Oil company ExxonMobil reports record profits of $11.4bn.

Oil giant ExxonMobil's profits more than doubled in the first three months of this year, helped by the increased demand for oil and gas.

The US energy firm said cost-cutting measures also contributed to its record $11.4bn (£9.14bn) profits.

The jump came despite falling oil prices and a $200m hit from windfall taxes the company paid in Europe.

Rival US oil and gas producer Chevron has also reported an increase in its profits.

It made nearly $6.6bn between January and March, up 5% from the same time a year ago. It also paid a $130m "energy profits levy" or windfall tax in the UK.

Next week Shell and BP are both set to report their latest results.

Like other big energy companies Exxon has faced criticism about how much it has returned to shareholders off the back of high oil and gas prices.

It said shareholders would receive $8.1bn including dividends and $375m in share buybacks.

ExxonMobil said the rise in profits included a $3.4bn after-tax reduction to exit Russia.

"We delivered a first-quarter record despite the fact that energy prices and refining margins are softening a bit," chief financial officer Kathryn Mikells told Reuters.

The biggest contributor to the better-than-expected earnings came from strong production growth, driven by the start-up of new offshore developments and refining facilities, she said.