09:12 AM EDT, 08/15/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were edging higher pre-bell Friday, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ( XLE ) advancing by 0.1%.

The United States Oil Fund ( USO ) was 1.4% lower and the United States Natural Gas Fund ( UNG ) was up 2.4%.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1.1% lower at $63.23 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil lost 1.1% to $66.14 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 1.9% at $2.89 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Obsidian Energy ( OBE ) shares were down more than 2% after the company said it has closed its previously announced tender offer to buy up to $48.4 million of its outstanding 11.95% senior unsecured notes due July 2027 for cash. The offer was undersubscribed with only about $1.4 million principal amount of notes validly tendered by expiration on Aug. 12.

Exxon Mobil ( XOM ) and Chevron ( CVX ) are close to agreeing on a deal with the Algerian government to explore gas reserves, including shale, Bloomberg reported, citing an interview with the North African country's energy regulator chairman. Exxon Mobil ( XOM ) shares were down 0.1%, while Chevron ( CVX ) stock was up 0.3% premarket.

Devon Energy ( DVN ) has agreed to supply 50,000 million British thermal units per day of natural gas over a 10-year term beginning in 2028 under a deal signed with Centrica Energy, Centrica said. Devon Energy ( DVN ) shares were 0.6% lower pre-bell.