Oman's oil production has increased by 5.3 percent in the first seven months of 2008 but the Gulf Arab state's gas output dropped marginally, official statistics showed on Saturday.

Oman produced an average of 745,400 barrels per day this year to July compared to 707,600 barrels per day in the same period last year, according to National Economy Ministry figures.

The non-Opec country's gas production slightly dropped to 623,166 million cubic feet in the first seven months of 2008, down 0.4 percent from the same period the previous year, the figures showed.

Oman sold its oil at an average price of $90.22 per barrel during the seven months of this year, up from $60.9 per barrel, 58 percent more than in 2007.

The government said last month it was importing gas from Dolphin Energy to meet the rising demand to fuel projects.-Reuters