Better margins in refining and petrochemical in the three month period ended December 2010 aided Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Industries (RIL) to record its maximum quarterly profit during the last three years.

The energy-to-retail company said that its net profit met street projections and remained up by 28.14% at Rs 5,136 crore as compared to Rs 4,008 crore in the same period of 2009-10.

Mr. Vinay Nair, research analyst, Angel broking stated, "Good performance and improved margins were expected across refining and petrochemical business. The upstream segment lagged due to lower production from the KG-D6 field."

During the Oct-Dec period, RIL's gross refining margin remained at $9 a barrel as compared to $5.9 per barrel during the corresponding previous period.

In a declaration, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, RIL, stated, "Reliance had another record quarter as both refining and petrochemical margins continue to improve and for certain products recorded historic levels. Robust demand growth in home markets and highly competitive assets enabled Reliance to have industry leading operating rates and margins."

Natural gas creation from the company's biggest gas field, K-G D6 dropped 12% to around 53 million cubic meters per day.

Gas fabrication from the oil field may surge to 60 million cubic meters per day by the next three months, the directorate general of hydrocarbons had said earlier this month.