Energy stocks were edging higher pre-bell Thursday, with the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) advancing by 0.6%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 0.7% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.6% lower.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 0.8% at $59.93 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil gained 0.8% to $64.00 per barrel, and natural gas futures were 1.5% lower at $4.48 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Exxon Mobil (XOM) has agreed to acquire a 40% undivided joint interest in Enterprise Products Partners' (EPD) Bahia natural gas liquids pipeline, Enterprise said. Exxon Mobil shares were 0.6% higher and Enterprise Products Partners stock was up 0.3% premarket.