April 26 (Reuters) - Oil giant Chevron Corp ( CVX ) beat

estimates for first-quarter profit on Friday as higher

production volumes helped offset an impact from weak natural gas

prices.

The company, which is in the process of acquiring Hess Corp ( HES )

in a $53 billion deal, reported adjusted earnings of

$2.93 per share for the first quarter, beating analysts'

estimates of $2.87.

(Reporting by Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil

D'Silva)