Russia's natural gas recovery reverses 22 to give way to the largest gas-producing country

Russia's natural gas production in 2009 was only 582.3 billion cubic meters, down 12.4% from 2008, according to figures released by the Russian Department of Energy January 15.　　Russia has had to hand over the status of the world's largest gas-mining nation, which it seized from the US seven years ago, as it rose 3.7% to 624 billion cubic meters of gas in 2009. "This is the first time in history that the Russian gas industry has fallen sharply," said Gazprom. "In 2002, Russia used 539 billion cubic meters of gas to extract more than 536 billion cubic meters of the United States, and has since remained the world's top position."　　Mikhail Kolchemkin, manager of the Eastern European Gas Analysis Center, said that the impact of the global financial crisis had led to a 22-year retreat in Russian gas production, and that Russian gas production would have been reduced even to the level of the 70 's, if not for the purchase of natural gas assets in Turkmenistan. For the prospect of 2010 Russian gas exploration, Gazprom spokesman Kupriyanov said the company will focus on global demand and "operate according to market conditions". In general, the 2010 gas exploitation situation "should be relatively advantageous to Russia". (GAO)