ABJ - October 27 - “Exxon Mobil’s results for the third quarter of 2011 reflect a continued commitment to operational integrity, disciplined investing and superior project execution,” Rex Tillerson, Chairman of Exxon Mobil, said in a statement.

Third quarter earnings of $10.3 billion were up 41 per cent from the third quarter of 2010, reflecting higher crude oil and natural gas realizations and improved refining margins. Earnings for the first nine months of 2011 were $31.7 billion, up 49 per cent over the first nine months of 2010.

In the third quarter, capital and exploration expenditures were $8.6 billion, and reached a record level of $26.7 billion for the first nine months of the year as the company continued pursuing new opportunities to meet growing energy demand while supporting economic growth, including job creation.

Oil-equivalent production decreased four per cent compared to the third quarter of 2010. Excluding the impacts of entitlement volumes, OPEC quota effects and divestments, production was in line with 2010.

The Corporation distributed over $7 billion to shareholders in the third quarter through dividends and share purchases to reduce shares outstanding. Third quarter natural gas production was 12,197 mcfd (millions of cubic feet per day), nearly flat with the third quarter of 2010.