The United States will impose additional sanctions against Iran's nuclear proliferation networks, according to a Dec. 13 statement from the U.S. Treasury.

Ukraine's minister of energy and coal industry, Yuri Boyko, met Gazprom Chairman Alexei Miller on Dec. 12 in Moscow, Ukrayinska Pravda reported.

At least three Islamist militants and a tribesman who was fighting on the government's behalf were killed Dec. 11 in clashes in Marib province, east of Yemen's capital, a tribal source said, Reuters reported Dec. 12.

The Philippines has temporarily stopped awarding oil and natural gas exploration contracts in the South China Sea due to territorial disputes with neighbors, Philippine Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said Dec. 11, Kyodo reported.

The United States will grant 180-day waiver on Iran sanctions for nine countries in exchange for cutting purchases of Iranian oil, an unnamed congressional aide said Dec. 7, Reuters reported.

Iran's crude exports are expected to drop by roughly a quarter in December from November to the lowest levels since new sanctions were applied earlier in 2012, unnamed industry sources with direct knowledge of Tehran's shipping plans said Dec. 6, Reuters reported.

China told Vietnam on Dec. 6 to stop unilateral oil exploration in disputed areas of the South China Sea and to not harass Chinese fishing boats, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said, Reuters reported.

The Kurdistan Regional Government will reduce its oil exports in half until the Iraqi government pays debts owed to international firms working in the region, an adviser in the Kurdish natural resources ministry said Dec. 5, Shafaq News reported

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has signed a bill that will redistribute future oil wealth among Brazil's 27 states, Reuters reported Nov. 30.