Member states of OPEC
Encyclopedia
The OPEC
has twelve member states: six in the Middle East
, four in Africa
, and two in South America
.
The United States was a de facto
member during its formal occupation of Iraq via the Coalition Provisional Authority
.
Indonesia left OPEC in 2008 because it ceased to be a net exporter of oil. It could not fulfill the demand of its own country's needs, as growth in demand outstripped output. The situation was made worse because of lacking legal certainty
and corruption that deterred foreign investors from investing in new reserves in Indonesia. In recent times, the government has increased financial incentives for foreign firms to invest in exploration and extraction but has found itself forced to import more supplies from the likes of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Indonesia's departure from OPEC will not likely affect the amount of oil it produces or imports. The country's growing dependence on imports is proving increasingly expensive as global prices soar.
OPEC
OPEC is an intergovernmental organization of twelve developing countries made up of Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. OPEC has maintained its headquarters in Vienna since 1965, and hosts regular meetings...
has twelve member states: six in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, four in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, and two in South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
.
List
| Country | Region | Joined OPEC | Population (July 2008) |
Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | 1969 | 33,779,668 | 2,381,740 | |
| Africa | 2007 | 12,531,357 | 1,246,700 | |
| South America | 2007Ecuador initially joined in 1973, left in 1992, and rejoined in 2007. | 13,927,650 | 283,560 | |
| Middle East | 1960One of five founder members that attended the first OPEC conference, in September 1960. | 75,875,224 | 1,648,000 | |
| Middle East | 1960 | 28,221,180 | 437,072 | |
| Middle East | 1960 | 2,596,799 | 17,820 | |
| Africa | 1962 | 6,173,579 | 1,759,540 | |
| Africa | 1971 | 158,259,000 | 923,768 | |
| Middle East | 1961 | 824,789 | 11,437 | |
| Middle East | 1960 | 28,146,656 | 2,149,690 | |
| Middle East | 1967 | 4,621,399 | 83,600 | |
| South America | 1960 | 26,414,816 | 912,050 | |
| Total | km² | |||
Former members
| Country | Region | Joined OPEC | Left OPEC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | 1975 | 1994 | |
| East Asia | 1962 | 2008 |
The United States was a de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
member during its formal occupation of Iraq via the Coalition Provisional Authority
Coalition Provisional Authority
The Coalition Provisional Authority was established as a transitional government following the invasion of Iraq by the United States and its allies, members of the Multi-National Force – Iraq which was formed to oust the government of Saddam Hussein in 2003...
.
Indonesia left OPEC in 2008 because it ceased to be a net exporter of oil. It could not fulfill the demand of its own country's needs, as growth in demand outstripped output. The situation was made worse because of lacking legal certainty
Legal certainty
Legal certainty is a principle in national and international law which holds that the law must provide those subject to it with the ability to regulate their conduct. Legal certainty is internationally recognised as a central requirement for the rule of law....
and corruption that deterred foreign investors from investing in new reserves in Indonesia. In recent times, the government has increased financial incentives for foreign firms to invest in exploration and extraction but has found itself forced to import more supplies from the likes of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Indonesia's departure from OPEC will not likely affect the amount of oil it produces or imports. The country's growing dependence on imports is proving increasingly expensive as global prices soar.