Total third-quarter beats forecast on increased output and cost savings

French oil and gas major Total on Friday reported a better than expected third quarter net profit thanks to increased output from new projects and costs savings and despite a fall in refining margins in Europe and the prolonged downturn in a volatile oil market. * Total said third quarter adjusted net income was $2.1billion (1.72 billion pounds), down 25 percent compared with thesame quarter in 2015. * A Reuters average poll of analysts had pegged Total's Q3adjusted net profit at $1.880 billion.