The Federal Trade Commission has alleged that the founder and former CEO of a prominent American oil producer engaged in collusion with OPEC and its allies to artificially inflate oil prices. The FTC claims that the CEO, who retired in December 2023, exchanged numerous text messages and held discussions with OPEC officials regarding pricing, production, and market dynamics.
According to the complaint, the CEO used various communication channels, including WhatsApp, in-person meetings, and public statements, to coordinate oil production in the Permian Basin in Texas with that of OPEC and OPEC+. This alleged collusion aimed to benefit the oil companies involved while potentially harming US households and businesses.