BUZZ - Oil prices surge due to heightened tensions in the Gulf, driving US energy stocks higher

October 20 - ** Driven by rising oil prices, U.S. energy stocks are up in pre-market trading O/R

** Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 rose 1.5% to $111.24 per barrel, after hitting the highest level since May

** U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil CLc1 climbed 5.2% to $109.08 per barrel, after reaching the highest level since April

** Following reports of Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure and vessels in the Gulf, traders factored geopolitical risk premium into prices, sending oil prices higher, with Brent crude hitting a five-month high

** Energy giants Exxon Mobil XOM.N and Chevron CVX.N rose 1.2% and 1.3% respectively

** Oil and gas producers ConocoPhillips COP.N, Occidental Petroleum OXY.N, Permian Resources PR.N, and SM Energy SM.N saw gains between 1.3% and 2.1%

** Oilfield service company Baker Hughes (BKR.O) rose 0.6%, SLB SLB.N increased 0.9%

** Halliburton HAL.N surged 4.6%, benefiting from increased demand in Latin America, with both Q3 revenue and profit exceeding market expectations

** Refiners Marathon Petroleum (MPC.N) gained 1.6%, while Phillips 66 (PSX.N) was up 1.9%

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