By Sabrina Valle
HOUSTON (Reuters) -Exxon Mobil said on Wednesday big increases in oil and gas prices would lift third-quarter earnings by between $1.1 billion and $1.9 billion, compared with the second quarter.
Exxon's snapshot of operating profits, delivered in a securities filing after the market close, is another sign the energy industry's run of high profits has continued.
The largest U.S. oil producer posted $4.6 billion in upstream earnings for the second quarter ended June 30 and total profit in the second quarter was $7.9 billion.
Oil and gas production profits were boosted by a 30% increase in average crude oil prices during the period, according to JPMorgan. The Brent global benchmark ended the quarter near $97 per barrel, up from $72 per barrel at the end of June.
The quarter’s strong operating profits still fall shy of a year ago when Exxon reported third quarter net of $19.7 billion on high natural gas prices and record refining throughput.
Last year's third quarter oil and gas production delivered operating income of $12.4 billion and its oil-refining business earned $5.8 billion.
Exxon shares fell nearly 4% on Wednesday to $111.50 as oil prices tumbled on a global bond selloff and rising interest rates. The company’s shares hit a record high of $120 last week.
(Reporting by Tanay Dhumal in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
