Russian Oil Production Hits Post-Soviet High

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at the unveiling of the Russian section of a Russia-China oil pipeline in the far eastern region of Amur

Russia drilled more oil than ever last year since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than 20 years ago.

A Russian energy official said Russian oil production reached 511 million tons in 2011.

Sergei Kudriashov, a deputy energy minister, said Russia expected oil output to remain at those 2011 levels for the next three years.

He told the Russian public television station Russia 24 that energy officials were not expecting any significant rise in new oil deposits.
compiled from agency reports