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)

Dec 10, 2012

Q&A: WesternZagros CEO Simon Hatfield

The head of one of the first companies to sign with the KRG discusses the path to commerciality.

Nov 21, 2012

Q&A: Peshmerga General Secretary Jabar Yawar Manda

As Kurdish and federal security forces square off in the disputed areas of Salahaddin province, the Peshmerga Ministry's general secretary paints a dire picture.

Nov 15, 2012

Q&A: US Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart Bowen

The veteran American investigator talks about the large-scale, institutionalized corruption that continues to plague Iraq, including the recent shakeup at the Central Bank.

Nov 14, 2012

Q&A: Garraf Oilfield Director Settar Mahdi Jabara

The Garraf field leader discusses the status of drilling and the well program to reach initial production.

Nov 6, 2012

Q&A: Crescent Petroleum CEO Majid Jafar

A key leader in the development of the Khor Mor gas field, Majid Jafar discusses the project that has fueled Kurdistan's economic boom and become Exhibit A in the argument for reforming Iraqi gas policy.

Nov 1, 2012

Q&A: Chief auditor and acting Central Bank head Abdulbasit Turki Saeed

In his first interview as interim head of the Central Bank, Iraq's lead auditor discusses the new KRG-Baghdad export agreement, as well as his priorities for the CBI.

Oct 22, 2012

Q&A: Iraq analyst Raad Alkadiri

A widely sought consultant and veteran Iraq observer, Raad Alkadiri shares his insight into the effect of the country's political crises on oil investment.

Oct 9, 2012

Q&A: IEA Chief Economist Fatih Birol

The principal author of the IEA's exhaustive new report on Iraq discusses why he believes the country will drive the growth of world energy supplies for decades.

Aug 16, 2012

Q&A: KAR Group President Baz Karim

KAR has restarted Khurmala Dome exports, is about to launch 3-D seismic, and is finishing new domestic oil and gas pipelines.

Jun 29, 2012

Q&A: Shell Iraq’s Hans Nijkamp

The head of Shell's projects in Iraq discusses the buildup of Majnoon, the reduction of flaring in Basra, and payments for West Qurna 1.