Energy giant Gazprom, which produced 151.07 billion cubic meters of gas in the reporting period, or 1.7% more on last year's figure, accounted for 84.8% of Russia's total gas output, the ministry said.
Gas exports grew 24.2%, year-on -year, in January-March 2008 to 60.63 billion cu m, the ministry said.
In the ministry's estimate, gas production in Russia is expected to grow 3%, year-on-year, in 2008 to 673 billion cu m, with exports projected at 204 billion cu m.
At the same time, oil and gas condensate output in Russia declined 0.1%, year-on-year, in January-March 2008 to 121.12 million metric tons, the ministry said.
In the ministry's estimate, crude production in Russia is expected to grow 1.8%, year-on-year in 2008 to 500 million metric tons (3.67 billion barrels).
