Russia’s Oil Output Falls 3.5% to 211 Million Tons, Gas Production Drops 3.2% Amid Lost Ukraine Transit and Rising China Exports

Russia's oil production in the first five months of 2025 totaled 211 million tons, marking a 3.5% decline compared to the same period last year, according to the Russian Energy Ministry. Meanwhile, natural gas output also decreased, with May 2025 production reported at 290 billion cubic meters (bcm), down 3% year on year. For the first half of 2025, gas output fell by 3.2% to 334.8 bcm. The decline in gas production is attributed to lost transit routes through Ukraine and limited access to European markets, which were not fully offset by increased exports to China and higher domestic demand. The Russian energy sector faces ongoing challenges without new infrastructure investments, potentially leading to further contraction in gas output.