To be sure, high energy prices helped ChevronTexaco's overall results. During the latest quarter, the company saw crude jump 30% above last year's average price. Natural gas liquids climbed an even higher 35%. And the price of natural gas itself increased 9%. Thus, ChevronTexaco was able to significantly boost sales and profits even as its production declined by 4%, due, in part, to asset sales. Shareholders are already enjoying the fruits of that success. "Our financial strength and positive outlook for earnings and cash flows were among the primary drivers for the 10% increase in our quarterly common stock dividend announced earlier this week," O'Reilly reminded on Friday. For the second quarter ended June 30, the San Ramon, Calif., energy giant posted a continuing operations profit of $4.08 billion, or $3.84 a share. That's up from the year-ago continuing operations profit of $1.58 billion, or $1.48 a share.