The exit of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from OPEC has reduced the group's share of global crude oil production and production capacity, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
OPEC's Production Share Without UAE
In 2025, OPEC, including the UAE, produced an estimated 28.0 million barrels per day (b/d) of crude oil, accounting for 35% of total global crude oil production. Without the UAE, OPEC's share would have been 31%, the EIA reported.
The EIA stated, "Without the UAE's contribution, the group's share of world total crude oil production would have been 31% in 2025."
Impact on OPEC+ Group
The broader OPEC+ group accounted for about 46% of global crude oil production in 2025. Excluding the UAE, OPEC+'s share would have been closer to 42%, according to the report.
Saudi Arabia remained the largest and most influential OPEC member. In 2025, it was the world's second-largest oil producer, producing 9.3 million b/d and holding an estimated production capacity of 11.6 million b/d.
UAE's Departure from OPEC
The UAE announced its decision to leave OPEC on April 28, 2026, effective May 1. OPEC was founded in 1960 by Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela to coordinate petroleum policies. The UAE joined OPEC as the emirate of Abu Dhabi in 1967.
As of 2025, the UAE held the third-largest crude oil production capacity within OPEC, after Saudi Arabia and Iraq. It produced an average of 3.4 million b/d of crude oil and had an estimated effective production capacity of 4.2 million b/d.
Strait of Hormuz Disruptions
The EIA report also highlighted the impact of the conflict in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has significantly disrupted oil production and exports across the region. According to EIA estimates, crude oil production disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz closure could rise from 8.89 million b/d in March 2026 to 10.52 million b/d in April and 11.25 million b/d in May.
Iraq is estimated to face production shut-ins of 3.19 million b/d in May 2026, while Saudi Arabia could see disruptions of 3.29 million b/d. Kuwait may witness shut-ins of 1.98 million b/d and the UAE 1.35 million b/d during the same period.
The report noted that the UAE and Saudi Arabia were the only regional OPEC countries able to reroute crude oil exports around the Strait of Hormuz following the disruption.
