UAE targets 5 million bpd capacity by 2027, cites need for flexibility after OPEC exit
Abu Dhabi, April 29. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unveiled an ambitious plan to raise its oil production capacity to five million barrels per day by 2027, signalling its intent to take on a larger role in meeting global energy demand amid mounting pressure on supply chains.
In remarks to Al Etihad News Centre, Energy and Infrastructure Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei said the country is steadily advancing this strategy, positioning itself as a responsible producer capable of helping bridge supply gaps in international markets.
According to a report in the Gulf News, Al Mazrouei explained that the decision to withdraw from OPEC and the broader OPEC+ framework followed a comprehensive reassessment of national oil and gas policies and the expanding global footprint of the UAE’s energy companies across the value chain. He said the move was driven by the need for greater agility and faster decision-making in an increasingly volatile global environment.
The minister also pointed to the recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which led several countries to tap into their strategic petroleum reserves, creating fresh urgency for higher production and renewed investment to compensate for supply disruptions.
He noted that the UAE’s updated production approach is tailored to respond to these evolving conditions and reinforce market stability. While reaffirming the country’s five-decade-long cooperation with OPEC, Al Mazrouei said current circumstances require a more flexible framework that allows quicker responses to global developments.
The UAE, he added, remains committed to collaborating with other producers to bolster energy security and intends to maintain an active, stabilising presence in global energy markets through reliable and sustained supply.
