09:03 AM EST, 11/21/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were edging higher pre-bell Thursday with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) 0.7% higher recently.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 1.5% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 5.2% higher.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1.9% higher at $70.02 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 1.7% to $74.08 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 6% at $3.39 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

ExxonMobil's ( XOM ) ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Suriname unit withdrew from Block 52 in the Surinamese offshore area, effective Nov. 14, Staatsolie, the country's national energy, oil, and gas company, said. Exxon Mobil ( XOM ) shares were 0.5% higher premarket.