01:48 PM EDT, 08/05/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were lower Tuesday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index easing 0.2% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) decreasing 0.6%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index was climbing 2.3%, while the Dow Jones US Utilities index was shedding 0.7%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was declining 1.3% to $65.40 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract was dropping 1.3% to $67.86 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were 2.9% higher at $3.02 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Exxon Mobil ( XOM ) agreed to terms with the government of Trinidad and Tobago for exploration rights in an ultra-deepwater area off the country's east coast, Reuters reported. Exxon shares were down 0.3%.

Duke Energy ( DUK ) shares rose 1% after it said Tuesday it signed an agreement for infrastructure investor Brookfield (BN) to hold a 19.7% indirect equity stake in Duke Energy Florida for $6 billion. Brookfield shares added 1%.

Tidewater (TDW) shares jumped 25% in recent trading, a day after the company reported Q2 earnings and revenue that topped analysts' estimates.