Scott Sheffield Will Release New Book in October
Former Pioneer Natural Resources CEO Scott Sheffield is set to release a memoir titled From Tehran to the Permian.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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Scott Sheffield will release his book, From Tehran to the Permian, on Oct. 6, 2026. The work recounts his career in the energy sector, including his time as CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources before its $68 billion sale to ExxonMobil.
Why it matters
The book serves as a historical document of the Permian Basin's development and honors the 3,000 employees who worked alongside Sheffield during his tenure. It provides professional insight into the industry as the region navigates future production plateaus.
The Permian Basin currently produces 14 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, with production expected to eventually plateau at 7 million barrels of oil per day. Operators utilize surfactants, proppants, and carbon dioxide to recover the resource.
The players
Scott Sheffield
He is the former CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources and a prominent figure in the Permian Basin oil industry.
Dan Yergin
He is an author who suggested that Sheffield document his career and company history.
Pioneer Natural Resources
It is an oil and gas company that was sold to ExxonMobil for $68 billion.
ExxonMobil
It is a major multinational oil and gas corporation that acquired Pioneer Natural Resources.
The details
Sheffield wrote the book following a suggestion from author Dan Yergin, covering his early experiences in Tehran, Iran, and his later leadership in the U.S. oil industry. The narrative explores both his personal journey and the operational history of the Permian Basin.
Timeline
1979-1980: 52 Americans were held hostage in Iran.
Oct. 6, 2026: The book goes on sale.
November 2026: Sheffield will hold book-signing events in Midland.
Market Landscape
The sale of Pioneer Natural Resources to ExxonMobil marked a consolidation milestone in the energy sector, which this memoir helps contextualize for readers. This move reflects the broader industry trend of major corporate integration within the Permian Basin's maturing oil fields.
Local residents in Midland can attend upcoming book-signing events in November 2026 to hear directly from the former energy executive. The book offers insights that may interest those following the long-term production trajectory of the Permian Basin.
The takeaway
Sheffield's account emphasizes the importance of documenting industrial history as a record of professional achievement. Readers interested in energy economics may find value in his perspective on the remaining potential of the Permian Basin.
Further reading
For more on the current state of regional energy production, visit our Oil and Gas section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Midland Reporter-Telegram.
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