Overview
- The UAE, which announced the decision Tuesday via state media, said it will leave both oil groups on May 1 after a review of its production policy.
- Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei said Abu Dhabi did not consult other members and framed the exit as a policy choice tied to its future output strategy.
- Brent crude rose to about $111–$112 a barrel after the news, even as ongoing Strait of Hormuz disruptions keep near-term exports constrained.
- Analysts say the departure removes a large share of the bloc’s spare capacity, roughly 12–15 percent, reducing OPEC’s leverage and likely increasing price volatility.
- The UAE says it will add barrels in a gradual, market-driven way and is investing to lift capacity toward about 5 million barrels per day by 2027.