Tom Easterly is a USAID advisor working in the Iraqi oil sector to help build capacity for new engineers and boost Iraqi oil production. He draws on his experience working in explosive plants and oil fields to understand the stage of technology in Iraq. Easterly has also taken initiative in Northern Iraq where he saw a need for project coordination and advising, and companies there responded positively to his technical advice and training. The most important skill for advising the energy ministries, according to Easterly, is listening to understand their needs.

1. www.tatweer-iraq.com
Energy Group Progress Report 3
January 15 – February 15, 2009
TEAM HIGHLIGHT:
THOMAS P. EASTERLY
Tom Easterly used to drive over the Mississippi
River towards Baton Rouge and see the Exxon
refinery in the distance and wonder what all those
funny pipes and tanks did. The curiosity got the
better of him. He went to LSU and Ol’ Miss and
pursued chemical engineering and spent years
working in and around Texan oil fields. Now he’s in
Iraq with USAID/Tatweer Energy pursuing even
greater curiosities.
“I enjoy working in the field,” Easterly said. “I enjoy
working where boundary conditions are loosely defined and we’re left with our own means to improve
it.”
Working in an explosive plant during the Eighties was an experience he equated to working in Iraq
today. The facility was build from cobbling new and used equipment from other facilities. It was also
one of the first computerized control installations he’d seen installed.
“That’s about the stage of technology the Iraqis have been exposed to,” Easterly said. “It puts it in a
frame of reference for me.”
As a USAID advisor working in the Iraqi oil sector it’s important to have a sense of urgency since
many companies have come and gone, he said. “A lot of Director Generals are looking to retire in one
or two years. They’re holding on, hoping we’re going to help.”
Specifically in building a “critical mass” of capacity for new engineers to handle the vast project
management tasks that will be required to boost Iraqi oil production to its potential. The Energy sector
here struggles with connecting to external companies for a host of reasons from antiquated payment
systems to lack of knowledge of the boutique players, he said.
But Easterly has taken his initiative to Northern Iraq where he saw a need for coordination of multiple
projects and a stronger TE advising presence. “I was giving a brief outline on what we could do and
everything I mentioned they kept raising their hands as a topic they need help with.” With successful
trainings, technical advice and follow-through, word has spread amongst all the Northern Energy
Companies.
“If the groundwork has been laid, I’ll pick up the phone and call an Iraqi oil company to offer our help,”
Easterly said. “It’s one of the biggest things I’ve learned here and I was always afraid of it before.”
The most important skill to advising the Energy Ministries is listening, he said. “You’ve got two ears
and one mouth. Use them in that proportion. I believe that’s one reason why USAID/Tatweer has
been so successful.”