The American Petroleum Institute is the national trade association of the United States natural gas and oil industry, with headquarters at 200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001-5571, and a main telephone number of 202-682-8000. The institute states that it was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organisation and now represents all segments of the industry, with approximately 600 members that produce, process and distribute the majority of US energy. It cites the sector as supporting nearly 11 million US jobs.

Mission and policy work

API frames its mission around two aims: promoting safety across the industry globally and influencing public policy in support of a strong, viable US oil and natural gas industry. As the industry's principal voice in Washington, it engages with Congress, the executive branch, state and local governments, regulatory agencies, the courts, the media and the public. Its published policy areas cover access and production, trade and global markets, fuels and refining, infrastructure and permitting, tax policy, climate policy and industry safety.

Standards, certification and assessment

Standards work is the institute's oldest function and remains central to its Global Industry Services business, which covers standards, certifications, assessments and training. API has developed more than 800 standards and recommended practices for operational and environmental safety, efficiency and interoperability, and it administers a set of conformity and safety programmes:

  • API Monogram licensing and APIQR registration for equipment manufacturers and service providers.
  • Individual Certification Programs for inspection and welding personnel, and API-U training courses.
  • Process Safety Site Assessment, and Pipeline SMS assessment programmes for operators and contractors.
  • The Center for Offshore Safety, the API Repair and Remanufacture Program and the 19B Perforator Program.
  • Product programmes for engine oil (EOLCS) and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).

The institute publishes certification directories and works through worldwide representatives to run these programmes outside the United States.

Statistics, studies and insights

API maintains an Energy Insights Hub that carries charts and analysis, explainer material, studies and statistics on the oil and natural gas industry. Its statistical output includes the Weekly Statistical Bulletin on inventories and supply, offered as a subscription alongside economics and statistics services. The institute also publishes reports and analyses that underpin its policy positions.

Activity in 2026

During 2026 API's public output has focused heavily on fuel markets and trade policy. In September 2026 the institute issued a statement opposing a potential US diesel export ban and followed it with commentary arguing that such a ban would raise costs at home and affect allies abroad, together with a compilation of third-party reactions. Earlier in the year it published an explainer on how gasoline prices are determined, part of a continuing effort to communicate market fundamentals to policymakers and the public.

Membership and contact

The institute offers membership to companies across the industry's segments and runs events, a webstore for publications and standards, and an online portal for members and customers. Media inquiries and interview requests are handled at [email protected], general inquiries at [email protected], and the contact page routes questions to the relevant department - monogram and APIQR audits, diesel exhaust fluid, economics and statistics, engine oil, individual certification, meetings and events, membership, publications sales, recycled oil, standards, training, Weekly Statistical Bulletin subscriptions and the webmaster. The site also lists careers at the institute.