Imperial Oil reports that it beats second-quarter profit expectations as higher global crude prices lift earnings. Multiple outlets say the company’s profit more than doubles year over year, with the crude rally helping offset other headwinds. One factor cited is lower oil sands output, which reduces production volumes. Another factor mentioned is the impact of planned refinery maintenance, which can affect operations and throughput during the quarter. Despite these operational constraints, the pricing environment for oil improves enough to more than offset the negative impacts. The coverage indicates that the company’s results are driven primarily by the movement in crude prices rather than by a material improvement in underlying production or refining capacity during the period. Overall, Imperial Oil’s quarterly earnings surpass analyst expectations, reflecting how changes in commodity prices can strongly influence profitability for Canadian oil producers, even when operational factors reduce output.