Russian oil and gas production posted

Oil production in Russia, including gas condensate, amounted to 346 million tons in the first eleven months of 2002 gaining 8.8 percent against the corresponding period of 2001, the Russian State Statistics Committee reported. In November 2002, oil production advanced 9.3 percent as compared to November 2001 and 0.4 percent as compared to October 2002.

Natural gas production went up by 2.5 percent over January-November 2002 to 538 billion cubic meters. In November 2002, gas production increased by 2.8 percent against October 2001 and by 4.8 percent against October 2002.