1.   EXXON EARNINGS UP SLIGHTLY Exxon reported a slight improvement in earnings, helped by strong gains in refining that more than offset a big drop in crude petroleum prices.

2.   Of course, these oils are distilled from crude petroleum, a nonrenewable natural resource.

3.   Also Thursday, Norway said it would consider reducing its crude petroleum flows if world prices continue to plunge but refused to make any promises.

4.   Reliance said the cracker would take in naphtha, which is a product of crude petroleum refining, and would turn out ethylene, propylene and other petrochemical products.

5.   Russia exports crude petroleum and other raw materials and military equipment to China while its imports include textiles and light industrial products.

6.   The imports advance was led mainly by increased purchases of machinery, for use in the Hibernia offshore oil project, and crude petroleum.