09:24 AM EDT, 10/03/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were advancing premarket Friday, with The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ( XLE ) up 0.5%.

The United States Oil Fund ( USO ) was 0.5% higher and the United States Natural Gas Fund ( UNG ) was up 0.8%.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.4% higher at $60.71 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 0.4% to reach $64.34 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 2.5% at $3.36 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Shell (SHEL)-led LNG Canada has kicked off the process of starting its second 6.5 million tonnes per annum liquefied natural gas processing unit in British Columbia, Reuters reported, citing a company spokesperson. Shell stock was up more than 1% pre-bell.

BP (BP) is seeking a partner for its Bumerangue oil discovery in Brazil, Reuters reported, citing BP's country head Andres Guevara. BP shares were up over 1% premarket.

Chevron ( CVX ) stock was 0.1% higher after the company said its fire department personnel and emergency responders are actively responding to an isolated fire at the company's El Segundo refinery in Los Angeles county.