Selected API Standards – Technical Reference List

The API (American Petroleum Institute) standards define globally accepted technical requirements for equipment, materials, inspection, testing, safety, and quality management across the oil, gas, petrochemical, and energy industries. These standards ensure reliability, safety, and operational integrity in upstream, midstream, and downstream facilities.

Below is a categorized list of the most widely used API standards:

Pressure Vessels, Storage Tanks & Static Equipment

API 650 – Welded Tanks for Oil Storage
API 620 – Design and Construction of Large, Welded, Low-Pressure Storage Tanks
API 653 – Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction
API 510 – Pressure Vessel Inspection Code
API 570 – Piping Inspection Code
API 579-1 / ASME FFS-1 – Fitness-For-Service
API 2000 – Venting Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage Tanks

Pumps, Compressors & Rotating Equipment

API 610 – Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum, Petrochemical, and Gas Industries
API 617 – Axial and Centrifugal Compressors and Expander-Compressors
API 618 – Reciprocating Compressors
API 619 – Rotary-Type Positive Displacement Compressors
API 674 – Positive Displacement Pumps
API 676 – Rotary Positive Displacement Pumps
API 682 – Shaft Sealing Systems for Pumps

Valves, Flanges & Piping Components

API 6D – Pipeline and Piping Valves
API 6A – Wellhead and Christmas Tree Equipment
API 598 – Valve Inspection and Testing
API 607 – Fire Test for Soft-Seated Valves
API 609 – Butterfly Valves
API 526 – Flanged Steel Safety Relief Valves
API 520 – Sizing, Selection, and Installation of Pressure-Relieving Devices

Heat Exchangers & Process Equipment

API 660 – Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers
API 661 – Air-Cooled Heat Exchangers
API 560 – Fired Heaters for General Refinery Service

Piping, Welding & Inspection

API 1104 – Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities
API 5L – Line Pipe
API 5CT – Casing and Tubing
API 5D – Drill Pipe
API RP 577 – Welding Inspection and Metallurgy
API RP 571 – Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment

Inspection, Maintenance & Integrity Management

API RP 580 – Risk-Based Inspection (RBI)
API RP 581 – RBI Technology
API RP 583 – Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI)
API RP 584 – Integrity Operating Windows (IOW)
API RP 1160 – Managing Pipeline Integrity

Quality, Safety & Environmental

API Q1 – Quality Management System for Manufacturing Organizations
API Q2 – Quality Management System for Service Supply Organizations
API RP 75 – Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS)
API RP 14C – Offshore Production Safety Systems

Applications of API Standards

API standards are applied in:

Oil & Gas Refineries
Petrochemical & Chemical Plants
Offshore Platforms
Gas Processing Plants
Pipeline Transmission Systems
LNG & Storage Terminals
Drilling & Wellhead Operations

Comprehensive Guide to API Standards