Net profits at Norwegian oil and gas group Statoil jumped by 52% to 10.3 billion Norwegian kroner (€1.3 billion) in the first quarter of this year.
The company said the growth was due to a 4% production increase and a surge in oil and gas prices compared with the same period last year.
Earlier this year Statoil announced plans for a review of its Irish business, which could result in a sell-off. The Irish operations include petrol stations, terminals and oil distribution businesses. It has interests in 236 petrol stations - 70 of which are fully owned by the company.
