01:37 PM EST, 03/06/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were lower Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index decreasing 0.5% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) down 0.4%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index fell 1.1%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index dropped 2.1%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising less than 0.1% to $66.33 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 0.2% to $69.42 a barrel.

US natural gas stocks fell by 80 billion cubic feet in the week ended Feb. 28, a smaller drop than the 94 billion decrease expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following a decrease of 261 billion cubic feet in the previous week.

Henry Hub natural gas futures fell 4% to $4.27 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Eni (E) has received non-binding offers for a minority stake in its carbon capture and storage unit from five parties, Reuters reported. Eni shares were rising 0.2%.