The UK-based energy company posted underlying profit of $8.15 billion in the July to September period, compared with $3.3 billion a year ago. BP (BP)’s earnings were boosted by “exceptional” results in its gas trading business, it said in a statement on Tuesday. Also last week, America’s largest oil company, ExxonMobil set a profit record for the second straight quarter, while Chevron (CVX) and French oil company Total (TOT)Energies posted similarly huge increases. The unprecedented set of earnings is fueling renewed calls in Britain and the United States for windfall taxes on energy companies to help households that are struggling to pay rising bills. EU governments, on the other hand, agreed a windfall tax in September that they hope will raise $140 billion.

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