What American Petroleum Institute does

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the primary U.S. trade association representing all segments of the oil and natural gas industry, founded in 1919 and headquartered in Washington, DC. API represents approximately 600 member companies spanning major integrated oil companies, independent producers, refiners, pipeline operators, and service companies, and is the central standards-setting body for the U.S. industry, having developed over 800 standards covering equipment specifications, safety systems, testing protocols, and operational practices. The organization supports its members and a global licensee base through four interlocking programs: (1) the API Monogram and APIQR certification programs, which license manufacturers and register quality management systems (ISO 9001/14001, API Spec Q1/Q2); (2) the Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS) and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) certification, which authorize display of the Starburst, Shield, Donut, and DEF marks on licensed products, enforced through the Aftermarket Audit Program; (3) assessment services including Process Safety Site Assessments, Pipeline SMS Assessments, and Pipeline SMS Contractor Assessments aligned with API RP 1173; and (4) Individual Certification Programs (ICP), training, industry events (Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit, Offshore Safe Lifting Conference, COS Forum), and the API Composite List directory of certified organizations.

API's revenue model is diversified across five streams: recurring membership dues from approximately 600 corporate members; one-time and perpetual license sales of standards and publications through the API Webstore; certification and licensing fees from Monogram, APIQR, EOLCS, and DEF programs (application fees, annual fees, and audit costs); training and individual certification revenue; and registration and sponsorship income from industry events. API operates from offices in Washington DC, Houston, Beijing, Dubai, and Rio de Janeiro, with a planned India office announced in 2026, and engages in direct federal and state policy advocacy on energy, climate, infrastructure, tax, and trade issues. The organization is governed by its members and operates as a non-profit under the laws of the District of Columbia, with no public technology API or software product offering; rather, it provides standards, certifications, assessments, and industry guidance.

Name

American Petroleum Institute

Legal name

American Petroleum Institute

Website

https://api.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The American Petroleum Institute is the primary U.S. trade association for the oil and natural gas industry, representing approximately 600 member companies and developing over 800 technical standards, certification programs, training, and policy advocacy services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Trade Association and Standards Development

SIC

Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)

akta.pro primary industry

Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lubricant Testing, Certification & Technical Services (Labs, OEM approvals, QA/QC) (EUALAJAL), Branded Fuels Wholesaling & Jobber Distribution (EUALAIAB)

Keywords

• Oil and gas standards
• Industry certification programs
• Petroleum trade association
• Energy policy advocacy
• Industry safety standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: API represents approximately 600 member companies across all segments of America's oil and natural gas industry. Members include major integrated oil companies, independent producers, refiners, pipeline operators, and service companies.
2. Standards Publications and Sales: API publishes and sells technical standards, specifications, and recommended practices through the API Webstore. These cover equipment specifications (API Spec 6A, 16D, etc.), management system standards (API Q1, Q2), and operational practices.
3. Certification and Licensing Fees: API Monogram licensing, APIQR registration, and EOLCS licensing programs charge application fees, annual fees, and audit costs. Licensees pay for product certification and quality system registrations.
4. Training and Education Programs: API provides training programs, individual certification programs (ICP), and educational resources for industry professionals in safety, inspection, and technical competencies.
5. Industry Events: API organizes industry events including the Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit, Offshore Safe Lifting Conference, and COS Forum, generating revenue through registrations and sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The American Petroleum Institute is a national trade association that develops and maintains over 800 technical standards, specifications, and recommended practices for the U.S. oil and natural gas industry. It sells these standards and publications, licenses manufacturers through the API Monogram and APIQR programs, administers the Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS) and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) certification, delivers individual professional certifications and training, and conducts industry advocacy with policymakers.

Product overview

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is a trade association for the oil and natural gas industry that operates as a standards development organization. API's product and service portfolio centers on its certification and standards programs, which work together to promote safety and quality across the industry. The core offerings include: (1) the API Monogram Program and APIQR certification for licensing and registering companies meeting API specifications; (2) the Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS) and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Certification Program for aftermarket product quality verification; (3) over 800 API Standards covering equipment specifications, recommended practices, and technical reports; and (4) assessment programs including Process Safety Site Assessments and Pipeline SMS Assessments. Supporting services include the myCerts online licensing portal, API Training programs, Individual Certification Programs for professionals, the API Composite List directory of certified companies, and industry events such as the Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit, Offshore Safe Lifting Conference, and COS Forum. The organization also provides research and analytics through its Energy Insights hub and the American Energy Snapshot dashboard. API does not offer a software product or technology platform with public APIs; rather, it provides standards, certifications, and industry guidance to member companies and certified organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• API Monogram Program Licensing program that authorizes manufacturers meeting API product specifications to apply the API Monogram to compliant equipment, including on-site audits of quality management systems.
• APIQR (API Quality Registrar) Management system registration certification program offering ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, API Spec Q1, and API Spec Q2 registrations for petroleum industry quality and service management systems.
• Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS) Voluntary licensing and certification program authorizing engine oil marketers meeting API 1509 requirements to use the API Starburst, Shield, and Donut quality marks, with monitoring through the Aftermarket Audit Program.
• Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Certification Program Voluntary certification program certifying diesel exhaust fluids meeting ISO 22241 purity standards for use in Selective Catalytic Reduction systems, including Marine DEF (AUS 40) certification per ISO 18611.
• API Standards Over 800 published standards, specifications, recommended practices, and technical reports covering all segments of the oil and natural gas industry, available for purchase through the API Webstore.
• Individual Certification Programs (ICP) Individual professional certification programs for inspectors, asset integrity managers, and other professionals in the oil and natural gas industry, including inspection and integrity management credentials.
• API Training Training programs and courses covering API standards, specifications, recommended practices, and industry-specific technical topics for professionals across the oil and gas value chain.
• Process Safety Site Assessment Program Assessment program evaluating process safety management systems at oil and gas facilities for conformance with industry best practices and API recommended practices.
• Pipeline SMS Assessment Program Assessment program for pipeline operators evaluating Safety Management System elements aligned with API Recommended Practice 1173 and other pipeline safety standards.
• Center for Offshore Safety (COS) API center of excellence dedicated to promoting safety in offshore oil and gas operations through standards development, assessment programs, and industry collaboration.
• 19B Perforator Witnessing Program Witnessing program providing knowledgeable witnesses to observe critical industry tests and verification for well perforators per API 19B Recommended Practice.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 800 standards developed since 1919 for operational and environmental safety
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Baker HughescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Baker Hughes signed a long-term service agreement with ANOH Gas Processing Company for operation and maintenance of equipment at the ANOH Gas Processing Plant in Imo State, Nigeria. API indirectly involved as industry standards facilitator for energy sector operations.
• Indian Oil Corporation LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Indian Oil hosted a high-level technical session with API in New Delhi to strengthen adoption of globally benchmarked practices in India's energy sector. The workshop discussed process safety, asset integrity, operational reliability, and digital integrity management across the hydrocarbon value chain.
• National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2026API and NOIA released a joint report positioning the Central-South Gulf expansion as a strategic pillar for U.S. energy security. The report projects development would generate over 133,000 jobs and contribute $11.3 billion to U.S. GDP by 2040.
• Ukraine Ministry of EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026Ukraine's Ministry of Energy signed a Production Sharing Agreement with Aspect Holdings and entered into memoranda with Solar Turbines, Baker Hughes, and API to upgrade equipment, improve turbine reliability, and align with global industry standards for energy infrastructure modernization.
• Aspect HoldingsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026Ukraine's Ministry of Energy signed a Production Sharing Agreement with Aspect Holdings for hydrocarbon extraction as part of energy infrastructure modernization efforts.
• Solar TurbinesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026Ukraine's Naftogaz entered into memorandum with Solar Turbines for turbine reliability improvement as part of energy infrastructure partnership with API involvement.
• Renewable Fuels Association and Growth EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 January 2026API and major ethanol groups agreed on a framework to reform U.S. biofuel policy, proposing to limit small refinery exemptions and authorize year-round sales of E15. The coalition is lobbying Congress to include the deal in government spending bills.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ASTM International: ASTM International is a global voluntary consensus standards development organization covering multiple industries. Direct peer to API as both develop technical standards referenced in regulation and procurement, but ASTM operates across many industries while API specializes in oil & gas.
• SAE International: SAE International is a global standards development organization for automotive, aerospace, and commercial vehicle engineering. Direct peer to API as both develop technical standards and certification programs, with particular overlap around engine oil specifications (SAE J300 viscosity grades) and lubricant performance categories.
• International Association of Oil & Gas Producers: IOGP is the global forum for upstream oil & gas producers. Direct peer to API as both operate as industry trade associations developing standards and advocating for industry interests, with IOGP serving international upstream operators while API is primarily U.S.-centric across the full value chain.
• American Gas Association: AGA represents natural gas utilities, pipelines, and distribution companies in the U.S. Direct peer to API as both are energy trade associations with policy advocacy and technical standards functions, but AGA focuses specifically on the natural gas delivery segment while API serves the broader oil & gas industry.
• American Chemistry Council: ACC is the trade association representing the U.S. chemical industry. Direct peer to API as both operate large industry trade associations with similar advocacy, research, statistics, and standards development functions serving adjacent segments of the petrochemical value chain.
• American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers: AFPM is the trade association representing U.S. refining and petrochemical manufacturers. Direct peer to API as both are oil & gas industry trade associations with similar advocacy, member-service, and standards development models, but AFPM focuses on the downstream segment while API spans the full value chain.
• Underwriters Laboratories: UL is a global safety certification organization. Direct peer to API as both operate third-party certification programs whose marks are widely referenced in regulatory and procurement requirements, though UL spans many industries while API specializes in oil & gas equipment and lubricants.

Broad incumbents

• International Organization for Standardization: ISO is the global federation of national standards bodies developing international standards across all industries. Broad incumbent peer to API as both develop consensus-based standards referenced in regulation, but ISO operates globally across all industries while API is oil & gas-focused and U.S.-centric.

Regional players

• Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers: CAPP represents Canada's upstream oil & gas industry. Regional peer to API as the Canadian counterpart — both serve as national oil & gas industry trade associations with similar advocacy, statistics, and policy engagement functions, but CAPP focuses exclusively on Canadian upstream while API spans the full U.S. value chain.

Others

• National Association of Manufacturers: NAM is the largest U.S. manufacturing trade association representing all manufacturing sectors. Adjacent peer to API as both are major U.S. trade associations with advocacy and policy engagement functions, but NAM spans all manufacturing while API specializes exclusively in oil & gas.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/apiglobal
• YouTubeyoutube.com/energy
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheAmericanPetroleumInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/4521563
• Instagraminstagram.com/americanpetroleum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Petroleum Institute