Energy
UAE Jolts Global Oil Market, Quits OPEC, OPEC+
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has withdrawn from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the broader OPEC+ alliance.
The move marks a significant shift in global oil politics even as tensions in the Middle East continue unabated.
The decision, which will take effect from May 1, 2026, was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, following what it described as a comprehensive review of its production strategy and future energy outlook.
Announcing the move, the ministry said the exit reflects the country’s evolving energy priorities and long-term economic vision.
The statement read, “The United Arab Emirates today announced its decision to exit the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC and OPEC+), effective 1 May 2026. 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.
“This decision follows a comprehensive review of the UAE’s production policy and its current and future capacity and is based on our national interest and our commitment to contributing effectively to meeting the market’s pressing needs.”
The UAE, one of OPEC’s key producers, noted that the decision was anchored on national interest and its desire to respond more flexibly to changing market realities.
“The 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 ministry added.
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The announcement comes against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in the region, particularly the ongoing Iran conflict, which has disrupted oil supply routes and heightened uncertainty in global energy markets.
Of particular concern is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit corridor through which a significant portion of the world’s crude supply passes. Recent threats and attacks linked to the crisis have raised fears of supply disruptions and price volatility.
The UAE acknowledged these short-term disruptions but maintained that long-term demand fundamentals remain strong.
“While near-term volatility, including disruptions in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, continues to affect supply dynamics, underlying trends point to sustained growth in global energy demand over the medium to long term,” the statement noted.
The move effectively ends nearly six decades of the UAE’s involvement in OPEC, which it joined in 1967 through Abu Dhabi, years before the formation of the federation in 1971.
Despite the exit, the UAE expressed appreciation for the organisation and its allies.
“We reaffirm our appreciation for the efforts of both OPEC and the OPEC+ alliance and wish them success. During our time in the organisation, we made significant contributions and even greater sacrifices for the benefit of all,” the ministry stated.
“However, the time has come to focus our efforts on what our national interest dictates and our commitment to our investors, customers, partners and global energy markets.”
The UAE stressed that its withdrawal does not signal a retreat from global energy cooperation but rather a shift towards greater flexibility in managing its oil output.
It pledged to continue supplying the market in a responsible and measured manner.
“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 statement said.
The country also highlighted its competitive advantage in producing lower-carbon crude, positioning itself as a key supplier in an evolving global energy mix.
“The UAE is a trusted producer of some of the world’s most cost-competitive and lower-carbon barrels, which will play an important role in supporting global growth and emissions reduction,” it added.
The exit could weaken OPEC’s cohesion and complicate efforts to manage global oil supply, especially at a time when geopolitical risks are already straining the system.
The alliance, which includes major non-OPEC producers such as Russia, has been central to stabilising oil prices since its formation in 2016.
However, rising tensions in the Middle East, coupled with shifting national priorities among member states, are increasingly testing the group’s unity.
The UAE said it would continue investing across the energy value chain, including oil, gas, renewables, and low-carbon technologies, as part of a broader diversification strategy.
“It will continue investing across the energy value chain, including oil, gas, renewables, and low-carbon solutions, to support resilience and long-term energy system transformation,” the ministry stated.
The development comes at a critical time for the global economy, with energy markets already under pressure from geopolitical conflicts, supply chain disruptions, and the ongoing transition to cleaner energy sources.
For oil-dependent economies such as Nigeria, the implications are significant, as changes within OPEC and OPEC+ often influence crude prices, government revenues, and foreign exchange earnings, the developments present a mixed outlook, with potential revenue gains from higher crude prices but increased costs for refined petroleum products and broader economic instability.
The UAE’s decision could signal a broader shift in how major producers approach cooperation in an increasingly complex energy landscape.
As the Middle East crisis continues to unfold, attention will now turn to how OPEC responds to the exit, and whether the alliance can maintain unity in the face of mounting geopolitical and economic pressures.
The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is one of the world’s most influential energy alliances, created in 1960 by five founding members, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, during a meeting in Baghdad.
The group was established to coordinate petroleum policies among oil-producing countries, stabilise international oil markets, secure fair prices for producers, and ensure a steady supply of crude to consuming nations.
Over the decades, OPEC grew into a major force in the global economy, with its decisions on oil production often influencing crude prices worldwide. By increasing or cutting output quotas, the group can affect supply levels, making it a central player in determining global energy costs.
Its current members include major producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Algeria, Libya, and Iraq.
While, OPEC+ is an expanded alliance formed in 2016 to include OPEC members and major non-OPEC oil-producing countries.
The “plus” refers to 10 additional producers led by Russia, alongside countries such as Kazakhstan, Mexico, and Oman.
The alliance was created after the 2014–2016 oil price crash, when crude prices plunged due to oversupply and weak demand.
Their monthly meetings are closely watched by governments, investors, refiners, and energy traders because any decision to raise or cut output can immediately influence international crude benchmarks such as Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has increased the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) from N1,185 to N1,200 per litre, effective August 26, 2026.
In an official communication to customers issued on Tuesday, the refinery’s Group Commercial Operations announced revised depot prices for gantry and coastal deliveries.
The email, titled ‘PMS Price Change Communication (N1,185 per Litre To N1,200 Per Litre)’, asked customers to take note of the revised DPRP PMS gantry and coastal price, which is effective 26th August 2026.
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According to the table contained in the notice, the coastal price rose from N1,562,265 per metric tonne to N1,582,380, while the gantry price increased from N1,185 to N1,200 per litre.
The refinery further directed customers to return all Authorisation to Collect documents for repricing, adding that a new volume contract would be issued for immediate loading resumption.
“You are advised to return all ATCs for repricing, and a new volume contract will be issued for immediate loading resumption. Should you require any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us,” the notice said.
The latest adjustment represents a N15 per litre increase in the gantry price and comes barely days after the refinery raised the price from N1,165 to N1,185 per litre. The previous increase took effect from midnight on August 21, 2026, according to industry trackers.
However, the latest hike comes against a backdrop of falling international crude oil prices. Data from oilprice.com on Tuesday showed West Texas Intermediate crude trading at $82.13 per barrel, down $2.88 or 3.39 per cent, while Brent crude stood at $88.37 per barrel, declining by $3.80 or 4.12 per cent. Murban crude also fell to $92.71 per barrel, shedding $8.73 or 8.61 per cent.
Our correspondent gathered that marketers and depot operators who received the circular might have begun returning existing ATCs for repricing in line with the refinery’s directive.
The N15 increase could result in higher pump prices as oil marketers factor in transportation, landing and other downstream costs. Petrol is expected to return to an average of N1,250 per litre.
The Dangote Group has yet to respond to messages from our correspondent.
The price increase comes at a time of renewed volatility in the international oil market amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Reuters reported that oil prices fell as investors viewed the latest US sanctions against Iran as less threatening to global oil supplies than a military escalation. However, analysts warned that the decline could be an overreaction, noting that prices could rise sharply if Iran retaliates militarily.
Reuters also reported that supply disruption risks remained, with only two commodity vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, the lowest daily tally since early May. The waterway handled about one-fifth of global oil consumption before the conflict began, leaving the market vulnerable to further disruptions.
The 31 companies that emerged winners of 37 oil and gas blocks in the 2025 Licensing Round must pay their signature bonuses within the stipulated period or risk losing their provisional awards.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) handed down the warning on Sunday, one month after it hosted the commercial bid conference in Abuja, where the successful companies emerged as winners of the available blocks.
The NUPRC said the process of compliance with the payment of signature bonuses had commenced following the issuance of provisional awards to the successful bidders.
“Exactly a month ago, the NUPRC hosted the 2025 commercial bid conference in Abuja where 31 companies emerged winners of 37 oil and gas blocks. Having issued the winners with the provisional awards, compliance with the payment of signature bonuses has already begun.
“Winners who fail to pay signature bonuses within the stipulated time frame in line with the Petroleum Industry Act will forfeit their bid guarantee and lose their provisional awards to the reserve bidders,” the NUPRC stated.
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The 37 blocks offered in the licensing round comprise Petroleum Prospecting Licences covering the Niger Delta onshore, shallow water and deep offshore areas, as well as frontier basins.
Among the blocks are PPL 2A29 to PPL 2A62 in the Niger Delta, PPL 2010 in the deep offshore, PPL 308 in the Benin Basin, PPL 900 to PPL 903 in the Anambra Basin, PPL 700 in the Chad Basin and PPL 800 and PPL 801 in the Benue Trough.
The commission also published the names of the 31 successful companies and the ranked reserve bidders for each of the 37 blocks.
A total of 143 companies participated in the licensing round, submitting about 200 bids for the 37 blocks. However, 13 of the 50 blocks initially put up for bidding attracted no bids.
Under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the applicable licensing guidelines, successful bidders are required to pay signature bonuses ranging from $3m to $7m per block.
They are also expected to provide the required guarantees, pay first-year rents and satisfy other post-award conditions within the prescribed period. Failure to meet the requirements will result in the automatic transfer of the affected award to the next-ranked reserve bidder, according to the NUPRC.
The commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, had earlier urged the successful bidders to make the required payments without delay and commence development of the awarded assets.
The NUPRC urged interested members of the public and stakeholders to visit the 2025 Licensing Round portal for further information on the awards and compliance requirements.
Under the PIA 2021 guidelines, winning bidders are required to pay their signature bonuses within a strict 90-day window. Since provisional award letters were issued immediately following the commercial bid conference on July 21, 2026, it means 30 days have already elapsed, and companies have 60 days left to remit the funds.
This shows that the regulator expects the signature bonuses to be paid on or before October 19, 2026.
If a winning company fails to complete the payment of its statutory signature bonus along with first-year rent within this 90-day window, the company automatically forfeits its bid guarantee. The provisional award will be revoked and immediately reassigned to the designated reserve bidder for the asset.
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and CNL Joint Venture, has stressed the importance of strengthening the regulatory framework in the Nigerian oil and gas industry to enhance growth opportunities.
Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron companies in Nigeria and the Mid Africa Region, Jim Swartz, made this known at the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Energy and Labour Summit (PEALS) in Abuja on Wednesday August 19, 2026.
Represented by Segun Kuteyi, Director of Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Chevron Nigeria and Mid Africa Region, Jim noted that Nigeria remains one of the world’s most resource-rich energy nations, with substantial oil reserves, abundant natural gas, a strategic location, and a skilled workforce, adding that these strengths position the country for sustained growth and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape.
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He remarked that resources alone are not enough to guarantee success and emphasized that what makes the difference is the environment in which investments, businesses, and people operate. “A predictable, transparent, and efficient regulatory framework builds confidence; and confidence attracts investment, drives innovation, creates jobs, and supports economic growth,’ he stated.
Jim emphasized that regulatory certainty could be a catalyst for investor commitments and noted that in Chevron, regulatory reforms in the industry continue to enable its growth opportunities post-Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, with key drivers being exploration and new discoveries, infill drilling and brownfield optimisation as well as monetisation and integrated developments
According to him, some of the company’s key achievements include the renewal and conversion of its Joint Venture and Deepwater leases; continued investment in exploration, asset and gas development, and monetisation; the recent Chevron’s acquisition of Deepwater block, Petroleum Prospecting License (PPL 2010); equity investments in recent announcements by Shell on Bonga Southwest/Aparo (BSWAP), and ExxonMobil on Owowo/Usan and the sustained social investments and community partnerships for over six decades.
While emphasizing the importance of safety, collaboration and human dimension in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, he stated that the industry challenges could be addressed through strengthening regulatory certainty, advancing transparency and accountability, driving investment across the value chain and promote collaboration across the industry, supporting innovation and digital transformation and building workforce capability and future-ready skills.
“At Chevron, we believe people are our greatest asset. No regulatory framework can fully succeed without a capable, motivated, and protected workforce. That is why forums such as PEALS are important: they bring government, labour, and industry together to align on shared goals and deepen mutual understanding,” he remarked.
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