MOSCOW, December 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's oil output, including gas condensate, grew 2.2% in January-November 2005 year-on-year to 429 million metric tons, the Russian Economic Development and Trade Ministry said on its Web site Monday.
Oil output is expected to reach about 470 million metric tons in 2005, the ministry said.
Oil companies LUKoil, Surgutneftegaz, TNK-BP and Slavneft and natural gas monopoly Gazprom kept the oil output growth rates above the country's average in January-November 2005, the ministry said.
The amount of exploitation and exploration drilling also increased. In the first ten months of 2005, exploitation drilling expanded 7.2% year-on-year, while exploration drilling went up 7.5% to 544,000 meters.
The production of petroleum products also expanded considerably in 2005, the ministry said.
In January-November 2005, oil refining, including gas condensate, grew 6.4% compared to the same period last year, including growth in the production of gasoline by 5.6%, diesel fuel by 8.8% and heating oil by 5.9%. The intensity of oil refining during the reporting period increased to 71.6% from 71.5% a year ago.
