World oil futures fell this evening, though markets remained concerned by the threat of supply disruptions in Iran and Nigeria.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in February, dropped 49 cents to $63.45 per barrel in pit deals.
Yesterday the contract hit $65.05 - the highest point since October 3 on concerns that Iran, the world's fourth biggest exporter, would cut export supplies if referred to the UN Security Council over its nuclear enrichment programme.
Those fears were made worse by growing tensions in Nigeria, where Anglo-Dutch energy giant Shell said it was losing some 226,000
barrels per day after a major pipeline was sabotaged and four foreign oil workers abducted.
In London on Friday, the price of Brent North Sea crude for February delivery slid 14 cents to $62.48 per barrel in electronic dealing. It had reached $63.28 the previous day for the first time since 3 October.
In New York today, gas prices fell to $8.74 per million British thermal units - the lowest point for almost six months. US natural gas prices have fallen from almost $16 less than a month ago after milder temperatures in the US northeast region.
However, despite Friday's price falls, markets continue to worry about Iran. The Middle East country threatened on Friday to end cooperation with the UN atomic watchdog over its nuclear programme if the issue is referred to the UN Security Council.
Iran sparked international fury this week for breaking UN seals on three nuclear facilities to resume nuclear fuel work. Elsewhere, traders were keeping an eye on Nigeria amid unrest in the African country's southern Niger Delta.
Britain, France and Germany have called for Tehran to be referred to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions. The European Union and the United States fear the country is secretly trying to develop a nuclear weapon - a claim denied by Tehran.
Officials from the European Union, the US, China and Russia will meet over the crisis in London on Monday.
