** Australian energy stocks .AXEJ rise as much as 1.9% to 9195.8 points; marks biggest intraday pct gain since July 25

** Oil prices gain on signs of strong demand in U.S. O/R

** Viva Energy VEA.AX gains as much as 4.5% to A$2.1; marks biggest intraday pct gain since June 23

** Top independent oil and gas producer Woodside Energy WDS.AX adds 1.7%; Santos STO.AX rises 2%

** YTD, AXEJ gains 6.7%

(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)

((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))