Energy stocks climbed Tuesday afternoon with the NYSE Energy Sector Index up 0.3% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) rising 0.5%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector index dropped 0.3%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities index eased 0.2%.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 2.5% to $72.32 a barrel, while global benchmark Brent advanced 2.3% to $75.98 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures gained 1.2% to $2.34 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, GeoPark's (GPRK) Argentina unit obtained authorization from the Argentinian securities regulator to issue up to $500 million in debt securities over the next five years. GeoPark shares eased 0.2%.

Equinor (EQNR) submitted a bid with some Japanese partners in Japan's state auctions to develop an offshore wind farm, Reuters reported. Equinor shares rose 1.4%.

Jacobs (J) was selected by the US Bureau of Reclamation to design and build the San Juan Lateral Water Treatment Plant in northwest New Mexico. Jacobs shares fell 1%.