Petroleum industry is a technology intensive industry. Research and development in the petroleum industry are directed towards .finding ways to increase the quantitiy of oil known to be in place .finding ways to increase the quantity of oil brought to surface .finding ways to increase the potential benefit of oil. ASEAN countries are developing countries with Limited resources in funds and in skilled manpower. The characteristics of research and development, as well as the situations in ASEAN countries are briefly examined, and finally some areas of possible cooperation in research and development in ASEAN petroleum industry are explored.