** Australian energy stocks .AXEJ rise as much as 1.2% to 8,843.1; mark biggest intraday pct gain since July 3

** Energy firms gain on the back of stronger oil as investors weigh outlook, tariff impact O/R

** Oil and gas major Santos STO.AX up 0.9%; Woodside Energy WDS.AX adds 0.5%

** Energy stocks outpace benchmark S&P/ASX 200 .AXJO, which is last down 0.1%

** YTD, AXEJ down 14.3%

(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)

((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))