Interviews

Q&A: Adnan al-Jaberi, deputy chairman of the Parliament Oil and Gas Committee

The Basra MP talks about the prospects for and obstacles to energy sector development in southern Iraq, Kirkuk, and Kurdistan.

Adnan al-Jaberi, an independent MP from Basra and member of the Parliament Oil and Gas Committee, in April 2025. (JASSIM AL-JABIRI/Iraq Oil Report)

Apr 17, 2018

Q&A: Farid Asasard, PUK leadership council member

Less than a month before national elections, a member of the PUK's leadership council talks about Kurdish party in-fighting, the struggle for a united stand in Baghdad and the impact on Kurdistan's oil sector.

Apr 8, 2018

Q&A: Ihsan Ismaael, Basra Oil Company director general

Basra's top oil man discusses developing Majnoon after Shell, plus myriad projects to repair and upgrade offshore export capacity.

Mar 14, 2018

Q&A: SOMO Director General Alaa al-Yassiri

Iraq's oil exports chief discusses Baghdad-Ankara-KRG oil negotiations, a new oil trading joint venture, and the possibility of a third grade of Basra crude.

Mar 7, 2018

Q&A: Ibrahim Bahralolom, MP and former oil minister

Following the passage of seminal legislation to resurrect the Iraq National Oil Company, one of the principal authors discusses how it will reshape the country's oil sector.

Dec 11, 2017

Q&A: Bassim Mohammed Khudair, director general of the Iraq Drilling Company

Iraq's state drilling company builds its credentials as it competes with international service companies for international oil company contracts in Iraq.

Dec 6, 2017

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

Iraq's largest refinery, and the industry in south Iraq generally, is making steady progress for necessary growth.

Nov 30, 2017

Q&A: Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luiebi

Iraq announces record exports and oil sector development plans as it agrees to an extension of OPEC production quotas through 2018.

Oct 13, 2017

Q&A: Mohammed Zain Abedin, Hashid commander in Kirkuk

The top Hashid commander in Kirkuk discusses rising military tensions after Kurdistan's independence referendum.

Oct 13, 2017

Q&A: Wasta Rasool, Peshmerga commander in Kirkuk

The Peshmerga commander responsible for the KRG's fourth sector, including south of Kirkuk, talks about recent military escalations.

Oct 13, 2017

Q&A: Kirkuk Gov. Najmaldin Karim

As political and military tensions mount around Kirkuk, the governor discusses the future of the province and its oil.