02:00 PM EDT, 05/14/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks advanced Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 0.8% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) adding 0.9%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was climbing 1%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index was fractionally higher.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 0.7% to $101.70 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was adding 0.1% to $105.73 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures rose 1.4% to $2.90 per 1 million BTU.

US natural gas stocks rose by 85 billion cubic feet in the week ended May 8, smaller than the 87 billion gain expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following an increase of 63 billion cubic feet in the previous week.

In corporate news, Constellation Energy ( CEG ) and Pine Creek RNG said Thursday they have signed a long-term agreement under which Constellation will buy a minority equity interest in five Pine Creek production facilities. Constellation shares increased 0.6%.

Chevron ( CVX ) has agreed to sell its downstream fuels and lubricants marketing businesses in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia, to Eneos for $2.17 billion, Eneos said. Chevron ( CVX ) shares added 0.3%.

New Fortress Energy ( NFE ) is seeking permission from a UK court for a restructuring plan that will convert 90% of its $6.5 billion debt into equity and transfer ownership of the company to creditors, Bloomberg reported. New Fortress shares fell nearly 6%.