ENERGY

Unocal 3rd-Quarter Profit Slips: The Los Angeles-based oil company reported 16% lower earnings, citing lower natural gas prices, falling crude oil production and meager profit margins in gasoline refining and sales. Profit for the quarter totaled $59 million, or 20 cents per share, down from $70 million, or 25 cents per share, during the July-September period of 1994. Revenue fell from $2.02 billion to $2.01 billion. Unocal Corp., familiar to consumers in the region for its 76 brand of gasoline, has been shifting its focus away from U.S. operations in recent years. It plans to eventually sell, spin off or convert to a joint venture its domestic refining and gasoline sales operations.