03:40 PM EDT, 04/17/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks fell late Wednesday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) each decreasing 0.2%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index dropped 1.2%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index climbed 2.2%.

US crude oil stocks, including those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, rose by 3.4 million barrels in the week ended April 12 following an increase of 6.4 million barrels in the previous week. Excluding inventories in the SPR, commercial crude oil stocks rose by 2.7 million barrels after a gain of 5.8 million barrels in the previous week, a larger increase than the 1.7 million expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:55 am ET.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil tumbled 3.1% to $82.70 a barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude dropped 3% to $87.34 a barrel. Henry Hub natural-gas futures fell 1.6% to $1.704 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Genesis Energy (GEL) filed a registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission covering the potential sale of several securities from time to time. Its shares fell 0.4%.

A natural gas pipeline owned by TC Energy ( TRP ) ruptured near Edson, Alberta, on Tuesday, sparking a wildfire, the Canadian Press reported. TC Energy ( TRP ) shares eased 0.1%.

Sunoco ( SUN ) shares jumped 5.4% after the company completed the acquisition of European liquid fuel terminals from Zenith Energy and the sale of 204 convenience stores to 7-Eleven.

EQT (EQT) is mulling options for Belgian chemical distribution company Azelis Group after receiving interest from potential buyers, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. EQT shares fell 0.1%.