U.S. crude producers may have lost the fast-growing China market because of President Donald Trump's trade dispute, but they have more than compensated by making inroads into the rest of top oil-consuming region Asia.
However, some tankers crossing the Pacific could end up in China.
Four ships were attacked, UAE says, calling it an effort to undermine the security of crude transport.
Conflicts in producing nations Venezuela and Iran are countered by rising inventories in the U.S.
Officials want to raise the production quota, pointing to improved market conditions.
Saudi Arabia is expected to make up the deficit but the Russian leader said he knows of no plans to increase production.
The White House will have to weigh costs and benefits carefully before tightening sanctions on Iran and Venezuela further–and decide whether the economic price is worth the diplomatic gains.
Iran's oil minister said on April 14 that U.S. sanctions on Iran and Venezuela and tensions in Libya have made the supply-demand balance in the global oil market fragile, and warned of consequences for increasing pressures on Tehran.
Country’s collapse has contributed to a 32% increase in crude oil prices this year.
Russia undertook to cut its production by 228,000 bbl/d but has struggled to comply with the pact.