Question

Which one of the following is not a member of the organization of petroleum exporting countries (OPEC)?

• A. Algeria
• B. Brazil
• C. Ecuador
• D. Nigeria

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1 — Recall what OPEC is:
OPEC stands for the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. It is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1960 in Baghdad, Iraq. Its main goal is to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among member countries to ensure stable oil markets and fair returns for producers.

Step 2 — Current member countries:
The members of OPEC mainly include oil-producing nations from the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Examples are:
• Saudi Arabia
• Iraq
• Iran
• Kuwait
• Venezuela
• Nigeria
• Angola
• United Arab Emirates
• Algeria
• Libya
…and a few others that joined later.

Step 3 — Check the option in question (Brazil):
Brazil is indeed a major oil-producing nation, but it has never been a member of OPEC. Instead, Brazil exports oil independently and has remained outside the OPEC framework. The country relies on its national oil company, Petrobras, to manage its petroleum sector.

Step 4 — Elimination of confusion:
Some South American countries like Venezuela and Ecuador were or are members of OPEC, so people may confuse Brazil with them. But Brazil is not and has never been an OPEC member.

Step 5 — Conclusion:
Therefore, among the given options, the one that is not a member of OPEC is Brazil.

Final Answer:
The correct option is (B): Brazil.