** Australian energy stocks .AXEJ rise 0.8%; hit highest level since March 6

** Oil prices edged higher on fears of reduced supply after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries importing oil and gas from Venezuela and after U.S. crude inventories fell more than expected O/R

** Sector majors Woodside Energy WDS.AX and Santos STO.AX rise as much as 1.8% each, both hitting their highest since early March

** Sub-index down 7.2% this year, as of last close

(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru)

((Sherin.Sunny@thomsonreuters.com;))