U.S.-focused oil producer Hess Corp. said it was taking a disciplined approach to its business operations after posting its fourth consecutive quarterly loss. Hess reported a net loss of $279 million for the third quarter of the year as crude oil prices, down by about 45 percent from last year, take their toll on producers. Exploration and production operations, known as the upstream sector, accounted for the bulk of the losses in the third quarter. Chief Executive Officer John Hess said spending cuts were expected from the company moving forward, but the company’s operational performance was robust in the weakened market. “We are well positioned in the current low price environment and are taking a disciplined approach to preserve our financial […]