MOSCOW, October 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's natural gas production declined 18.6%, year-on-year, in January-September to 403 billion cubic meters, the country's top statistics body Rosstat said on Thursday.
In September, gas output in Russia grew 6.1%, month-on-month, and declined 12.7%, year-on-year, Rosstat said.
Rosstat's data slightly differs from the figures earlier announced by the Energy Ministry, which reported that natural gas output had dropped 19.1%, year-on-year, in January-September to 405.271 billion cubic meters, with gas exports down 28.3% to 102.64 billion cubic meters.
The Energy Ministry forecasts natural gas output in Russia to hit 620-644 billion cubic meters in 2009, 596 billion cubic meters in 2010, 610 billion cubic meters in 2011 and 621 billion cubic meters in 2012.
At the same time, oil output in Russia (including gas condensate), expanded 0.6%, year-on-year, in January-September to 367 million metric tons (2.7 billion barrels), Rosstat said.
In September, crude production grew 2.1%, year-on-year, and declined 2.3%, month-on-month, Rosstat said.
Russia's oil output declined 0.7% in 2008 from a year earlier to 488 million metric tons (3.58 billion barrels). The Economic Development Ministry projects oil production to amount to about 488 million metric tons in 2009, 485 million metric tons (3.56 billion barrels) in 2010, 483 million metric tons (3.54 billion barrels) in 2011 and stabilize at this level in 2012.
Oil exports are expected to hit 245.5 million metric tons (1.79 billion barrels) in 2009, 243-246 million metric tons (1.78-1.8 billion barrels) in 2010, 241-247 million metric tons (1.76-1.81 billion barrels) in 2011 and 238-245 million metric tons (1.74-1.79 billion barrels) in 2012.
