Energy stocks were lower late Thursday afternoon, with the NYSE Energy Sector Index falling 1.3% and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) shedding 1.4%.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Sector Index dropped 1.5%, and the Dow Jones US Utilities Index decreased 0.3%.

Front-month West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 2.6% to $71.59 a barrel, and the global benchmark Brent crude contract dropped 2.8% to $75.86 a barrel. Henry Hub natural gas futures slumped 6.4% to $3.01 per 1 million BTU.

In corporate news, Bloom Energy (BE) shares were up 1% after the company rejected claims made in a short seller report as "false and misleading." Hunterbrook Media's report alleged Bloom Energy relies on Chinese suppliers for scandium, a key material used in its fuel cells.