Australian energy stocks gain as oil prices hover higher

** Australian energy stocks .AXEJ rise as much as 2.3%, their biggest intraday pct gain since Sept 16

** Energy stocks gain on the back of rising oil prices after China halted fuel exports O/R

** Sector majors Woodside Energy WDS.AX and Santos STO.AX rise more than 1.5% each

** YTD, sub-index up more than 27%