While asset sales helped too, the company highlighted the performance of its 50% joint venture Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, which they book under downstream.

FORBES: Exxon, Chevron And Why The Future Of Big Oil Should Include Refining And Chemicals

Chevron has a 50% stake in Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (CPChem), which has interests in 34 manufacturing facilities and 5 research and technical centers around the world.

FORBES: Chevron Rides Chemical Kick To $105 In 2011

We've already had Chevron, Conoco-Phillips, Marathon, and Amerada-Hess all reporting big profit increases.

NPR: The Marketplace Report: Oil Giants Look to Shield Profits

So it makes it harder for Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Conoco-Phillips and so on to cut deals and to find new sources of production.

NPR: What Record Profits Mean for Exxon Mobil

Exxon Mobile (XOM), Chevron (CVX), Conoco Phillips (COP), Apache (APA) and Anadarko (APC) are natural choices to consider.

FORBES: Why Oil Prices Rose in the Spring of 2008 and Will Rise Again

Higher oil prices will tend to benefit Exxon Mobile (XOM), Chevron (CVX), Conoco Phillips (COP), Shell (RDS.A) and Suncor (SU).

FORBES: Falling Oil Prices Make No Sense

Rising oil prices would benefit Exxon Mobile (XOM), Conoco Phillips (COP), Chevron (CVX), Schumberger (SLB) and Apache (APA).

FORBES: Analyzing The Weekly Petroleum Status Report

You can blame Valero, but most other major oil companies like Conoco Phillips, Exxon Mobil, Chevron and BP utilize the same operating protocols during the winter months in order to meet summer demand. the exact same thing.

FORBES: Pain at the Pump