MOSCOW, August 6 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's natural gas exports to countries other than former Soviet republics declined 45%, year-on-year, in January-June 2009 to 48.8 billion cubic meters, the Federal Customs Service said on Thursday.

Exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a loose association of former Soviet republics excluding the Baltic States, fell 37.2% to 6.2 bcm, the Federal Customs Service said.

Overall, Russia exported 55 bcm of gas worth $15.97 billion in the first six months of the year, the Federal Customs Service said.

The national statistics service Rosstat earlier reported that Russia's gas output declined 20.8%, year-on-year, in the first six months of 2009 to 274 bcm.

Gas production had been expected to reach 620-644 bcm in 2009, with exports estimated at 190-196 bcm. In 2008, output grew 1.6%, year-on-year, to 663 bcm, with exports of 174.3 bcm bringing in $66.4 billion.

Russia's crude oil exports to non-CIS countries were unchanged from January-June 2008 at about 104.15 million metric tons (763 million barrels) worth $35.34 billion, or 52.4% less than last year, the Federal Customs Service said.

Crude oil exports to CIS countries fell 4.9%, year-on-year, in January-June 2009 to 8.03 million metric tons (59 million barrels) worth $2.29 billion, the Federal Customs Service said.

Overall, Russia exported 112.18 million metric tons (822 million barrels) worth $37.63 billion in January-June 2009, the Federal Customs Service said.