New Delhi, Jan. 31 -- Exxon Mobil topped most expectations in the fourth quarter as the energy giant reported solid production in the Permian Basin and Guyana.

For the three months ended Dec. 31, Exxon earned $6.5 billion, or $1.53 per share. It earned $7.61 billion, or $1.72 per share, a year earlier.

Excluding one time charges and benefits earnings were $1.71 per share, topping the $1.68 per share that Wall Street was calling for, according to a poll by Zacks Investment Research. Exxon does not adjust its reported results based on one-time events such as asset sales.

Revenue totaled $82.31 billion, which was below the $83.18 billion that analysts expected.

Fourth-quarter net production was 5 million oil-equivalent barrels per day. T...