Interviews

Q&A: Bassim Mohammed Khudair, deputy oil minister for upstream

The deputy minister provides details on the new agreements to unlock northern exports, and an update on talks with ExxonMobil.

Deputy Oil Minister Bassim Mohammed Khudair distributes gifts to orphans from the Rawad al-Khair Orphanage at an Oil Ministry ceremony to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad on Sept. 9, 2025. (Photo credit: Oil Ministry media office)

Apr 14, 2022

Q&A: Ali Jassim Hammoud, Director General of the Missan Oil Company

The second largest state oil firm is targeting an increase in oil production to 1 million bpd through expansion of existing facilities and developing new fields in Missan province.

Apr 7, 2022

Q&A: Rafeeq Hashem al-Salihi, MP from Basra and member of the Fatah Alliance

A politician, tribal sheikh, and paramilitary leader, Salihi says Basra deserves a larger portion of federal oil revenue and increased support for its agriculture sector.

Apr 1, 2022

Q&A: Ihsan Ismaael, Oil Minister and President of INOC

Iraq's top oil leader discusses implementation of a mega-deal with TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil's exit, and the aftermath of a landmark court ruling on Kurdistan's oil sector.

Mar 24, 2022

Q&A: Basra Gas Company Deputy Director Marfaa Kadhim al-Asadi

The joint venture between state-owned South Gas Company, Shell, and Mitsubishi is expanding its processing capacity to capture up to 94 percent of the associated gas produced from the three largest oil producing fields in southern Iraq. The expansion is crucial if Iraq is to reduce the wasteful practice of gas flaring.

Mar 22, 2022

Q&A: Judge Jasem Mohammad Abbood, head of the Federal Supreme Court

Judge Abbood discusses the legal reach of the court following the ruling invalidating the KRG’s oil deals, the disputed legal status of the Iraqi National Oil Company, and legal challenges to changing the dinar exchange rate.

Mar 1, 2022

Q&A: Ali Shaddad al-Faris, MP from Basra

One of the plaintiffs in the landmark Federal Supreme Court case against Kurdistan's independent oil sector discusses fallout from the ruling as well as Parliament's role in energy sector oversight.

Feb 20, 2022

Q&A: Hossam Hussein Walli, director general of the South Refineries Company

An expansion of Iraq's largest refinery is re-starting after a two-year delay, but other projects are in limbo because high crude prices are squeezing margins for the state-run company.

Feb 9, 2022

Q&A: Hatim Abdul-Imam Khudair, director for West Qurna 2

A 200-well driling plan aims to double production at one of Basra's largest fields — including high-value light crude from a relatively untapped reservoir.

Dec 7, 2021

Q&A: Alaa Abdul-Hussein Salman, director of the Basra Investment Commission

Basra's investment chief discusses the opportunities and obstacles as the province pursues new projects.

Dec 1, 2021

Q&A: Jassim Abdul Aziz al-Falahi, Minister of Environment

Iraq's envoy to the COP26 climate summit discusses the effects of global warming and the country's position on international action.