[Ditto]

Doesn't R&D and capital investments (maintaining current equipment, new drilling, new exploration) get deducted from Exxon's revenue prior to the declaration of profits?

Where do they get the money for that investment for the next quarter?

[gogogodzilla]

From the revenues earned during that quarter?

Or else from money set aside from the previous quarter, money that as being earmarked for future use, couldn't be labeled 'profit'.