MOSCOW, February 4, 2004. (RIA Novosti) - Russian Energy Minister Igor Yusufov forecasts that in 2004 the oil production in Russia will grow by 6 or 8 percent, and the oil exports - by 5 percent. Yusufov told reporters about it.
According to the minister, oil production in January amounted to 37,5 million tons, or 1.5 million tons more than in January last year. However, the oil exports this January equaled 14 million tons, or 0.8 percent less than last year.