Interviews

Q&A: Habib Abdul Amir, director of the Shuaiba refinery’s FCC project

A major upgrade for Basra's flagship refinery is coming online, promising to boost high-octane gasoline supplies.

Habib Abdul Amir, director of the Shuaiba refinery's FCC project, at his office at project headquarters in January 2026. (ALI AL-AQILY/Iraq Oil Report)

Jun 17, 2020

Q&A: Dr. Adham Rashad Ismail, WHO head of mission in Iraq

The World Health Organization is still guardedly optimistic Iraq can avoid a coronavirus catastrophe, despite Iraq's poor mask compliance and perhaps premature end to its lockdown.

May 18, 2020

Q&A: Southern Iraq oil products chief Arkan Abdul-Qaddir al-Hilfi

The company responsible for distributing much of Iraq's fuel is taking new precautions during the pandemic but operating without interruption.

May 13, 2020

Q&A: Bassim Mohammed Khudair, director general of the Iraqi Drilling Company

As the Oil Ministry seeks cost savings and production cuts in response to crashing oil prices, drilling programs are being cut – battering the business of Iraq's state-run drilling company.

May 11, 2020

Q&A: Basra Oil Company Deputy Director General Khalid Hamza Abbas

A top Basra oil leader reveals which fields are being cut under the new OPEC-plus deal and discusses how Iraq's financial squeeze is affecting BOC projects and planning.

Mar 11, 2020

Q&A: Dr. Adham Rashad Ismail, WHO head of mission in Iraq

The World Health Organization's representative in Iraq discusses how the country got ahead of the coronavirus and what needs still remain.

Feb 26, 2020

Q&A: Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Allawi

The person tapped to lead Iraq's next government digs into the energy sector details of the plan he submitted to Parliament, ahead of a vote on his Cabinet.

Nov 25, 2019

Q&A: Thamir Ghadhban, Deputy Prime Minister for Energy and Minister of Oil

In the midst of an unpredictable protest movement, Iraq's oil sector has avoided output disruptions and plans are on track for developing new production and export capacity.

Nov 8, 2019

Q&A: Mohammed Shukri, chairman of the KRG Board of Investment

Iraqi Kurdistan's chief investment official talks about streamlining the bureaucracy and bringing new focus on industry and agriculture.

Oct 10, 2019

Q&A: Zuhair Mouhsin al-Araji, mayor of Mosul

Iraq's second-largest city is rebuilding, neighborhood by neighborhood, despite an uncertain trickle of government funding and fluctuations in political leadership.

Oct 10, 2019

Q&A: Mansour Mareed Attia, governor of Ninewa province

Five months into his tenure, the new governor discusses the status of Mosul reconstruction, security, and energy sector investment.