Membership is open to anyone engaged in the petroleum or an allied industry. Many chapters also offer associate membership to anyone having interest in these industries. Chapter membership does not require or constitute national API corporate or individual membership, and there are no national dues. Each chapter is a separate and totally self supporting legal entity, elects its own officers and establishes its own programs and dues consistent with its local Constitution and Bylaws, and applicable API policies and federal, state and local laws. Most programs stress practical field applications of industry technology, practices, trends, and issues.
Most chapters emphasize scholarships.
Many also support college grants, and petroleum technology courses. They also may sponsor occasional seminars for industry, or industry information programs for their communities. Many chapters donate time or money to support local youth projects, police and fire departments, public facility improvements, community or individual disaster assistance, and charities. Fellowship and Fund-raisers. Most also hold an annual golf tournament, fish fry, or similar event as a membership development tool and fund raiser for scholarships and donations.