
whole,  or in part, of the Existing  Credit  Facility or the New Credit Facility

                                        6


<PAGE>



shall not be deemed a release  or other  termination  of the  applicable  Credit
Facilities  Guarantee if the Guarantor provides a guarantee with respect to such
refinancing,  refunding,  extension, renewal or replacement in substantially the
same form,  and on  substantially  the same  terms,  as such  Credit  Facilities
Guarantee.  It is hereby understood and agreed that the Existing Credit Facility
and the New Credit Facility may be refinanced,  refunded,  extended,  renewed or
replaced  (through  one or  refinancings,  refundings,  extensions,  renewals or
replacements),  as a whole,  or in part, from time to time after the termination
of the Existing Credit Facility or the New Credit Facility, as applicable.

       (e)  Contribution.  The Company agrees that, in the event a payment shall
be made by the Guarantor  under the Guarantee,  the Company shall  indemnify the
Guarantor  in an amount  equal to the  amount of such  payment  multiplied  by a
fraction,  the  numerator  of which shall be the net worth of the Company on the
date hereof and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate net worth of the
Company and the Guarantor on the date hereof.

       Section 4. Amendments to Sections 1.01, 2.07 and 2.15 and Article IV.

       (a)  Section 1.01.  Section  1.01 is hereby amended,  solely with respect
to the Notes, by:

                (i)   adding the definitions specified in Schedule I hereto;

                (ii)  amending  and  restating  the   definitions  specified  in
       Schedule II hereto; and

                (iii) deleting clause  (a)(iv)(A) of the definition of "Adjusted
       Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" and substituting therefor the following
       language "the net book value of other tangible  assets of the Company and
       its Subsidiaries,  as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company's
       latest  annual or  quarterly  financial  statement,  and";  deleting  the
       following language "Issue Date (including,  without limitation, under the
       Credit  Agreements)"  at the  end of  clause  (e)  of the  definition  of
       "Permitted Liens" and substituting  therefor the following language "date
       on which the 6.50%  Senior  Notes due 2008 and the 7.20% Senior Notes due
       2028  of the  Company  were  originally  issued";  adding  the  following
       language  "and  Liens  securing  Non-Recourse   Indebtedness;   provided,
       however,  that the related  purchase money  Indebtedness and Non-Recourse
       Indebtedness,  as  applicable,  shall not be secured by any  Property  or
       assets  of the  company  or any  Restricted  Subsidiary  other  than  the
       Property acquired by the Company with the proceeds of such purchase money
       Indebtedness  or  Non-  Recourse   Indebtedness,   as  applicable"  after
       "Purchase  Money  Liens" in clause (i) of the  definition  of  "Permitted
       Liens";   and  deleting  the  definition  of  "Credit   Agreements"   and
       substituting  therefor the definition  "Credit  Facilities"  specified in
       Schedule I hereto.

       (b) Sections 2.07 and 2.15.  Section 2.07 is hereby amended,  solely with
respect to the Notes, by adding "the Underwriters,"  before "the Company" in the
last sentence of Section 2.07, and Section 2.15 is hereby  amended,  solely with
respect to the Notes, by adding "the Underwriters,"  before "the Company" in the
third sentence of subclause (v) of Section 2.15(c).

       (c) Article IV. Article IV is hereby amended,  solely with respect to the
Notes, by adding the Sections specified in Schedule III hereto.

                                        7


<PAGE>



       Section 5.  Ratification.  This  Supplemental  Indenture  is executed and
shall be  construed  as an  indenture  supplemental  to the  Indenture  and,  as
provided  in the  Indenture,  this  Supplemental  Indenture  forms a part of the
Indenture.  Except to the extent amended by or supplemented by this Supplemental
Indenture, the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee hereby ratify, confirm and
reaffirm the Indenture in all respects.

       Section 6.  Counterparts.  This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in
any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be an original,  but
all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

       Section 7.  Governing Law. The laws of the State of New York shall govern
the  construction and  interpretation of this  Supplemental  Indenture,  without
regard to principles of conflicts of laws.


                                        8


<PAGE>



       IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto  have caused this  Supplemental
Indenture to be signed on their behalf by their duly authorized  representatives
as of the date first above written:

                                       PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES COMPANY


                                       By:   -------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                                       PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES USA, INC.


                                       By:   -------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee


                                       By:   -------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:



Exhibit A  - Form of Guarantee

                                        9


<PAGE>



                                   Schedule I

       "Additional  Assets" means (1) any Property  (other than  Indebtedness or
Capital  Stock) used in Oil and Gas Business;  (2) the Capital Stock of a Person
that  becomes a Restricted  Subsidiary  as a result of the  acquisition  of such
Capital Stock by the Company or another  Restricted  Subsidiary;  or (3) Capital
Stock  constituting  a minority  interest  in any Person  that at such time is a
Restricted  Subsidiary;  provided,  however, that any such Restricted Subsidiary
described  in clauses (2) or (3) above is  primarily  engaged in the Oil and Gas
Business.

       "Asset Disposition" means any sale, lease,  transfer or other disposition
(or series of related sales,  leases,  transfers or dispositions) by the Company
or any Restricted  Subsidiary,  including any  disposition by means of a merger,
consolidation or similar  transaction (each referred to for the purposes of this
definition as a "disposition"), of

                (1) any  shares  of  Capital  Stock of a  Restricted  Subsidiary
       (other than directors' qualifying shares or shares required by applicable
       law to be held  by a  Person  other  than  the  Company  or a  Restricted
       Subsidiary),

                (2)  all or substantially all the assets of any division or line
       of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or

                (3) any other assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
       outside  of the  ordinary  course  of  business  of the  Company  or such
       Restricted Subsidiary

(other  than,  in the case of (1),  (2) and (3) above,  (A) a  disposition  by a
Restricted  Subsidiary  to  the  Company  or  by  the  Company  or a  Restricted
Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;  (B) for purposes of Section 4.15 only, a
disposition that constitutes a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 4.14 or a
Permitted  Investment  (including  transfers of assets to an oil and gas royalty
trust);  (C) a  disposition  of  assets  with a fair  market  value of less than
$5,000,000;  (D) the sale or transfer  (whether or not in the ordinary course of
business)  of crude  oil and  natural  gas  properties  or  direct  or  indirect
interests in real property;  provided, however, that at the time of such sale or
transfer such properties do not have  associated with them any proved  reserves;
(E) the  abandonment,  farm-out,  lease or sublease of developed or  undeveloped
crude oil and natural gas properties in the ordinary course of business; (F) the
trade or exchange by the Company or any  Restricted  Subsidiary of any crude oil
and  natural  gas  Property  owned  or held by the  Company  or such  Restricted
Subsidiary  for any crude oil and natural gas Property  owned or held by another
Person;  (G) the sale or  transfer  of mineral  products  or surplus or obsolete
equipment,  in  each  case  in the  ordinary  course  of  business;  and (H) any
disposition that constitutes a Change of Control.

       "Average Life" means,  as of the date of  determination,  with respect to
any Indebtedness,  the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products
of the  numbers  of years  from the date of  determination  to the dates of each
successive  scheduled principal payment of or redemption or similar payment with
respect to such Indebtedness multiplied by the amount of such payment by (2) the
sum of all such payments.

       "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events:


<PAGE>



       (1) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange  Act),  other than one or more  Permitted  Holders,  is or becomes  the
"beneficial  owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act,
except that for  purposes of this clause (1) such person shall be deemed to have
"beneficial  ownership"  of all  shares  that any such  person  has the right to
acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage
of time), directly or indirectly,  of more than 50% of the total voting power of
the Voting Stock of the Company;  provided,  however, that the Permitted Holders
do not have the right or ability by contract or  otherwise to elect or designate
for  election a majority  of the Board of  Directors  (for the  purposes of this
clause (1),  such other  person shall be deemed to  beneficially  own any Voting
Stock of a Person (the "specified person") held by any other Person (the "parent
entity"), if such other person is the beneficial owner (as defined above in this
clause (1)), directly,  of more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock
of such parent entity and the Permitted Holders do not have the right or ability
by voting  power,  contract or otherwise  to elect or  designate  for election a
majority of the board of directors of such parent entity);

       (2)  individuals  who on the date the Notes are  issued  constituted  the
Board of Directors (together with any new directors whose election by such Board
of Directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company
was approved by a vote of 66-2/3% of the  directors of the Company then still in
office  who were  either  directors  on the date the Notes  are  issued or whose
election or nomination  for election was  previously so approved)  cease for any
reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors then in office;

       (3)  the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of
the Company; or

       (4)  the  sale of all or  substantially  all the  assets  of the  Company
(determined on a consolidated  basis) to another Person (other than, in all such
cases,  a Person that is  controlled  by the  Permitted  Holders),  other than a
transaction following which the transferee Person becomes the obligor in respect
of the Notes and a Subsidiary of the transferor of such assets.

       "Consolidated Coverage Ratio"  as of any date of  determination means the
ratio of

                (x) the  aggregate  amount of EBITDA  for the period of the most
       recent four consecutive  fiscal quarters ending at least 45 days prior to
       the date of such determination to

                (y) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters;

provided, however, that

                (1) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any
       Indebtedness since the beginning of such period that remains  outstanding
       or  if  the  transaction  giving  rise  to  the  need  to  calculate  the
       Consolidated  Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of  Indebtedness,  or both,
       EBITDA  and  Consolidated  Interest  Expense  for  such  period  shall be
       calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such  Indebtedness
       as if such  Indebtedness  had  been  Incurred  on the  first  day of such
       period,

                                        2


<PAGE>



                 (2) if the  Company or any  Restricted  Subsidiary  has repaid,
       repurchased,  defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness since the
       beginning  of  such  period  or if  any  Indebtedness  is  to be  repaid,
       repurchased,  defeased or otherwise  discharged  (in each case other than
       Indebtedness  Incurred under any revolving  credit  facility  unless such
       Indebtedness  has been  permanently  repaid and has not been replaced) on
       the date of the  transaction  giving  rise to the need to  calculate  the
       Consolidated Coverage Ratio, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for
       such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such discharge
       had  occurred  on the first day of such  period and as if the  Company or
       such  Restricted  Subsidiary has not earned the interest  income actually
       earned  during  such  period  in  respect  of  cash  or  Temporary   Cash
       Investments  used to repay,  repurchase,  defease or otherwise  discharge
       such Indebtedness,

                (3) if since the  beginning  of such  period the  Company or any
       Restricted  Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Disposition,  the EBITDA
       for such  period  shall be reduced  by an amount  equal to the EBITDA (if
       positive)  directly  attributable  to the assets which are the subject of
       such Asset  Disposition for such period,  or increased by an amount equal
       to the EBITDA  (if  negative),  directly  attributable  thereto  for such
       period and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced
       by  an  amount  equal  to  the  Consolidated  Interest  Expense  directly
       attributable  to any  Indebtedness  of  the  Company  or  any  Restricted
       Subsidiary  repaid,  repurchased,  defeased or otherwise  discharged with
       respect to the  Company and its  continuing  Restricted  Subsidiaries  in
       connection  with such  Asset  Disposition  for such  period  (or,  if the
       Capital  Stock of any  Restricted  Subsidiary is sold,  the  Consolidated
       Interest   Expense  for  such  period   directly   attributable   to  the
       Indebtedness of such Restricted  Subsidiary to the extent the Company and
       its  continuing  Restricted  Subsidiaries  are no longer  liable for such
       Indebtedness after such sale),

                (4) if since the  beginning  of such  period the  Company or any
       Restricted  Subsidiary  (by  merger  or  otherwise)  shall  have  made an
       Investment in any  Restricted  Subsidiary  (or any person which becomes a
       Restricted  Subsidiary)  or  an  acquisition  of  assets,  including  any
       acquisition  of  assets   occurring  in  connection  with  a  transaction
       requiring a calculation  to be made  hereunder,  EBITDA and  Consolidated
       Interest  Expense for such period  shall be  calculated  after giving pro
       forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if
       such  Investment or acquisition  occurred on the first day of such period
       and

                (5) if since the  beginning  of such  period  any  Person  (that
       subsequently  became a Restricted  Subsidiary  or was merged with or into
       the Company or any  Restricted  Subsidiary  since the  beginning  of such
       period)  shall  have  made  any  Asset  Disposition,  any  Investment  or
       acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment  pursuant to
       clause (3) or (4) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
       during such period,  EBITDA and  Consolidated  Interest  Expense for such
       period shall be  calculated  after giving pro forma effect  thereto as if
       such Asset Disposition,  Investment or acquisition  occurred on the first
       day of such period.

For purposes of this definition,  whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an
acquisition of assets, the amount of income or earnings relating thereto and the
amount  of  Consolidated  Interest  Expense  associated  with  any  Indebtedness
Incurred in connection therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be determined

                                        3


<PAGE>



in good faith by a responsible  financial or accounting  Officer of the Company.
If any  Indebtedness  bears a floating  rate of interest  and is being given pro
forma effect,  the interest of such  Indebtedness  shall be calculated as if the
rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the
entire  period  (taking  into  account any Interest  Rate  Protection  Agreement
applicable to such Indebtedness if such Interest Rate Protection Agreement has a
remaining term in excess of 12 months).

       "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total interest
expense of the Company and its consolidated  Restricted  Subsidiaries,  plus, to
the  extent  not  included  in such total  interest  expense,  and to the extent
incurred by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, without duplication,

                (1)  interest  expense  attributable  to capital  leases and the
       interest expense  attributable to leases  constituting part of a Sale and
       Leaseback Transaction,

                (2)  amortization of debt  discount or premium and debt issuance
cost,

                (3)  capitalized interest,

                (4)  non-cash interest expenses,

                (5)  commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with
       respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing,

                (6)  net  payments  or  receipts   pursuant  to   Interest  Rate
Protection Agreements,

                (7)  Disqualified Stock dividends in respect of all Disqualified
       Stock held by Persons other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary
       (other  than  dividends  payable  solely in  Capital  Stock  (other  than
       Disqualified Stock) of the issuer of such Disqualified Stock),

                (8)  interest  incurred  in   connection  with   Investments  in
discontinued operations,

                (9) interest accruing on any Indebtedness of any other Person to
       the extent such  Indebtedness  is Guaranteed by (or secured by the assets
       of) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and

                (10) the cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan
       or similar trust to the extent such  contributions  are used by such plan
       or trust to pay  interest or fees to any Person  (other than the Company)
       in connection with Indebtedness Incurred by such plan or trust;

provided,  however,  "Consolidated  Interest  Expense" shall not include (a) any
Consolidated  Interest  Expense  with  respect to any  Production  Payments  and
Reserve  Sales,   (b)  to  the  extent  included  in  total  interest   expense,
amortization  or  write-off  of deferred  financing  costs of such Person or (c)
accretion of interest  charges on future plugging and  abandonment  obligations,
future  retirement  benefits  and  other  obligations  that  do  not  constitute
Indebtedness.

                                        4


<PAGE>



       "Consolidated  Net Income" means,  for any period,  the net income of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries;  provided,  however, that there shall
not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

                (1) any net income of any Person  (other  than the  Company)  if
       such Person is not a  Restricted  Subsidiary,  except that subject to the
       exclusion  contained in clause (4) below, the Company's equity in the net
       income of any such  Person  for such  period  shall be  included  in such
       Consolidated  Net  Income up to the  aggregate  amount  of cash  actually
       distributed  by such  Person  during  such  period  to the  Company  or a
       Restricted  Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution  (subject,  in
       the  case of a  dividend  or  other  distribution  paid  to a  Restricted
       Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (3) below);

                (2) any net  income  (or  loss) of any  Person  acquired  by the
       Company or a  Subsidiary  in a pooling of interests  transaction  for any
       period prior to the date of such acquisition;

                (3)  any  net  income  of  any  Restricted  Subsidiary  if  such
       Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly,
       on the  payment  of  dividends  or the  making of  distributions  by such
       Restricted  Subsidiary,  directly or indirectly,  to the Company,  except
       that

                       (A)  subject  to the  exclusion  contained  in clause (4)
                below,  the  Company's  equity  in the net  income  of any  such
                Restricted  Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such
                Consolidated  Net  Income  up to the  aggregate  amount  of cash
                actually  distributed by such Restricted  Subsidiary during such
                period to the  Company or  another  Restricted  Subsidiary  as a
                dividend  or  other  distribution  (subject,  in the  case  of a
                dividend  or  other  distribution  paid  to  another  Restricted
                Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause) and

                       (B)  the  Company's  equity  in a net  loss  of any  such
                Restricted  Subsidiary  for such  period  shall be  included  in
                determining such Consolidated Net Income;

                (4) any  gain or loss  net of  taxes  realized  upon the sale or
       other  disposition  of  any  assets  of  the  Company,  its  consolidated
       Subsidiaries   or  any   other   Person   (including   pursuant   to  any
       sale-and-leaseback  arrangement)  which is not sold or otherwise disposed
       of in the ordinary  course of business and any gain or loss realized upon
       the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person;

                (5)  extraordinary gains or losses net of taxes;

                (6)  any  write-downs  of  non-current   assets  net  of  taxes,
       provided,  however, that any ceiling limitation write-downs in accordance
       with GAAP shall be treated as capitalized  costs, as if such  write-downs
       had not occurred; and

                (7)  the  cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles
net of taxes.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.14 only, there shall
be  excluded  from  Consolidated  Net  Income  any  repurchases,  repayments  or
redemptions of  Investments,  proceeds  realized on  the sale of  Investments or

                                        5


<PAGE>



return of capital to the Company or a Restricted  Subsidiary  to the extent such
repurchases, repayments, redemptions, proceeds or returns increase the amount of
Restricted   Payments   permitted   under  such  Section   pursuant  to  Section
4.14(a)(3)(D).

       "Credit  Facilities"  means,  with respect to the  Company,  the existing
credit facility made available to the Company pursuant to the Second Amended and
Restated Credit Facility  Agreement dated March 19, 1999,  among the Company and
the lenders  named therein and the credit  facility to be made  available to the
Company  pursuant  to the  Commitment  Letter  dated March 22,  2000,  among the
Company,  Bank of America,  N.A., Banc of America  Securities LLC, Credit Suisse
First Boston,  The Chase Manhattan Bank and Chase Securities Inc., in each case,
together with any Refinancings thereof by a lender or a syndicate of lenders. It
is understood and agreed that the Credit Facilities may be refinanced, refunded,
extended,   renewed  or  replaced  (through  one  or  more  such   refinancings,
refundings,  extensions, renewals or replacements), as a whole, or in part, from
time to time after the termination of the applicable Credit Facility.

       "EBITDA" for any period means the sum of  Consolidated  Net Income,  plus
the  following  to the extent  deducted in  calculating  such  Consolidated  Net
Income:

                (1)  all income tax  expense of the Company and its consolidated
       Restricted Subsidiaries,

                (2)  Consolidated Interest Expense,

                (3) depreciation and amortization expense of the Company and its
       consolidated  Restricted  Subsidiaries  (excluding  amortization  expense
       attributable to a prepaid  operating  activity item that was paid in cash
       in a prior period),

                (4)  exploration and abandonments expense (if applicable) and

                (5)  all  other   non-cash   charges  of  the  Company  and  its
       consolidated  Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any such non-cash charge
       to the extent  that it  represents  an  accrual  of or  reserve  for cash
       expenditures in any future period); and

in each case for such period,  and less, to the extent  included in  calculating
such Consolidated Net Income and in excess of any costs or expenses attributable
thereto and deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (x)
the amount of deferred  revenues that are  amortized  during such period and are
attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments, and
(y) amounts  recorded in  accordance  with GAAP as  repayments  of principal and
interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments. Notwithstanding the
foregoing,  the  provision  for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the
depreciation and  amortization and non-cash charges of, a Restricted  Subsidiary
shall be added to  Consolidated  Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent
(and in the same proportion)  that the net income of such Restricted  Subsidiary
was included in calculating  Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding
amount would be permitted at the date of  determination  to be dividended to the
Company by such Restricted  Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been
obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments,

                                        6


<PAGE>



judgments,   decrees,  orders,  statutes,  rules  and  governmental  regulations
applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.

       "Guarantor" means Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.

       "Investment"  in any Person  means any direct or indirect  advance,  loan
(other than  advances to customers in the ordinary  course of business  that are
recorded as  accounts  receivable  on the balance  sheet of the lender) or other
extensions of credit  (including by way of Guarantee or similar  arrangement) or
capital  contribution  to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to
others or any  payment  for  property  or  services  for the  account  or use of
others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock,  Indebtedness or other
similar  instruments  issued by such Person.  For purposes of the  definition of
"Unrestricted  Subsidiary",  the definition of "Restricted  Payment" and Section
4.14,

                (1) "Investment" shall include the portion (proportionate to the
       Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of
       the net  assets of any  Subsidiary  of the  Company at the time that such
       Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary;  provided,  however,
       that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted  Subsidiary,
       the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent  "Investment"
       in an Unrestricted  Subsidiary  equal to an amount (if positive) equal to
       (x) the  Company's  "Investment"  in such  Subsidiary at the time of such
       redesignation less (y) the portion (proportionate to the Company's equity
       interest in such  Subsidiary)  of the fair market value of the net assets
       of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

                (2)  any  property   transferred  to  or  from  an  Unrestricted
       Subsidiary  shall be valued at its fair market  value at the time of such
       transfer,  in each  case as  determined  in good  faith  by the  Board of
       Directors.

       "Investment Grade Rating" means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or
the equivalent) by Moody's or BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.

       "Net  Available  Cash"  from an Asset  Disposition  means  cash  payments
received  therefrom  (including  any cash  payments  received by way of deferred
payment of principal  pursuant to a note or installment  receivable or otherwise
and proceeds from the sale or other  disposition of any  securities  received as
consideration,   but  only  as  and  when  received,  but  excluding  any  other
consideration  received in the form of  assumption  by the  acquiring  Person of
Indebtedness  or other  obligations  relating  to such  properties  or assets or
received in any other noncash form), in each case net of

                (1) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and
       other fees and expenses  incurred,  and all Federal,  state,  provincial,
       foreign and local taxes required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP,
       as a consequence of such Asset Disposition,

                (2) all payments  made on any  Indebtedness  which is secured by
       any assets  subject to such Asset  Disposition,  in  accordance  with the
       terms  of any Lien  upon or other  security  agreement  of any kind  with
       respect to such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain

                                        7


<PAGE>



       a necessary consent to such  Asset Disposition,  or by applicable law, be
       repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition,

                (3) all  distributions and other payments required to be made to
       minority  interest  holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result
       of such Asset Disposition and

                (4) the deduction of appropriate  amounts provided by the seller
       as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated
       with the Property or other assets disposed in such Asset  Disposition and
       retained by the  Company or any  Restricted  Subsidiary  after such Asset
       Disposition.

       "Net Cash  Proceeds",  with  respect to any  issuance  or sale of Capital
Stock,  means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys' fees,
accountants'  fees,  underwriters'  or  placement  agents'  fees,  discounts  or
commissions  and  brokerage,  consultant  and other fees  actually  incurred  in
connection  with such  issuance  or sale and net of taxes  paid or  payable as a
result thereof.

       "Non-Recourse   Indebtedness"  means  Indebtedness  or  that  portion  of
Indebtedness  of the Company or a Restricted  Subsidiary  incurred in connection
with the  acquisition by the Company or a Restricted  Subsidiary of any Property
and as to which:

                (1) the holders of such Indebtedness  agree in writing that they
       will  look  solely  to  the  Property  so  acquired  and  securing   such
       Indebtedness for payment on or in respect of such Indebtedness and

                (2) no default  with respect to such  Indebtedness  would permit
       (after notice or passage of time or both),  according to the terms of any
       other Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,  any holder
       of such  other  Indebtedness  to  declare  a  default  under  such  other
       Indebtedness  or cause  the  payment  of such  other  Indebtedness  to be
       accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.

       "Permitted Business Investment" means any investment made in the ordinary
course of, and of a nature  that is or shall have become  customary  in, the Oil
and Gas Business including  investments or expenditures for actively exploiting,
exploring  for,  acquiring,  developing,   producing,   processing,   gathering,
marketing  or  transporting  oil  and  gas  through  agreements,   transactions,
interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs,  comply with
regulatory  requirements  regarding local ownership or satisfy other  objectives
customarily  achieved  through the conduct of Oil and Gas Business  jointly with
third  parties,  including  (i) ownership  interests in oil and gas  properties,
processing facilities,  gathering systems,  pipelines or ancillary real property
interests  and  (ii)  Investments  in  the  form  of or  pursuant  to  operating
agreements,  processing  agreements,  farm-in agreements,  farm-out  agreements,
development  agreements,   area  of  mutual  interest  agreements,   unitization
agreements,  pooling agreements,  joint bidding  agreements,  service contracts,
joint venture agreements,  partnership  agreements (whether general or limited),
subscription agreements,  stock purchase agreements and other similar agreements
(including  for limited  liability  companies)  with third  parties,  excluding,
however, Investments in corporations other than Restricted Subsidiaries.

                                        8


<PAGE>



       "Permitted  Holders" means  Southeastern  Asset  Management  Inc. and its
Affiliates;  provided,  however,  that a Person  shall  cease to be a  Permitted
Holder upon making a filing with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  that
indicates  such Person has acquired or holds the  Company's  Voting Stock with a
purpose  or effect of  changing  or  influencing  control  of the  Company or in
connection  with or as a participant in any  transaction  having that purpose or
effect.

       "Permitted  Investment"  means  an  Investment  by  the  Company  or  any
Restricted Subsidiary in:

       (1)      the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that will, upon
                the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary;

       (2)      another  Person if as a result  of such  Investment  such  other
                Person is merged or  consolidated  with or into, or transfers or
                conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the Company or a
                Restricted Subsidiary;

       (3)      cash and Temporary Cash Investments;

       (4)      receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary if
                created or  acquired  in the  ordinary  course of  business  and
                payable or  dischargeable  in accordance  with  customary  trade
                terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such
                concessionary  trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted
                Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

       (5)      payroll,  travel and similar  advances to cover matters that are
                expected at the time of such  advances  ultimately to be treated
                as expenses  for  accounting  purposes  and that are made in the
                ordinary course of business;

       (6)      loans or  advances to  employees made in the  ordinary course of
                business consistent with past  practices of the  Company or such
                Restricted Subsidiary;

       (7)      stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts
                created  in the  ordinary  course of  business  and owing to the
                Company  or any  Restricted  Subsidiary  or in  satisfaction  of
                judgments;

       (8)      any Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash
                portion of the  consideration received for an  Asset Disposition
                as permitted pursuant to Section 4.15;

       (9)      Permitted Business Investments;

       (10)     Investments   intended  to  promote  the   Company's   strategic
                objectives  in the Oil and Gas Business in an  aggregate  amount
                not to  exceed  $50.0  million  at  any  one  time  outstanding,
                measured  as of the date  such  Investments  are  made,  without
                giving  effect  to  any  subsequent   changes  in  value  (which
                Investments shall be deemed no longer  outstanding only upon the
                return of capital thereof);

                                        9


<PAGE>



       (11)     Investments in any units of any oil and gas royalty trust; and

       (12)     Investments made  pursuant to Hedging Obligations of the Company
                and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

       "Property" means, with respect to any Person, any interest of such Person
in any kind of property or asset,  whether real,  personal or mixed, or tangible
or intangible,  including Capital Stock and other securities issued by any other
Person (but  excluding  Capital Stock or other  securities  issued by such first
mentioned Person).

       "Rating Agency"  means  Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, Inc. and Moody's
Investors  Service,  Inc. or if Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, Inc. or Moody's
Investors  Service,  Inc. or both shall not make a rating on the Notes  publicly
available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the
case may be,  selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Board
of Directors)  which shall be  substituted  for Standard & Poor's Ratings Group,
Inc. or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or both, as the case may be.

       "Refinance" means, in respect of any Indebtedness,  to refinance, extend,
renew,  refund,  repay,  prepay,  redeem,  defease or retire,  or to issue other
Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such indebtedness. "Refinanced" and
"Refinancing" shall have correlative meanings.

       "Refinancing   Indebtedness"   means  Indebtedness  that  Refinances  any
Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted  Subsidiary  existing on the Issue
Date or Incurred in compliance with this Indenture,  including Indebtedness that
Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however, that:

                (1)  such  Refinancing  Indebtedness  has a  Stated  Maturity no
       earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

                (2) such  Refinancing  Indebtedness  has an Average  Life at the
       time  such  Refinancing  Indebtedness  is  Incurred  that is  equal to or
       greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, and

                (3) such  Refinancing  Indebtedness  has an aggregate  principal
       amount (or if Incurred with original issue  discount,  an aggregate issue
       price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate  principal  amount (or
       if Incurred with original issue discount,  the aggregate  accreted value)
       then  outstanding  or committed  (plus fees and  expenses,  including any
       premium and defeasance costs) under the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

provided further,  however, that Refinancing  Indebtedness shall not include (A)
Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that Refinances  Indebtedness of the Company or (B)
Indebtedness  of  the  Company  or  a  Restricted   Subsidiary  that  Refinances
Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

       "Restricted Payment" with respect to any Person means


                                       10


<PAGE>



                (1) the  declaration  or payment of any  dividends  or any other
       distributions  of any sort in respect of its Capital Stock (including any
       payment in connection  with any merger or  consolidation  involving  such
       Person) or  similar  payment  to the  direct or  indirect  holders of its
       Capital Stock (other than  dividends or  distributions  payable solely in
       its  Capital  Stock  (other than  Disqualified  Stock) and  dividends  or
       distributions  payable solely to the Company or a Restricted  Subsidiary,
       and  other  than pro rata  dividends  or  other  distributions  made by a
       Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary to minority stockholders
       (or owners of an equivalent  interest in the case of a Subsidiary that is
       an entity other than a corporation)),

                (2) the purchase,  redemption or other acquisition or retirement
       for value of any Capital  Stock of the  Company  held by any Person or of
       any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary held by any Affiliate of the
       Company (other than a Restricted  Subsidiary),  including the exercise of
       any option to exchange any Capital  Stock (other than into Capital  Stock
       of the Company that is not Disqualified Stock),  provided,  however, that
       the Company may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value
       common stock of the Company in an amount not to exceed  $10.0  million in
       the aggregate in any fiscal year for all such transactions after the date
       of the Issue Date made  pursuant  to this  proviso and the amount of such
       purchase,  redemption or other  acquisition or retirement for value shall
       be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

                (3) the purchase,  repurchase,  redemption,  defeasance or other
       acquisition  or  retirement  for  value,  prior  to  scheduled  maturity,
       scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment of any Subordinated
       Obligations of such Person (other than the purchase, repurchase, or other
       acquisition of  Subordinated  Obligations  purchased in  anticipation  of
       satisfying  a sinking fund  obligation,  principal  installment  or final
       maturity,  in each case due within one year of the date of such purchase,
       repurchase or other acquisition) or

                (4)  the  making  of  any  Investment  (other  than a  Permitted
       Investment) in any Person.

       "Restricted  Subsidiary"  means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not
an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

       "Subordinated   Obligation"   means,  with  respect  to  a  Person,   any
Indebtedness  of such  Person  (whether  outstanding  on the date the  Notes are
issued  or  thereafter  Incurred)  which is  subordinate  or  junior in right of
payment to the Notes or a Subsidiary  Guaranty of such  Person,  as the case may
be, pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

       "Subsidiary Guarantor" means any Subsidiary of the Company, including the
Guarantor, which incurs a Guarantee under Section 4.13(b)(12) hereof.

       "Subsidiary  Guaranty"  means  a  Guarantee  by  a  Subsidiary  Guarantor
permitted under Section 4.13(b)(12).

       "Underwriters"  means  Credit  Suisse  First Boston Corporation,  Banc of
America Securities LLC, Chase Securities Inc., First Union Securities Inc., Banc
One Capital Markets,  Inc.,  FleetBoston Robertson Stephens Inc., Scotia Capital
Markets (USA), Inc. and TD Securities (USA) Inc.

                                       11


<PAGE>




       "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means:

                (1)  any   Subsidiary  of  the  Company  that  at  the  time  of
       determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board
       of Directors in the manner provided below; and

                (2)  any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Board of Directors may designate  any  Subsidiary of the Company  (including
any  newly  acquired  or  newly  formed  Subsidiary  of  the  Company)  to be an
Unrestricted  Subsidiary  unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns
any Capital Stock or Indebtedness  of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property
of, the Company or any other  Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary
of the Subsidiary to be so designated;  provided,  however,  that either (A) the
Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (B) if such
Subsidiary has assets greater than $1,000,  such designation  would be permitted
under  Section  4.14.  The Board of Directors  may  designate  any  Unrestricted
Subsidiary to be a Restricted  Subsidiary;  provided,  however, that immediately
after giving  effect to such  designation  (A) the Company  could Incur $1.00 of
additional  Indebtedness  under  Section  4.13(a) and (B) no Default  shall have
occurred and be continuing. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall
be  evidenced  to the Trustee by promptly  filing with the Trustee a copy of the
resolution of the Board of Directors  giving effect to such  designation  and an
Officers'  Certificate  certifying  that  such  designation  complied  with  the
foregoing provisions.

       "Voting  Stock" of a Person  means all classes of Capital  Stock or other
interests (including  partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and
normally  entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote
in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

       "Wholly Owned Subsidiary"  means a Restricted  Subsidiary all the Capital
Stock of which (other than  directors'  qualifying  shares or shares required by
applicable  law to be held by a Person  other than the  Company or a  Restricted
Subsidiary) is owned by the Company or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries."

                                       12


<PAGE>



                                   Schedule II

       "Affiliate" of any specified  Person means any other Person,  directly or
indirectly,  controlling  or  controlled  by or under direct or indirect  common
control  with  such  specified  Person.  For the  purposes  of this  definition,
"control"  when used with  respect to any  Person  means the power to direct the
management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,  whether through
the  ownership of voting  securities,  by contract or  otherwise;  and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" have meanings  correlative to the foregoing.  For
purposes  of  Sections  4.14 and 4.15  only,  "Affiliate"  shall  also  mean any
beneficial  owner of Capital Stock  representing  5% or more of the total voting
power of the Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company or of rights
or  warrants  to  purchase  such  Capital   Stock   (whether  or  not  currently
exercisable)  and any Person who would be an  Affiliate  of any such  beneficial
owner pursuant to the first sentence hereof.  For purposes of Section 4.16 only,
"Affiliate" shall not include Prize Energy Corp.

       "Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock
which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible
or for  which  it is  exchangeable  at the  option  of the  holder)  or upon the
happening of any event:

                (1)  matures or is  mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking
       fund obligation or otherwise;

                (2)  is convertible or  exchangeable at the option of the holder
       for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or

                (3)  is  mandatorily  redeemable  or must be  purchased upon the
       occurrence of certain events or otherwise, in whole or in part,

in each case on or prior to the first  anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the
Notes;  provided,  however,  that any  Capital  Stock that would not  constitute
Disqualified  Stock but for provisions  thereof giving holders thereof the right
to  require  such  Person to  purchase  or redeem  such  Capital  Stock upon the
occurrence  of an "asset  sale" or "change of  control"  occurring  prior to the
first  anniversary  of the Stated  Maturity  of the Notes  shall not  constitute
Disqualified  Stock if (1) the "asset  sale" or "change of  control"  provisions
applicable to such Capital  Stock are not more  favorable to the holders of such
Capital Stock than the terms  applicable to the Debt Securities in Sections 4.15
and 4.17 of this Indenture and (2) any such requirement  only becomes  operative
after compliance with such terms applicable to the Notes, including the purchase
of any Debt Securities tendered pursuant thereto.

       "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, at any date, any of the
following, without duplication:

                (1)  any liability, contingent or otherwise, of such Person

                       (A) for  borrowed  money  (whether or not the recourse of
                       the lender is to the whole of the  assets of such  Person
                       or only to a portion thereof),

                       (B) evidenced  by  a  note,  bond,  debenture  or similar
                       instrument or



<PAGE>



                       (C) for the payment of money  relating  to a  Capitalized
                       Lease Obligation or other  obligation  (whether issued or
                       assumed)  relating  to the  deferred  purchase  price  of
                       property;

                (2) all conditional sale  obligations and all obligations  under
       any title  retention  agreement  (even if the rights and  remedies of the
       seller  under  such  agreement  in the event of  default  are  limited to
       repossession or sale of such property);

                (3) all obligations for the  reimbursement of any obligor on any
       letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction other
       than as entered into in the ordinary course of business;

                (4) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to
       the redemption,  repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified  Stock
       of such Person or, with respect to any Preferred  Stock of any Subsidiary
       of such  Person,  the  principal  amount  of such  Preferred  Stock to be
       determined in accordance with the Indenture (but excluding, in each case,
       any accrued dividends);

                (5) all  indebtedness  of  others  of the  type  referred  to in
       clauses  (i) through  (iv) hereof  secured by (or for which the holder of
       such indebtedness has an existing right,  contingent or otherwise,  to be
       secured  by) any  Lien  on any  asset  or  property  (including,  without
       limitation,  leasehold  interests  and any other  tangible or  intangible
       property) of such Person,  whether or not such indebtedness is assumed by
       such Person or is not otherwise such Person's legal  liability;  provided
       that if the  obligations so secured have not been assumed in full by such
       Person or are otherwise not such Person's  legal  liability in full,  the
       amount of such  indebtedness for the purposes of this definition shall be
       limited to the lesser of the amount of such indebtedness  secured by such
       Lien or the fair market value of the assets or the property securing such
       lien;

                (6) all  indebtedness  of  others  of the  type  referred  to in
       clauses (i) through (v) hereof  (including  all interest and dividends on
       any  Indebtedness  or Preferred  Stock of any other Person the payment of
       which is) guaranteed,  directly or indirectly,  by such Person or that is
       otherwise its legal liability or which such Person has agreed to purchase
       or repurchase or in respect of which such Person has agreed  contingently
       to supply or advance funds; and

                (7) to the extent not  otherwise  included  in this  definition,
       obligations in respect of Hedging Obligations.

       Notwithstanding  the  preceding,   Indebtedness  shall  not  include  (a)
accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business, (b) any obligations
in respect of prepayments for gas or oil production or gas or oil imbalances and
(c) Production Payments and Reserve Sales.

       "Oil  and  Gas  Business"   means  (a)  the   acquisition,   exploration,
exploitation, development, production, operation and disposition of interests in
oil,  gas  and  other  hydrocarbon  properties,  (b) the  gathering,  marketing,
treating,  processing,  storage,  refining,  selling  and  transporting  of  any
production   from  such  interests  or  properties  and  products   produced  in


                                        2


<PAGE>


association  therewith,  (c) any power  generation and  electrical  transmission
business  and (d) any  business  or  activity  relating  to,  arising  from,  or
necessary,  appropriate  or  incidental  to  the  activities  described  in  the
foregoing clauses (a) through (c) of this definition.

       "Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to a Person,

                (1)  Indebtedness  of  such  Person,  whether outstanding on the
       Issue Date or thereafter Incurred, and

                (2) accrued and unpaid interest  (including interest accruing on
       or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy  or for  reorganization
       relating to such Person to the extent post-filing  interest is allowed in
       such  proceeding) in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money
       borrowed and (B) indebtedness  evidenced by notes,  debentures,  bonds or
       other  similar  instruments  for the  payment  of which  such  Person  is
       responsible or liable

unless, in the case of (1) and (2), in the instrument creating or evidencing the
same or  pursuant  to which the same is  outstanding  it is  provided  that such
obligations  are  subordinate  in  right  of  payment  to the  Debt  Securities;
provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness of such Person shall not include:

                (1)  any obligation of such Person to any Subsidiary,

                (2)  any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed
       or owing by such Person,

                (3) any accounts  payable or other  liability to trade creditors
       arising in the ordinary course of business (including  guarantees thereof
       or instruments evidencing such liabilities),

                (4) any  Indebtedness of such Person (and any accrued and unpaid
       interest  in  respect  thereof)  which is  subordinate  or  junior in any
       respect to any other Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person or

                (5)  that  portion  of any  Indebtedness  which  at the  time of
       Incurrence is Incurred in violation of this Indenture.

       "Temporary Cash Investments" means any of the following:

                (1) any investment in direct obligations of the United States of
       America or any agency  thereof or  obligations  guaranteed  by the United
       States of America or any agency thereof,

                (2)  investments  in  time  deposit  accounts,  certificates  of
       deposit and money market deposits maturing within 180 days of the date of
       acquisition  thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized
       under the laws of the United States of America,  any state thereof or any
       foreign  country  recognized by the United  States of America,  and which
       bank  or  trust  company  has  capital,  surplus  and  undivided  profits
       aggregating in excess of $50,000,000 (or the foreign currency  equivalent
       thereof)  and has  outstanding  debt that is rated  "A" (or such  similar
       equivalent  rating)  or  higher  by at least  one  nationally  recognized

                                        3


<PAGE>



       statistical  rating  organization  (as  defined  in  Rule  436  under the
       Securities Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a registered broker
       dealer or mutual fund distributor,

                (3) repurchase  obligations with a term of not more than 30 days
       for  underlying  securities  of the types  described  in clause (1) above
       entered into with a bank meeting the  qualifications  described in clause
       (2) above,

                (4) investments in commercial  paper,  maturing not more than 90
       days after the date of acquisition,  issued by a corporation  (other than
       an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of
       the United  States of America or any foreign  country  recognized  by the
       United  States  of  America  with a rating  at the  time as of which  any
       investment  therein  is made of "P-1" (or  higher)  according  to Moody's
       Investors  Service,  Inc. or "A-1" (or higher)  according to Standard and
       Poor's Ratings Group, and

                (5)  investments in securities  with maturities of six months or
       less  from the date of  acquisition  issued  or fully  guaranteed  by any
       state,  commonwealth or territory of the United States of America,  or by
       any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least
       "A" by  Standard  &  Poor's  Ratings  Group or "A" by  Moody's  Investors
       Service, Inc.

                                        4


<PAGE>



                                  Schedule III

       SECTION 4.13.  Limitation on Indebtedness.

        (a)  The  Company  shall  not,  and  shall  not  permit  any  Restricted
Subsidiary  to,  Incur,  directly or  indirectly,  any  Indebtedness;  provided,
however,  that the Company and its Restricted  Subsidiaries shall be entitled to
Incur  Indebtedness  if, on the date of such  Incurrence and after giving effect
thereto on a pro forma basis,  no Default has occurred and is continuing and the
Consolidated Coverage Ratio exceeds 2.0 to 1.

       (b)  Notwithstanding  the foregoing  paragraph (a), so long as no Default
has  occurred and is  continuing,  the Company and the  Restricted  Subsidiaries
shall be entitled to Incur any or all of the following Indebtedness:

                (1)  Indebtedness  Incurred  pursuant to the Credit  Facilities,
       including   any   amendment,    modification,    supplement,   extension,
       restatement,  replacement (including replacement after the termination of
       such Credit Facilities), restructuring, increase, renewal, or Refinancing
       thereof  from  time to time in one or  more  agreements  or  instruments;
       provided,  however, that, after giving effect to any such Incurrence, the
       aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness then outstanding does not
       exceed the greater of (i) $675.0  million  less the sum of all  principal
       payments   with  respect  to  such   Indebtedness   pursuant  to  Section
       4.16(a)(3)(A)  and (ii) the sum of (x)  $100  million  and (y) 20% of the
       Adjusted  Consolidated  Net Tangible Assets  determined as of the date of
       the Incurrence of such Indebtedness;

                (2) Indebtedness owed to and held by the Company or a Restricted
       Subsidiary;  provided,  however, that any subsequent issuance or transfer
       of any Capital  Stock  which  results in any such  Restricted  Subsidiary
       ceasing to be a Restricted  Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such
       Indebtedness (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) shall
       be  deemed,   in  each  case,  to  constitute   the  Incurrence  of  such
       Indebtedness by the obligor thereon;

                (3)  the Debt Securities;

                (4)  Indebtedness  outstanding  on the Issue  Date  (other  than
       Indebtedness  described  in  clause  (1),  (2)  or (3)  of  this  Section
       4.13(b));

                (5)  Indebtedness  of  a  Restricted   Subsidiary  Incurred  and
       outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Subsidiary was acquired
       by the Company (other than  Indebtedness  Incurred in connection with, or
       to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support  utilized to
       consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to
       which  such  Subsidiary  became  a  Subsidiary  or  was  acquired  by the
       Company);

                (6) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness Incurred
       pursuant to Section 4.13(a) or pursuant to clause (3), (4) or (5) of this
       Section 4.13(b) or this clause (6); provided, however, that to the extent
       such   Refinancing   Indebtedness   directly  or  indirectly   Refinances
       Indebtedness  of a  Subsidiary  Incurred  pursuant  to clause  (5),  such
       Refinancing Indebtedness shall be Incurred only by such Subsidiary;


<PAGE>



                (7) Hedging  Obligations  consisting of Interest Rate Protection
       Agreements  directly related to Indebtedness  permitted to be Incurred by
       the Company pursuant to this Indenture;

                (8)  Non-Recourse Indebtedness;

                (9) Indebtedness in respect of bid,  performance,  reimbursement
       or surety  obligations issued by or for the account of the Company or any
       Restricted  Subsidiary  in the  ordinary  course of  business,  including
       Guarantees and letters of credit  functioning as or supporting  such bid,
       performance, reimbursement or surety obligations (in each case other than
       for an obligation for money borrowed);

                (10)  Indebtedness  consisting  of  obligations  in  respect  of
       purchase  price  adjustments,  indemnities  or  Guarantees of the same or
       similar  matters in connection  with the  acquisition  or  disposition of
       Property;

                (11)  Indebtedness  under Commodity Price Protection  Agreements
       and Currency Exchange Protection  Agreements entered into in the ordinary
       course of business  for the  purpose of limiting  risks that arise in the
       ordinary   course  of  business   of  the  Company  and  its   Restricted
       Subsidiaries;

                (12) Indebtedness  consisting of the Subsidiary Guarantee of the
       Guarantor (including any reinstatement of such Subsidiary  Guarantee) and
       any  Subsidiary  Guarantee  by the Company or a  Subsidiary  Guarantor of
       Indebtedness  Incurred  pursuant to  paragraph  (a) or pursuant to clause
       (1),  (2),  (3),  (4), (7), (11) or (13) or pursuant to clause (6) to the
       extent the  Refinancing  Indebtedness  Incurred  thereunder  directly  or
       indirectly Refinances  Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to paragraph (a) or
       pursuant to clauses (3) or (4); and

                (13)  Indebtedness in an aggregate  principal amount which, when
       taken together with all other Indebtedness of the Company  outstanding on
       the date of such Incurrence (other than Indebtedness permitted by clauses
       (1) through (12) of this Section  4.13(b) or Section  4.13(a)),  does not
       exceed $50 million.

       (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
Guarantor  shall  Incur any  Indebtedness  pursuant  to  Section  4.13(b) if the
proceeds thereof are used, directly or indirectly, to Refinance any Subordinated
Obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary  Guarantor  unless such  Indebtedness
shall be subordinated  to the Debt  Securities or to the Subsidiary  Guaranty of
such  Subsidiary  Guarantor  to at least the same  extent  as such  Subordinated
Obligations.

       (d) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.13, (1) in
the event that an item of  Indebtedness  meets the  criteria of more than one of
the types of Indebtedness described herein, the Company, in its sole discretion,
shall classify such item of  Indebtedness  at the time of Incurrence and only be
required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of the above
clauses and (2) the Company shall be entitled at the time of such  Incurrence to
divide and  classify  an item of  Indebtedness  in more than one of the types of
Indebtedness described herein.

                                        2


<PAGE>



       (e)  For  purposes  of  determining   compliance  with  any  U.S.  dollar
denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness where the Indebtedness
Incurred is denominated in a different currency, the amount of such Indebtedness
will be the U.S. Dollar  Equivalent  determined on the date of the Incurrence of
such Indebtedness,  provided, however, that if any such Indebtedness denominated
in a different currency is subject to a Currency Exchange  Protection  Agreement
with  respect to U.S.  dollars  covering  all  principal,  premium,  if any, and
interest payable on such Indebtedness, the amount of such Indebtedness expressed
in  U.S.  dollars  will be as  provided  in such  Currency  Exchange  Protection
Agreement.  The principal amount of any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in the
same  currency as the  Indebtedness  being  Refinanced  will be the U.S.  Dollar
Equivalent of the  Indebtedness  Refinanced,  except to the extent that (1) such
U.S. Dollar  Equivalent was determined based on a Currency  Exchange  Protection
Agreement,  in which case the  Refinancing  Indebtedness  will be  determined in
accordance  with the preceding  sentence,  and (2) the  principal  amount of the
Refinancing  Indebtedness exceeds the principal amount of the Indebtedness being
Refinanced,  in which case the U.S.  Dollar  Equivalent of such excess,  will be
determined on the date such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred.

       SECTION 4.14.  Limitation on Restricted Payments.

       (a)  The  Company  shall  not,  and  shall  not  permit  any   Restricted
Subsidiary,  directly or indirectly, to make a Restricted Payment if at the time
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:

                (1)  a  Default shall have  occurred and be continuing (or would
       result therefrom);

                (2)  the Company is not entitled to Incur an additional $1.00 of
       Indebtedness under Section 4.13(a); or

                (3) the  aggregate  amount of such  Restricted  Payment  and all
       other  Restricted  Payments  since the Issue Date would exceed the sum of
       (without duplication):

                       (A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the
                period (treated as one accounting  period) from the beginning of
                the fiscal  quarter  immediately  following  the fiscal  quarter
                during which the Issue Date occurs to the end of the most recent
                fiscal quarter ending at least 45 days prior to the date of such
                Restricted  Payment  (or, in case such  Consolidated  Net Income
                shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus

                       (B) 100% of the aggregate  Net Cash Proceeds  received by
                the  Company  from the  issuance  or sale of its  Capital  Stock
                (other than  Disqualified  Stock)  subsequent  to the Issue Date
                (other than an issuance or sale to a  Subsidiary  of the Company
                and  other  than  an  issuance  or  sale  to an  employee  stock
                ownership  plan or to a trust  established by the Company or any
                of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees) and 100%
                of any cash  capital  contribution  received by the Company from
                its shareholders subsequent to the Issue Date; plus

                       (C) the amount by which  Indebtedness  of the  Company is
                reduced on the Company's  balance  sheet upon the  conversion or
                exchange  (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) subsequent

                                        3


<PAGE>



                to the Issue Date of any Indebtedness of the Company convertible
                or  exchangeable for  Capital  Stock  (other  than  Disqualified
                Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any cash,  or the fair
                value of any  other property,  distributed  by the  Company upon
                such conversion or exchange); plus

                       (D) an amount  equal to the sum of (x) the net  reduction
                in the Investments  (other than Permitted  Investments)  made by
                the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Person resulting
                from repurchases,  repayments or redemptions of such Investments
                by  such  Person,   proceeds   realized  on  the  sale  of  such
                Investment,   proceeds   representing   the  return  of  capital
                (excluding  dividends and distributions),  in each case received
                by the  Company  or any  Restricted  Subsidiary  and  (y) to the
                extent such Person is an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary,  the portion
                (proportionate   to  the  Company's   equity  interest  in  such
                Subsidiary)  of the fair market  value of the net assets of such
                Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary
                is designated a Restricted Subsidiary;  provided,  however, that
                the  foregoing  sum  shall not  exceed,  in the case of any such
                Person or  Unrestricted  Subsidiary,  the amount of  Investments
                (excluding Permitted  Investments)  previously made (and treated
                as a  Restricted  Payment)  by the  Company  or  any  Restricted
                Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary; plus

                       (E)  $25 million.

       (b)  The provisions of Section 4.14(a) shall not prohibit:

                (1) any  Restricted  Payment  (other than a  Restricted  Payment
       described in clause (1) of the definition of  "Restricted  Payment") made
       out of the Net Cash Proceeds of the substantially  concurrent sale of, or
       made  by  exchange  for,   Capital  Stock  of  the  Company  (other  than
       Disqualified  Stock  and other  than  Capital  Stock  issued or sold to a
       Subsidiary  of the Company or an employee  stock  ownership  plan or to a
       trust  established  by the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  for the
       benefit of their  employees) or a  substantially  concurrent cash capital
       contribution  received by the Company  from its  shareholders;  provided,
       however,  that (A) such  Restricted  Payment  shall  be  excluded  in the
       calculation  of the amount of  Restricted  Payments  and (B) the Net Cash
       Proceeds from such sale or such cash capital  contribution (to the extent
       so  used  for  such  Restricted  Payment)  shall  be  excluded  from  the
       calculation of amounts under Section 4.14(a)(3)(B);

                (2) any purchase,  repurchase,  redemption,  defeasance or other
       acquisition  or retirement for value of  Subordinated  Obligations of the
       Company or a  Subsidiary  Guarantor  made by exchange  for, or out of the
       proceeds of the substantially  concurrent sale of,  Indebtedness which is
       permitted to be Incurred  pursuant to Section  4.13;  provided,  however,
       that  such  purchase,   repurchase,   redemption,   defeasance  or  other
       acquisition or retirement for value shall be excluded in the  calculation
       of the amount of Restricted Payments;

                (3) dividends  paid within 60 days after the date of declaration
       thereof if at such date of declaration  such dividend would have complied

                                        4


<PAGE>


       with this Section 4.14;  provided,  however,  that such dividend shall be
       included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; or

                (4) so long as no Default has  occurred  and is  continuing  the
       repurchase  or other  acquisition  of shares of or  options  to  purchase
       shares of, Capital Stock of the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  from
       employees, former employees, directors or former directors of the Company
       or any of its Subsidiaries  (or permitted  transferees of such employees,
       former employees,  directors or former directors),  pursuant to the terms
       of  the  agreements  (including  employment   agreements)  or  plans  (or
       amendments  thereto)  approved by the Board of Directors under which such
       individuals  purchase  or sell or are  granted  the option to purchase or
       sell, shares of such Capital Stock; provided, however, that the aggregate
       amount of such  repurchases  and other  acquisitions  shall not exceed $3
       million  in any  calendar  year;  provided  further,  however,  that such
       repurchases and other  acquisitions  shall be excluded in the calculation
       of the amount of Restricted Payments.

               SECTION 4.15. Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock.

       (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to,  directly or  indirectly,  consummate any Asset  Disposition  unless (1) the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of such
Asset  Disposition at least equal to the fair market value  (including as to the
value of all non-cash  consideration),  as determined in good faith by the Board
of Directors, of the shares and assets subject to such Asset Disposition; (2) at
least  75%  of  the  consideration  thereof  received  by the  Company  or  such
Restricted  Subsidiary  is in the form of  cash,  cash  equivalents,  Additional
Assets  or  any  combination  thereof  ("Permitted  Consideration");   provided,
however, that the Company and its Restricted  Subsidiaries shall be permitted to
receive  Property other than Permitted  Consideration,  so long as the aggregate
fair market value, as determined in the good faith of the Board of Directors, of
all such  Property  other  than  Permitted  Consideration  received  from  Asset
Dispositions and held by the Company and the Restricted  Subsidiaries at any one
time shall not exceed 10% of Adjusted  Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; and (3)
an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition is
applied by the Company (or such Restricted  Subsidiary,  as the case may be) (A)
first,  to the extent the  Company  elects (or is  required  by the terms of any
Indebtedness),  to prepay,  repay, redeem or purchase Senior Indebtedness of the
Company or  Indebtedness  (other than any  Disqualified  Stock) of a  Restricted
Subsidiary  (in each case  other  than  Indebtedness  owed to the  Company or an
Affiliate  of the  Company)  within  one year from the later of the date of such
Asset  Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash; (B) second, to the
extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after application in accordance
with clause (A), to the extent the Company elects, to acquire  Additional Assets
within  one year from the  later of the date of such  Asset  Disposition  or the
receipt of such Net Available  Cash; and (C) third, to the extent of the balance
of such Net Available Cash after  application in accordance with clauses (A) and
(B), to make an Offer to the holders of the Debt  Securities  (and to holders of
other Senior  Indebtedness of the Company designated by the Company) to purchase
Debt Securities (and such other Senior Indebtedness)  pursuant to and subject to
the conditions of Section 4.15(b);  provided,  however,  that in connection with
any prepayment, repay ment or purchase of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (A) or
(C) above, the Company or such Restricted  Subsidiary shall  permanently  retire
such  Indebtedness  and shall cause the related loan  commitment  (if any) to be
permanently  reduced in an  amount  equal to the  principal  amount so  prepaid,

                                        5


<PAGE>



repaid or purchased.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing  provisions of this Section
4.15, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required to apply
any Net Available  Cash in accordance  with this Section  4.15(a)  except to the
extent that the aggregate Net Available Cash from all Asset  Dispositions  which
are not applied in accordance  with this Section  4.15(a) exceeds $20.0 million.
Pending application of Net Available Cash pursuant to this Section 4.15(a), such
Net Available Cash shall be invested in Temporary Cash Investments or applied to
temporarily reduce revolving credit indebtedness.

       For the purposes of this Section 4.15(a),  the following are deemed to be
cash or cash  equivalents:  (1) the assumption of Indebtedness of the Company or
any  Restricted  Subsidiary  and the release of the  Company or such  Restricted
Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset
Disposition  and  (2)  securities  received  by the  Company  or any  Restricted
Subsidiary  from the  transferee  that are promptly  converted by the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary into cash.

       (b) In the event of an Asset  Disposition  that  requires the purchase of
Debt   Securities   (and  other   Senior   Indebtedness   pursuant   to  Section
4.15(a)(3)(C),  the Company shall purchase Debt Securities  tendered pursuant to
an  offer  by the  Company  for  the  Debt  Securities  and  such  other  Senior
Indebtedness (the "Offer") at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount
(or, in the event such other  Senior  Indebtedness  was issued with  significant
original issue discount,  100% of the accreted value thereof),  without premium,
plus  accrued  but  unpaid  interest  (or,  in  respect  of  such  other  Senior
Indebtedness,  such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of
such  Senior   Indebtedness  in  accordance   with  the  procedures   (including
prorationing in the event of over subscription) set forth in Section 4.15(c). If
the  aggregate   purchase  price  of  Debt  Securities  (and  any  other  Senior
Indebtedness  tendered  pursuant to the Offer)  exceeds the Net  Available  Cash
allotted to their  purchase,  the Company shall select the Debt  Securities  and
other  Senior  Indebtedness  to be  purchased  on a pro rata  basis but in round
denominations, which in the case of the Debt Securities will be denominations of
$1,000 principal amount or multiples thereof.  The Company shall not be required
to make an Offer to purchase  Debt  Securities  (and other  Senior  Indebtedness
pursuant to this Section 4.15 if the Net Available  Cash  available  therefor is
less than $20.0  million  (which  lesser  amount  shall be carried  forward  for
purposes of  determining  whether such an Offer is required  with respect to the
Net Available Cash from any subsequent Asset Disposition).

       (c) (1)  Promptly,  and in any  event  within 10 days  after the  Company
       becomes  obligated  to make an Offer,  the Company  shall  deliver to the
       Trustee and send, by  first-class  mail to each Holder,  a written notice
       stating that the Holder may elect to have his Debt  Securities  purchased
       by the  Company  either  in whole or in part  (subject  to  prorating  as
       described in Section 4.15(b) in the event the Offer is oversubscribed) in
       integral  multiples  of $1,000 of  principal  amount,  at the  applicable
       purchase price. The notice shall specify a purchase date not less than 30
       days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice  (the  "Purchase
       Date") and shall contain such information  concerning the business of the
       Company which the Company in good faith believes will enable such Holders
       to make an informed  decision  (which at a minimum  will  include (A) the
       most  recently  filed  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K  (including  audited
       consolidated  financial  statements)  of the  Company,  the  most  recent
       subsequently  filed Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q and any Current Report
       on Form 8-K of the Company  filed  subsequent to such  Quarterly  Report,
       other  than  Current  Reports  describing  Asset  Dispositions  otherwise

                                        6


<PAGE>



       described in the offering materials (or corresponding successor reports),
       (B)  a description  of material  developments  in the Company's  business
       subsequent  to  the  date  of the  latest of  such  Reports,  and  (C) if
       material,   appropriate   pro  forma  financial   information)   and  all
       instructions and materials  necessary to tender Debt Securities  pursuant
       to the Offer, together with the information contained in clause (3).

                (2) Not later  than the date  upon  which  written  notice of an
       Offer is delivered to the Trustee as provided  below,  the Company  shall
       deliver to the Trustee an Officers'  Certificate  as to (A) the amount of
       the Offer (the "Offer  Amount"),  including  information  as to any other
       Senior Indebtedness  included in the Offer, (B) the allocation of the Net
       Available Cash from the Asset  Dispositions  pursuant to which such Offer
       is  being  made  and  (C) the  compliance  of such  allocation  with  the
       provisions  of Section  4.15(a) and (b). On such date,  the Company shall
       also irrevocably  deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if
       the  Company is acting as its own  Paying  Agent,  segregate  and hold in
       trust) in Temporary Cash  Investments,  maturing on the last day prior to
       the  Purchase  Date or on the  Purchase  Date if  funds  are  immediately
       available by open of business,  an amount equal to the Offer Amount to be
       held for payment in accordance  with the  provisions of this Section.  If
       the Offer includes other Senior  Indebtedness,  the deposit  described in
       the preceding  sentence may be made with any other paying agent  pursuant
       to arrangements  satisfactory to the Trustee.  Upon the expiration of the
       period for which the Offer remains open (the "Offer Period"), the Company
       shall  deliver to the Trustee for  cancellation  the Debt  Securities  or
       portions  thereof  which  have been  properly  tendered  to and are to be
       accepted by the Company. The Trustee shall, on the Purchase Date, mail or
       deliver  payment (or cause the  delivery  of  payment) to each  tendering
       Holder  in the  amount  of the  purchase  price.  In the  event  that the
       aggregate purchase price of the Debt Securities  delivered by the Company
       to the  Trustee  is less than the  Offer  Amount  applicable  to the Debt
       Securities,   the  Trustee  shall  deliver  the  excess  to  the  Company
       immediately  after the expiration of the Offer Period for  application in
       accordance with this Section 4.15.

                (3) Holders electing to have a Debt Security  purchased shall be
       required to surrender the Debt Security,  with an  appropriate  form duly
       completed, to the Company at the address specified in the notice at least
       three Business Days prior to the Purchase Date. Holders shall be entitled
       to withdraw  their  election if the Trustee or the Company  receives  not
       later  than  one  Business  Day  prior  to the  Purchase  Date,  a telex,
       facsimile  transmission  or letter  setting forth the name of the Holder,
       the  principal  amount  of the Debt  Security  which  was  delivered  for
       purchase  by the Holder and a statement  that such Holder is  withdrawing
       his election to have such Debt  Security  purchased.  Holders  whose Debt
       Securities are purchased only in part shall be issued new Debt Securities
       equal  in  principal  amount  to the  unpurchased  portion  of  the  Debt
       Securities surrendered.

                (4) At the time the  Company  delivers  Debt  Securities  to the
       Trustee  which are to be accepted for  purchase,  the Company  shall also
       deliver an Officers'  Certificate  stating that such Debt Section. A Debt
       Security  shall be deemed to have been  accepted for purchase at the time
       the  Trustee,  directly or through an agent,  mails or  delivers  payment
       therefor to the surrendering Holder.

                                        7


<PAGE>



       (d)  The  Company  shall  comply,  to the  extent  applicable,  with  the
requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other  securities laws
or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Debt Securities  pursuant to
this  Section.  To the extent  that the  provisions  of any  securities  laws or
regulations  conflict with provisions of this Section,  the Company shall comply
with the applicable  securities  laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to
have  breached its  obligations  under this Section by virtue of its  compliance
with such securities laws or regulations.

       SECTION 4.16.  Limitation on Affiliate Transactions.

       (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale,
lease or exchange of any property,  employee  compensation  arrangements  or the
rendering  of any  service)  with any  Affiliate  of the Company (an  "Affiliate
Transaction")  unless (1) the terms thereof are no less favorable to the Company
or such  Restricted  Subsidiary than those that could be obtained at the time of
such transaction in arm's-length dealings with a Person who is not an Affiliate;
(2) if such Affiliate  Transaction  involves an amount in excess of $1.0 million
but less than $5.0  million,  an  officer  of the  Company  certifies  that such
Affiliate  Transaction complies with clause (1) of this paragraph,  evidenced by
an  Officer's  Certificate  delivered  to the  Trustee;  (3) if  such  Affiliate
Transaction  involves an amount  equal to or in excess of $5.0  million but less
than $20.0  million,  the terms of the  Affiliate  Transaction  are set forth in
writing  and  a  majority  of  the   non-employee   directors   of  the  Company
disinterested  with respect to such Affiliate  Transactions  have  determined in
good faith that the  criteria  set forth in clause  (1) are  satisfied  and have
approved the relevant Affiliate Transaction as evidenced by a Board of Directors
resolution; and (4) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount equal to or
in excess of $20.0  million,  the Board of Directors  shall also have received a
written opinion from an investment  banking firm of national  prominence that is
not an Affiliate of the Company to the effect that such Affiliate Transaction is
fair,  from  a  financial   standpoint,   to  the  Company  and  its  Restricted
Subsidiaries.

       (b)  The  provisions  of  Section  4.16(a)  shall  not  prohibit  (1) any
Investment  or other  Restricted  Payment,  in each  case  permitted  to be made
pursuant to Section 4.14;  (2) any issuance of  securities,  or other  payments,
awards or grants in cash,  securities  or otherwise  pursuant to, or the funding
of, employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by
the  Board of  Directors,  (3)  loans or  advances  to  officers,  directors  or
employees  in the ordinary  course of business of the Company or its  Restricted
Subsidiaries; (4) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Company and
its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  who  are  not  employees  of the  Company  or its
Restricted  Subsidiaries;  (5) any transaction  with a Restricted  Subsidiary or
joint venture or similar entity which would constitute an Affiliate  Transaction
solely because the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest in
or otherwise  controls  such  Restricted  Subsidiary,  joint  venture or similar
entity;  (6) the issuance or sale of any Capital Stock (other than  Disqualified
Stock) of the Company;  (7)  indemnities of officers,  directors or employees of
the Company or any Subsidiary consistent with such Person's charter,  bylaws and
applicable  statutory  provisions;  (8) any  severance or  employment  agreement
entered  into  by the  Company  or any of  its  Restricted  Subsidiaries  in the
ordinary  course of business;  and (9) any transaction or series of transactions
pursuant to any agreement or obligation of the Company or any of its  Restricted
Subsidiaries in effect on the Issue Date.

                                        8


<PAGE>



       SECTION 4.17.  Change of Control.

       (a) Upon the  occurrence  of a Change of Control,  each Holder shall have
the right to require that the Company  purchase such Holder's Debt Securities at
a purchase  price in cash equal to 101% of the  principal  amount  thereof  plus
accrued and unpaid  interest,  if any,  to the date of purchase  (subject to the
right of holders of record on the  relevant  record date to receive  interest on
the relevant  interest payment date), in accordance with the terms  contemplated
in Section 4.17(b).

       (b) Within 30 days  following  any Change of Control,  the Company  shall
mail a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee  (the "Change of Control
Offer") stating:

                (1) that a Change of Control has  occurred  and that such Holder
       has the right to require  the  Company to  purchase  such  Holder's  Debt
       Securities  at a purchase  price in cash  equal to 101% of the  principal
       amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid  interest,  if any, to the date of
       purchase  (subject  to the right of  Holders  of  record on the  relevant
       record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);

                (2) the  circumstances  and relevant facts regarding such Change
       of Control  (including  information  with respect to pro forma historical
       income and  capitalization,  each after  giving  effect to such Change of
       Control);

                (3) the  purchase  date (which  shall be no earlier than 30 days
       nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

                (4) the instructions determined by the Company,  consistent with
       this  Section,  that a  Holder  must  follow  in  order  to have its Debt
       Securities purchased.

       (c) Holders  electing to have a Debt Security  purchased will be required
to surrender the Debt Security,  with an appropriate form duly completed, to the
Company at the  address  specified  in the notice at least three  Business  Days
prior to the purchase date.  Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election
if the Trustee or the Company  receives not later than one Business Day prior to
the purchase date, a telegram,  telex,  facsimile transmission or letter setting
forth the name of the Holder,  the principal  amount of the Debt Security  which
was  delivered  for  purchase by the Holder and a statement  that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Debt Security purchased.

       (d) On the purchase  date, all Debt  Securities  purchased by the Company
under  this  Section  shall be  delivered  by the  Company  to the  Trustee  for
cancellation,  and the Company  shall pay the  purchase  price plus  accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, to the Holders entitled thereto.

       (e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, the Company
shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control
if a third party makes the Change of Control  Offer in the manner,  at the times
and  otherwise  in  compliance  with  the  requirements  set  forth  in  Section
applicable  to a Change of Control  Offer made by the Company and  purchases all
Debt Securities  validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control
Offer.

                                        9


<PAGE>


       (f)  The  Company  shall  comply,  to the  extent  applicable,  with  the
requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other  securities laws
or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Debt Securities  pursuant to
this  Section.  To the extent  that the  provisions  of any  securities  laws or
regulations  conflict with provisions of this Section,  the Company shall comply
with the applicable  securities  laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to
have  breached its  obligations  under this Section by virtue of its  compliance
with such securities laws or regulations.

       Section  4.18.  During  any  period  time  that  (a)  the  Notes  have an
Investment Grade Rating from either of the Rating Agencies and (b) no Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, the Company
and the  Restricted  Subsidiaries  will  not be  subject  to the  provisions  in
Sections  4.13,  4.14,  4.15  and  4.16  of  the  Indenture  (collectively,  the
"Suspended  Covenants").  In the  event  that  the  Company  and the  Restricted
Subsidiaries  are not subject to the Suspended  Covenants for any period of time
as a result of the  preceding  sentence  and,  subsequently,  one or both of the
Rating Agencies  withdraws its ratings or downgrades the ratings assigned to the
Notes below the required  Investment Grade Ratings so that the Notes do not have
an Investment  Grade Rating from either Rating Agency,  or a Default or Event of
Default  occurs  and  is  continuing,   then  the  Company  and  the  Restricted
Subsidiaries  will  thereafter  again be subject to the Suspended  Covenants and
compliance with the Suspended Covenants with respect to Restricted Payments made
after the time of such withdrawal,  downgrade,  Default or Event of Default will
be  calculated  in  accordance  with the terms of  Section  4.14 as though  such
covenant had been in effect  during the entire  period of time from the date the
Notes are issued.

                                       10


<PAGE>




                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2



       UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE  OF
THE DEPOSITARY  TRUST COMPANY,  A NEW YORK  CORPORATION  ("DTC"),  NEW YORK, NEW
YORK,  TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR  REGISTRATION  OF  TRANSFER,  EXCHANGE OR
PAYMENT,  AND ANY CERTIFICATE  ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR
SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY
PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO.,  OR TO SUCH OTHER  ENTITY AS IS  REQUESTED  BY AN
AUTHORIZED  REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER,  PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR
VALUE OR  OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL  INASMUCH AS THE  REGISTERED
OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

       TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE,
BUT  NOT IN  PART,  TO  NOMINEES  OF  DTC  OR TO A  SUCCESSOR  THEREOF  OR  SUCH
SUCCESSOR'S  NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL  SECURITY SHALL BE
LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE  RESTRICTIONS  SET FORTH IN THE
INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.


<PAGE>



CUSIP NO. 723787 AC 1

No. T-01                                                            $200,000,000

                      9-5/8% Senior Notes Due April 1, 2010


       Pioneer Natural  Resources Company,  a Delaware corporation,  promises to
pay  to Cede & Co.,  or registered  assigns, the  principal sum of  $200,000,000
Dollars on April 1, 2010.

       Interest Payment Dates:                 April 1 and October 1
       Record Dates:                           March 15 and September 15

       Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side of
this Security.

Dated:  April 11, 2000                         PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES
                                               COMPANY,

                                                 by
                                                    -------------------------
                                                    Name:
                                                    Title:


                                                 by
                                                    -------------------------
                                                    Name:
                                                    Title:

TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE
OF AUTHENTICATION

THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee, certifies that this is
one of the Debt Securities,
designated 9-5/8% Senior
Notes Due April 1, 2010, referred to
in the Indenture.

by
    -------------------------------
    Authorized Signatory

                                        2


<PAGE>



                      9-5/8% Senior Notes Due April 1, 2010


1.     Interest

       Pioneer  Natural  Resources   Company,   a  Delaware   corporation  (such
corporation,  and its  successors  and assigns under the  Indenture  hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above. The Company
shall pay interest semiannually on April 1 and October 1 of each year commencing
on October 1, 2000. Interest on the Securities shall accrue from the most recent
date to which  interest  has been paid or, if no  interest  has been paid,  from
April 11,  2000.  Interest  shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day  year of
twelve 30-day months.  The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at 1%
per  annum in  excess  of the rate  borne by the  Securities,  and it shall  pay
interest on overdue  installments of interests at such higher rate to the extent
lawful.

2.     Method of Payment

       The  Company  shall pay  interest  on the  Securities  (except  defaulted
interest) to the Persons who are  registered  holders of Securities at the close
of business on the April 1 or October 1 next preceding the interest payment date
even if  Securities  are  canceled  after the  record  date and on or before the
interest  payment date.  Holders must surrender  Securities to a Paying Agent to
collect  principal  payments.  The Company  shall pay  principal and interest in
immediately  available (same day) funds in money of the United States of America
that at the time of payment is legal  tender for  payment of public and  private
debts.  However,  the Company may pay  principal  and  interest by check or wire
transfer payment in immediately available (same day) funds in such money.

3.     Paying Agent and Registrar

       Initially,  The  Bank  of  New  York,  a  New  York  banking  corporation
("Trustee"),  shall act as Paying Agent and  Registrar.  The Company may appoint
and change any Paying  Agent,  Registrar or  co-registrar  without  notice.  The
Company or any of its domestically  incorporated  wholly owned  Subsidiaries may
act as paying agent, Registrar or co-registrar.

4.     Indenture

       The Company issued the Securities  under an indenture dated as of January
13, 1998,  between the Company and the Trustee,  as  supplemented  by the second
supplemental  indenture  dated as of April 11,  2000 (the  "Second  Supplemental
Indenture,"  and,   collectively   with  the   aforementioned   indenture,   the
"Indenture"), among the Company, Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc., a Delaware
corporation,  and the Trustee.  The terms of the Securities include those stated
in the  Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C.  ss.ss.  77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date
of the  Indenture  (the "Act").  Terms  defined in the Indenture and not defined
herein have the meanings  ascribed thereto in the Indenture.  The Securities are
subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Act
for a statement of those terms.

                                        3


<PAGE>



       This  Security  is one of a duly  authorized  issue of general  unsecured
obligations of the Company all issued or to be issued under the Indenture.  Debt
Securities issued under the Indenture may be issued in one or more series, which
different  series  may be issued in various  aggregate  principal  amounts,  may
mature at  different  times,  may bear  interest at  different  rates,  may have
different  conversion  prices (if any),  may be subject to different  redemption
provisions,  may be subject to different  sinking,  purchase or analogous funds,
may be subject to  different  covenants,  Events of  Default  and  subordination
provisions  and may otherwise vary as the Indenture  provides.  This Security is
one of a series  designated  as  9-5/8%  Senior  Notes  Due  April 1,  2010 (the
"Securities")  issued under the  Indenture,  limited to  $425,000,000  aggregate
principal amount.  The Indenture  imposes certain  limitations (with significant
exceptions) on the ability of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  to, among other
things,  incur additional  Indebtedness;  pay dividends or distributions  on, or
redeem or repurchase,  capital stock; make  investments;  engage in transactions
with Affiliates;  create Liens on assets; transfer or sell assets; and engage in
sale and leaseback  transactions.  The Indenture also imposes limitations on the
ability of the Company to  consolidate,  merge or transfer all or  substantially
all of its assets.

5.     Subsidiary Guarantee

       Pioneer  Natural  Resources  USA,  Inc.,  a  Delaware   corporation  (the
"Guarantor"),  which in  accordance  with the Second  Supplemental  Indenture is
required to guarantee the  obligations of the Company under the Securities  upon
execution  of  a  counterpart  of  the  Second   Supplemental   Indenture,   has
unconditionally guaranteed (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of,
premium,  if any, and interest on the Securities,  whether at the maturity date,
by  acceleration or otherwise,  and of interest on the overdue  principal of and
interest,  if any, on any premium and interest of the  Securities  and all other
obligations  of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee under the Indenture or
the Securities and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of
any Securities or any of such other obligations,  that the same will be promptly
paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension
or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

       The  obligations  of the  Guarantor  to the  Holders  and to the  Trustee
pursuant to this  guarantee  and the  Indenture  are as  expressly  set forth in
Section 3 of the Second  Supplemental  Indenture and in such other provisions of
the Indenture as are applicable to the  Guarantor,  and reference is hereby made
to such Indenture for the precise terms of this guarantee.  The terms of Section
3 of  the  Second  Supplemental  Indenture  and  such  other  provisions  of the
Indenture  as are  applicable  to  the  Guarantor  are  incorporated  hereby  by
reference.

       This  is a  continuing  guarantee  and,  subject  to  the  terms  of  the
guarantee,  shall  remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon the
Guarantor and its successors and assigns until full and final payment in cash of
all of the  Company's  obligations  under the  Securities  and the Indenture and
shall inure to the benefit of the  successors and assigns of the Trustee and the
Holders and, in the event of any transfer or  assignment of rights by any Holder
or the Trustee, the rights and privileges herein conferred upon that party shall
automatically  extend to and be  vested  in such  transferee  or  assignee,  all
subject to the terms and conditions  hereof.  This is a guarantee of payment and
not a guarantee of collection.

                                        4


<PAGE>



       This guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until the
certificate  of  authentication  with respect to this  Security  shall have been
executed by the Trustee  under the  Indenture by the manual  signature of one of
its authorized officers.

6.     Optional Redemption

       The  Securities  will be  redeemable  at any time,  at the  option of the
Company,  in whole or from  time to time in part,  upon not less than 30 and not
more than 60 days'  notice as  provided in the  Indenture,  on any date prior to
this maturity (the "Redemption  Date") at a price equal to 100% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest,  if any, to the Redemption Date
(subject  to the  right of  Holders  of record on the  relevant  record  date to
receive  interest  due on an  interest  payment  date that is on or prior to the
Redemption Date) plus a Make-Whole  Premium,  if any,  calculated as provided in
Section 2 of the Second Supplemental  Indenture (the "Redemption  Price"). In no
event will a Redemption  Price ever be less than 100% of the principal amount of
the Securities plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date.

7.     Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

       The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of
$1,000  and whole  multiples  of  $1,000.  A Holder  may  transfer  or  exchange
Securities  only in accordance  with the Indenture.  The Registrar may require a
Holder,  among other things,  to furnish  appropriate  endorsements  or transfer
documents  and to pay any taxes and fees  required  by law or  permitted  by the
Indenture.

8.     Persons Deemed Owners

       The registered  Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of it
for all purposes.

9.     Unclaimed Money

       If money for the payment of principal or interest  remains  unclaimed for
two years,  the Trustee or Paying  Agent shall pay the money back to the Company
at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After
any such  payment,  Holders  entitled to the money must look only to the Company
and not to the Trustee for payment.

10.    Discharge and Defeasance

       Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate some
or all its  obligations  under the  Securities  and the Indenture if the Company
deposits with the Trustee cash or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of
principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or maturity,  as the case
may be.

11.    Amendment, Waiver

       Subject  to  certain  exceptions  set  forth  in the  Indenture,  (i) the
Indenture  or the  Securities  may be amended  with the  written  consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities

                                        5


<PAGE>



and (ii) any acceleration of principal and interest on the Securities  resulting
from a default  on  noncompliance  with any  provision  may be  waived  with the
written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount  outstanding of
the  Securities.  Subject  to  certain  exceptions  set forth in the  Indenture,
without  the  consent of any  Holder,  the Company and the Trustee may amend the
Indenture  or the  Securities  to  cure,  among  other  things,  any  ambiguity,
omission,  defect or  inconsistency,  or to evidence the  succession  of another
Person  to  the  Company  pursuant  to  Article  X of the  Indenture,  or to add
guarantees with respect to the Securities or to secure the Securities, or to add
additional covenants or surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company, or
to permit  the  qualification  of the  Indenture  under the Act,  or to make any
change that does not  adversely  affect the rights of any Holder,  or to provide
for the acceptance of a successor or separate Trustee.

12.    Defaults and Remedies

       Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) default for 30 days in
payment of interest on the  Securities;  (ii) default in payment of principal or
premium on the Securities at maturity,  upon  acceleration  or otherwise;  (iii)
failure by the Company to comply with other  agreements  in the Indenture or the
Securities,  in certain  cases  subject to notice by Holders  and lapse of time;
(iv)  certain  accelerations  (including  failure to pay within any grace period
after  final  maturity)  of other  Indebtedness  of the  Company  if the  amount
accelerated (or so unpaid)  exceeds  $20,000,000 and continues for 10 days after
the  required  notice  to the  Company;  (v)  certain  events of  bankruptcy  or
insolvency  with  respect to the Company and any  Significant  Subsidiary;  (vi)
certain  judgments  or decrees for the payment of money in excess of  $20,00,000
and (vii)  failure by the  Guarantor  to comply with certain  agreements  in the
Second Supplemental  Indenture. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing,
the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities
may declare all the Securities to be due and payable immediately. Certain events
of  bankruptcy  or  insolvency  are  Events of Default  that will  result in the
Securities being due and payable  immediately upon the occurrence of such Events
of Default without any action by the Trustee or any Holders.

       Holders  may not  enforce  the  Indenture  or the  Securities  except  as
provided in the  Indenture.  The Trustee may refuse to enforce the  Indenture or
the Securities unless it receives reasonable  indemnity or security.  Subject to
certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities
may direct the Trustee in its  exercise  of any trust or power.  The Trustee may
withhold  from Holders  notice of any  continuing  Default  (except a Default in
payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in
the interest of the Holders.

13.    Trustee Dealings with the Company

       Subject to certain  limitations imposed by the Act, the Trustee under the
Indenture,  in its  individual  or any other  capacity,  may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect  obligations  owed
to it by the Company or its  Affiliates  and may otherwise deal with the Company
or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

                                        6


<PAGE>



14.    No Recourse Against Others

       An  incorporator  and any  past,  present  or future  director,  officer,
employee or  stockholder,  as such,  of the Company shall not have any liability
for any  obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for
any claim  based on, in  respect  of or by reason of such  obligations  or their
creation.  By  accepting a Security,  each Holder  waives and  releases all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of
the Securities.

15.    Authentication

       This  Security  shall not be valid until an  authorized  signatory of the
Trustee  (or  an  authenticating   agent)  manually  signs  the  certificate  of
authentication on the other side of this Security.

16.    Abbreviations

       Customary  abbreviations  may be  used  in the  name  of a  Holder  or an
assignee,  such as TEN COM  (=tenants  in  common),  TEN  ENT  (=tenants  by the
entireties),  JT TEN  (=joint  tenants  with rights of  survivorship  and not as
tenants in common),  CUST  (=custodian),  and U/G/M/A  (=Uniform  Gift to Minors
Act).

17.    Governing Law

       THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES
OF  CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE  APPLICATION  OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER
JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

18.    CUSIP Numbers

       Pursuant to a  recommendation  promulgated  by the  Committee  on Uniform
Security  Identification  Procedures  the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be
printed on the  Securities  and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in
notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders.  No representation is made as
to the  accuracy  of such  numbers  either as  printed on the  Securities  or as
contained  in any notice of  redemption  and  reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.

       The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written  request and without
charge  to the  Holder a copy of the  Indenture  that has in it the text of this
Security. Requests may be made to:

                               Corporate Secretary
                        Pioneer Natural Resources Company
                            1400 Williams Square West
                          5205 North O'Connor Boulevard
                                Irving, TX 75039

                                        7


<PAGE>


                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM


To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Security to


              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)


                  (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

and irrevocably appoint                                        agent to transfer
this Security on the books of the Company.  The agent may  substitute another to
act for him.



Date:                                       Your Signature:
     ----------------------------

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

Date:                                       Your Signature
     ----------------------------
                                             (Sign exactly as your name appears
                                              on the other side of the Security)

Signature Guarantee:

           (Signature  must be  guaranteed by a member firm of the New York
            Stock Exchange or a commercial bank or trust company)

                                        8


<PAGE>




                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3


                                    GUARANTEE

       THIS GUARANTEE, dated as of April 11, 2000 (this "Agreement"), is entered
into by  Pioneer  Natural  Resources  USA,  Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation  (the
"Subsidiary Guarantor"). Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined
have the meanings set forth in the Indenture referred to below.

                                    RECITALS:

       A.  The  Subsidiary  Guarantor is a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of  Pioneer
Natural Resources Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

       B. The Company and The Bank of New York, a New York banking  association,
as trustee (the "Trustee"),  have entered into that certain Indenture,  dated as
of January  13,  1998,  as  supplemented  by that  certain  Second  Supplemental
Indenture,  dated  as of  April  11,  2000  (the  "Supplemental  Indenture"  and
collectively, the "Indenture"),  among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor and
the  Trustee,  pursuant to which the Company  has  issued,  among other  things,
$425,000,000 in aggregate  principal  amount of 9-5/8% Senior Notes Due April 1,
2010 (the "Notes").

       NOW,  THEREFORE,  for good and  valuable  consideration,  the receipt and
adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees
as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1

                                    GUARANTEE

       1.1 Guarantee. The Subsidiary Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees
to each Holder of the Notes  authenticated  and  delivered by the Trustee and to
the Trustee and its  successors  and assigns,  irrespective  of the validity and
enforceability  of the  Indenture,  the Notes or the  obligations of the Company
thereunder,  that:  (a) the principal of,  premium,  if any, and interest on the
Notes  shall  be  promptly  paid in full  when  due,  whether  at  maturity,  by
acceleration  or  otherwise,  and  interest  on  the  overdue  principal  of and
interest,  if any, on any premium and interest on the Notes, if lawful,  and all
other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee  thereunder shall
be promptly paid in full or performed,  all in accordance  with the terms hereof
and thereof;  and (b) in case of any  extension of time of payment or renewal of
any Notes or any of such other obligations,  that same shall be promptly paid in
full when due or  performed  in  accordance  with the terms of the  extension or
renewal,  whether at stated  maturity,  by  acceleration  or otherwise.  Failing
payment when due of any amount so  guaranteed or any  performance  so guaranteed
for  whatever  reason,  the  Subsidiary  Guarantor  shall be obligated to pay or
perform the same  immediately.  The Subsidiary  Guarantor hereby agrees that its
obligations  hereunder  shall be  unconditional,  irrespective  of the validity,
regularity or  enforceability  of the Notes, the  Supplemental  Indenture or the
Indenture,  the  absence of any action to enforce  the same,  any  amendment  or
modification  of  or  waiver  or  consent  by  any  Holder  with  respect to any


<PAGE>



provisions hereof or thereof,  the recovery of any judgment against the Company,
any action to enforce the same, any other  circumstances  which might  otherwise
constitute  a legal or equitable  discharge  or defense of a  guarantor,  or any
change in the ownership of the Subsidiary  Guarantor.  The Subsidiary  Guarantor
hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a
court in the event of  insolvency  or  bankruptcy  of the Company,  any right to
require a proceeding first against the Company,  protest, notice and all demands
whatsoever and covenants that the Subsidiary  Guarantor's  guarantee  under this
Section  shall  not  be  discharged  except  by  complete   performance  of  the
obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary  Guarantor contained in the Notes,
the  Supplemental  Indenture and the Indenture.  If any Holder or the Trustee is
required by any court or  otherwise  to return to the  Company,  the  Subsidiary
Guarantor or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting
in relation to either the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor any amount paid by
any thereof to the Trustee or such Holder, the Subsidiary  Guarantor's guarantee
under this Section, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in
full force and  effect.  The  Subsidiary  Guarantor  agrees that it shall not be
entitled to any right of  subrogation in relation to the Holders of the Notes in
respect of any  obligations  guaranteed  hereby until payment in full in cash of
all  obligations  with respect to the Notes  guaranteed  hereby.  The Subsidiary
Guarantor further agrees that, as between itself as guarantor,  on the one hand,
and the  Holders  of the  Notes and the  Trustee,  on the  other  hand,  (x) the
maturity of the obligations  guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in
Article VI of the  Indenture  for the  purposes  of the  Subsidiary  Guarantor's
guarantee hereunder,  notwithstanding any stay,  injunction or other prohibition
preventing such  acceleration in respect of the obligations  with respect to the
Notes guaranteed  hereby and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration
of such obligations as provided in Article VI of the Indenture, such obligations
(whether or not due and payable) shall  forthwith  become due and payable by the
Subsidiary Guarantor for the purposes of its guarantee hereunder. The Subsidiary
Guarantor  also  agrees  to pay  any  and  all  costs  and  expenses  (including
reasonable  attorney's fees and expenses)  incurred by the Trustee or any Holder
in enforcing any rights under this Section.

       1.2 Continuing Guarantee; Release and Reinstatement. This is a continuing
guarantee  and shall  remain in full force and effect and shall be binding  upon
the Subsidiary Guarantor and its respective successors and assigns to the extent
set forth in the Indenture  until full and final payment of all of the Company's
obligations  under the Notes and the  Indenture  with respect to Notes and shall
inure to the  benefit  of the  Trustee  and the  Holders  of the Notes and their
successors and assigns and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights
by any  Holder  of  Notes or the  Trustee,  the  rights  and  privileges  herein
conferred  upon that party shall  automatically  extend to and be vested in such
transferee  or assignee,  all subject to the terms and  conditions  hereof.  The
Subsidiary  Guarantor  shall be released and relieved of any  obligations  under
this  Agreement  upon  release  or other  termination  of both (A) that  certain
Guaranty,  dated as of March 19, 1999, by the Subsidiary  Guarantor with respect
to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement (Primary Facility),
dated as of March 19, 1999 (the "Existing Credit Facility"),  among the Company,
NationsBank,  N.A., as administrative  agent, CIBC Inc., as documentation agent,
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as documentation agent, Chase Bank of
Texas,  National  Association,  as syndication  agent,  the co-agents  signatory
thereto,  and the other lenders  signatory  thereto,  and (B) to the extent made
available,  that certain  Guarantee by the Subsidiary  Guarantor with respect to
the  credit  facility  to be  made  available  to the  Company  pursuant  to the
Commitment  Letter  dated March 22, 2000,  among the  Company,  Bank of America,
N.A.,  Credit Suisse  First Boston,  The Chase  Manhattan Bank,  Banc of America

                                        2


<PAGE>


Securities  LLC and Chase  Securities  Inc.  (the "New  Credit  Facility")  (the
foregoing  guarantees  being  referred  to  herein  as  the  "Credit  Facilities
Guarantees").  The  obligations of the Subsidiary  Guarantor under its Guarantee
shall be reinstated upon the  reinstatement of the obligations of the Subsidiary
Guarantor  under either of the Credit  Facilities  Guarantees and the Subsidiary
Guarantor hereby agrees to execute a guarantee  substantially in the form of the
Guarantee  upon  such  reinstatement.  Any  refinancing,  refunding,  extension,
renewal or replacement  (or  successive  refinancings,  refundings,  extensions,
renewals  or  replacements),  as a whole,  or in part,  of the  Existing  Credit
Facility  or the New  Credit  Facility  shall not be  deemed a release  or other
termination  of the  applicable  Credit  Facilities  Guarantee if the Subsidiary
Guarantor  provides a guarantee  with  respect to such  refinancing,  refunding,
extension,  renewal  or  replacement  in  substantially  the same  form,  and on
substantially the same terms, as such Credit Facilities Guarantee.  It is hereby
understood  and agreed  that the  Existing  Credit  Facility  and the New Credit
Facility may be refinanced, refunded, extended, renewed or replaced (through one
or more such refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements), as
a whole,  or in part,  from time to time after the  termination  of the Existing
Credit Facility or the New Credit Facility, as applicable.

                                    ARTICLE 2

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

       2.1 Headings.  The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or  interpretation  of
this Agreement.

       2.2  Severability.  If any provision in this Agreement  shall be invalid,
illegal or  unenforceable,  the  validity,  legality and  enforceability  of the
remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

       2.3  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York,  without regard to principles
of conflicts of laws.

       IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  undersigned  has caused this  Agreement  to be
signed by its duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.

                                        PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES USA, INC.,

                                        By:
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Name:
                                              Title:



                                        3


<PAGE>





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