Merger misery | ExxonMobil to shed nearly 400 roles following Pioneer acquisition

ExxonMobil has confirmed nearly 400 job cuts in Texas as part of its recent acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources, a major shale producer.

According to a filing with the Texas Workforce Commission, the layoffs will affect 376 employees in Irving and an additional 18 in Midland.

The move comes as Exxon integrates operations following the $60 billion merger, which positions it as a dominant player in US shale oil production. Despite the layoffs, Exxon emphasized its commitment to retaining Pioneer's talent. A majority of the approximately 1,900 Pioneer employees offered positions with Exxon as part of the merger have accepted their roles, according to the filing.

“Our employment strategy remains unchanged—the success of this merger hinges on retaining the talented workforce of Pioneer Natural Resources,” the company said in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letter. The WARN Act requires employers to provide advance notice of significant layoffs in certain circumstances.