Kencana Petroleum Bhd's pre-tax profit for the third quarter ended Apr 30, 2010 rose to RM36.5 million from RM35.05 million in the same period of 2009.

Its revenue, however, declined to RM280.37 million from RM290.17 million previously, the company said in a filing to Bursa Malaysia here today.

For the first nine months ended April 30, 2010, its pre-tax profit rose by five per cent to RM120.1 million from RM113.89 million in the same period last year.

Revenue, however, declined eight per cent to RM811.51 million from RM882.75 million previously.

Going forward, Kencana Petroleum said demand for its core business -- engineering and fabrication of oil and gas production facilities, both offshore and onshore -- was expected to be encouraging.

'The marine engineering and offshore services are expected to expand the earnings base of the group.

'The board of directors is reasonably confident the prospect of the group remains positive,' it said. - Bernama