The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the largest U.
S trade association for the oil and natural gas
industry. It claims to represent about 650 corporations involved in production, refinement, distribution, and
many other aspects of the petroleum industry.
(API) is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of Americas oil and natural gas
industry. Our 650 corporate members, from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents,
come from all segments of the industry. They are producers, refiners, suppliers, marketers, pipeline
operators and marine transporters, as well as service and supply companies that support all segments of
the industry.
Although our focus is primarily domestic, in recent years our work has expanded to include a growing
international dimension, and today API is recognized around the world for its broad range of programs:
The association describes its mission as to influence public policy in support of a strong, viable U.S. oil and
natural
gas
industry.
Its
chief
functions
include advocacy, negotiation and lobbying with
on
governmental,
behalf
legal,
of
the
and
industry
regulatory
agencies; research into economic, toxicological, and environmental effects; establishment and certification
of industry standards; andeducation outreach.[2] API both funds and conducts research related to many
aspects of the petroleum industry. The Institute has actively funded anti-climate change campaigns in
contrast to the moderate overtones in their advertising The current CEO and president is Jack Gerard.
API Standards Committees are made up of subcommittees and task groups that works and maintain these
standards. the list of Committee and Subcommittee is:
Committee on Standardization of Oilfield Equipment & Materials (CSOEM)
SC2- Subcommittee on Offshore Structures
SC5- Subcommittee on Tubular Goods
SC6- Subcommittee on Valves & Wellhead Equipment
SC8- Subcommittee on Drilling Structures & Equipment
SC10- Subcommittee on Well Cements
SC11- Subcommittee on Field Operating Equipment
SC13- Subcommittee on Drill Completion & Fracturing Fluids
SC15- Subcommittee on Fiberglass & Plastic Tubulars
SC16- Subcommittee on Drilling Well Control Equipment
SC17- Subcommittee on Subsea Production Equipment
SC18- Subcommittee on Quality
SC19- Subcommittee on Completion Equipment
SC20- Subcommittee on Supply Chain Management
Committee on Refinery Equipment (CRE)
Subcommittee on Corrosion & Materials
Subcommittee on Electrical Equipment
Subcommittee on Heat Transfer Equipment
Subcommittee on Inspection
Subcommittee on Instruments & Control Systems
Subcommittee on Mechanical Equipment
Subcommittee on Piping & Valves
Subcommittee on Pressure-Relieving Systems
Subcommittee on Aboveground Storage Tanks
Pipeline Standards Committees
Safety and Fire Protection Committee (SFPS)
API Committee on Petroleum Measurement (COPM)
Committee on Evaporation Loss Estimation
Committee on Gas Fluids Measurement
Committee on Liquid Measurement
Committee on Measurement Accountability
Committee on Measurement Quality
Committee on Production Measurement & Allocation
Committee on Measurement Education & Training
HISTORY
The American Petroleum Institute traces its beginning to World War I, when Congress and the domestic oil
and natural gas industry worked together to help the war effort.
At the time, the industry included the companies created in 1911 after the court-imposed dissolution of
Standard Oil and the "independents." These were companies that had been "independent" of Standard
Oil. They had no experience working together, but they agreed to work with the government to ensure that
vital petroleum supplies were rapidly and efficiently deployed to the armed forces.
The National Petroleum War Service Committee, which oversaw this effort, was initially formed under the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce and subsequently as a quasi-governmental body.
After the war, momentum began to build to form a national association that could represent the entire
industry in the postwar years. The industrys efforts to supply fuel during World War I not only highlighted
the importance of the industry to the country but also its obligation to the public, as the original charter
shows.
The American Petroleum Institute was established on March 20, 1919:
to afford a means of cooperation with the government in all matters of national concern
to foster foreign and domestic trade in American petroleum products
to promote in general the interests of the petroleum industry in all its branches
to promote the mutual improvement of its members and the study of the arts and sciences
connected with the oil and natural gas industry.
API offices were established in New York City, and the organization focused its efforts in several specific
areas.
ADVOCACY
We speak for the oil and natural gas industry to the public, Congress and the Executive Branch, state
governments and the media. We negotiate with regulatory agencies, represent the industry in legal
proceedings, participate in coalitions and work in partnership with other associations to achieve our
members public policy goals.
STATISTICS
The first effort was to develop an authoritative program of collecting industry statistics. As early as 1920,
API began to issue weekly statistics, beginning first with crude oil production. The report, which was
shared with both the government and the press, was later expanded to include crude oil and product
stocks, refinery runs and other data.
API statistics remain one of the most credible sources of industry data and they are used worldwide.
STANDARDIZATION
The second effort was the standardization of oil field equipment. During World War I, drilling delays
resulted from shortages of equipment at the drill site, and the industry attempted to overcome that problem
by pooling equipment. The program reportedly failed because there was no uniformity of pipe sizes,
threads and coupling. Thus, the new association took up the challenge of developing industry-wide
standards and the first standards were published in 1924.
Today, API maintains 685 standards and recommended practices covering all segments of the oil and gas
industry to promote the use of safe, interchangeable equipment and proven and sound engineering
practices.
Since 1924, the American Petroleum Institute has been a cornerstone in establishing and maintaining
standards for the worldwide oil and natural gas industry. Our work helps the industry invent and
manufacture superior products consistently, provide critical services, ensure fairness in the marketplace for
businesses and consumers alike, and promotes the acceptance of products and practices globally.
Standards enhance the safety of industry operations, assure quality, help keep costs down, reduce waste,
and minimize confusion. They help speed acceptance, bring products to market quicker, and avoid having
to reinvent the wheel every time a product is manufactured.
TAXATION
The third major area of activity was taxation. Initially the efforts included working with the Treasury
Department and congressional committees to develop an orderly, logical and easily administered way to tax
oil assets. In the 1930s, these efforts extended to working state governments. Both the federal and state
governments tax highways fuels to fund the building of roads, and the industry supported tougher laws
against tax evasion.
This led to the formation of the API state petroleum council network. API now has offices in 21 state
capitals and represents members in 33 states, all east of the Rocky Mountains.
TODAY
In late 1969, API made the decision to move its offices to Washington, DC where we remain today. With
650 corporate members, we are one of the country's largest national trade associations, and the only one
that represents all aspects of Americas oil and natural gas industry.
[This short history of API is based on The Story of the American Petroleum Institute, by Leonard M.
Fanning, published in 1959, and The American Petroleum Institute: An Informal History (1919 1987) by
Stephen P. Potter, published by API in 1990]
TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES
363. P. Casal St., Quiapo, Manila
Assignment in
CHE 504
Safety in the Process Industry
Submitted by:
RAVIZ, JAMES LAURENCE D.
BSCHE CH51FC1
Submitted to:
ENGR. LINA D. DELA CRUZ
Industry Lecturer
July 11, 2016
