About API

The American Petroleum Institute (API) and its nearly 600 members represent all segments of the oil and natural gas industry. Through its Global Industry Services (GIS) Division, API has expanded its reach worldwide to drive safety, environmental protection, and sustainability through world-class standards and targeted segment programs.

Since its formation in 1919 as a standards-setting organization, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance industry operations. Today, it is the global leader in convening subject matter experts to establish, maintain, and distribution consensus standards for the oil and natural gas industry.

API standards are developed under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited process, ensuring that they are recognized not only for their technical rigor but also for their transparent, consensus-based development process. They are incorporated by reference into both U.S. federal and state regulations and are the most widely cited petroleum industry standards by international regulators.

These standards cover all aspects of the industry. In the midstream space, API has recently developed a series of standards focused on pipeline infrastructure growth and operational safety. Most recently, API published RP 1183 to help the pipeline industry assess and mitigate the risks associated with dents and other issues related to day-to-day pipeline operations.

API standards have also formed the basis for important industry initiatives and programs around pipeline construction, integrity, and management systems. Initiatives like the Pipeline Safety Management System (SMS) Assessment Program, based on RP 1173, help strengthen pipeline safety and promote continuous improvement. Additionally, API’s Individual Certification Program tests and qualifies inspectors working on new pipeline construction based on the guidance and codes included in RP 1169.

These standards and programs, the 80 new and updated standards published in 2020 and those already in development for 2021, reflect API’s commitment to providing world-class products that enable the oil and natural gas industry to operate safely, efficiently, reliably, and sustainably.

To learn more about API and the value of oil and natural gas, please visit API.org.