Energy stocks were advancing pre-bell Wednesday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) 0.4% higher.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) was up 0.2% and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.9% higher.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.4% higher at $85.25 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil rose 0.3% to $91.30 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 2.5% at $2.85 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

FLEX LNG (FLNG) shares were up more than 1% after the company reported higher Q2 adjusted net income and revenue.