Confirming the concerned buzz permeating from Permian Basin producers, Pioneer Natural Resources chief executive Scott Sheffield forewarned attendees at Hart Energy’s DUG conference last week in Fort Worth that the rapidly rising flow of oil out of the basin is progressing toward a constriction unless midstream providers act quickly to expand takeaway capacity.

“One of the biggest issues we have in the Permian Basin is just getting the oil out,” Sheffield said. “It’s tight right now. We cannot afford to have a $25 discount (to West Texas Intermediate) like you’ve ...