Russia's biggest oil field stops production

Oil and gas production has been stopped at Sakhalin-2 earlier than normal this year because of severe weather in the Far East.

The management of the project decided to suspend drilling after a storm damaged its offshore facility.

Sakhalin-2, one of the world’s largest oil and gas projects, usually continues working until the middle of December, when the sea freezes.

The plant pumps 80 000 barrels of oil per day and stopping production early will cost the company more than $US 100 million.