Crude Output Up 8.5% In July

The country's crude production increased 8.5 per cent at 2.847 million tonnes in July this year, as against 2.623 million tonnes produced in the corresponding month last year.

Crude production grew 7.5 per cent at 11.011 million tonnes during April-July this year, as against 10.241 million tonnes during the same period last year, according to the data released by the petroleum ministry today.

Natural gas production stood at 2,660 million cubic metres in July, 6 per cent higher than 2,515 million cubic metres produced in July 2001.

The cumulative production of natural gas in the first four months of the financial year stood at 3.4 per cent higher at 10,100 million cubic metres, compared to 9,762 million cubic metres in April-July 2001.Refinery production was up 5.6 per cent at 9,408,000 tonnes last month from 8,908,000 tonnes in July 2001.

The crude throughput from 18 refineries, however, fell short of the planned production of 9,851,000 tonnes during July.

Refinery production in April-July was up 6.1 per cent at 37,088,000 tonnes, compared to 34,950,000 tonnes during the year-ago period.