For that reason, earnings from worldwide exploration and production also fell, to $616 million from $862 million.

Exxon said its earnings from worldwide exploration and production increased 65 percent, to $886 million, with higher crude prices the main factor.

After-tax income for worldwide exploration and production soared to $177 million, from $108 million.

But worldwide exploration and production earnings declined 3.6 percent as a result of weaker prices for oil and North American natural gas.

Profits in worldwide exploration and production rose by 59.3 percent, to $317 million from $199 million.

As a director, his main responsibilities included worldwide exploration and production.

Profits from worldwide exploration and production rose to $380 million from $205 million in the third quarter last year.

Profits in worldwide exploration and production rose to $90 million, from $54 million.

Exxon plans to spend $6.5 billion on worldwide exploration this year, a $1.2 billion increase from 1987.

Profits in Phillips's worldwide exploration and production operations plunged to $53 million from $145 million.