(AP) — Rising oil prices helped Chevron post a profit in the first quarter after reporting a loss in the same period a year ago. Crude prices have risen to close to $50 a barrel this year after dipping below $30 a barrel last year, boosting the finances of oil companies. Chevron reported first-quarter net income of $2.68 billion, or $1.41 per share, in the first three months of the year, compared with a loss of $725 million, or 39 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.