Found in Translation – API Supports Ukraine’s Oil and Natural Gas Sector
Anchal Liddar
Posted July 23, 2024
Critical to Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression is its energy security, and I’m pleased to share the progress API has made in supporting Ukraine’s energy industry.
Last month, API and Ukrnafta, Ukraine’s leading national oil company, formalized an agreement to translate approximately 90 API standards into Ukrainian, which will help the country move away from its reliance on Russian standards and equipment and strengthen its energy independence.
Certainly, Ukraine’s war against Russia stands at a crucial juncture. NATO leaders declared Ukraine on an “irreversible” path to NATO membership – further underscoring the importance of API’s agreement with Ukrnafta.
This agreement, stemming from an initial memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last October, marks a concrete step in advancing the adoption of API standards within Ukraine’s oil and natural gas industry.
Ukraine has relied on Russian standards for its operations, equipment, and energy infrastructure for decades, a dependence which, during the current war, has threatened its ability to produce energy and access critical equipment. By adopting API standards, Ukraine can move away from Russian dependence and align itself more closely with Western nations, which would revitalize its energy production and enhance its energy security.
Additionally, by adopting API standards, Ukraine better integrates itself into the global energy market. This includes creating opportunities to source products from API members, for which adopting API standards is critical.
A Century of Experience Setting Standards
API brings more than a century of experience setting industry standards. Since 1919, we have developed more than 800 standards that are relied upon around the world to enhance operational safety and environmental protection.
API standards are developed under API’s American National Standards Institute accredited process, ensuring that the API standards are recognized for their consensus-driven principles and third-party accreditation, which earns acceptance by federal, state and increasingly international regulator and policymakers.
Back to the Future
Translating API standards is only an early step toward implementation. The complete process is complex and involves significant regulatory changes and updates to its operational procedures. This will require training of personnel, replacing equipment and revising processes to align with API standards. The MOU formalizes API’s commitment to working with Ukraine to accomplish these objectives.
For Ukraine, the agreement couldn’t be more timely – and urgent.
About The Author
Anchal Liddar is Senior Vice President of API’s Global Industry Services (GIS) division, which is responsible for standards setting, certification, training, publications and safety programs for industry operations. Previously she spent nine years at The Boeing Company, serving various roles in supply chain, finance, and program management. Anchal holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of California – Irvine and a M.B.A. and a Master’s of Science in Information Systems & Technology from Claremont Graduate University.