Russian gas exports increase 120% in first quarter

Russia's natural gas exports in the first quarter of this year reached 52.1 billion cubic metres, a 120% increase year-on-year, the energy ministry said Friday.

Russia exported 15.15 billion cubic metres of gas in March, a 110% growth over last March, Xinhua reported.

Hit by the economic crisis, Russia's gas exports dropped 13.5% to 15 billion cubic meters last year, with export income falling 41% to $39.4 billion.

Russia's oil exports declined 0.9% in the first quarter this year to 59.9 million tonnes, the ministry said.