Scott Sheffield, founder and longtime CEO of a leading American oil producer, attempted to collude with OPEC and its allies to inflate prices. Historically, Sheffield tried to "align oil production" in the Permian Basin in Texas with that of OPEC and OPEC+, according to WhatsApp conversations, in-person meetings, and public statements. The Federal Trade Commission stated that Sheffield exchanged hundreds of text messages discussing pricing, production, and oil market dynamics with officials at OPEC. Sheffield's plans included production cuts that would have increased crude oil prices above market levels, making American oil less competitive and OPEC's oil more attractive.