AFP, LONDON: British energy major BP yesterday logged a modest increase in third-quarter net profit, energised by a recovery in the global price of oil.

BP said in a statement that bottom-line net profit rose by nine per cent to $1.769 billion (1.521 billion euros) in the three months to September.

In recent years, the group has slashed costs to remain profitable despite tumbling oil prices, which have now steadied at about $50 per barrel.

BP also saw its fortunes and reputation ravaged by the devastating Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster in 2010.

Its first-quarter performance was, however, boosted by new projects in its upstream business that comprises exploration and production.

The downstream division, which includes refining, marketing and distribution, also enjoyed a bumper three months.

“We are steadily building a track record of delivering on our plans and growing across our businesses,” said chief executive Bob Dudley.

“This quarter, three new upstream projects and the highest downstream earnings in five years, underpinned by reliable operations and disciplined spending, have generated healthy earnings and cash flow,” he said.

“There is still room for further improvement and we will keep striving to increase sustainable free cash flow and distributions to shareholders,” Dudley added.

The results came almost two weeks after chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg announced his decision to step down after a spell of almost eight years.