Energy stocks were higher Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index rising 1.6% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) climbing 1.9%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index increased 3.5%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index added 1.8%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil was rising 1.1% to $67.07 a barrel while the global benchmark Brent crude contract was advancing 1.2% to $70.30 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures were 1.8% lower at $4.22 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, hedge fund Elliott Management has taken a 670 million euro ($727.2 million) short position in French energy major TotalEnergies (TTE), The Financial Times reported. TotalEnergies shares were rising 1.3%.

Algonquin Power & Utilities (AQN) shares fell 4.3% after its Q4 adjusted earnings and revenue came in below analysts' estimates.

CenterPoint Energy (CNP) shares rose 1.9% after the company said Friday it completed more than half of its planned near-term "critical resiliency" actions and grid improvements since last fall.