April 28 — The United Arab Emirates has announced it will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the broader OPEC+ alliance with effect from May 1, ending nearly 60 years of membership and marking a significant shift in global energy dynamics.
The decision, reported by the state news agency WAM, will see the UAE exit one of the world’s most influential oil groupings, of which it is currently among the largest producers. Officials said the move is in line with the country’s long-term economic and energy strategy, particularly its plans to expand domestic production capacity and pursue a more flexible policy framework.
Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said the step reflects a “policy-driven evolution” aligned with market fundamentals, adding that the UAE remains committed to ensuring energy security and supplying oil in a “reliable and responsible” manner while also advancing lower-carbon initiatives.
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🚨 BREAKING 🇦🇪
UAE IS LEAVING OPEC.
No more production limits holding them back.
They can now pump millions of extra barrels and flood the global market.
Oil prices? About to get crushed.
The cartel just lost one of its biggest producers.
The old energy order is fracturing.
What… pic.twitter.com/JXo4NMDrPR— Masu Zafi 🔥🔥 (@masuzafi) April 28, 2026
The UAE joined OPEC in 1967, seven years after the group was founded. Over recent years, however, it has expressed dissatisfaction with production quotas under the OPEC+ arrangement, which also includes non-OPEC producers such as Russia. Differences had periodically surfaced with Saudi Arabia, the group’s de facto leader, particularly over output limits and baseline production levels.
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Analysts say the exit could weaken OPEC’s collective influence over global oil markets, as the UAE accounts for a notable share of global output. The move also raises the possibility of further strain within the alliance, with other members potentially reassessing their positions.
Oil prices reacted to the announcement with an uptick amid concerns over reduced supply coordination, especially against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting key transit routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
For the UAE, the withdrawal is expected to provide greater autonomy in setting production levels, allowing it to respond more swiftly to market conditions and maximise revenues. At the same time, the government has indicated it will continue to play a responsible role in maintaining stability in global energy markets.
The development comes at a time of heightened uncertainty in the oil sector and is likely to feature prominently in upcoming OPEC discussions, as the group weighs the implications of losing one of its major members.
