09:23 AM EDT, 09/09/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were advancing pre-bell Tuesday, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ( XLE ) 0.5% higher.

The United States Oil Fund ( USO ) was 1.3% higher and the United States Natural Gas Fund ( UNG ) was up 0.8%.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1.6% higher at $63.23 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 1.4% to $66.95 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 0.7% at $3.11 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Shell (SHEL) is set to sign a new long-term gas purchase agreement with Hungary, Reuters reported, citing the country's foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto. Shell shares were 1% higher premarket.

Cenovus Energy ( CVE ) shares were up more than 1% after the company said it has agreed to sell, indirectly through wholly owned subsidiaries, its 50% interest in WRB Refining to its joint venture partner Phillips 66 (PSX) for $1.4 billion.

Scorpio Tankers ( STNG ) stock was up 0.3% after the company said it has signed a deal to sell its STI Maestro MR product tanker for $42 million.