02:08 PM EDT, 09/26/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 1% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) adding 1.1%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was climbing 1.2%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index was up 1.1%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 0.9% to $65.56 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 0.7% to $69.90 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were 0.7% lower at $3.17 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, NRG Energy ( NRG ) has secured a loan agreement for $562 million from the Public Utility Commission of Texas to build a 721-megawatt natural gas power plant near Baytown, State Governor Greg Abbott said Friday. NRG shares climbed 3.2%.

American Resources ( AREC ) , through its holding in ReElement Technologies, said Friday that it plans to expand its Noblesville critical mineral refining facility in Indiana by 141%. American Resources ( AREC ) shares rose 0.7%.

TechnipFMC ( FTI ) shares rose 1.2% after the company said it received a contract valued between $250 million and $500 million from Exxon Mobil Guyana to supply subsea production systems for the Stabroek Block's Hammerhead project.