May 1 (Reuters) - Cenovus Energy ( CVE ) posted a rise

in first-quarter profit on Wednesday, as the Canadian oil and

gas company benefited from higher production and throughput

volumes.

Refining throughput in the quarter of 655,200 barrels per

day (bpd) was a record volume for Cenovus. Throughput volume was

457,900 bpd a year earlier.

Total upstream production was 800,900 barrels of oil

equivalent per day (boepd), higher than 779,000 boepd in the

year-ago period.

The Calgary, Alberta-based firm's reported net income rose

to C$1.2 billion ($871.46 million), or 62 Canadian cents per

share, in the first quarter from C$636 million, or 32 Canadian

cents per share, a year earlier.

The company said higher operating margin and a gain on asset

sales also helped boost earnings.

($1 = 1.3770 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Kabir Dweit in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj

Kalluvila)