Russia's government has once again revised its crude oil price forecast, on which the federal budget is based, news agency Interfax reported Monday.
"Currently we are taking $54 as a forecast for this year," the agency cited Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin as saying. "It is the most likely price [for this year] and $55 a barrel for next year."
Russia's ministry for economic development suggested recently that the 2010 budget draft should be based on a forecast of $55 a barrel for the Urals blend, Russia's chief crude export.
The revised 2009 budget has assumed oil at $41 a barrel this year.