United Arab Emirates says it will permanently leave OPEC on May 1

MoneyWatch United Arab Emirates says it will permanently leave OPEC on May 1 .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Aimee Picchi Aimee Picchi Associate Managing Editor, MoneyWatch Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports. Read Full Bio Aimee Picchi Updated on: April 28, 2026 / 10:39 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google The United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday that it is leaving the OPEC oil cartel after more than 50 years of membership.The UAE said its decision to exit OPEC followed an "extensive review" of its production policy and future capacity. The statement also cited "geopolitical fluctuations" affecting short-term oil supplies, a reference to the Iran war. The conflict has caused oil prices to surge as the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world's oil supply normally flows daily, remains blocked.The UAE also said it is leaving the wider OPEC+ group, which is led by Russia."This decision reflects the UAE's long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile, including accelerated investment in domestic energy production, and reinforces its commitment to a responsible, reliable, and forward-looking role in global energy markets," the UAE said."Following its exit, the UAE will continue to act responsibly, bringing additional production to market in a gradual and measured manner, aligned with demand and market conditions," the country added.There has been speculation about whether the UAE would continue to participate in OPEC, given the country's desire to increase oil production, according to Capital Economics. "The bigger picture is that the UAE has been itching to pump more oil; it ultimately feels that being outside of its OPEC+ 'obligations' will give it more...