09:03 AM EDT, 09/24/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were rising pre-bell Wednesday, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) advancing by 0.6%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was 0.9% higher and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was down 0.3%.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1.3% higher at $64.25 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 1.3% to $68.50 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up slightly at $2.85 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Chevron ( CVX ) has reduced its Venezuelan oil exports by 50% following new US Treasury Department rules, Reuters reported, citing sources close to the matter. Chevron ( CVX ) shares were 0.6% higher premarket.