OSLO, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Oslo-listed Vaar Energi , majority-owned by Italy's Eni, on Tuesday posted a weaker than expected fourth-quarter operating profit and maintained its dividend payment level.

Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) for the October-December quarter fell to $399 million from $1.53 billion a year earlier, missing the $424 million consensus forecast in a Vaar poll of 12 analysts. (Reporting by Terje Solsvik, editing by Louise Rasmussen)