** Australian energy stocks .AXEJ rise as much as 2.1%, its biggest intraday pct gain since Oct. 23, 2025
** Oil prices climbed over 3% on Thursday as investors assessed Venezuela developments and worried about supplies from other major oil producers O/R
** Oil producer Karoon Energy KAR.AX up as much as 6.2%, biggest intraday pct gain since Oct. 24, 2025; bigger peer Santos STO.AX up 3.2%
** Fuel retailer Viva Energy VEA.AX gains as much as 4.5% at A$2.11, biggest intraday percent rise since late August 2025
** Sub-index lost 2.3% in 2025
(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)
((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))