API stands for American Petroleum Institute. Founded in 1919, API is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has petroleum councils in 33 states. Its mission is to connect all sectors of the petroleum industry, and its operations cover all areas of the U.S. oil and gas industry. The institute comprises over 400 corporate members, ranging from large oil companies to small individual businesses, including producers, refineries, suppliers, pipeline operators, shipping companies, and service providers and suppliers offering comprehensive support across the industry.
API standards are internationally recognized industry standards. Currently, API has developed approximately 500 standards for equipment and operations worldwide. According to international statistics, over 80% of drilling and production equipment used in countries outside the CIS is purchased from the United States. The universality of API standards extends globally. To enter the global oil equipment export market, it is essential to apply and study API standards.