Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) on Tuesday signaled strong third quarter operating profits on the heels of the prior quarter’s all-time high as earnings from natural gas offset weaker refining and chemicals, according to a securities filing. The largest U.S. oil producer issued a snapshot of factors affecting its third quarter that showed results could land near the company’s $17.9 billion second quarter profit. Exxon and rivals this year have posted sky-high earnings on rising energy prices and demand aided by cost-cutting. Gas prices, in particular, have soared this year on strong demand from Europe since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the third quarter, U.S. natural gas prices averaged $7.95 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), up from $7.17 mmBtu in the second quarter. Brent prices eased to $98 per […]