Interviews

Q&A: Muntaser Kadhim Haloub, deputy director general of the South Refineries Company

Southern Iraq's refining sector is expanding, creating a better supply of high-quality fuels and rising demand for crude feedstock.

Muntaser Kadhim Haloub, deputy director general for technical affairs at the South Refineries Company, at his office in Basra in February 2026. (ALI AL-AQILY/Iraq Oil Report)

Apr 6, 2017

Q&A: Handren Mohammed, Kurdistan’s election chief

The head of Kurdistan's elections and referendum commission discusses its arm's length relationship with Baghdad, and the extent of its mandate in disputed Kirkuk.

Mar 13, 2017

Q&A: Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luiebi

Iraq's Oil Minister is bullish on the country's production targets setting another record this year.

Jan 26, 2017

Q&A: Lt. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari, senior Defense Ministry advisor

Gearing up for the security challenges that will come after the Mosul operation, Iraq's military remains optimistic that U.S. support will continue under Trump.

Dec 28, 2016

Q&A: Kirkuk Gov. Najmaldin Karim

Political "chaos" and financial struggles aren't stopping the Kirkuk governor from courting BP and bolstering defenses against the IS group.

Dec 13, 2016

Q&A: Baz Karim, president of KAR Group

The most strategically important energy firm in Kurdistan, KAR manages the majority of the region's production and refining capacity, and its export pipeline.

Dec 5, 2016

Q&A: Falah Alamri, director general of SOMO

Iraq's top oil salesman discusses the future of Basra Heavy, the choices necessary to implement the OPEC quota deal, and making more money on Kirkuk oil sales.

Dec 2, 2016

Q&A: Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luiebi

Undeterred by an impending OPEC production cut, Luiebi turns his attention toward modernizing the gas sector and building long-neglected infrastructure.

Nov 9, 2016

Q&A: NOC chief Farid al-Jadir

To raise output from its fields, the state-run North Oil Company needs to contend with a trifecta of security, financial, and political crises.

Nov 1, 2016

Q&A: Deputy Finance Minister Fadhil Nabee Othman

To get billions in international loans, Iraq needs to finesse a tricky financial challenge - cutting spending while also funding its military, government payroll, and oil investment.

Sep 15, 2016

Q&A: Senior Deputy Oil Minister Fayadh Nema

The second most senior Iraqi oil official talks about plans to keep up production during a financial squeeze, and the terms for delivering crude to a Kurdish refinery, Ceyhan and Iran.