Production of natural gas in Russia in January-October 2006 increased 2.6% year-on-year to 538.444 billion cubic meters, a source in the Industry and Energy Ministry told Interfax.

Gas production at gas and gas condensate fields amounted to about 502.28 bcm (up 2.6%), and at oil fields - 36.163 bcm of associated gas (up 3.2%).

According to the statistics, Gazprom companies in January-October 2006 produced 443.351 billion cubic meters of crude oil, or 88.3% of total production at gas fields.