The United Arab Emirates will exit the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC+ alliance on May 1, 2026, the state news agency WAM said in a statement, a move that allows for a more flexible production policy in a highly sensitive energy market.
The decision follows an “extensive review of the UAE’s production policy and its current and future capacity,” WAM said, adding that it was driven by what “the national interest requires”. Following the announcement, oil prices continued an upward trajectory, with Brent crude for June delivery rising 2% to $110.40 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate surpassed $100 a barrel.
The departure opens the door for Abu Dhabi to determine production levels outside of collective quota systems. The UAE is working to raise its production capacity to 5m barrels per day (bpd) by 2027, having brought the target forward from 2030. This is supported by a $150bn capital expenditure plan by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) between 2023 and 2027.
WAM stated the exit “aligns with the long-term strategic and economic vision of the UAE and the development of its energy sector,” including “accelerating investment in local energy production.” It said the move cements the country’s role as “a responsible and reliable producer that anticipates the future of global energy markets.”
Prior to the outbreak of the Iran war, the UAE was OPEC’s third-largest producer, pumping approximately 3.4m bpd—equivalent to about 4% of global production—according to OPEC data for February. Output fell to 1.9m bpd in March, the first month of the conflict, which disrupted navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE highlighted its commitment to meeting market needs amid short-term geopolitical volatility across the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and its impact on supply dynamics. Abu Dhabi stated the stability of the global energy system depends on the “availability of flexible, reliable, and affordable supplies,” adding it has invested to meet demand changes “efficiently and responsibly” while prioritising supply stability, cost, and sustainability.
After leaving the organisation, the UAE will “increase production gradually and deliberately, in line with demand and market conditions,” according to the statement. The strategy is based on a large, competitive resource base and partnerships aimed at resource development and economic diversification.
The exit ended a membership that began in 1967 through the emirate of Abu Dhabi and continued after the UAE’s formation in 1971. WAM noted the UAE played “an effective role in supporting the stability of the global oil market and enhancing dialogue among producing nations” during its tenure.
While acknowledging its presence in the organisation involved “significant contributions and greater sacrifices for the benefit of all,” the UAE said “the time has come to focus efforts on what the national interest of the UAE requires,” alongside its obligations to investor partners, importers, and market needs.
The decision “does not change the UAE’s commitment to the stability of global markets or its approach based on cooperation with producers and consumers,” WAM said, but rather enhances its ability to respond to changing market dynamics. It will continue to contribute to stability in a “measured and responsible manner.”
The UAE holds 120bn barrels of proven reserves, ranking sixth globally according to ADNOC, and described itself as a reliable producer of oil that is “the most cost-competitive, and the least in carbon intensity globally.” The state will continue investing across the energy value chain, including oil, gas, renewable energy, and low-carbon solutions, to support energy system resilience and the long-term transition.
