MOSCOW- Russia failed to raise oil output in February despite being granted permission by OPEC+ as industry sources said challenges in resuming output from mature fields were exacerbated by harsh winter weather.

Until 2017, Russia had never before cut production in tandem with OPEC producers. Last year it was forced to slash output by almost a fifth or 2 million barrels per day (bpd) amid a global demand collapse caused by the pandemic.

Resuming production quickly turned out to be more difficult than anticipated as old wells, mostly in Siberia, struggled to add new barrels. Winter cold was only partially to blame for the problems, four industry sources said.

"We couldn't add necessary production in February due to failure to restore part of the wells which were "gagged" as part of the OPEC+ deal," said a source at a company, which produces oil in Western Siberia.

There have been similar struggles in the United States, where production has fallen steeply over the past year due to cost cuts and adverse weather conditions.

In contrast, OPEC's Saudi Arabia can easily raise and cut production depending on market conditions thanks to its large spare capacity.

Last year, energy minister Alexander Novak, now deputy prime minister, said Moscow planned to emulate the experience of the United States and create more spare capacity by pre-drilling wells.

However, implementing that plan appeared to be more difficult than anticipated.

 

DECLINES AT ROSNEFT AND BASHNEFT

Russia's February oil and gas condensate output fell to 10.1 million bpd from 10.16 million bpd the previous month, according to Reuters calculations based on an Interfax report citing official data.

In tonnes, oil and gas condensate production stood at 38.56 million for February, down from 42.96 million in January, Interfax reported, citing energy ministry data.

Rosneft ROSN.MM , which accounts for around 40% of Russia's total oil production, reduced its February output by 1.3% from January, the data showed.

Rosneft subsidiary Bashneft, which reports production separately, cut its output by as much as almost 18%.

Rosneft and the energy ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Olesya Astakhova, Vladimir Soldatkin, Oksana Kobzeva, Alexander Ershov and Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Jason Neely) ((vladimir.soldatkin@reuters.com; +7 495 775 12 42;))