API And IOGP Sign MOU, Formalizing Cooperative Relationship

Today, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a stronger partnership, share world-class practices and collectively engage on the industry’s contributions to society.  This MOU strengthens our ongoing collaboration and marks a milestone in the relationship between the two organizations.

“The natural gas and oil industry creates opportunity around the world – from developing technological solutions that further sustainable operations to providing jobs and improving the health and living standards for millions of people.  Partnering with IOGP will add value to our industry and allow us to make even greater progress in furthering safety, environmental protection and sustainability across global industry operations,” said Debra Phillips, Vice President of API’s Global Industry Services division.

“We have been working together with API for quite some time to the benefit of our mutual members and the whole industry, particularly in global standards and standardization. With today’s MOU, we are entering a new level of partnership that will further the progress and positive awareness of our industry, not only in the US, but also globally,” said Gordon Ballard, IOGP Executive Director.

The signed MOU formalizes the cooperative relationship of the two organizations. Specifically, the MOU aims to:

• Make further progress on the industry’s priorities, with both parties collaborating and co-branding products in areas such as: operational efficiency and excellence; health; safety; the environment; security and sustainability; and
• Encourage ongoing discussions and cooperation on topics and initiatives, including standards, health and safety, environmental protection, communications, trade, cybersecurity, and safety process management systems.

API standards are developed under API’s American National Standards Institute accredited process, ensuring that the API standards are recognized not only for their technical rigor but also their third-party accreditation which facilitates acceptance by state, federal, and increasingly international regulators. API’s GIS division is responsible for standards setting, certification, training, events, publications and safety programs for industry operations.

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the natural gas and oil industry, which supports 10.3 million U.S. jobs and nearly 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 600 members include large integrated companies, as well as pipeline, exploration and production, refining, marketing, marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 47 million Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In its first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

IOGP is the voice of the global upstream industry. Oil and natural gas continue to provide a significant proportion of the world’s energy to meet growing demands for heat, light and transport. IOGP Members produce 40% of the world’s oil and natural gas. They operate in all producing regions: The Americas, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the Caspian, and Asia/Pacific. IOGP serve industry regulators as a global partner for improving safety, environmental and social performance. The Association also acts as a uniquely upstream forum in which members identify and share knowledge and good practices to achieve improvements in health, safety, the environment, security and social responsibility.