IRVING, Texas -- Exxon Mobil Corp. reported its fourth quarter profits fell 44 percent as demand and prices for crude and natural gas dropped, although the company met Wall Street's limited expectations.

The company reported a net profit of $2.68 billion, or 39 cents per share, compared with $5.22 billion, or 75 cents per share, a year earlier. Exxon Mobil Chairman Lee R. Raymond blamed the earnings decline on lower prices and demand for crude and natural gas.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Unocal Corp. has added Valero Corp. to the group of refiners from which it is seeking damages for producing gasoline using Unocal's patents without a license agreement.

Unocal said its Union Oil Co. of California unit was seeking damages from Valero, which it says has refused to discuss a license agreement, for willful infringement of its 393 and 126 patents. Included in the suit are refineries owned by Ultramar Diamomd Shamrock, which Valero bought last year.

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