May 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission

plans to privately recommend a potential criminal case against

former Pioneer Natural Resources CEO Scott Sheffield for

comments he made to Texas rivals suggesting they coordinate ways

to drill less oil, Semafor reported on Thursday, citing people

familiar with the matter.

Earlier in the day, the agency said Exxon Mobil's ( XOM )

$60 billion purchase of Pioneer could go ahead on the condition

Sheffield will not be allowed to join Exxon's board.

The FTC declined to comment on the Semafor report.