09:25 AM EDT, 04/23/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Energy stocks were edging higher premarket Thursday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) advancing by 0.4%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 1.1% and The United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 2.4% lower.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.3% higher at $93.20 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 0.2% to reach $102.06 per barrel, and natural gas futures were down 1.8% at $2.67 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Helix Energy Solutions (HLX) and Hornbeck Offshore Services have agreed to merge in an all-stock deal to form an integrated offshore services company. Shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group were up more than 5% pre-bell.

Sasol (SSL) said it now expects fiscal 2026 fuel sales volume growth of 10% to 15% year-over-year, up from previous guidance of 5% to 10%. Sasol shares were down more than 2% premarket.

Apollo Global Management (APO) said Thursday it has agreed to acquire a 40% stake in Pembina Gas Infrastructure from KKR (KKR). Pembina Pipeline (PBA) shares were nearly 2% higher pre-bell.