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)

Dec 13, 2018

Q&A: Abdul Mahdy al-Ameedi, head of oil contracts

The Oil Ministry's contract chief talks about terminating the Mansuriya deal, the process ahead for approving bidding round five projects, and the future of Majnoon.

Dec 11, 2018

Q&A: Hayan Abdulghani, Director General of the South Gas Company

Southern Iraq's top gas official discusses initiatives to end flaring, increase electricity to Basrawi citizens, and wean Iraq from Iranian gas imports.

Oct 10, 2018

Q&A Ihsan Ismaael, Basra Oil Company director general

Ismaael talks about IOC and BOC oil production growth, projects to reduce gas flaring, and the status of crucial infrastructure development.

Sep 17, 2018

Q&A: SOMO Director General Alaa al-Yassiri

Iraq's oil marketing chief discusses rising export capacity, OPEC dynamics, oil trading joint ventures, and the status of a nascent hedging program.

Aug 16, 2018

Q&A: Sami al-Araji, chairman of the National Investment Commission

The country's top investment official discusses his efforts to follow up the Kuwait reconstruction conference and continue generating interest in Iraq.

Aug 2, 2018

Q&A: Brig. Gen. Ali Hussein Hilal al-Mayahi, director of South Oil Police

As protests re-gain momentum at key oil sites in Basra, Mayahi details the network of government forces providing security and the challenges they face.

Jun 12, 2018

Q&A: Abdul Mahdy al-Ameedi, head of Iraq’s oil contracts

Despite operating under a caretaker Cabinet, the Oil Ministry's contracting chief is trying to sustain momentum on the 5th bidding round and other major projects.

May 22, 2018

Q&A: Gary Vogler

The longest-serving American in Iraq's oil sector gives an insider's account of tactical victories, strategic blunders, and hidden agendas in post-2003 reconstruction.

May 10, 2018

Q&A: Kamaran Barwari, New Generation party leader in Dohuk

One of Kurdistan's new political parties is challenging the ruling KDP in its traditional stronghold of Dohuk.

May 10, 2018

Q&A: Rafat Abdullah, PUK politburo member from Kirkuk

A leading member of the PUK in Kirkuk discusses his expectations for Kurdish electoral turnout in disputed territories and post-election dynamics in Baghdad.