Agadir – The United Arab Emirates announced today its withdrawal from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+, marking a shift in Gulf energy politics amid rising regional tensions and pressure on global oil markets.
The decision, which takes effect on May 1, comes as the ongoing Iran war continues to disrupt energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and expose growing divisions among Gulf allies.
OPEC is an intergovernmental organization which gathers major oil exporting countries that collaborate to stabilize global oil markets.
OPEC focuses on coordinating oil production policies among member states, managing oil output levels to influence global supply and prices, promoting stable and predictable oil markets, securing steady income for oil-producing countries and ensuring reliable oil supplies for consuming nations.
In a statement carried by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the UAE said the withdrawal aligns with its “long-term strategic and economic vision” and reflects efforts to accelerate investment in national energy production while maintaining its role as a “responsible and reliable producer.”
“This decision came after a thorough review of the UAE’s production policy and its current and future capacity,” the statement said, adding that Abu Dhabi seeks to “contribute effectively to meeting the urgent needs of the market” as geopolitical tensions continue to affect supply chains in the Gulf region.
UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei confirmed to Reuters that the decision was based on a careful reassessment of the country’s energy priorities and future production ambitions.
“This is a policy decision,” Mazrouei said, noting that the UAE did not consult other OPEC members before announcing its withdrawal.
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The UAE argued that greater flexibility outside OPEC would allow it to respond more effectively to market demand and leverage its position as one of the world’s lowest-cost and lower-carbon oil producers.
“The stability of the global energy system depends on the availability of flexible, reliable and affordable supplies,” the WAM statement said. “The UAE has invested to meet the changing demands efficiently and responsibly.”
“It is worth noting that this decision does not change the UAE’s commitment to the stability of global markets or its approach based on cooperation with producers and consumers,” the statement added.
Analysts, however, say the withdrawal could weaken OPEC’s long-term influence over the market.
Jorge León, an analyst at Rystad Energy, said the UAE’s departure represents a “significant shift” because the country is one of the few OPEC members with substantial spare production capacity.
“The UAE holds meaningful spare capacity, the real lever OPEC+ uses to move markets and stabilise prices. Take that out, and the system becomes structurally weaker,” he said.
“Outside the group, the UAE would have both the incentive and the ability to increase production,” León concluded, warning that the move could contribute to a “structurally weaker OPEC” and a more volatile global oil market.
