British gas exploration and production firm BG Group said today it had made a good start to the year as it posted a 4% rise in first quarter net profits to £186m (€278m).
BG said acquisitions in Canada, Mauritania and Trinidad and Tobago during the quarter had given it valuable production and exploration sites in strategically important areas.
It said total operating profits rose 4% to £330m (€493.2m) from £318m (€475.3m) previously.
That would have increased by 8% at constant exchange rates, reflecting growth in exploration and production volumes and an improved performance across all other operating areas, the group said.