Global

French oil company Total SA saw profits rise during the finals months of 2012, thanks to high oil prices and better refining margins. Profits edged up to $3.2 billion, full year fell 13% from a year earlier. The company suffered losses in its shale gas venture with Barnett Shale in the U.S. Total was also hampered with the costs of plugging a gas leak in a field in the North Sea.