Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the takeover of the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project by a Russian operator.

Putin signed the decree on Friday creating a new entity to run the facility and giving the government greater control. He took similar steps earlier this year with the Sakhalin-2 project, also in the country's far east.

Stakes in Sakhalin-1 held by a consortium including Exxon Mobil will come under Russian government control temporarily. The 20 percent held by a Russian state-owned oil company remains in place under the order.

Non-Russian shareholders must submit notices to the government within one month stating whether they agree to retain their proportional stakes.

Russian media reported that the move follows Exxon Mobil's announcement in March that it will withdraw from the project in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The US-based firm was the operator of Sakhalin-1.

Japan has a 30 percent stake in the project through Sakhalin Oil and Gas Development Company. That holding is half owned by the Japanese government, and the rest by businesses including Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. and trading firms Itochu and Marubeni.

In August, the Russian government created a new firm to take over Sakhalin-2's operation, after British oil giant Shell announced its withdrawal.

Two Japanese trading firms, Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsui & Co., have retained their Sakhalin-2 stakes in the project under the new Russian company.