On April 28, 2026, the United Arab Emirates announced its withdrawal from OPEC and OPEC+, effective May 1, after nearly six decades since joining in 1967.
Delivered with less than a week’s notice via state media, the move removes OPEC’s third-largest producer (behind Saudi Arabia and Iraq) in the cartel’s most significant defection.
UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei cited alignment with the country’s long-term strategic vision: accelerated domestic energy investments, production policy review, and flexible supply to meet global demand. The decision coincides with the Iran war’s disruption of Strait of Hormuz shipments (one-fifth of global oil), causing energy shocks and volatility.
The UAE produces 3–3.5 million bpd with >1 million bpd spare capacity (target: 5 million bpd by 2027). It long opposed OPEC+ quotas limiting its low-cost reserves. Exit allows independent output ramps once Hormuz stabilizes, cutting OPEC’s global supply control from ~30% to 26% and reducing membership to 11.
