Russian oil output up 2.2%, export down 0.5% in 10M06

MOSCOW, December 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's oil production increased 2.2% in the first 10 months of 2006, year-on-year, to 398.8 million metric tons (9.58 mln bbl/d), and exports fell 0.5%, to 207.7 million metric tons (4.99 mln bbl/d), the Federal Statistics Service said Friday.

Oil sales on the domestic market rose 5.4% in the reporting period, to 180.9 million tons (4.35 mln bbl/d).

Oil accounted for 35.2% of Russia's exports and 52.7% of the country's fuel and energy exports in the first 10 months of 2006 compared with 34.8% and 54.4%, respectively, in the same period of 2005.

The average export oil price was $392.3 per metric ton, down 8.6%, month-on-month, and the world price of Russia's Urals crude was $402.4 per metric ton, down 6.5%, month-on month.