Russia’s state-controlled gas export monopoly Gazprom has boosted its exports for the first five months of 2011 by about 22 percent, Gazprom Chief Executive Officer Alexei Miller said on Thursday.
“We’ll definitely raise our exports by about 22 percent in 2011,” Miller said, adding that the company’s 2010 exports totaled 140 billion cubic meters of gas.
Gazprom has significantly increased its gas export forecast for 2011, and if the company’s foreign supplies grow by 22 percent, the overall volume may hit 170 bcm.
Gazprom already raised its 2011 forecast to 155 bcm in May from the former 151.5 bcm.
Miller earlier said a significant growth in exports was caused by the recent unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, and by the series of deadly earthquakes and tsunamis which hit Japan.
In May, Gazprom boosted its supplies to Europe by 30 percent and is still continuing to raise exports.