UAE to exit OPEC and OPEC+ starting May 1

The United Arab Emirates said on April 28 that it will leave OPEC and OPEC+ effective May 1, in a major break from the oil producers’ group.

State media said the decision followed a comprehensive review of the UAE’s production policy and future capacity. It also said the move reflects the country’s long-term strategic and economic vision and its evolving energy profile.

Reuters reported the announcement as a significant blow to OPEC and OPEC+, while AP and CBS News independently reported the same decision. The exit would take effect just days before the bloc’s next round of market attention, raising questions about how the group manages supply policy without one of its Gulf producers.

The UAE has been one of the more influential members of the alliance, and its departure could have wider implications for cartel discipline and global oil market expectations. The announcement did not immediately include detailed guidance on how Abu Dhabi’s production strategy will change after May 1.

The key follow-up questions are whether OPEC or OPEC+ officials respond publicly, and whether the UAE signals any new approach to production or export volumes after the exit takes effect.

For now, the move marks one of the most consequential policy shifts by a Gulf oil producer in years.