Interviews

Q&A: Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq

Iraq is expanding its port capacity, including a fast-track project to import liquefied natural gas in time for this summer's peak electricity demand season.

Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, at the company's headquarters at Al-Maqal port in May 2025. (Photo credit: GCPI)

Jun 28, 2019

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

As Iraq pursues energy independence, the country's oil chief is streamlining the bureaucracy, crafting new investment incentives, and preparing to award mega-projects.

Jun 13, 2019

Q&A: Ihsan Ismaael, director general of Basra Oil Company

Iraq's largest state oil company is expanding production capacity and building new infrastructure as it waits out an OPEC quota.

Jun 4, 2019

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

To recover from a devastating war, Iraq’s second-largest city needs a massive mobilization of resources and coherent planning and organization – but it’s getting neither.

May 16, 2019

Q&A: Shwan Aziz Saleh, Director General of Al-Barham Group

The 50,000 bpd Kirkuk refinery is set to produce more quantities of higher-quality gasoline and naphtha, thereby reducing the fuel oil that is exported.

May 10, 2019

Q&A: Hossam Hussein Wali, director general of the South Refineries Company

Iraq's largest refinery is set to expand by over 30 percent this year.

May 8, 2019

Q&A: Nick White, acting deputy GM of Rumaila

Rumaila produces one-third of Iraq's oil, and it's poised to grow — if it can get enough water and related infrastructure approved and in place.

Apr 24, 2019

Q&A: Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency

After spearheading a major new survey of Iraq’s energy sector, the IEA’s executive director previews his key insights and policy recommendations.

Apr 16, 2019

Q&A: Bahaa Nima Abid, acting director of the Siba gas field

The first of federal Iraq's three gas fields awarded in a 2010 bidding round is now nearly ready for commercial production, helping the country become a sustainable producer of electricity.

Apr 10, 2019

Q&A: Ihsan Ismaael, Basra Oil Company director general

Basra's oil chief discusses efforts to protect Majnoon from flooding, plans for developing new capacity, and the field's place in Iraq's production strategy.

Apr 4, 2019

Q&A: Zardasht Shangali, commander of the YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units)

After deadly clashes with the Iraqi Army, the YBS leader discusses improved security coordination, a strategically important Syrian border crossing, and the future of Sinjar.