'When will it end?’ The ‘elevator pitch’ oil executives and diplomats are making to the White House in Houston

At the world’s largest energy industry gathering, there’s one question on top of everyone’s minds.

Fire and plumes of smoke rise after a drone struck a fuel tank near Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates on March 16. | AP

The Trump administration is sending its top energy officials to Houston this week to meet with oil industry executives and foreign dignitaries — and they can expect to get an earful as its war in Iran has sent their industry into upheaval.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, National Energy Dominance Council Executive Director Jarrod Agen, FERC Chair Laura Swett and other administration officials will be in the midst of the largest gathering of energy industry officials in the world this week.

The annual CERAWeek confab comes nearly a month into the U.S.-Israel-Iran war and the all-but-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s main thoroughfares for Middle East oil, fuel shortages in Asia and the destruction of huge parts of the region’s natural gas fields and export plants.

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