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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)
Dec 4, 2015

Q&A: SOMO’s Falah Alamri

The head of Iraq's oil marketing authority touts the market's embrace of the new Basra Heavy crude blend, which will account for most of the country's upcoming export growth.

Dec 4, 2015

Q&A: Kirkuk Gov. Najmaldin Karim

Positioned between Baghdad and the KRG, Karim explains how he is negotiating to squeeze badly needed resources from both sides.

Aug 9, 2015

Q&A: PKK spokesperson Zagros Hiwa

The PKK does not intend to make further attacks on the pipeline carrying oil from Iraq to Turkey's Ceyhan port, though other Turkish infrastructure remains in the crosshairs.

Jun 4, 2015

Q&A: Oil Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi

On the sidelines of OPEC meetings, Abd al-Mahdi discusses Iraq's record exports, oil company payments, the relationship with Kurdistan, and new projects on the horizon.

Jun 3, 2015

Q&A: Anbari tribal leaders

The fall of Ramadi was long in the making, and is only the latest symptom of long-standing dysfunction in the Iraqi government's strategy for Anbar province.

May 11, 2015

Q&A: Deputy Oil Minister Dhia Jaffar

The new refining chief says Karbala is on track, Missan is behind schedule, Nassiriya is open for offers, Kirkuk is ready for financing, and Basra can dip into petrodollars to build a new one.

Apr 7, 2015

Q&A: Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim

Karim criticizes leaders in both Baghdad and Erbil for their handling of oil policy and territorial disputes, and outlines a vision of Iraqi federalism that empowers provinces.