4 - Development of the ASEAN Petroleum Industry and Implications for ASEAN-China Economic Relations

Summary

I. Introduction

The energy picture in the ASEAN region is quite diverse, viewed from either the demand or the supply side. This diversity reflects differences in stage of economic development, energy resources endowment, and other factors — including energy policies. Per capita primary energy consumption in the ASEAN region in 1984 ranged from 29.3 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) in Singapore to 1.4 boe in Indonesia. Similarly, the share of non-commercial energy (fuelwood, agricultural waste, etc.) in total primary energy consumption in 1984 varied from an estimated 38.7 per cent in Indonesia and 26.4 per cent in Thailand to only 9.6 per cent in Malaysia and almost nil in Singapore.

The six ASEAN countries, however, share a common feature in that they assign great importance to the petroleum industry in their economies. Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei are important regional producers and net exporters of oil and gas. The Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand are net importers of energy in general, and oil in particular. None the less, all three countries also have a sizeable petroleum refining capacity. Singapore, in fact, is the third largest refinery centre and third largest oil trading centre in the world. Thailand has greatly stepped up its efforts over the past few years to reduce dependence on energy imports by promoting the production of natural gas and oil, in addition to coal (lignite). In 1985, production of natural gas and condensate by the Union Oil Co. in the Gulf of Thailand has reached the rate of 327 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) and 14,136 barrels per day (bpd), respectively. Production of crude oil in the North by Shell has amounted to 20,688 bpd. The Philippines is also producing some oil from ten producing wells.

China, being an important regional producer and a net oil exporter, has developed over the years various relations with ASEAN countries in the field of energy generally and petroleum in particular.