Wright taps fossil fuel officials for DOE gigs

By Benjamin Storrow | 02/05/2025 06:29 AM EST

The newly confirmed Energy secretary is assembling a team that includes a consultant to oil and gas companies and a former adviser with the Texas Oil and Gas Association.

Chris Wright speaks during a hearing.

Chris Wright testifies during his confirmation hearing for Energy secretary before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Capitol Hill on Jan. 15. Francis Chung/POLITICO

Energy Secretary Chris Wright is filling out his team with veterans of the first Trump administration and several new hires from the oil and gas industry.

Wright was confirmed by the Senate on Monday night. He previously was CEO of Liberty Energy, a Colorado-based oil field services firm.

His new team includes Andrew Rapp, who is joining DOE from Petrie Partners, a boutique consulting firm that advises oil and gas companies on financial matters like mergers and acquisitions. Petrie has been involved in several notable deals in recent years. The firm was an adviser to Pioneer Natural Resources, a shale driller, in its $59 billion sale to Exxon Mobil in 2023.

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Neither DOE nor Petrie responded to a request for comment, and Rapp’s specific position is unclear. But in a LinkedIn post, Petrie celebrated Rapp’s appointment, saying he “will work closely with DOE Secretary Chris Wright and focus on advancing America’s energy interests globally.”

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