Russia's first-half oil output up despite June slip

Top oil producer Russia is on course for its highest output in the post-Soviet era this year helped by new fields after a 1.1 percent rise in the first half of 2012, Energy Ministry data showed.

Russia is aiming to increase its overall 2012 crude production by around 1 percent after adding 1.2 percent last year to reach a post-Soviet era high of 10.27 million barrels per day (bpd), or 511 million tonnes.

Crude output in the first half of 2012 increased by 1.1 percent to 10.33 million bpd on average.