• CERAWeek
  • March 18 - 22, 2024

Francis R. Fannon

United States Department of State

Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR)

Hon. Francis R. Fannon, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR), US Department of State, oversees US foreign policy in the critical intersection of energy and national security and promotes US interests to ensure energy resources are used to increase economic opportunity, stability, and prosperity around the world. Hon. Fannon advises the Secretary on strategies to promote universal access to affordable and reliable energy resources and to strengthen energy security through policies that advance diverse, transparent, and secure global markets for all energy types. Prior to this role, Hon. Fannon was the Managing Director of BHP’s Washington, DC Corporate Affairs office, where he developed a comprehensive US strategy for the world’s largest diversified resources company. Before BHP, he was a Senior Director at Murphy Oil Corporation in Washington, DC. Hon. Fannon previously served as Counsel to the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. In that capacity, he drafted, negotiated, and helped pass into law key provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. He also served as counsel to Senators Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Republican-Colorado) and Pete V. Domenici (Republican-New Mexico). Hon. Fannon holds a BA from Radford University, as well as an MA and a JD from the University of Denver.


Sessions With Francis R. Fannon

Monday, 11 March

  • 07:30pm - 09:00pm (CST) / -

    US Energy Abundance & Geopolitics

    Panel Gas Oil Geopolitics/Energy Policy/Economics

    Shale oil and gas are making the United States the world’s biggest producer of hydrocarbons. Is American energy abundance shattering the precepts of global energy geopolitics? Will OPEC continue to exist? Will US supplies affect relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia and their roles in energy markets? Can China, as the world’s biggest oil importer, influence geopolitical dynamics with its suppliers?

Tuesday, 12 March

  • 11:35am - 12:35pm (CST) / -

    Global Hot Spots & Policy Challenges

    Panel Geopolitics/Energy Policy/Economics

    Geopolitical turbulence surrounding recent events in countries such as Ukraine, Russia, Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Venezuela create conundrums for energy companies and investors. Oil and gas are entwined with all these hot spots. How has US energy abundance afforded policy makers and global energy markets more options amidst this instability? How do policy makers align objectives with energy policy tools, including sanctions? What are the implications for energy industry strategies and markets? How can policy initiatives encourage greater energy sector cooperation and investment in the Middle East and Asia?