UAE to Withdraw from OPEC, State News Reports; A blow to the cooperative system?

Recently NHK News on-line reported the following:

UAEがOPECから脱退へ 国営通信報じる 協調体制に打撃か

2026年4月28日21:42

(2026年4月29日5:10更新)

UAE＝アラブ首長国連邦

UAE＝アラブ首長国連邦が、主要な産油国で作るOPEC＝石油輸出国機構から脱退すると、UAEの国営通信が報じました。欧米のメディアは原油の生産方針などでほかの加盟国との対立が生じ、脱退につながったという見方を伝えています。

UAEの国営通信は28日、UAEが来月5月1日から、主要な産油国で作るOPECと、非加盟の産油国も加わったOPECプラスから脱退すると報じました。

イラン情勢を受けてホルムズ海峡からの原油の輸送が滞っていますが、国営通信によりますと、UAEは今後、生産量を段階的に増やすとしていて、脱退の決定は市場の需要に対応する能力を高めることにつながるなどと説明しています。

欧米のメディアは、サウジアラビアが主導するOPECの原油の生産方針や湾岸諸国のイラン情勢への対応をめぐり、UAEとほかの加盟国との対立が生じ、脱退につながったという見方を伝えています。

OPECは、原油相場を支えるため、生産方針などで足並みをそろえてきましたが、有数の産油国のひとつであるUAEの脱退で、協調体制が打撃を受ける可能性も指摘されています。

UAEエネルギー相 “安定した世界市場を支える”

UAE＝アラブ首長国連邦が主要な産油国で作るOPEC＝石油輸出国機構から脱退することをめぐり、UAEのマズルーイ エネルギー相は28日、「今後もエネルギーの安全保障に力を尽くし、安定した世界市場を支えていく」などとSNSに投稿しました。

決定について、マズルーイ エネルギー相は政策に基づくもので、長期的な市場の動向を踏まえているとしています。

OPECとOPECプラスとは

OPECは、メジャーと呼ばれる欧米の大手石油会社に対抗し、産油国側の利益を守ることなどを目的に1960年に設立されました。

当初の加盟国はイランやイラク、サウジアラビアなどの5か国で、現在はUAEを含めて12か国が加盟しています。

また、産油国の石油価格に対する影響力の維持を目指して、OPECの加盟国に加えて非加盟のロシアやメキシコなどがOPECプラスという枠組みで生産調整などを行っています。

アメリカとイスラエルによるイランへの軍事作戦が始まった後もOPECプラスの産油国は会合を開いています。

このうち4月5日にはサウジアラビアやロシア、それにUAEなど主な産油国8か国がオンラインで会合を開き、来月5月の原油の生産量を1日あたり20万6000バレル増やすと明らかにしました。

事実上の封鎖が続くホルムズ海峡が開放され、原油の輸送が本格的に再開した場合に備えた決定とみられます。

Translation

UAE to Withdraw from OPEC, State News Reports; A blow to the cooperative system?

April 28, 2026, 21:42

(Updated April 29, 2026, 5:10)

UAE = United Arab Emirates

The UAE (United Arab Emirates) would withdraw from OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), a group comprised of major oil-producing countries, according to the UAE's state news agency. Western media outlets were reporting that the withdrawal was due to conflicts with other member countries over crude oil production policies.

The UAE's state news agency reported on the 28th that the UAE would withdraw from OPEC, comprised of major oil-producing countries, and OPEC+, which included non-member oil-producing countries, effective from May 1st.

While crude oil transport from the Strait of Hormuz had been disrupted due to the situation in Iran, the state news agency said that the UAE planned to gradually increase production, explaining that the decision to withdraw could enhance its ability to meet market demand.

Western media outlets were reporting that the UAE's withdrawal stemmed from conflicts between the UAE and other member states over Saudi Arabia's leadership in OPEC's crude oil production policies and the Gulf states' responses to the situation in Iran.

OPEC had been working together on production policies and other matters to support crude oil prices, but the withdrawal of the UAE, one of the leading oil-producing countries, could potentially damage this cooperative system.

UAE Energy Minister: “Supporting a Stable Global Market”

Regarding the UAE's withdrawal from OPEC, a group of major oil-producing countries, UAE Energy Minister Mazroui posted on social media on the 28th, stating that the country “will continue to dedicate itself to energy security and support a stable global market.”

Regarding the decision, Energy Minister Mazroui stated that it was based on policy and took into account long-term market trends.

About OPEC and OPEC+

OPEC was established in 1960 with the aim of protecting the interests of oil-producing countries and countering the major Western oil companies.

The initial member states were five countries, including Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Currently, 12 countries, including the UAE, were members.

Furthermore, in order to maintain the influence of oil-producing countries on oil prices, in addition to OPEC members, non-member countries such as Russia and Mexico operated under the framework of OPEC+, implementing production adjustments and other measures.

Even after the start of military operations against Iran by the United States and Israel, OPEC+ oil-producing countries had continued to hold meetings.

Among them, on April 5th, eight major oil-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the UAE, held an online meeting and announced that they would increase crude oil production by 206,000 barrels per day in May.

This decision was seen as preparation for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which remained effectively blocked, and the resumption of crude oil transport in full force.

So, the UAE will withdraw from OPEC. UAE's withdrawal is probably stemmed from conflicts between the UAE and other member states over Saudi Arabia's leadership in OPEC's crude oil production policies and the Gulf states' responses to the situation in Iran. Apparently, the current US-Iran conflict will cause changes to the political equilibrium in the region.