UAE Set to Exit OPEC Within 48 Hours, Ending 50 Years of Cartel Discipline

According to BeInCrypto, the United Arab Emirates is expected to exit OPEC and OPEC+ within 48 hours on May 1, marking the end of more than 50 years of coordinated Middle Eastern oil policy. Senior figures from the BRICS+ Consortium confirmed the move exclusively to the outlet, with Dr. Ebrahim D. Mello stating the UAE will gain the ability to independently produce more oil outside the cartel's quota constraints.

The breakaway reflects months of production increases by the UAE and Saudi Arabia above OPEC's approved quotas. The immediate driver is strategic: the UAE aims to expand aggressively across oil, gas, petrochemicals, and low-carbon energy without quota restrictions. Oil market analysts warn the departure will reduce coordination and increase unpredictability, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. efforts to extend a blockade against Iran. Brent crude oil prices have already climbed to $115, levels last seen in 2022.