Standards Committees
API’s Standards Committees are made up of subcommittees and task groups comprised of industry experts who develop API standards. These groups identify the need, then develop, approve, and revise standards and other technical publications. New projects must be justified by valid business and safety needs. The standards-writing subcommittees and task groups are open to representatives of groups that are materially affected by the standards. These include oil and gas companies, manufacturers and suppliers, contractors and consultants, and representatives of government agencies and academia.
View more information about the benefits of committee participation and who to contact
View more information on the value of standards
API Procedures for Standards Development
See a list of all open ballots available for public review and public comment.
CRE
The mission of the API Committee on Refinery Equipment (CRE) is to promulgate safe and proven engineering practices for the design, fabrication, installation, inspection, and use of materials and equipment in refineries and related processing facilities. These practices are produced in accordance with the API Procedures for Standards Development and published as API Standards, Specifications and Recommended Practices.
API Committee on Refinery Equipment Policy and Procedures Guide
Below is a list of the subcommittees and the areas they work with.
Subcommittee on Corrosion & Materials
- Fabrication Requirements
- Corrosion Mechanisms
- Equipment Reliability
- Heavy-wall Reactor Vessels
- Reducing Capital and Maintenance Costs
- Equipment Metallurgy for High-Temperature, High-Presure Service
- Damage Mechanisms Unique to Specific Alloys Used in Refining Equipment
- Heavy Wall Pressure Vessels and Alloys
- Welding Guidelines for the Chemical, Oil and Gas Industries
- High Temperature Hydrogen Attack Mitigation
Subcommittee on Electrical Equipment
- Electrical Classification
- Electrical Installations
- Squirrel-cage Installations
- Lightning Protection
- Synchronous Machines
- General Purpose Squirrel Cage Induction Motors
Subcommittee on Heat Transfer Equipment
- Calculation of Heater Tube Thickness in Petroleum Refineries
- Heat Recovery Steam Generators
- Burners for Fired Heaters
- Post Combustion Nox Control for Equipment in General Refinery Services
- Development on Flares
- Fired Heaters for General Refinery Service
- Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers for General Refinery Services
- Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers for General Refinery Service
- Plate Heat Exchangers
- Hairpin-type Heat Exchangers
- Spiral Plate Heat Exchangers
- Brazed Aluminum Plate-fin Heat Exchangers
- Heat Recovery Systems
- Reforming Furnaces for Hydrogen and Syngas Production
- Reactor Furnaces in Sulfur Recovery Units
Subcommittee on Inspection
- Fabrication Requirements
- Corrosion Mechanisms
- Equipment Reliability
- Refractory Systems
- Reducing Capital and Maintenance Costs
Subcommittee on Instruments & Control Systems
- Process Control Systems
- Process Analyzers
- Instrumentation and Control Systems for Fired Heater and Steam Generators
- Advanced Control Systems
- Refinery Control Valves
Subcommittee on Mechanical Equipment
- Centrifugal Pumps
- General-Purpose Steam Turbines
- Lubrication, Shaft-Sealing, and Control-Oil Systems and Auxiliaries
- Gas Turbines
- Centrifugal Compressors
- Reciprocating Compressors
- Rotary-Type Positive-Displacement Compressors
- Machinery Protection Systems
- Packaged, Integrally Geared Centrifugal Air Compressors
- Special Purpose Fans Positive Displacement Pumps-Rotary
- General Purpose Gear Units
- Shaft Sealing Systems for Centrifugal and Rotary Pumps
- Tutorial on Rotor Dynamics and Balancing
- Sealless Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum, Heavy Duty Chemical, and Gas
- Industry Services
- Repair of Special Purpose Rotors
- Pulsation and Vibration Control In Positive Displacement Machinery Systems
Subcommittee on Piping & Valves
- Fire Testing
- Valve Inspection and Testing
- Metal Plug Valves
- Steel Gate, Globe and Check Valves
- Valve Selection Guidance
Subcommittee on Pressure-Relieving Systems
- Sizing, Selection, and Installation of Pressure-Relieving Devices in Refineries
- Pressure-Relieving and Depressuring Systems
- Flanged Steel Pressure Relief Valves
- Seat Tightness of Pressure Relief Valves
- Venting Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage Tanks
Subcommittee on Aboveground Storage Tanks
- Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-Pressure Storage Tanks
- Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage
- Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
- Upstream Production Tanks
- Safe Access/Egress Involving Floating Roofs of Storage Tanks
- Design, Construction, Operation and Inspection of Terminal and Tank Facilities
- Requirements for Safe Entry and Cleaning of Petroleum Storage Tanks
- Cathodic Protection of Aboveground Storage Tanks
- Lining of Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank Bottoms
- Liquefied Natural Gas Storage
Refractories Project Group
- Refractory Installation Quality Control - Inspection and Testing
- Refractory Brick Linings and Materials
- Monolithic Refractory Linings and Materials
- Refractory Ceramic Fiber Linings and Materials
- Refractory Plastics & Ramming Mixes
Fitness-for-Service Task Group
Risk-Based Inspection Software User Group
PSG
The refining and petrochemical manufacturing industries are committed to protecting the health and safety of our workers, our contractors and our neighbors as well as the environment in which we operate. Our members continuously look for opportunities to enhance safety and recognize that an effective means to improve process safety performance throughout the industry is to learn from each other. API’s new standards and programs further advance process safety improvements by providing industry with more opportunities to communicate and share experiences and knowledge – vital components of our collective goal to improve process safety performance.
SFPG
The objectives of the SFPS are to promote safe, healthful, efficient and environmentally sound practices in the petroleum industry, and to initiate, monitor and respond to governmental actions in these areas. The foundation of these activities is the development and maintenance of technical standards and communication and sharing of information related to petroleum industry safety, fire protection, and occupational health.
The Safety and Fire Protection Subcommittee (SFPS) mission is to provide proactive safety and occupational health leadership and expertise to the industry, API committees and member companies. The SFPS seeks to advance and improve the industry’s overall safety and occupational health performance by combining resources to identify and address important public, employee and company issues.
MKT
Marketing defined is the wholesale and retail distribution, including tanker truck transportation, of refined petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel fuel to business, industry, government and public consumers.
The Marketing Standards and Recommended Practices that API maintains include the following:
- RP 1004: Bottom Loading and Vapor Recovery for MC-306 & DOT-406 Tank Motor Vehicles
- RP 1007: Loading and Unloading of MC-306/DOT 406 Cargo Tank Motor Vehicles
- RP 1112: Developing a Highway Emergency Response Plan for Incidents Involving Hazardous Materials
- RP 1543: Documentation, Monitoring and Laboratory Testing of Aviation Fuel During Shipment From Refinery to Airport
- Pub 1593, Gasoline Marketing in the United States Today
- RP 1595:Design, Construction, Operation, Maintenance, and Inspection of Aviation Pre-Airfield Storage Terminals
- RP 1604: Closure of Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks
- RP 1615: Installation of Underground Petroleum Storage Systems
- RP 1621: Bulk Liquid Control at Retail Outlets
- RP 1626: Storing and Handling Ethanol and Gasoline-ethanol Blends at Distribution Terminals and Filling Stations
- RP 1631: Interior Lining and Periodic Inspection of Underground Storage Tanks
- RP 1632: Cathodic Protection of Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks and Piping Systems (Document conveyed to NACE. API Will no longer revise.
- RP 1637: Using the API Color-Symbol System to Mark Equipment and Vehicles for Product Identification at Gasoline Dispensing Facilities and Distribution Terminals
- RP 1639: Owner/Operators Guide to Operation and Maintenance of Vapor Recovery Systems at Gasoline Dispensing Facilities
- RP 1640: Light Product Quality Terminal Operations (New document)
- Pub 1642: Alcohol, Ethers and Gasoline-Alcohol and Gasoline-Ether Blends
- Pub 1645: Stage II Vapor Recovery System Operations & System Installation Costs
- Pub 1646: Safe Work Practices for Contractors Working at Retail Petroleum/Convenience Facilities
- Pub 1673: Compilation of Air Emission for Petroleum Distribution Dispensing Facilities
- Std 2610: Design, Construction, Operation, Maintenance & Inspection of Terminal and Tank Facilities
COPM
The API Committee on Petroleum Measurement (COPM) provides leadership in developing and maintaining cost effective, state of the art, hydrocarbon measurement standards and programs based on sound technical principles consistent with current measurement technology, recognized business accounting and engineering practices, and industry consensus. This is accomplished through the committee's and API’s leadership role in the national and international standardization community in the development, publication, promotion, and revision of petroleum measurement standards, through its subcommittee structure, and through elimination of duplicative efforts.
API Committee on Petroleum Measurement Policies and Procedures Manual
Below is a list of the subcommittees and the areas they work with.
Committee on Evaporation Loss Estimation (CELE)
- Evaporation Loss, MPMS Chapter 19
Committee on Gas Fluids Measurement (COGFM)
- Natural Gas Fluids Measurement, MPMS Chapter 14
- Electronic Gas Measurement, MPMS Chapter 21.1
- Testing Protocols, MPMS Chapter 22 (Joint with COLM)
Committee on Liquid Measurement (COLM)
- Tank Calibration, MPMS Chapter 2
- Tank Gauging, MPMS Chapter 3
- Proving Systems, MPMS Chapter 4
- Metering, MPMS Chapter 5
- Metering Assemblies, MPMS Chapter 6
- Calculation of Petroleum Quantities, MPMS Chapter 12
- Statistical Aspects of Measuring and Sampling, MPMS Chapter13
- Measurement by Weight, MPMS Chapter 16
- Custody Transfer/Crude by Truck, MPMS Chapter 18 (Joint with COMQ)
- Flow Measurement- Electronic Liquid Measurement, MPMS Chapter 21.2
- Testing Protocols, MPMS Chapter 22 (Joint with COGFM)
Committee on Measurement Accountability (COMA)
- Marine Measurement, MPMS, Chapter 17
- Loss Control of Petroleum and Petroleum Products Involving all Modes of Transportation
Committee on Measurement Quality (COMQ)
- Temperature Determination, MPMS Chapter 7
- Sampling, MPMS Chapter 8
- Density Determination, MPMS Chapter 9
- Sediment & Water Determination, MPMS Chapter 10
- Physical Properties, MPMS Chapter 11
- Use of SI Units, MPMS Chapter 15
- Custody Transfer/Crude by Truck, MPMS Chapter 18 (Joint with COLM)
Committee on Production Measurement & Allocation (CPMA)
- Production Measurement and Allocation, MPMS Chapter 20
Committee on Measurement Education & Training (COMET)
- Vocabulary, MPMS Chapter 1: Terms & Definitions
- Spanish Translation
- Education & Training
Rail
The Rail Standards Committee (RSC) is responsible for developing, maintaining, approving, and interpreting API standards on rail transportation (including rail-related operations, tank cars, product handling, and transload activities) of petroleum and petroleum products.
API rail standards whose scopes include measurement techniques only are the responsibility of the Committee on Petroleum Measurement (COPM). Coordination between COPM and RSC will be required for these standards.
Pipeline
The API Pipeline Standards Task Groups are dedicated to developing, revising, and approving standards for us in the pipeline and related sectors of the oil and gas industry. The documents that are developed and maintained by the sectors address topics of safety, integrity,operations and maintenance of existing and new pipelines, as well as covering current technologies, codes and regulations, and key issues relevant to today's market. Document development is led by recognized industry experts in order to incorporate topics on proven techniques and best practices for pipeline design, construction and integrity management. These subject matter experts come from operating companies, engineering firms, vendors, consultants, academia, and both state and federal regulators.
Specific areas of focus address activities that are both regulatory and non-regulatory in nature, including integrity management, public awareness, control room management, SCADA systems, design and testing, underground storage facilities, emergency response, construction and inspection, operator qualifications, and safety management.
Organization and Procedures for the Committee on Pipeline Standards
CSOEM
The Committee on Standardization of Oilfield Equipment and Materials (CSOEM) is broken up into several subcommittees. Each subcommittee works with a specific area of exploration and production of oilfield equipment.
Below is a list of the subcommittees and the areas they work with.
SC2- Subcommittee on Offshore Structures
- Offshore Structure Design (Fixed and Floating)
- Offshore Construction Materials
- Offshore Cranes and Helidecks
- Stationkeeping & Mooring
- Metocean, Seismic, & Geotechnical
- Risers & Topsides
- Integrity Management (Structural, Riser, Mooring)
SC5- Subcommittee on Tubular Goods
- Casing & Tubing
- Connections & Pipe Threads
- Coiled Line Pipe & Coiled Tubing
- Pipe Thread Gauging & Compounds
- Line Pipe
- Drill Pipe & Drill Stem Equipment
SC6- Subcommittee on Valves & Wellhead Equipment
- Wellhead & Christmas Tree Equipment
- Pipeline Valves
- Pipeline Valve Actuators and Sizing Kits
- Fire Testing for Valves
- Surface and Underwater Safety Valves
SC8- Subcommittee on Drilling Structures & Equipment
- Drilling & Well Servicing Structures
- Chains & Sprockets
- Drilling Equipment
- Hoisting Equipment
- Wire Rope
- Hammer Unions
SC10- Subcommittee on Well Cements
- Well Cements
- Casing Centralizers
- Cement Float Equipment
- Cementing Operations
SC11- Subcommittee on Field Operating Equipment
- Field operating equipment
- Electric Submersible Pumps
- Plunger Lift Lubricators
SC13- Subcommittee on Drill Completion & Fracturing Fluids
- Drilling Fluids
- Drilling Fluid Processing Systems
- Testing of Heavy Brines
- Completion & Fracturing Fluids
- Proppants
SC15- Subcommittee on Fiberglass & Plastic Tubulars
- Fiberglass Line Pipe
- Composite Line Pipe
- Thermoplastic Line Pipe
SC16- Subcommittee on Drilling Well Control Equipment
- Drill Through Equipment
- Choke & Kill Systems
- Control Systems for Drilling Well Control Equipment
- Control Systems for Diverter Equipment
- Rotating Control Devices
- Marine Drilling Riser Equipment
SC17- Subcommittee on Subsea Production Equipment
- Subsea Equipment -General
- Flexible Pipe and Accessories
- Subsea Wellhead & Christmas Tree Equipment
- Subsea Umbilicals
- Subsea Production Control Systems
- Completion/Workover Riser Systems
- ROTs and Interfaces
- Subsea Reliability and Qualification
- HIPPS
- Flowline Connectors and Jumpers
- Subsea Metering
- Wet and Dry Thermal Insulation
- Subsea Safety Systems
- Capping Stacks
- HPHT Design Guidelines
SC18- Subcommittee on Quality
- Quality Management Systems
- Product Lifecycle Management
SC19- Subcommittee on Completion Equipment
- Perforating
- Packers and Bridge Plugs
- Subsurface Safety Valve Equipment
- Artificial Lift
- Sand Screens
- Downhole Well Test Tools
- Liner Hanger Equipment
SC20- Subcommittee on Supply Chain Management
- Castings
- Forgings
- NDE
- Bolting
- Welding
- Heat Treating
SC21- Subcommittee on Materials
- Newly formed group that acts as a resource on material issues affecting multiple subcommittees under the CSOEM and provide assistance to the CSOEM subcommittees.
DPOS
The Drilling and Production Operations Subcommittee (DPOS) conducts advocacy and promotes sound practices on drilling and production operational matters. In this role, the DPOS acts on existing and emerging issues, and develops recommended practices and guidelines. Also, it serves as a forum for coordination with government agencies and other domestic and international industry groups to facilitate communications on operational, safety, and training issues that may impact exploration and production activities.
