The official told Russian news agency TASS that figures for the first five months alone showed a jump of about 10%. He also noted that the Asia-Pacific region is its highest priority looking ahead.
Deputy Energy Minister Anatoly Yanovsky had previously said Russia would meet last year’s production levels of 373 million mt. In 2014, it produced 358.2 million mt.
The government-approved Economic Development Ministry forecast had projected 2016 production of 375 million mt, an increase of just 0.8% year-on-year. That report also indicated a 1.3% rise in exports versus 2015 to 158 million mt.
