Abstract
Despite (it would appear) advice to the contrary by some of its major oil company partners, Angola has become a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) since the beginning of the year. While Angola (along with other producers) had participated in OPEC meetings as an observer for several years, this announcement nevertheless came as something of a surprise. Will Angola's entry in OPEC lead to a shift in the balance of forces in world oil? What will be the consequences of this move for the principal players?