MOSCOW, July 2 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's natural gas production declined 20.8%, year-on-year, in January-June 2008 to 274.275 billion cubic meters while exports declined 54.55% to 45.523 billion cubic meters, the Energy Ministry said on Thursday.

Gas production totaled 36.338 billion cubic meters in June, and 120.698 billion cubic meters in the second quarter, 20.1% below the planned figure. Exports in the second quarter were 29% lower than planned at 34.079 billion cubic meters.

Gas consumption in Russia declined by 11.004 billion cubic meters year-on-year to 237.085 billion cubic meters in January-June, the ministry said.

Russian oil exports fell 1.87% in January-June, year-on-year, to 122.150 million metric tons (895 million barrels) while crude supplies to Russian refineries declined 1.29% to 115.091 million metric tons (844 million barrels), the ministry said.

Russia produced 40.5 million metric tons (297 million barrels) of oil in June, and 122.5 million metric tons (898 million barrels) in the second quarter, the ministry said.