Oil and gas company OMV AG (OMV.VI) posted slightly higher hydrocarbon production in the first quarter, the Austrian company said Friday, as it released its first-quarter trading statement.

In the first quarter, total hydrocarbon production increased to 302 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day, up from 299 kboe/d in the first quarter last year and up from 301 kboe/d last quarter. OMV said the increase was due to the situation in Libya and Yemen stabilizing, allowing for better production performance. The company also said production increased in Maari in New Zealand . The increase also occurred despite reduced production from the sale of U.K. North Sea assets and a production stop at Schiehallion in the U.K.

The company said that higher oil prices in U.S. dollars were counteracted by a lower dollar exchange rate against the euro. OMV said it didn't enter into any strategic oil price hedges for 2013.

OMV's indicator refining margin decreased on the quarter to $3.01/bbl, down from $4.03/bbl in the fourth quarter. The company said the decrease was due to weaker middle distillates and naphtha spreads. A scheduled partial shutdown of the Bayernoil refinery in Germany hurt the refining performance, OMV said.

OMV said it will post a net special gain in the first quarter of 427 million euros ($556.5 million). OMV attributed the gain to a one-time positive earnings before interest and tax effect of EUR440 million from the completed sale of parts of its Austrian emergency stocks.

Final results for the first quarter will be published on May 14.

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