By Jim Jelter
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Modest opening gains by oil prices and the broader stock market kept upward momentum alive among energy stocks Tuesday. The NYSE Arca Oil Index (XOI 1,082, +2.21, +0.20%) was ahead 1,983 points in early trades, with shares of France's Total SA (TOT 65.78, +0.62, +0.95%) again leading the pack on a 1% rise to $65.77. The NYSE Arca Natural Gas Index (XNG 554.95, -0.30, -0.05%) was flat at 554.7 points while the Philadelphia Oil Service Index (OSX 198.64, +0.42, +0.21%) was ahead 0.3% at 198.7. Crude oil for February delivery was up 3 cents a barrel at $78.80 in New York, bouncing back from an overnight low of $78.27.
