** Shares of Woodside Energy WDS.AX rise as much as 3.1% to A$26.04, their highest levels since Oct 11, 2024
** Stock marks its best trading day since Nov 7, 2024
** Woodside stock is among the top performers in the ASX 200 benchmark index
** Energy giant rises in line with higher oil prices following expectations of wider U.S. sanctions to curb Russian exports to top buyers China and India O/R
** Energy sub-index .AXEJ up 1.8%
(Reporting by Sneha Kumar in Bengaluru)
((Sneha.Kumar@thomsonreuters.com;))