<p>In revealing the record income, the company said that high wholesale market prices were behind the impressive showing. For example, prices of North Sea Brent crude averaged $65.14 per barrel, some 20% higher than in 2005. <br /><br />The record profit came despite a decline oil production, which fell by 18% to 3.81 million cubic meters. However, at 2.98 billion cubic meters, gas production was about 27% up on the year before.<br /><br />In other financial figures, total sales rose by nearly E300 million to E1.77 billion, while profit before taxes came to E931 million and profit after taxes in 2006 amounted to E496 million. <br /><br />In 2005, RWE Dea delivered operating profit of E445 million.</p>
