ExxonMobil and Pioneer Natural Resources logos are seen in this illustration taken, October 6, 2023. After brief informal conversations earlier this year, Exxon approached Pioneer about a deal last month, the sources said. Exxon's shares were hovering near record highs, and it had a cash pile of about $30 billion. Woods had already capitalized on elevated energy prices to streamline Exxon's operations and focus on highly profitable oil and gas production. This allowed Exxon to enter the deal negotiations with its stock coveted by investors as a valuable currency.

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Persons: Dado Ruvic, Darren Woods, Scott Sheffield, Woods, Darren, Sheffield, Scott, Sabrina Valle, David French, Anirban Sen, Sonali Paul Organizations: ExxonMobil, Pioneer, REUTERS, HOUSTON, Exxon Mobil Corp's, Natural Resources, Exxon, Sheffield, Thomson Locations: Guyana, Sheffield, Houston, New York