2 Feb 2010 16:47

Russia grows oil reserves 620 mln tonnes, gas 580 bcm in 2009

MOSCOW. Feb 2 (Interfax) - Russia's geological oil reserves grew by 620 million tonnes and gas reserves by 580 billion cubic meters in 2009, the Russian Federal Subsurface Resources Agency (Rosnedra) said in materials.

This was more than the 494 million tonnes and 556 bcm that Russia extracted, it said.

Geologists discovered 74 new oil and gas fields with 7.2 billion tonnes oil equivalent, or 14% more than in 2008.

Properties with a total area of 440,000 square meters, including 165,000 square meters onshore, are ready for licensing.

Most geological work was conducted in East Siberia and Yakutia, as in 2008, however considerable volumes were carried out in the Urals and Volga federal districts and on the continental shelf.