03:32 PM EST, 11/13/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks rose late Wednesday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index up 0.7% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) adding1%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index fell 0.9%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index shed 0.2%.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was little changed at $68.15 a barrel while global benchmark Brent crude advanced 0.2% to $72.04 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures gained 3.1% to $2.997 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Shell (SHEL) is looking to sell a majority stake in its portfolio of carbon offset projects amid a market contraction in the sector, Bloomberg reported. Shell eased 0.1%.

Suncor Energy ( SU ) shares jumped 4.3%, a day after the company reported Q3 adjusted operating earnings that topped estimates by analysts.

Coterra Energy ( CTRA ) shares added 1.8% after the company agreed to buy certain Permian Basin assets of Franklin Mountain Energy and Avant Natural Resources for $3.95 billion in separate deals.

Enlight Renewable Energy ( ENLT ) shares rose 4.7%. The company reported Q3 diluted earnings that topped estimates by analysts.