09:29 AM EDT, 10/20/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were lower pre-bell Monday, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund ( XLE ) down 0.1%.

The United States Oil Fund ( USO ) was down 1.4% and the United States Natural Gas Fund ( UNG ) was 5.9% higher.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1.9% lower at $56.48 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil lost 1.7% to $60.17 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 8.1% at $3.25 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Venture Global ( VG ) is in talks with Ukraine's DTEK to expand liquefied natural gas supply from its Plaquemines plant in Louisiana as Kyiv seeks to bolster energy security ahead of winter, Reuters reported, citing three sources. Venture Global ( VG ) shares were up more than 1% premarket.

BP (BP) confirmed hydrocarbon discovery in Namibia's Orange Basin, which was reported by operator Rhino Resources. The company said results of the Volans-1X exploration well in Namibia are undergoing further evaluation. Shares of BP were 0.2% lower premarket.