Shale tycoon Scott Sheffield claims Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods betrayed him during the $60 billion Pioneer Natural Resources acquisition. In his upcoming memoir, Sheffield alleges Woods promised to support him during Federal Trade Commission scrutiny but ultimately agreed to terms preventing Sheffield from joining Exxon's board. The FTC, then led by Lina Khan, alleged Sheffield colluded with OPEC on oil prices, which he called absurd.

Sheffield claims Exxon 'threw him under the bus' despite assurances, comparing the experience to a thriller about a betrayed lawyer. Though cleared of wrongdoing after Donald Trump's presidency, Sheffield endured 'excruciating' months of sleepless nights and industry ostracization. Woods declined to directly address the accusations, stating the merger was highly successful for the industry.

Sheffield built Pioneer from a small operation into a Permian Basin giant, forecasting output will peak at 7 million barrels daily in two years. He aims to be remembered for proving American energy independence was possible.