Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (NYSE: PXD) appointed Phillip A. Gobe and Royce W. Mitchell to its board of directors, the company said July 8.

Previously, Gobe was COO of Energy Partners Ltd., the company said, noting that he became COO in 2004 and president in 2005 before retiring in 2007. Gobe also was a director at Energy Partners from 2005 to 2007, Pioneer said. Gobe also worked at Nuevo Energy Co., Vastar Resources Inc. and Atlantic Richfield Co. and its subsidiaries, Pioneer said.

Currently, he is a director and chairman of Scientific Drilling International Inc., the company said.

He holds a degree in history from the University of Texas and an MBA from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the company said.

Mitchell is an executive consultant for exploration and production companies, Pioneer said, noting that from April to December 2008, he was CFO for Frac Tech Services Ltd. Previously, he was executive vice president, chief accounting officer and CFO for Key Energy Services Inc. (NYSE: KEG), the company said.

Mitchell is a certified public accountant and has a BBA degree from Texas Tech University, the company said.

“We are pleased that Phillip and Royce have agreed to join our board of directors,” said Scott D. Sheffield, Pioneer’s chairman and CEO.

“They bring substantial knowledge of our industry with their extensive oil and gas experience. Their strengths complement the expertise currently represented on the board,” he said.

Dallas-based Pioneer Natural Resources Co. explores and develops domestic natural gas and oil.