03:22 PM EST, 12/19/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were lower late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index shedding 0.3% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) down 0.4%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index decreased 0.5%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index rose 1.2%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 1% to $69.91 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract shed 0.9% to $72.70 a barrel.

US natural gas stocks fell by 125 billion cubic feet in the week ended Dec. 13, against the 126 billion decrease expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

Henry Hub natural gas futures jumped 6.6% to $3.60 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Kinder Morgan ( KMI ) shares rose 2.3%. The company's Tennessee Gas Pipeline unit said Thursday it will go ahead with its $1.4 billion Mississippi Crossing Project after securing long-term agreements for all capacity.