Energy stocks were edging higher pre-bell Monday, with The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) up 0.1%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 1.8% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was nearly 8% higher.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 2.6% at $74.42 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 1.7% to reach $76.99 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 8.5% at $3.30 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Alliance Resource Partners (ARLP) shares were down more than 2% after the company reported lower Q4 earnings and revenue.

Talos Energy (TALO) said it has appointed Paul Goodfellow as chief executive officer and a board member, effective March 1. Talos Energy shares were up over 1% premarket.

Baker Hughes (BKR) said it has reached a deal to provide specialty chemicals for ExxonMobil (XOM) Guyana's Uaru and Whiptail offshore greenfield developments in the Stabroek Block. Baker Hughes shares were 0.6% higher pre-bell.