Santos' half year net profit has risen three per cent due to increased sales revenue from higher gas prices.
Net profit for the six months to June 30 rose to $271 million, from $262 million at the same time last year.
Underlying profit fell 11 per cent to $251 million, while revenue was up one per cent at $1.53 billion.
Santos produced 24.5 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) during the six month period, down four per cent on the previous corresponding period due to natural field decline in its Australian and Vietnamese assets.
Sales volumes were six per cent lower at 27.4 mmboe due to the lower production and reduced third party sales.
But sales revenue was up one per cent due to higher natural gas prices offset with lower oil prices.
The average gas price during the half-year was $A5.52 per gigajoule, up 11 per cent, while the average realised oil price was $A112.23 per barrel, down five per cent from the first half of 2012.
But the company maintained its full year production guidance of 52-55 mmboe for 2013.
Santos declared a half-year, fully-franked, dividend of 15 cents per share.
