Energy stocks were leaning lower pre-bell Thursday, with the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) declining by 0.3%.

The United States Oil Fund (USO) and United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) were 0.8% higher.

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.5% higher at $82.63 per barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark North Sea Brent crude oil rose 0.9% to $88.66 per barrel, and natural gas futures were up 1.2% at $2.88 per 1 million British Thermal Units.

Enbridge (ENB) signed a definitive agreement with KKR (KKR) to form a joint venture that will invest about $2.7 billion Canadian dollars ($1.94 billion) to fund the expansion of the Aspen Point and Sunrise programs on the Westcoast natural gas pipeline system, the company said. Enbridge shares were marginally lower premarket.

BP (BP) is pressing the United Steelworkers to return to the bargaining table and agrees to federal mediation concerning the company's Whiting, Indiana refinery, according to a letter sent to union leaders. BP stock was 0.2% higher premarket.

Nabors Industries (NBR) has completed a $35 million strategic investment in Quaise Energy, making it the largest shareholder in the latter with a 14% stake. Nabors Industries shares were down 0.2% pre-bell.