MOSCOW, April 15 (RIA Novosti) - Gazprom Neft, the oil producing arm of energy giant Gazprom, said on Wednesday its US GAAP net profit increased 12% year-on-year in 2008 to $4.66 billion.

Revenues in the reporting period grew 52% to $33.08 billion, Gazprom Neft said.

"Year-on-year growth resulted from higher prices, increased domestic oil product sales, and management activities to improve operational efficiency. The tax burden and high transportation and energy costs restrained the company's financials," Gazprom Neft said in a statement.

However, Gazprom Neft posted a net loss of $543 million in the fourth quarter, the statement said.

"The decrease in financial results for the fourth quarter of 2008 reflected the impact of the significant sequential decrease in oil prices, lagged export duties and non-cash currency conversion loss. However, the financial performance during this period benefited from cost reduction programs," the statement said.