Natural gas output at Russian producer OAO Novatek (NVTK.RS) could increase by 7%-11% in this year, Interfax quoted the company's chief executive as saying Friday.

CEO Leonid Mikhelson added that the company had originally planned to increase production by 6%-7%, Interfax reported.

Novatek, part-owned by France's Total SA (TOT), is Russia's second largest natural gas producer.