Russia oil giant may have to halt production

Russia’s largest oil producer, battered by a gigantic overdue back taxes bill, says it may have to halt its main production units within a few days because of a bailiffs’ order, the Interfax news agency reported in Moscow.

The report cited a letter sent by the management of the Yukos oil company to Justice Minister Yuri Chaika regarding a bailiffs’ order telling three Yukos production subsidiaries to cease all activities with company property.