21.   British Petroleum Co. will report the profit increase as higher oil and chemical prices make for a big half throughout the industry.

22.   British Petroleum Plc said first-quarter earnings were close to its best ever, as higher oil prices and cuts in operating costs offset weaker chemical profits.

23.   But if they wait, they might miss the sudden jumps that such stocks often make when a preponderance of evidence begins pointing toward higher oil prices.

24.   But on balance, a higher oil price would help it.

25.   But some analysts warned that profits for the industry would not be as strong as in the last quarter because of higher oil prices.

26.   But the bottom line, for consumers, is sharply higher heating oil prices.

27.   But this year has brought at least temporary relief, and that is not simply because of higher oil prices.

28.   Chevron, Exxon Corp. and Texaco Inc. said profits benefited from higher oil and natural gas prices.

29.   China National Offshore Oil is more likely to benefit from higher oil prices because it is an exploration and production company.

30.   Chevron Corp. said it posted record second-quarter profit on higher oil production, lower operating costs in refining and increased prices for some chemicals.