Oil output in Russia rises 3.2% in 5M07 to 1.5 bln bbl -ministry

Crude production in Russia expanded by an annualized 3.2% year-on-year in January-May 2007 to 202.65 million metric tons (1.5 billion barrels), the industry and energy ministry said Thursday according to RIA Novosti. National natural gas output edged up 0.1% in the reporting period to 284.35 billion cubic meters. Russia's LUKoil, Rosneft, TNK-BP, Surgutneftegaz and Gazprom Neft were the leaders in oil and gas condensate production in January-May 2007, the ministry said. Energy giant Gazprom's gas output increased 0.5% year-on-year in January-May 2007 to 240.23 billion cubic meters or 84.5% of Russia's total gas production, compared with 84.2% in the same period last year, the ministry said.

Russia's oil output grew 2.1% year-on-year in 2006, to 480.02 million metric tons (3.5 bln bbl).