Energy stocks declined late Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index decreasing 0.9% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) shedding 0.9%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index was falling 1.2%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index was up 0.1%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 0.1% to $91.40 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract added 0.7% to $96.17 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures advanced 1.1% to $2.95 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, BP's (BP) "turnaround" is gaining momentum as stronger commodity conditions, asset sales and cost cutting are expected to accelerate debt reduction and improve the company's balance sheet, RBC Capital Markets said in a note, after hosting a session with BP CFO Kate Thomson. BP shares were up 0.7%.