All Change at the FTC In the U.S., new Federal Trade Commission chair Andrew Ferguson took office in January 2025, promising a more permissive approach to merger approvals that was broadly welcomed by oil & gas companies eager to do deals. Reduced Scrutiny of Energy Transactions: Upon entering the White House, President Trump indicated his intention to be a positive force for oil & gas transactions after the previous administration increased challenges to horizontal mergers of E&P companies. Chair Ferguson has indicated that he will be more deal friendly, with a focus on anti-competitive behavior and protecting American workers while emphasizing the need for structural remedies like divestitures rather than behavioral fixes.