Russian crude oil output up

MOSCOW, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Oil and natural gas production in Russia rose during the first half of 2004, the Interfax news agency reported Monday.

From comparable 2003 levels, crude oil and natural gas condensate increased 10.3 percent, while natural gas production rose 3.3 percent, the State Statistics Committee said.

July 2004 output of crude was up 4 percent from the July 2003 figure.

Oil exports to outside the former Soviet Union in January-July increased 21.3 percent.

Meanwhile, the recent rise in the world price of crude oil has prompted Russia to raise its export duty from about $6 per barrel to approximately $10 per barrel.