New York (AFP) – ExxonMobil and Chevron reported soaring profits Friday despite lower oil and natural gas volumes as the petroleum giants return billions of dollars to shareholders in the wake of lofty crude prices and refining margins. Both US oil giants scored huge profit increases propelled by elevated crude prices since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But both companies have thus far avoided additional capital spending increases to fund drilling and development in spite of a tightening global energy outlook. “We continue to invest prudently,” said Kathy Mikells, chief financial officer of…