The Role of the API Committee on Standardization of Offshore Structures
Authors: Berman M.Y. , Birrell N.D. , Irick J.T. , Lee G.C. , Rubin M. , Utt M.E. 
Published: October 2008

The role of the API Committee on Standardization of Offshore Structures is described. A brief history ie provided, committee organization outlined, and the range of reeponsibilities described. The method whereby standards are developed is discussed. Current and future anticipated activities are described. The range of standards developed by the committee is shown, and research activities are outlined.

INTRODUCTION

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is a trade association representing over 200 companies in all aspects of the oil and gas industry, including exploration, production, transportation, refining and marketing. The API was incorporated in 1919. The objectives of the Institute, as stated in its charter, are to: afford a means of cooperation with the government in all matters of national concern; foster foreign and domestic trade in American petroleum products; promote the interest of the petroleum industry in all its branches; and promote the mutual improvement of the members and the study of the arts and sciences connected with the petroleum industry.1 Since its founding, API activities have significantly expanded and have become increasingly international in nature. The API Production Department was formed in 1928 with a number of objectives, including: to develop and maintain specifications and recommendations for the manufacture, care and use of equipment and materials used in the exploration, drilling and production of oil and gas; and to establish and maintain an API monogram license program with quality requirements to ensure manufacturer who apply the API monogram to their products can manufacture to the applicable API specification consistently.

The current organization of the API Production Department is shown on Figure 1. The Executive Committee on Standardization of Oilfield Equipment and Materials, among other duties, is responsible for the development of standards, to include specifications, recommended practices and bulletins. The Committee on Standardization of Offshore Structure ("Committee 2") is specifically charged with developing standards for the design and construction of offshore platforms, including standards for equipment packaging and arrangement. This paper will discuss the role of the API Committee on Standardization of Offshore Structures, including a brief history, current activities, published standards and envisioned future activities.

HISTORY OF THE API OFFSHORE STANDARDIZATION EFFORT

API activity in the field of offshore structures was initiated with an organizational meeting held at the Rice Hotel in Houston, Texas, on November 29, 1966. This was an informal gathering to determine the interest of the industry in developing standards for offshore structures. In addition to the API?s traditional purpose of "standardization" the expressed intent at the time was to provide guideline to "keep the uniformed out Of trouble" and to serve as the basis for future regulation.

This meeting resulted in the formation of the API "Committee on Standardization of Offshore Structures." After over 20 years, it appears that these goals have largely been met. The API offshore standards are widely used throughout the world, and API RP 2A is referenced as a requirement in current U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) Regulations.