Amid rising geopolitical tensions and ongoing instability across the Middle East, the importance of building a resilient and self-reliant oil and gas sector in Iraq, both in terms of assets and expertise, has never been more evident. Notably, this critical issue was already brought to the forefront at IPIW 2025, reflecting the workshop’s forward-looking strategic discussions.
On October 28, 2025, during a key panel session, Mr. Ali Faraj Zaidan, panelist and Head of the Energy Committee and Petroleum Engineering Department at the Iraqi Engineers Union, addressed the pressing topic of Iraqization in the oil sector.
He highlighted that despite over 15 years of international oil company operations in Iraq, many leadership and senior technical roles remain occupied by expatriates, limiting effective knowledge transfer and slowing the localization of Iraqi talent.
In a region marked by political and security volatility, any escalation can lead to the withdrawal of foreign experts—an outcome already witnessed following recent oilfield attacks—posing serious risks to operational continuity and project sustainability. This reinforces a key message emphasized during IPIW 2025:
“Iraqization is no longer optional—it is a national necessity.”
The path forward requires treating the current situation as a critical case study, supported by a strategic and committed approach focused on:
- Developing and upskilling Iraqi engineers to replace foreign expertise in the future, especially if similar situations arise again.
- Empowering national talent into leadership roles comparable to expatriate positions.
- Ensuring structured and measurable knowledge transfer from international operators to local professionals.
IPIW 2025 not only addressed current challenges but also anticipated future risks, underscoring the urgency of strengthening Iraq’s human capital. Recent regional developments and the evacuation of expatriates from fields such as Rumaila and others further validate these insights.
Iraq possesses the talent and potential; the priority now is translating that potential into empowered leadership and sustainable national capability.
More in the following short interview with Mr. Ali Faraj.
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