Russian natural gas exports fall 20.2% in Jan-April - ministry

Russian natural gas exports dropped 20.2% year-on-year to 60.4 billion cubic meters in the first four months of 2007, the Economic Development and Trade Ministry said in a report on the Russian economy that was distributed on Monday, Interfax reports. The share of exports in total gas production fell to 26.1% in the first four months of 2007 from 33% in the same period last year. Gas output rose 0.7% year-on-year to 231 bcm in the first four months of 2007.

The growth in gas output was largely due to 1.1% growth in gas production by Gazprom (RTS: GAZP) enterprises, which grew to 195.4 bcm, the report says. The share of Gazprom enterprises in total gas output increased slightly to 84.6%.