TotalEnergies said the surge in profits would be reflected in a higher dividend for shareholders. (AFP pic)PARIS: French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies said Thursday that its net profit hit a new record in the third quarter as the war in the Middle East pushed up hydrocarbon prices.

Net profit reached US$8.3 billion in the period from July to September, up from US$5.4 billion in the preceding three months.

"In a high-price environment characterised by historic refining margin levels and a bull gas market, TotalEnergies is once again fully leveraging its integrated business model and its geographic diversification," chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said in a statement.

The company had already reported a strong rise in its bottom line in the preceding two quarters, similarly driven by soaring oil and gas prices as well as its trading activities.