Energy services provider Duncan Energy Partners LP's (DEP.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) first-quarter profit jumped 50 percent, helped by higher natural gas volumes and lower operating costs.

For the quarter, the company reported net income of $19.9 million, or 34 cents per common unit, compared with $13.3 million, or 29 cents per common unit, a year earlier.

Revenue at the Houston-based company fell 29 percent to $256.8 million.

While total natural gas volumes rose 13 percent to 5.1 trillion british thermal units per day, total operating costs and expenses dropped 29 percent to $242.2 million.

Shares of the company closed at $17.44 Friday on the New York Stock Exchange.

For the alerts, double-click. [ID:nWNAB8360] (Reporting by Shradhha Sharma in Bangalore; Editing by Anil D'Silva)

Energy