BAKU, September 5 (RIA Novosti, Gerai Dadashev) - The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan said Tuesday it produced 5.92 million tons (43.51 million bbl) of oil in January-August 2006, or 0.2% less, year-on-year.

The company's press service said 4.44 billion cubic meters of natural gas was produced in the country since the beginning of the year, or 23.5% more than in the same period last year.

In 2005, it produced 8.97 million tons (65.93 million bbl) of oil, and 5.82 billion cubic meters of gas.