Energy companies gain as Axios reports US rejects Iran's request to change location for talks

S&P 500 energy index .SPNY gains 1.9% as oil prices edge higher

Brent crude LCOc1 futures up 3.3% at $65.3/barrel; U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 rise 3.3% to $69.6/barrel

Prices rise over reports from Axios that U.S. officials have decided to reject Iran's request to change the location for talks planned for Friday, citing two U.S. officials. O/R

Oil majors Exxon Mobil XOM.N and Chevron CVX.N gain 2.7% and 2.3%, respectively

Devon Energy DVN.N, Coterra Energy CTRA.N, Phillips 66 PSX.N and EOG Resources EOG.N among biggest percentage gainers on the energy index, up between 3.8% and 5.9%

Meanwhile, refiners Marathon Petroleum MPC.N up 3.7% and Valero Energy VLO.N rises ~3%

Oilfield services companies: SLB SLB.N rises 2.4%, Baker Hughes BKR.O up 2.2% and Halliburton HAL.N up 2.4%