WionDrive News Desk 
A coalition of Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives urged the Justice Department on Tuesday to investigate allegations of antitrust violations involving American oil producers and OPEC, asserting that the two largest U.S. oil companies have colluded to maintain high fuel prices.
In a letter addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland, nine House Democrats, led by Jerrold Nadler, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, referenced a complaint filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in May. The FTC complaint alleged that the former CEO of Pioneer Resources orchestrated a “brazen scheme… to coordinate pricing between U.S. oil companies and foreign producers.”
The lawmakers highlighted the substantial profits accrued by Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron, emphasising that these oil giants seemingly prioritised bolstering their own profits over offering consumers cheaper products. They asserted that major oil producers may be engaging in collusion with foreign cartels to artificially inflate prices, ultimately harming American consumers.
The letter implored the Department of Justice to thoroughly investigate and, if warranted, prosecute instances of anticompetitive behavior within the oil industry. While Exxon stated that the FTC’s allegations contradicted their business practices, Chevron refrained from immediate comment. Similarly, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) did not respond to requests for comment.
Signed by lawmakers including Henry Jackson and Pramila Jayapal, the letter echoed concerns raised by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and 22 other Democratic senators in a previous communication to Attorney General Garland. The FTC’s approval of Exxon Mobil’s acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources, albeit with restrictions on former Pioneer CEO Scott Sheffield’s involvement, underscored the severity of the allegations.
The FTC’s assertions against Sheffield implicated his coordination with U.S. shale oil producers to limit output and inflate energy prices. Sheffield’s purported collaboration with OPEC+ to align oil production in the Permian Basin with global production goals further intensified scrutiny. Sheffield’s legal representatives refuted these claims, insisting that no improper exchange of sensitive information occurred.
