(Yicai Global) Sept. 16 -- Shares in energy firms were the largest gainers this morning as stock markets on the Chinese mainland began higher.

The Shanghai Composite Index opened at 3,041.92, up 0.35 percent. The Shenzhen Composite Index started 0.33 percent higher at 9,952.33, and the ChiNext Index, which tracks emerging companies listed in Shenzhen, started at 1,715.92, up 0.31 percent. Some 22 firms listed on Shanghai's new Star Market, which tracks innovative science and technology companies, started the morning higher.

Shale gas and petroleum mining enterprises surged on the news that two major Saudi Arabian oil facilities had been hit by a drone strike, while the soybean, corn and liquor sectors were among the biggest losers.