Feb 24 (Reuters) - U.S. shale producer Diamondback

Energy ( FANG ) surpassed Wall Street expectations for

fourth-quarter profit on Monday, as higher production helped

offset lower prices.

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed

the country's total oil production rose to a record high of 13.6

million barrels per day (bpd) in December, as improved

efficiencies helped producers pump more oil.

Diamondback's fourth-quarter production averaged 883,424

barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), compared with 462,565

boepd a year earlier.

The company became one of the largest oil producers in the

prolific Permian basin after acquiring Endeavor Energy for $26

billion last year.

The Texas-based company posted an adjusted profit of $3.64

per share for the three months ended December 31, compared with

analysts' estimates of $3.35 per share according to data

compiled by LSEG.