Russia's 10M06 natural gas output up 2.5% y-o-y to 538 bln cu m

MOSCOW, November 21 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's production of natural gas increased 2.5% year-on-year in January-October 2006 to 538 billion cubic meters, the country's Industry and Energy Ministry said Tuesday.

State-controlled energy giant Gazprom produced 451.4 bln cu m in the first ten months of the year, up 0.1% year-on-year. The company's share in total national output declined from last year's 85.9% to 84%.

The ministry said in a news release that production by oil companies and other gas producers is growing at higher rates.

Domestic gas consumption rose 2.9% in first ten months to 313.8 bln cu m.

Gas exports to non-CIS countries in January-October 2006 stood at 130 bln cu m, while exports to CIS countries totaled 34.6 bln cu m.