WASHINGTON, May 30 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and 22 other Democratic Senators on Thursday asked the Attorney General to investigate allegations of collusion and price fixing between the oil industry and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Earlier in May, the Federal Trade Commission gave the go-ahead $60 billion purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources, but barred former Pioneer CEO Scott Sheffield from Exxon's board on allegations he attempted to collude with OPEC to raise oil prices.
"These reports are alarming and lend credence to the fear that corporate avarice is keeping prices artificially high," the senators said in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and his antitrust chief Jonathan Kanter.
"We therefore urge the Department of Justice to investigate the oil industry, to hold accountable any liable actors, and to end any illegal activities," the lette
r said.
Sheffield coordinated efforts with U.S. shale oil producers to constrain their output and raise energy prices, the Federal Trade Commission said on May 2.