VIENNA -- Russian production of oil and gas condensate during the first half of 2002 rose by 8.3 percent to 214.32 million tons, compared to the same period in 2001.

The figures released by Interfax quoted sources in the State Statistics Committee as stating.

During the first half of this year, Russian oil production was supposedly curtailed under a December 2001 agreement with OPEC and other non-OPEC producers, including Norway, IRNA reported..

In the first half of 2002, Russian oil production, excluding gas condensate, stood at 207.33 million tons, up about 8.2 percent year-on-year, the report said. Out of the Russian producing companies, Lukoil retained its position as the number one Russian oil company, producing 43.05 million tons, up 1.4 percent year-on-year, followed by Yukos with 29.88 million tons.