Range Resources Corp.’s management team brushed aside questions about whether they’ve discussed the possibility of Pioneer Natural Resources Co. acquiring the company during a year-end earnings call. 

CEO Jeff Ventura told analysts that a statement Pioneer recently issued downplaying the reports was “good news” for Range. He added that Range is “in a great position where we don’t need to pursue any sort of” merger or acquisition. Management said little more about whether conversations with Pioneer, one of the nation’s largest independent oil producers, had actually taken place. 

Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources, first reported that Pioneer was considering acquiring the Appalachian pure-play and heavyweight. Pioneer released a statement shortly after the report...