03:23 PM EST, 02/18/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks climbed late Tuesday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 1.4% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) adding 1.8%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index advanced 1.6%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was up 0.6%.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 1.5% to $71.81 a barrel. while global benchmark Brent advanced 0.8% to $75.80 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures jumped 7.7% to $4.01 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Woodside Energy ( WDS ) is in discussions with several potential buyers for equity stakes in its liquefied natural gas plant in Louisiana, Reuters reported. Woodside shares fell 4%.