09:04 AM EDT, 09/17/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were gaining premarket Tuesday, with The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) up 0.1%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was down 0.1% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.6% higher.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 0.1% at $70.15 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil lost 0.1% to reach $72.71 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 2% at $2.42 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Seadrill ( SDRL ) and Oil States International ( OIS ) have signed a non-exclusive collaboration agreement to support the safety and efficiency of offshore managed pressure drilling operations, Oil States ( OIS ) said. Seadrill ( SDRL ) shares were up nearly 1% and Oil States International ( OIS ) stock was over 4% higher pre-bell.