09:21 AM EST, 01/21/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were leaning lower premarket Tuesday as the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ( XLE ) recently declined by 0.1%.

The United States Oil Fund ( USO ) was down 2.8% and the United States Natural Gas Fund ( UNG ) was 2.4% lower.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 3.1% lower at $75.50 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil lost 2.1% to $78.49 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 3.7% at $3.80 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Chevron ( CVX ) has expressed interest in an open exploration block managed by Greece's Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company, multiple news outlets reported, citing the country's energy ministry. Chevron ( CVX ) shares were 0.1% lower pre-bell.

Schlumberger ( SLB ) said Friday its operations in Russia, where it has taken measures to curtail its activity, are still aligned with new US sanction requirements. Schlumberger ( SLB ) shares were up 1.5% premarket.