While crude oil prices rose 1% Thursday on the expectations of investors that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates, energy stocks in Oklahoma finished split for the day.
At the same time, crude oil investors watched as stalled Ukraine peace talks tempered any hope of a deal restoring Russian oil production and sales. Reuters reported escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela were also supporting prices, analysts said, on concerns of a drop in crude supplies from the South American country.
Brent crude settled up 59 cents, or 0.94%, to $63.26. U.S. West Texas Intermediate settled up 72 cents, or 1.22%, to $59.67.
Natural gas prices rose Thursday to settle at $5.074 MMBtu, after gaining $0.079 or 1.58%.
Oklahoma energy stocks finished split on Thursday with LSB Industries dropping 5% while NGL Energy Partners gained 4% for the day.