Pioneer Natural Resources is cutting back its dry-gas development plans in the Eagle Ford from 15% to just 10% of its budgeted activity. Gas drilling is only going forward at this level to secure leases for when gas prices improve.

The company reported earnings for the second quarter at the end of July and is right on target to meet expectations for the year in South Texas. Highlights from the quarter include:

• Drilled 34 wells and brought 37 to production
• Added three central gathering plants to reach a total of 11 in operation
• Lowered dry-gas activity from 15% to 10% of wells budgeted. Gas drilling is only being utilized to hold acreage by production
• Expanding the use of White Sand into gas well completions ($700,000 savings)

Pioneer produced approximately 23,000 boe/d in the first quarter, 24,000 boe/d in the second quarter and has provided guidance of 25,000-29,000 boe/d for 2012. Expect the company to realize its biggest production increases in the second half of the year.

Read more about the company's position at our Pioneer Eagle Ford page.