Clayton Seigle

Senior Fellow and James R. Schlesinger Chair in Energy and Geopolitics, Energy Security and Climate Change Program
Clayton Seigle

Clayton Seigle is a senior fellow in the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and holds the James R. Schlesinger Chair in Energy and Geopolitics. An experienced energy industry analyst with specialization in market intelligence and political risk, Clay provides policymakers and corporate leaders with thought leadership and strategic insights to navigate regional and global energy security challenges. Previously, Clay led the Global Oil Service at Rapidan Energy Group. Prior to Rapidan, he served in analytical and leadership roles at Vortexa, Genscape, Maxar, IHS, Enron, and the U.S. Department of Energy. Clay has been a commentator on CNBC, CNN, and Bloomberg Television and a contributor at Petroleum Economist, and has been interviewed in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Houston Chronicle, Reuters, and Sky News. He serves on the Board of Directors at the Houston Committee on Foreign Relations and is a past vice president of the U.S. Association for Energy Economics. Clay holds a master’s degree in international relations and economics from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin.

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What Just Happened in Venezuela? And What Comes Next?

What is the future of Venezuela? Is there a chance for a transition to democracy? Will the United States be able to work with a protégé of Maduro to help govern Venezuela? CSIS experts discuss the aftermath of the U.S. strike on Venezuela, addressing these questions and more.

Event — January 5, 2026

Why Did the United States Seize a Venezuelan Oil Shipment?

By itself, the U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil cargo won’t rattle oil markets. But it likely signals a new commitment to sanctions enforcement that will complicate “shadow fleet” operations and ratchet up the pressure on Maduro to step aside.

Critical Questions by Clayton Seigle — December 12, 2025

Energy Leverage in the Russia-Ukraine War

The CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program will host a dialogue with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to discuss the intersection of energy and foreign policy in the context of the war in Ukraine.

Event — November 19, 2025

Russian Roulette

The Impact of New Sanctions and Ukrainian Deep Strikes on the Russian Energy Industry with Clayton Seigle

Max and Maria spoke with Clayton Seigle about how new sanctions from the Trump administration could potentially impact Russian energy revenues. Additionally, they discussed the effects of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries.

This conversation was recorded on October 23, 2025.

Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann, Maria Snegovaya, and Clayton Seigle — October 27, 2025

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The Russia Oil Surcharge: Anticipating the Benefits and Challenges

The proposed surcharge will drive Russian revenues lower and free up considerable funding for Washington’s national and economic security priorities. Every dollar of oil revenue reduction shrinks Russia’s fiscal cushion and ratchets up the political pressure on Moscow.

Commentary by Clayton Seigle — August 26, 2025