Wouldn't work, Lower prices just mean the short makes the money on the futures.. Either the seller makes the money, or the buyer does....
It has worked before Clinton did it on a number of occasions.
Recently we have witnessed the underwriters of the futures in the oil business requiring more liquidity. Hence the price has fallen.
Supply and demand don’t apply to crude oil prices, except that very small changes in the supply create very large bubbles in pricing. Bubbles are by their very nature fragile. So a temporary release of 1 or 2 percent will cost big money to the one buying calls (long) and will as you say increase the profits for the puts (short). However if you do this with any regularity the bulls will be more reluctant to push up the price.
So the effect will be to reduce the spiraling price in short term “perceived” dips in production.
The entire oil business is the worst case of price fixing in history. I just read an article by one of the conservative talking heads. Guess what he said, build more refineries. LOL
We are currently running at 85% of capacity. Blame it on the government for not issuing permits. How about this why in 2006 when oil was $145 a barrel, we were paying less at the pump.
Some could make a case that the devalued dollar is responsible, and there is a point there. However, until we get our production above our consumption, a falling dollar is not only inevitable but also desirable.
It’s like the old saying no pain no gain.