The largest US oil producer released an overview of factors affecting third-quarter results that showed operating results could edge closer to its $17.9 billion second quarter.
The outlook indicated that natural gas was the only business to benefit from the higher prices.
This year, Exxon and its rivals have posted huge profits thanks to rising energy prices and demand, helped by cost cutting.
In the third quarter, the price of US natural gas averaged $8.47 per million British thermal units, compared to 7.17 mmBtu in the second quarter. Brent prices fell to $98 a barrel during the same period, compared to an average of $109 between April and June. Exxon’s official results are expected on October 28. (Reporting by Arunima Kumar Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)