Membership
API Represents America's Oil and Natural Gas Industry
As the primary trade association of the oil and natural gas industry, API represents nearly 600 members involved in all aspects of petroleum. Our association draws on the experience and expertise of our members and staff to support a strong and viable oil and natural gas industry.
- Our work is member-driven. We offer companies large and small the opportunity to participate in shaping API programs and policy priorities.
- We are a major research institute. API is committed to using the best available scientific, economic and legal analysis to guide and support our policy positions.
- We give our industry a unified voice. API's expert staff participate actively in key policy-making forums, facilitating dialogue and producing effective solutions on issues important to all Americans.
- Our organization is tailored to serve our members. API membership is divided by industry segments so companies can have direct input on the specific issues most important to them.
- The oil and natural gas industry shares a keen interest in the policy issues arena. We are actively engaged with government leaders to ensure informed decision-making so the energy needs of tomorrow are met.
- We are committed to safe and responsible operations and to continuously improving our safety and environmental performance through systems-based approaches, API’s world class standards and segment initiatives.
Membership
Membership in API is open to corporations involved in the oil and natural gas industry or that support the industry.
The API Bylaws establish the requirements for membership. They are:
- Companies engaged in the oil and natural gas industry that meet the criteria for one of the API industry segments and are incorporated in the United States or Canada or Mexico shall be eligible for membership.
- Members must pay dues for all industry segments where they own assets.
- Service and supply companies in the oil and natural gas industry with their principal office in a country other than the United States or Canada or Mexico may be admitted to membership on approval by the API Chairman and Treasurer or their designee(s).
API has five industry segments:
- The Upstream Segment is open to companies producing oil or natural gas in the United States (vertically integrated companies may be members of more than one API segment).
- Focuses on upstream regulatory policy, legislative issues, and industry technical standards and recommended practices.
- Emphasizes efforts to ensure that operations are conducted in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner.
- The Natural Gas Markets Segment is open to companies producing oil or natural gas in the United States (vertically integrated companies may be members of more than one API segment).
- Focuses on identifying policy opportunities and impediments to sustaining and growing demand for U.S. natural gas resources in targeted markets, advocating for legislative and regulatory policy and market designs that leverage the full value of natural gas.
- Educates potential customers and decision makers on the abundance, reliability, affordability and environmental advantages of natural gas.
- The Midstream Segment is open to companies gathering, processing, storing and transporting oil and natural gas in the United States (vertically integrated companies may be members of more than one API segment).
- Develops policy positions for gathering, processing, storing and transportation and oversees the review of related federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
- Identifies opportunities for technical studies and research to address issues related to development of U.S. infrastructure, use of equipment, development of operational procedures, and safety, health and environmental performance.
- The Downstream Segment is open to companies that refine or market petroleum products in the United States (vertically integrated companies may be members of more than one API segment).
- Provides guidance on the impact of legislative and regulatory proposals on downstream operations and provides scientific, economic, environmental, and risk analysis information on associated issues.
- Develops standards, practices and positions that allow industry to provide products to consumers in the most safe, efficient and environmentally responsible way.
- The Climate Committee is open to companies that are API Board Members.
- Focuses on stewarding API’s Climate Action Framework.
- Focuses on developing and maintaining API’s Climate Principles and managing API climate policy positions in a manner consistent with those Principles.
- Focuses on identifying, promoting and coordinating various industry initiatives addressing GHG emissions reduction efforts as approved by the Executive Committee and the development of new studies or industry programs.
- The Service, Supply, and Technology Segment is open to service and supply companies that support the oil and natural gas industry, regardless of the industry segment served. Companies eligible for membership include:
- Manufacturers of equipment unique to industry operations.
- Companies that provide specific industry related services that support at least one of the other industry segments, such as drilling contractors.
- Suppliers of feedstocks that are used in the in the making of petroleum products, including lubricants.
- Consulting firms with expertise unique to the industry.
If your organization is ready to apply for membership, please use our online application form, or download the application form (best viewed in Internet Explorer or Google Chrome).
For more information about eligibility, please read our Frequently Asked Questions. Please e-mail us at membership@api.org.
API membership gives you:
- The opportunity to work with all of industry in support of a strong, viable U.S. oil and natural gas industry, and the ability to shape industry positions through our one-company-one-vote committees.
- Representation before key legislative and regulatory bodies.
- API's well-respected research capabilities - that our industry has an effective voice shaping the policies critical to your business.
- Company-wide support from API's skilled professional staff.
- Stewardship of our industry's reputation through credible public communications, and our widely recognized standards development and certification programs.
- Access to API conferences, symposia and training programs where you can exchange information, learn from the experiences of industry peers and develop critical skills.
- Attendance at API’s members-only annual meeting
- 30 percent discount on API standards, available in print or PDF via authorized distributors
- Leadership opportunities on API standards committees
- Member link on our website
- 10% advertising discount for members on API SmartBrief e-newsletter
To better serve our member companies, API divides its membership by industry segments. Member committees meet annually to develop consensus priorities for API's research and advocacy programs. Our staff then works to develop the research tools and advocacy strategies to achieve the membership's goals.
Together, we're advancing the interests of the industry while working to earn the trust of our customers.
API chapters promote fellowship and professional development of their members through the exchange of operational experience, operations-oriented meeting programs, and a variety of educational, industry service and community service projects.
These efforts promote a professional and civic minded industry image in chapter communities. The chapters are non-commercial, non-discriminatory, and do not endorse or financially support political parties or candidates. To avoid inadvertent conflicts, the chapters do not independently develop or promote positions on public issues, but often provide forums for discussion of such issues.
Scope
There are currently 28 active API chapters within 11 states. Most meet monthly or quarterly. Apart from their regular meetings, Chapters host events and fundraisers to support scholarships and initiatives within their respective communities.
Chapter Membership and Organization
Membership is open to anyone engaged in the petroleum or an allied industry. Many chapters also offer associate membership to anyone having interest in these industries.
Chapter membership does not require or constitute API corporate or individual membership, and there are no national dues.
Each chapter is a separate and totally self-supporting legal entity, elects its own officers and establishes its own programs and dues consistent with its local constitution and bylaws, and applicable API policies and federal, state and local laws.
Meeting Programs
Most programs stress practical field applications of industry technology, practices, trends, and issues. Occasional general programs promote broader interest (e.g., local history, community projects, or facilities).
Educational Projects
Most chapters emphasize scholarships. Many also support college grants and petroleum technology courses. They also may sponsor occasional seminars for industry, or industry information programs for their communities.
Community Service
Many chapters donate time or money to support local youth projects, police and fire departments, public facility improvements, community or individual disaster assistance, and charities.
Fellowship and Fund-raisers
Most chapters hold one or more social functions each year to involve families, friends and the community and serve as a membership development tool and fundraiser for scholarships and donations.
Join Our State Government Relations Program
One of the unique and critical strengths of API is our ability to provide our members with nationwide state and local support on the issues that matter to our industry.
Our program is a region-based approach that leverages our headquarters staff, eight field offices and our allied oil and gas associations across all 50 states. Our staff is comprised of respected, seasoned professionals with advocacy experience in legislative and regulatory issues and with the relationships that get our voice heard.
API members may participate in the State Government Relations Program by participating in regional working groups. The field offices can also aid individual member companies when a company has a special non-competitive issue with a state government.
For more information on joining the State Government Relations Program, please send an e-mail to membership@api.org. Note that API corporate membership is required to join the State Program.
What are the qualifications for membership?
The API Bylaws set out these qualifications:
Companies engaged in the oil and natural gas industry that meet the criteria for one of the API industry segments and are incorporated in the United States or Canada or Mexico shall be eligible for membership. Members must pay dues for all industry segments where they own assets. Service and supply companies in the oil and natural gas industry with their principal office in a country other than the United States or Canada or Mexico may be admitted to membership on approval by the API Chairman and Treasurer or their designee(s).
May individuals join API?
API's individual membership program was discontinued in 1997.
Do you offer an associate membership?
We only offer corporate membership to those companies involved in the oil and natural gas industry. There is no membership category for organizations outside of the industry.
I work for an oil company that is not located in North America and we would like to join API. Would we qualify?
We're sorry, but only petroleum companies incorporated in, or having their principal office in North America are eligible for membership.
Are government agencies eligible for membership?
We’re sorry but only companies engaged in the oil and natural gas industry that meet the criteria for one of the API industry segments and are incorporated in the United States or Canada or Mexico are eligible for membership.
Are universities with programs or special interests in the oil and gas industry eligible for membership?
No, except for maritime academies, which are eligible for membership in the Marine Segment. However, we're certainly interested in working with you, even if you're not eligible for formal membership.
My company is located outside of North America, but we supply the oil and gas industry with products or services. Are we eligible for membership?
API Bylaws provide that service and supply companies in the oil and natural gas industry with their principal office in a country other than the United States, Canada or Mexico may be admitted to membership on approval by the API Chairman and Treasurer or their designee(s). If you think your company meets these qualifications, please apply.
My company provides management consulting services or financial consulting services to the oil and gas industry. Are we eligible for membership?
Companies that provide management consulting services or financial services are not eligible.
I am a member of the API chapter in my community but my company is not a member of API at the national level. Does this entitle me to any benefits at the national level?
No; membership in local chapters is for local activities only (we'd be happy to talk with your company about the benefits of membership. Just contact us at membership@api.org).
My company provides management consulting services or financial consulting services to the oil and gas industry. Are we eligible for membership?
Companies that provide management consulting services or financial services are not eligible.
My company is a corporate member of API. When I buy publications or sign up for conferences, am I supposed to use a special number or other designation?
No, API does not issue membership numbers. The API database includes information on all of our member companies, so we verify that information when you contact us.
My company is affiliated with one of your members. Am I eligible for member discounts?
Membership benefits are extended only to corporate members and their wholly owned subsidiaries. If you have a question about your company’s membership status, please contact us at membership@api.org.
Can a single division of a company join API?
API offers only corporate memberships, so a corporation must pay on all of its oil and gas operations or sales. In some instances, only a single division of a company is involved in the oil and natural gas industry, and in those cases, that division can be designated as the API member.
How long does a membership application take to process?
Isn’t API just for the major oil companies?
No, API has over 600 members involved in all aspects of the oil and gas industry, so the vast majority of our members are non-integrated oil and gas companies, pipeline companies, marine companies and their suppliers.
How much does a membership cost?
Oil and natural gas company dues are volumetrically based, so it depends on the size of the company and its involvement in the API segments.
Pipeline dues are based on total pipeline throughput in barrel-miles of crude oil, refined petroleum products, and other hazardous liquids as defined in 49 CFR part 195 for all pipeline systems owned or operated by your company (including subsidiaries).
Dues for service and supply members are based on sales to the U.S. petroleum industry, beginning at $2,000.
Is a list of your members available for purchase?
Sorry, we do not provide or sell our membership list. Many of our members, however, have links on our website. To visit them, please click here.