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Frank A. Verrastro

Director and Senior Fellow, Energy and National Security Program

Associated Research Focus:

Energy

Associated Programs:

Energy and National Security

Expertise:

Geopolitics of energy, energy policy, energy resource planning and management, Middle East and Caspian energy, risk assessment

Contact:

(202) 775-3209
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Frank Verrastro is director and senior fellow in the CSIS Energy and National Security Program. He has extensive energy experience, having spent 30 years in energy policy and project management positions in the U.S. government and the private sector. His government service includes staff positions in the White House (Energy Policy and Planning Staff) and the Departments of Interior (Oil and Gas Office) and Energy (Domestic Policy and International Affairs Office), including serving as director of the Office of Producing Nations and deputy assistant secretary for international energy resources. In the private sector, he has served as director of refinery policy and crude oil planning for TOSCO (formerly the nation's largest independent refiner) and more recently as senior vice president for Pennzoil. Responsibilities at Pennzoil included government affairs activity, both domestic and international, corporate planning, risk assessment, and international negotiations. In addition, he served on the company’s Executive Management and Operating Committees as well as the Environmental, Safety and Health Leadership Council. As part of Pennzoil’s Caspian Team, he was instrumental in securing approval for the Baku-Supsa pipeline, the precursor to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project.

Mr. Verrastro holds a B.S. in biology/chemistry from Fairfield University, a master's degree from Harvard University, and he completed the executive program at the Yale School of Management. He has been an adjunct professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University and at the University of Maryland. He served as chair for the Geopolitics and Policy Task Groups as part of the recently completed (2007) National Petroleum Council study on global energy trends (“The Hard Truths” report) and as a Task Force Member for the Council on Foreign Relations report, “National Security Consequences of U.S. Oil Dependency.” He has authored a variety of papers on energy and security topics and currently serves on the Advisory Board for the National Renewable Fuels Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado.

CSIS Publications by Frank A. Verrastro
Commentary: On Energy Independence 07/23/2008
 Critical Questions: Global Oil Prices 06/10/2008
 Critical Questions: The Volatility in Global Oil Prices 12/07/2007
 Post - 2012 Framework on Climate Change in Global Forecast: the Top Security Challenges of 2008 11/14/2007
 Remarks to the American–Turkish Council Meeting 03/27/2006
 Energy Security in a Changing Global Marketplace 03/20/2006
 Energy Policy Considerations in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina 09/12/2005
 The Coming Oil Crunch 06/29/2005
 LNG the Growing Alternative Emergence of a US Market & the Role of Qatar as an International LNG Hub 03/16/2004
 LNG: the Growing Alternative Emergence of a US Market & the Role of Qatar as an International LNG Hub 03/16/2004

Frank A. Verrastro In the News
Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the Houston Chronicle, "Government Bailout, Expiring Contracts are Behind Commodity's Biggest One-Day Gain." 09/23/2008
 Testimony at a Senate Bipartisan Energy Summit by Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by Reuters, "Renewable, Efficient Energy Touted to U.S. Lawmakers." 09/12/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the Washington Post, "Oil Industry Waits to Assess Storm's Impact." 09/02/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by United Press International, "Gustav Reminds U.S. of Oil Vulnerabilities." 09/02/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the St. Petersburg Times, "For U.S., Russia, a Game of Chicken." 08/15/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the New York Times, "Conflict Narrows Oil Options for West." 08/13/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by BusinessWeek, "Betting on Oil's Return to Earth." 07/16/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by Dow Jones, "U.S. Oil Revenue Oversight Bill May Restrict Resource Access." 06/25/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by Agence France Press, "Saudi Oil Seems Unlikely to Ease Pain at Pump in U.S." 06/19/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the Houston Chronicle, "Drilling Action Likely to Hit a Clog in Congress." 06/19/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the Los Angeles Times, "Oil Crisis Fuels Blame Game." 06/19/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the Associated Press, "Oil Industry Giants To Discuss Lowering Prices." 06/19/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle, "While Congress Argues, Gas Costs Keep Climbing." 06/11/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle, "Supply-Demand Imbalance Boosts Oil Prices." 05/27/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, and Jon Alterman, director of the CSIS Middle East Program, were quoted by the New York Times, "Saudis Rebuff Bush, Politely, on Pumping More Oil." 05/17/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by McClatchy Newspapers, "Bush Seeking Saudi's Help on Oil Prices." 05/17/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the Financial Times, "Saudi Boost to Output Deepens OPEC Division." 05/17/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by Reuters, "Bush Gets Oil but No Credit for Jawboning Saudis." 05/16/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, appeared on CNN's The Situation Room, "Skyrocketing Gas Prices." 05/13/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, appeared on CNN's Newsroom, "Gas Tax Holiday?" 05/07/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by Reuters, "Senate Democrats Unveil New Energy Tax Plan." 05/07/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the Wall Street Journal, "Exxon's $10.89 Billion Net Disappoints Investors, Fuels Gathering Political Storm." 05/02/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the Associated Press, "Proposals to Slash Gas Prices Abound in White House Race." 05/01/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by Reuters, "U.S. Arms Sales to OPEC at Risk over Oil -- Senators." 04/24/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the Associated Press, "Military Feels Fuel-Cost Gouge in Iraq." 04/02/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by Bloomberg, “Oil Executives Defend Against Higher Taxes at Hearing." 04/01/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the San Fransisco Chronicle, “Chevron reportedly in talks to tap Iraq's oil." 03/25/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by United Press International, "Oil Prices Look Skyward." 03/18/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by Bloomberg, "Fuel Conservation the Only Road for U.S. Drivers." 03/14/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by Bloomberg, “Oil Raises to Record for Fifth Day in New York on Weak Dollar." 03/11/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by the Houston Chronicle, " 'It's Going to be a Tough Year' Analysts Predict" 03/11/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by Reuters, "Bush Urges OPEC to Weigh Pain of High Oil Prices." 03/04/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by Reuters, "U.S. Gov’t has no Plans to Stop Adding Emergency Oil." 02/26/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by United Press International, "Does Storing Oil Raise Prices?" 02/15/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by United Press International, "Nigeria’s Resource Curse." 02/14/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by cfr.org, "Why the Iraqis Can Not Agree on an Oil Law." 02/07/2008
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by United Press International, "Analysis: Energy Report, Fact or Fantasy." 12/03/2007
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, was quoted by United Press International, "U.S. Deal: 12.3 Million Barrels to Oil Reserve." 11/09/2007
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program, appeared on ABC's World News Tonight, "The Ripple Effect of High Energy Prices." 11/07/2007
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy Program, was quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle, "Chevron's Links to Burma Stir Critics to Demand it Pull Out." 10/04/2007
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy Program, was quoted by the Washington Post, "Oil Prices Briefly Move Past $80." 09/13/2007
 The CSIS event on "Facing the Hard Truths About Energy" was quoted by United Press International, "Analysis: Energy Security a Global Issue." 08/02/2007
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy Program, was quoted by Bloomberg, "Oil Falls from 9-Month High on Signs of Weaker Growth in Demand." 06/08/2007
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy Program, was quoted by The Washington Post, "Tipping Point Shock." 05/24/2007
 Frank Verrastro, director of the CSIS Energy Program, was quoted in The Washington Post, "Gas Prices Close to Historic Record." 05/22/2007
 Frank Verrastro, director of CSIS's Energy Program, was interviewed by NPR's Talk of the Nation, "Is U.S. Energy Independence a Pipe Dream?" 01/24/2007
 Frank Verrastro, director of CSIS's Energy Program, was quoted by McClatchy Newspapers, "20% Cut in Gas Usage Sought." 01/24/2007
 Frank Verrastro, director of CSIS's Energy Program, was quoted by U.S. News & World Report, "The Great Energy Game." 09/03/2006
 Frank Verrastro, director of CSIS's Energy Program, was quoted by The New York Times "The Pipes Carry Clout With the Oil." 05/14/2006
 Frank Verrastro, director of CSIS's Energy Program, was quoted by USA Today, "Energy Proves a Volatile Weapon." 05/03/2006
 CSIS Energy Program Director Frank Verrastro was quoted by Bloomberg, "Oil Is Steady After Jumping to a Record on Iran Supply Concern." 04/18/2006
 CSIS Energy Program Director Frank Verrastro was interviewed by the Financial Times, "Bush misfires in drive to end 'oil addiction.'" 02/01/2006
 CSIS Energy Program Director Frank Verrastro, was interviewed by National Public Radio, "Iran's Other Potential WMD: Crude Oil." 01/26/2006
 CSIS Energy Program Director Frank Verrastro was interviewed by the New York Times, "Oil Markets Are Jittery Over Iran." 01/20/2006
 CSIS Energy Program Director Frank Verrastro was interviewed by the Financial Times, "Concern grows in EU and US over disruption." 01/03/2006
 C-Span Discussion on Oil Supply & Prices 04/04/2004

Testimony by Frank A. Verrastro
A More Secure, Reliable, Sustainable, And Affordable Energy Future 09/12/2008
 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 02/26/2008
 Comments and Observations on the Topic of U.S. Energy Independence 03/07/2006
 Russian Energy Policy 06/21/2005
 Emerging Global Energy Trends and Their Implications for U.S. Energy Needs, Security and Policy Choices 02/03/2005
 

 

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