WASHINGTON, D.C., July 15, 2025 — The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has denied a petition by Scott Sheffield, founder and former CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources, to reopen and set aside the final consent order issued in connection with Exxon Mobil Corporation’s acquisition of Pioneer.
The FTC concluded that Sheffield lacks legal standing to challenge the consent order under its Rule 2.51, which only permits parties directly bound by an order to request its reopening. Because Sheffield is not a respondent in the order, his petition was summarily rejected.
The final consent order, issued in January 2025, bars Exxon from appointing Sheffield to its board of directors or engaging him in any advisory role. The order also prevents Exxon, for a five-year period, from appointing any Pioneer employee or director—except for a select few named individuals—to its board.
The FTC’s original complaint alleged that allowing Sheffield onto Exxon’s board would increase the risk of anticompetitive coordination in the crude oil market. The complaint cited his past communications with officials from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) regarding oil and gas output, which regulators viewed as potentially contributing to an unlawful interlocking directorate and harming competition.
While the FTC did not charge Sheffield with any antitrust violations under Section 7 of the Clayton Act or Section 5 of the FTC Act, those provisions—if violated—can lead to serious penalties. For example, violations of the Clayton Act can trigger civil penalties of up to $50,120 per day for each day of non-compliance (as adjusted for inflation in 2025).
Though Sheffield is excluded from using the Rule 2.51 petition process, the FTC stated it may consider his arguments under Rule 3.72, which governs third-party requests for order modifications at the agency’s discretion.
The Commission’s vote to deny the petition was unanimous, 3-0.
The FTC reiterated its mission to promote competition and protect consumers from harmful business practices. It encourages the public to stay informed about their rights and report suspicious or anticompetitive behavior.
