01:55 PM EDT, 10/21/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were easing Monday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index fractionally lower and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) down 0.1%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was posting a 0.4% increase, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index was shedding 0.5%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 2.6% to $71.01 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 2% to $74.53 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were 2.3% higher at $2.31 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Shell's (SHEL) sale of its onshore and shallow-water oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta for up to $2.4 billion has been blocked by Nigeria, Reuters reported. Shell shares were up 0.1%.

National Energy Services Reunited ( NESR ) rose 3% after the company said Monday that the Nasdaq Stock Market's listing qualifications department has approved the transfer of its listing to the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Southern Co.'s ( SO ) Georgia Power unit said Monday that it has been awarded more than $160 million in funding by the Department of Energy through its Grid Deployment Office. Southern shares were down 0.5%.