API today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Regional Association of Oil, Gas and Biofuels Sector Companies in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARPEL), an association of companies operating in over 30 countries of the region representing one of the largest arrays of energy industry interests in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"This MOU marks an important step for API, as the first formal agreement of its kind to work collaboratively to advance standards and programs that advance safety, environmental protection and sustainability in the Latin America and Caribbean region," API Global Industry Services (GIS) Senior Vice President Debra Phillips said. "Today’s MOU with ARPEL further demonstrates API’s resolve to deepen relationships with global partners."

"ARPEL is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with API, a sister organization that shares our value of cooperation with the goal of advancing the sustainability in the oil and gas industry," ARPEL Executive Secretary Izeusse Dias Braga Jr. said. "Being the only regional association in Latin America and the Caribbean, ARPEL will cooperate with a key global industry stakeholder to accomplish its mission and deliver higher value to its member companies."

ARPEL’s mission is to promote the integration, growth, operational excellence and effective socio-environmental performance of the industry in the region. API will support ARPEL in meeting its goals by deepening the reach and implementation of API-developed standards and by extending the collaborative network of industry professionals created by ARPEL in Latin American and Caribbean.

Some of the areas of collaboration, already identified as of common interest, include: exchanging information on API standards and supporting their implementation in Latin America and the Caribbean; cooperation on training and capacity building events; sharing information on international/regional regulatory initiatives related to the sector, as well as holding events, joint forums and conferences.

The MOU goes into effect immediately and remains in place until December 31, 2022. GIS, the standards development division of API, will take the lead on implementing the MOU. GIS has signed a number of MOUs over the last year to further deepen its relations with regulatory bodies and industry groups in Latin America, the Middle East, Russia, Europe and Asia. The purpose of these MOUs is to improve adoption of API best-in-class standards.

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 for their third-party accreditation which facilitates acceptance by state, federal and increasingly international regulators. The GIS division is responsible for standards setting, certification, training, events, publications and safety programs for industry operations.

API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 600 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports 10.9 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of 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.