Energy stocks were edging higher premarket Thursday as the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) recently advanced by 0.1%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 0.9% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 4.5% lower.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.7% higher at $70.62 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 0.7% to $74.06 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down almost 5% at $3.75 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Berry (BRY) shares were up 0.5% after the company said it has closed a debt refinancing, securing a $450 million term loan and a revolving credit agreement of up to $500 million.

International Seaways (INSW) shares were still 0.6% higher after S&P Dow Jones Indices said late Monday that the company will be included in the S&P SmallCap 600 starting Dec. 30.