Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Friday that about 15% of investments in the country’s oil and gas projects may be cut if oil prices remain at current levels, Russian news agencies report. The comments come as the country’s energy companies, including OAO Rosneft (ROSN.MZ) and the country’s second-largest gas company OAO Novatek (NVTK.MZ), have sought government help in plugging holes in their budget amid sliding oil prices. Russia may withdraw up to 500 billion rubles ($7.45 billion) from the reserve fund, tapping the coffers for the first time in six years. Write to Olga Razumovskaya at [email protected]