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)

Mar 6, 2014

Q&A: TAQA Iraq President Leo Koot

The head of one of the most strategically valuable investors in Iraqi Kurdistan's oil sector talks production plans and pipeline tie-ins.

Mar 4, 2014

Q&A: U.S. International Energy Envoy Carlos Pascual

The U.S. government’s top energy diplomat discusses American efforts to help Iraq rise to the top of the global oil industry.

Feb 26, 2014

Q&A: Thamir Ghadhban

The prime minister's energy czar talks about production, flaring reduction, refining targets and the ongoing dispute between Baghdad and the KRG.

Feb 18, 2014

Q&A: The Calculator

IOR talks to Ali Hama Salih, Kurdistan’s popular MP, and a rising star in the opposition Gorran party.

Feb 13, 2014

Q&A: Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Hussain al-Shahristani

Iraq's top energy official discusses ExxonMobil, the KRG budget proposal, the status of fighting in Anbar and more.

Feb 11, 2014

Q&A: Former Iraqi National Security Advisor Mowaffak al-Rubaie

Top Maliki confidante gives his candid take on Iraq's political landscape, oil disputes and security crisis as national elections loom.

Dec 19, 2013

Q&A: Basra Governor Majid al-Nasrawi

With a dispute over Basra's 2014 budget allocation looming, the governor of Iraq's oil capital is threatening to launch protests and even shut in oil exports.

Oct 24, 2013

Q&A: Abdul Karim Luaibi

Iraq's Oil Minister discusses 2014 exports, the Kurdish quota, postponing the fifth bidding round and more.

Oct 3, 2013

Q&A: Kirkuk energy committee chairman Ali al-Salhi

The chairman of the Kirkuk Provincial Council's energy committee discusses the backstory and opposition to the BP deal, and a potential agreement with CNPC.

Jun 25, 2013

Q&A: Ali Khudhier, chairman of Basra Gas Company

The leader of Iraq's efforts to capture and process natural gas in Basra, Ali Khudhier discusses the interlocking projects required to eliminate flaring.