Exxon Improperly Fired Scientists Suspected of Sharing Info, Labor Division Finds

Citing present and former workers, the Journal reported in September 2020 that some workers assigned to the

Permian,

probably the most lively U.S. oil area, thought Exxon had been overly optimistic about an earlier projection it may enhance oil and gasoline manufacturing within the New Mexico and West Texas area to 1 million barrels of oil equal per day as early as 2024. The folks informed the Journal that Exxon had overestimated how shortly it may drill wells there, which they stated led the corporate to overvalue the asset by billions of {dollars}.

Exxon denied the allegations on the time and has repeatedly stated it has met and exceeded its drilling targets.

“The velocity the staff claimed was inconceivable, was not solely attainable, however we achieved that velocity three years forward of the plan they questioned,” Exxon spokesman

Casey Norton

stated Friday.

Exxon later fired two scientists. The Labor Division decided the firings had been prompted by Exxon’s suspicions the pair had introduced info to the Journal. It stated Exxon claimed it had fired one of many scientists for mishandling proprietary info and one other for “a adverse perspective,” job looking and shedding administration’s confidence.

“

Exxon Mobil’s

actions are unacceptable,”

Doug Parker,

Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Security and Well being, stated in a press release. “OSHA will aggressively shield the rights of workers who increase issues associated to monetary improprieties or potential fraud in opposition to shareholders.”

Mr. Norton stated the corporate rejected the claims made by the 2 scientists and can enchantment the Labor Division’s findings.

“The terminations in late 2020 had been unrelated to the ill-founded issues raised by the staff in 2019,” he stated.

The Labor Division stated it decided that communications with media associated to alleged firm violations are protected exercise beneath the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

In a subsequent article in early 2021, the Journal reported the Securities and Trade Fee launched an investigation following an worker’s whistleblower grievance alleging the corporate’s overvaluation of the Permian had misled traders. The company earlier this 12 months closed the investigation and stated it could not advocate an enforcement motion in opposition to Exxon.

A federal choose in Texas dismissed a lawsuit final week introduced by Exxon shareholders alleging the corporate misled traders concerning the worth of its Permian property. The choose decided the plaintiffs had not proven sufficient proof that Exxon executives intentionally defrauded traders. The choose stated they will refile the grievance with further proof.

Exxon says it’s assembly its drilling targets within the Permian. It lowered the variety of drilling rigs it operates there following the onset of the pandemic and a historic drop in oil costs. Because of working fewer rigs, Exxon says it now goals to extend manufacturing within the Permian to over 800,000 barrels of oil equal per day by 2027, up from greater than 550,000 barrels per day this 12 months, in response to a March presentation.

Write to Collin Eaton at collin.eaton@wsj.com