Mumbai, Jun 28 (PTI): The BSE benchmark Sensex today regained 19,000 level by spurting 293 points in early trade, led by rally in oil and gas sector stocks after the government approved near doubling of natural gas prices to USD 8.4 from April 1, 2014.

The 30-share barometer surged by 292.94 points, or 1.55 per cent, to 19,168.89 with oil and gas, auto and metal sectoral indices leading the rally. The index had gained 323.83 points in the previous session.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty regained 5,70 points by rising 88.65 points, or 1.56 per cent, to 5,773.45.

The Oil and gas sector index rose the most by gaining 4.12 per cent to 8,965.63 as stocks of ONGC up by 5.62 per cent to Rs 338.55, Reliance Industries by 3.74 per cent to Rs 861.55 and Oil India by 2.79 per cent to Rs 589 and Cairn India by 2.33 per cent to Rs 294.70.

Meanwhile in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose by 0.77 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei gained 3.29 per cent in the early trade. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.77 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.