What did independent oil producers in Texas do when the government ordered them to limit production? Why did they choose to this course of action?

Independent oil producers refused to limit production. Instead, they used fake valves and smuggled oil produced beyond legal limits out of the state. They chose to continue drilling so they could produce enough oil to be able to compete with major producers.

The independent oil producers decided not to follow the government and sold their oil illegally.

Explanation:

This incident happened in the late 19th century when the oil trade was at its height in the US and was responsible for some of the greatest moguls of the job and the industry that was so lucrative at the time it was founded,

When the government made some attempts to clamp this down they were met with defiance from the very strong oil corporations that just fused to stall operations and started selling the oil to many markets across the world without the access of the government.