** Australian energy stocks rise as much as 1.2%, on track to snap a four-day losing streak
** Oil prices held steady in early Asian trading on Thursday after gaining a dollar in the prior session as investors braced for a worsening of the Middle East crisis
** A worsening crisis in the region could fuel a rise in oil prices, which will benefit oil producers globally
** Sector heavyweight Woodside Energy rose as much as 2%, on track for its best day since late-March
** Other sector majors Santos jumped as much as 1.1% while Beach Energy rose as much as 1.9%
** Sub-index is down 3.5% this year, as of last close
(Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee in Bengaluru)
((Rajasik.Mukherjee@thomsonreuters.com;))
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