Establishment of ASCOPE

In June 1975 PERTAMINA sent a proposal to the Heads of National Oil Companies and Government Institutions in charge of petroleum matters in the ASEAN region "to form cooperation within the field of oil industry among the ASEAN Member Countries." The proposal stated that "joint cooperation will have as main aim to assist the ASEAN countries in increasing their capabilities in all aspects and phases of the petroleum industry through mutual assistance."

As the ASEAN Member Countries showed positive response to the proposal, a preliminary meeting was held in Manilla on 5-6 September 1975 to discuss the proposal, followed with another meeting one month later in Jakarta-Indonesia on 13-14 October 1975 to materialize the cooperation. The meeting agreed to establish a Council of Petroleum among the ASEAN Member Countries called the ASEAN Council on Petroleum (ASCOPE).

On the 15th of October 1975, five founding countries (i.e. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) signed the Declaration of Establishment and the Memorandum of Understanding of ASCOPE. Brunei Darussalam joined later in 1985. Vietnam became the seventh member of ASCOPE on November 5, 1996. Cambodia and Myanmar became ASCOPE members on 14 February, 2001.

The aims and purpose of ASCOPE (as underlined in both the ASCOPE Declaration of Establishment and, also, the Memorandum of Understanding) are strictly in line with the objectives of ASEAN as follows:

Promotion of active collaboration and mutual assistance in the development of petroleum resources in the region through joint endeavors in the spirit of equality and partnership
Collaboration in the efficient utilization of petroleum
Providing mutual assistance in personnel training and the use of research facilities and services in all phases of the petroleum industry
Facilitating exchange of information
Holding of Conferences and Seminars
Maintenance of close cooperation with existing international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes.

Due to its specific technical and operational character, it was agreed that ASCOPE would operate independently of the ASEAN Secretariat. However, ASCOPE is to conduct its programs and activities within the ASEAN concept. In addition, ASCOPE will inform and liaise with the ASEAN Secretariat on its program and activities.

Beginning in 1980, ASCOPE activities were reported to the ASEAN Economic Ministers at the annual Energy Cooperation Meeting (AEM-EC). In addition, a yearly ASCOPE Annual Report is to be submitted to the ASEAN Secretariat after the holding of the ASCOPE Council Meeting.

Within ASCOPE, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Vietnam are oil producing members. Singapore holds a unique position as the crude processing center and the Philippines and Thailand are considered oil consuming countries.