Brazil set to become a member of OPEC+, alliance of key oil-exporting countries

BRAZILIA, Brazil — On Tuesday, Brazil’s government formally approved its membership in OPEC+, a coalition of significant oil-exporting nations, marking the nation’s transition into a major player in the oil industry. This decision comes just nine months before Brazil is set to host the annual United Nations climate summit, adding a complex layer to the country’s environmental agenda.

The approval was granted by the National Council for Energy Policy, following an official invitation extended to Brazil earlier in 2023. OPEC+ comprises the 12 founding members of OPEC, an organization designed to regulate oil production for market stability, as well as 10 other key oil-producing nations, including Russia, which is the most prominent among them.

Brazil’s participation in OPEC+ will not entail any binding commitments, such as mandated production cuts, according to Alexandre Silveira, the Mines and Energy Minister. He mentioned that the country’s involvement will focus on the Charter of Cooperation, which serves as a regular meeting space for OPEC and OPEC+ members to engage on industry matters. This means Brazil will not partake in the decision-making processes of the group.

Silveira described the charter as simply “a forum for discussing strategies among oil-producing countries,” emphasizing that Brazil should take pride in its role as an oil producer. He stated that increasing oil revenues is essential for Brazil’s growth, development, and job creation.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who began his third term earlier this year championing environmental protection, has committed to reducing deforestation in the Amazon and advocating for Indigenous rights. Simultaneously, he has suggested that the revenues from oil could support a shift toward renewable energy.

In recent weeks, Lula has encouraged Brazil’s environmental agency to greenlight exploratory drilling near the Amazon River, a region recognized for its rich biodiversity. Currently, Brazil stands as the seventh-largest oil producer globally, generating approximately 4.3 million barrels daily, which makes up about 4% of the world’s total output, as reported by the Energy Information Administration, a U.S. government entity. In 2024, crude oil became Brazil’s leading export, contributing 13.3% of its total foreign sales and surpassing soy in this regard.

The United States remains the world’s largest oil producer, outputting nearly 22 million barrels daily, while Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s largest producer, accounts for around 11 million barrels.

Luís Eduardo Duque Dutra, an oil specialist and professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, described Brazil’s decision as “comprehensive and coherent.” He highlighted that alongside joining OPEC+, the energy council has also sanctioned Brazil’s entry into two other significant organizations, namely the International Energy Agency and the International Renewable Energy Agency. Dutra noted that these memberships would help Brazil stay updated on global dynamics, especially as the country maximizes its pre-salt offshore oil reserves alongside its increasing capabilities in wind and solar energy. “In times of trade wars, information is as valuable as gold,” he stated.

However, Lula’s push for enhanced oil production has faced backlash, particularly as Brazil prepares to facilitate the upcoming UN climate summit known as COP30 in November. A core theme of these climate negotiations has been the reduction of fossil fuel usage due to its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.

Suely Araújo, a representative from the Climate Observatory — which encompasses 133 environmental, civil society, and academic organizations — criticized Brazil’s decision to join OPEC, calling it indicative of governmental regression. She argued that the opening of new fossil fuel exploration areas suggests Brazil is reverting to outdated solutions in the face of pressing contemporary challenges.