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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 22, 2011

Q&A: Hussain al-Shahristani

The government's top energy official discusses ExxonMobil's options, fourth bidding round contract models, and federalism.

Dec 13, 2011

Q&A: The new head of Iraq’s energy security

The head of the Energy Police, a new directorate in charge of all energy infrastructure protection, describes his organization and its challenges on the eve of the U.S. withdrawal.

Nov 25, 2011

Q&A: Barham Salih

Shortly after signing watershed deals with ExxonMobil, the KRG's prime minister discusses the resource curse, the U.S. withdrawal, and the future of Kurdistan's oil sector.

Nov 15, 2011

Q&A: Ashti Hawrami

The Minister of Natural Resources for the Kurdistan region of Iraq talks about the ExxonMobil deal, prospects for the oil law, and refining policies.

Oct 28, 2011

Q&A: Anbar Governor Qasim Abid

The governor of Iraq's largest province talks about security amidst U.S. troop withdrawal and Syrian violence while multiplying energy sector investment.

Oct 26, 2011

Q&A: Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi

As the U.S. military prepares to withdraw, one of Iraq's vice presidents says the country's top security priorities include not only military restructuring but also investment and economic development.

Sep 23, 2011

Q&A: Shell’s Iraq VP Hans Nijkamp

The head of Shell's Iraq operations discusses the criticism of its multi-billion-dollar gas deal, the status of its oil field development, and its long-term strategy.

Sep 21, 2011

Q&A: Lukoil’s Vitaly Novozhilov

Lukoil's deputy director in Basra discusses associated gas, community engagement, and production schedules; says West Qurna 2 is on track for 2013 startup.