Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Brazil seeks greater oil market influence
Despite environmental criticism, President Lula sees opportunity to build bridges with OPEC+ allies
Latin America’s largest oil producer welcomed in the new year as the newest recruit to the OPEC+ alliance with oil output booming and ambitions to help shape global pricing. The government boasted almost 20% annual production growth heading into December and has ambitions to make the country the fourth-largest oil producer by 2030. Surging domestic production is at the heart of Brazil’s recent admission into OPEC+. The pact recognises the country’s increasing influence, particularly as pre-salt oil ramps up, while the Brazilian government also wants to build tighter economic and political relations with the world’s largest exporters. “OPEC+ membership would allow Brazil to forge closer ties
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The 25th WPC Energy Congress, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 26–30 April 2026, will bring together leaders from the political, industrial, financial and technology sectors under the unifying theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All”
