Interviews

Q&A: Bassim Mohammed Khudair, Deputy Oil Minister for Upstream

Iraq's top upstream oil official confirms that production, curtailed by war, is ready to surge back online — but only once ships can reliably resume Basra Gulf export loadings.

Deputy Oil Minister Bassim Mohammed Khudair (center) and Basra Oil Company Director General Bassim Abdul Karim (right) tour part of the Ratawi project led by TotalEnergies in February 2026. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry)

Nov 6, 2020

Q&A: Marfaa Kadhim al-Assadi, deputy director of Basra Gas Company

Now that Shell personnel have returned, BGC is focused on resuming delayed projects to turn more flared gas into electricity and revenue for Iraq.

Oct 30, 2020

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

Iraq is expanding existing refineries, but greenfield projects in the south are not moving forward.

Sep 22, 2020

Q&A: Jabar Yawar, Secretary General of the Peshmerga

In the fight against a persistent insurgency, long-delayed efforts to improve coordination between Kurdish Peshmerga and federal security forces could be key.

Aug 21, 2020

Q&A: Farhan Mohsen al-Fartosi, head of Iraqi Ports

Iraq’s ports company chief talks about post-Beirut security, a tanker dispute with the Basra Oil Company, and managing the risk of coronavirus to his company.

Aug 6, 2020

Q&A: Hussein Abdul-Kadhim Hussein, director of the Rumaila Operating Organization

The Rumaila field produces one-third of Iraq's oil, but it has pulled back from record output due to budget constraints and OPEC obligations.

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.