SASOL yesterday reported increased headline earnings a share of 22percent for the six months ended December 31 2010, a move it attributed to good performances on its international projects.
The interim results were presented by the company's management at their offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
Operating profit of R12billion increased by 15percent compared with the previous year.
The company said the margins were affected by higher average crude oil prices and chemical product prices.
But a 7percent stronger average rand versus dollar exchange rate partially offset the benefits of the higher average crude oil prices.
"We have indeed delivered on our promises and on our priorities," said Sasol's chief executive Pat Davies.
Davies said the company was pleased with its recent listing of Sasol Inzalo shares on the BEE board of the JSE, which allowed the investors to sell their shares to other BEE investors.
Cash generated by operations increased by 65percent to R15,1billion.
Davies said the recent significant shale gas acquisition made in Canada accelerated the company's upstream gas and gas to fluids growth focus.
Among Sasol's international growth were the acquisition of Canadiam gas reserves, which was at R7,5billion, a tetramerisation in the US at R1,5billion and the Mozambique CPF expansion, which stood at R1,4billion.
Davies said the company was proud to contribute in the expansion of jobs through its projects worldwide. About two thirds of Sasol's 30000 employees are based in South Africa.
"Overall in the macro-economic environment improvement together with the strong management actions put in place to improve operating performance and contain cost has boosted the bottom line," said Sasol's chief finance officer Christine Ramon.
Sasolgas improved its sales volume hence seeing an operating profit increase of 9percent to R1,2billion.
The increased sales volume were supported by the start-up of a new compressor in Mozambique.
Sasol oil recorded increased sales volume. Operating profit in this segment decreased by 2percent to R665million compared with the previous year.