I can not prove that this didn't happen, but I do know enough that what is involved in annual SEC 10-K reporting, that it is near to impossible to hide $1B even if it was spread over the 5 largest in Big Oil. These reports go into that level of detail, often down to the $.
Is this reporter maybe thinking that this was done via API (American Petroleum Institute) or other Trade Group? Then the transaction is 100% valid and legal as a campaign donation/ lobby transaction.
More validity to this assumption? No single company is cited. Until then, this dim POS, can stick it up his ass.