Lula confirms that Brazil will join OPEC+.

Brazilian President Lula announced Brazil's membership of OPEC+ at COP28 in Dubai, marking a strategic turning point for the country in preparing for the world's fossil fuel-free energy transition. This decision, while attracting criticism, reflects the complexities of today's energy and climate diplomacy.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Lula’s announcement at COP28 that Brazil will join OPEC+ next January is a diplomatic and strategic maneuver. Although this accession was preceded by some apprehension, Lula clarified that Brazil would adopt an observer role within the alliance. According to Lula, the aim is to influence the major oil-producing countries in their energy transition.

Brazil’s role in OPEC+.

As Latin America’s leading oil producer, Brazil recently recorded record production. Joining OPEC+, an organization that includes countries such as Russia and Saudi Arabia, positions Brazil in a key role for discussing future energy and climate policies. Jean-Paul Prates, Chairman of Petrobras, stressed that Brazil, while participating in the discussions, would not adhere to the organization’s production quotas.

Criticism and contradiction

However, this move provoked mixed reactions, particularly from the environmental movement. Greenpeace Brazil, for example, criticized the decision as contradictory to Brazil’s commitments to limit global warming. These criticisms highlight the challenges Brazil faces in reconciling its energy ambitions with its environmental commitments.

The stakes of COP28 for Brazil

Lula’s active participation in COP28 demonstrates his commitment to the fight against climate change, notably through significant measures to reduce deforestation in the Amazon. However, Petrobras’ oil exploration project near the Amazon has raised concerns, underlining the complexity of Brazil’s energy policy.

Brazil’s strategic position in the oil market

With its growing production and vast reserves, Brazil is positioning itself as a major player on the world oil market. Its membership of OPEC+ could enable it to play a more influential role in regulating world oil production, while pursuing its economic development objectives.

Brazil’s membership of OPEC+ represents an attempt to navigate the complicated waters of energy geopolitics while striving to meet its climate commitments. This approach highlights the challenges faced by developing countries in managing their natural resources, achieving economic growth and protecting the environment. Time will tell whether Brazil can successfully balance these often conflicting interests while playing a key role in the global energy transition.

Manila plans to expand gas and renewable energy production to meet a 6.6% increase in electricity demand over the next two years.
Ottawa and London increased bilateral exchanges to structure strategic cooperation on nuclear energy and critical minerals supply chains, as part of Canada’s G7 presidency.
Donald Trump says he secured Narendra Modi’s commitment to end Russian oil imports, adding political pressure to India-Russia trade relations.
Under intense diplomatic pressure from Washington, member states of the International Maritime Organization agreed to postpone by one year the adoption of a carbon pricing mechanism for global maritime transport.
Washington confirms it has mandated the CIA to carry out secret actions against Nicolas Maduro’s government, escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela amid geostrategic and energy stakes.
Two European Parliament committees propose to advance the full halt of Russian hydrocarbon imports to 2026 and 2027, including oil, gas, and LNG, strengthening the European Union’s geopolitical position.
The COP30 conference hosted in the Amazon by Brazil faces low participation from global leaders, amid geopolitical tensions and major logistical challenges.
The United States has granted Trinidad and Tobago a special licence to resume negotiations with Venezuela on the Dragon gas field, partially lifting restrictions imposed on the Venezuelan energy sector.
Ambassadors of European Union member states have approved the transmission of a legislative proposal to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by January 2028 to the Council of Ministers.
The State Duma has approved Russia’s formal withdrawal from a treaty signed with the United States on the elimination of military-grade plutonium, ending over two decades of strategic nuclear cooperation.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was not in Poland’s interest to extradite to Germany a Ukrainian citizen suspected of taking part in the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022.
Al-Harfi and SCLCO signed agreements with Syrian authorities to develop solar and wind capacity, amid an ongoing energy rapprochement between Riyadh and Damascus.
Faced with risks to Middle Eastern supply chains, Thai and Japanese refiners are turning to US crude, backed by tariff incentives and strategies aligned with ongoing bilateral trade discussions.
France intercepted a tanker linked to Russian exports, prompting Emmanuel Macron to call for a coordinated European response to hinder vessels bypassing oil sanctions.
The activation of the snapback mechanism reinstates all UN sanctions on Iran, directly affecting the defence, financial and maritime trade sectors.
Commissioner Dan Jørgensen visits Greenland to expand energy ties with the European Union, amid plans to double EU funding for the 2028–2034 period.
European and Iranian foreign ministers meet in New York to try to prevent the reinstatement of UN sanctions linked to Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announces a bilateral agreement with Mexico including targeted investments in energy corridors, logistics infrastructure and cross-border security.
The US president has called for an immediate end to Russian oil imports by NATO countries, denouncing a strategic contradiction as sanctions against Moscow are being considered.
Tehran withdrew a resolution denouncing attacks on its nuclear facilities, citing US pressure on IAEA members who feared suspension of Washington’s voluntary contributions.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.