Is this the beginning of a major shift in global oil politics?
The United Arab Emirates is walking away from OPEC and its wider alliance after nearly six decades—an exit that could ripple far beyond the Gulf.
Why now? Officials say it’s about freedom. By stepping outside OPEC’s production quotas, the UAE gains flexibility to pump more oil. And meet rising global demand.
Simple, right? Not quite. Analysts warn this move could shake the cartel’s foundation.
One expert even called it “the beginning of the end of OPEC.”
To understand the stakes, rewind to 1960, when OPEC was formed to control supply and stabilise prices.
OPEC Unity Questioned
The UAE joined in 1967, becoming a key player. But tensions have simmered—especially as Abu Dhabi ramped up capacity.
Yet felt “constrained by group quotas,” as energy expert Carole Nakhle put it.
So what happens next? In the short term, not much—global supply is already disrupted by conflict near the Strait of Hormuz.
But long term? More UAE oil could mean lower prices… and higher volatility.
And here’s the real question: if one member walks away, who’s next? Because in the world of oil, unity isn’t just power—it’s survival.
