By Steve Gelsi, MarketWatch
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Petroleum stocks fell for a sixth straight day Friday, but investors were spared more brutal losses. Oil service shares gained.
The NYSE Arca Oil Index (XOI 957.71, +6.57, +0.69%) fell 0.4% to 947, its lowest level since last August.
The NYSE Arca Natural Gas Index (XNG 495.98, +4.82, +0.98%) dipped 0.2% to 490.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Index (OSX 177.76, +3.94, +2.27%) rose 0.5% to 175.
Among stocks on the move, Spanish oil producer Repsol (REP 20.98, +0.57, +2.79%) rose 1.2%. Southwestern Energy Co. (SWN 37.39, +1.04, +2.86%) rose 1.4%. Ensco PLC (ESV 38.85, +2.01, +5.46%) jumped nearly 4%.
BP PLC (BP 44.01, -0.57, -1.28%) fell 1.5% after it said it expects a revised spill flow estimate from a government panel over the weekend from its Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico. It may attempt a "top-kill" action to clog the well in coming days. See full story on Gulf oil leak.
The NYSE Arca Oil Index (XOI 957.71, +6.57, +0.69%) traded at 946 on Friday, down a hefty 62 points from its ending point of 1,008 seven days ago.
The NYSE Arca Natural Gas Index (XNG 495.98, +4.82, +0.98%) traded at 490 on Friday, off 43 points from its close of 533 a week ago.
The Philadelphia Oil Service Index traded at 176 on Friday, down 17 points from its level of 193 last Friday.
