MOSCOW, May 4 (RIA Novosti) - The average price of Russia's benchmark Urals blend crude was $44.79 in January-April 2009 against $96.50 in the same period last year, the deputy head of the Finance Ministry's customs department said on Monday.
"The price for Russian oil was $48.81 per barrel in April this year against $105.2 per barrel last April," Alexander Sakovich said.
The official voiced the opinion that the oil export duty would be lower in June than in May. He said last month Russian export oil duty would grow to $137.7 per ton from the current $110 from May 1.
The amended budget for 2009 fixes the average oil price at $41 per barrel.
