Russian Oil Companies Fail to Increase Production for 8th Month Straight

Having risen to a new post-Soviet high of 9.42 million barrels per day last September, oil production has since fallen due to seasonal factors, the Yukos crisis, and higher taxes. In April, output fell to 9.30 million barrels per day from 9.33 million in March. Analysts, interview by the Reuters agency, have said the slowdown in output is further confirmation that the Kremlin