Exxon Mobil took a significant step toward closing its $60 billion mega-deal to acquire Pioneer Natural Resources after reaching an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday, May 1. Federal antitrust regulators will not block the largest oil and gas deal in two decades after Exxon agreed to exclude former Pioneer Chief Executive Officer Scott Sheffield from its board of directors, according to multiple reports. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Federal Trade Commission will allege as soon as this week that Sheffield engaged in collusive activity with OPEC representatives, which could have raised gas prices for Americans. “Pioneer is a clear…