The American Petroleum Institute announced a new API Energy Excellence initiative on Feb. 17 aimed at renewing and strengthening the industry’s pledge to operate responsibly and professionally by establishing benchmarks for safety, security and environmental protection that every API member will be expected to achieve.

Under the initiative, API member companies commit to apply safety standards, implement workforce training programs and participate in performance-improving efforts. While API members have been using standards and safety management programs for decades, API Energy Excellence codifies expectations for safety, health and environmental protection across the industry, according to a release from the trade group.

As part of the API Energy Excellence initiative, member companies will implement disciplined systems and practices, share best practices, deploy state-of-the-art technologies and transparently report progress over time.

Specifically, API Energy Excellence details 13 core elements on performance, emphasizing protecting company employees, the environment and the communities that host operations. Committing to the core elements also involves investing in new technologies and practices, developing a resilient and highly-skilled workforce, enhancing engagement with local communities, continually improving operational performance and building a culture of safety and sustainability based on transparency and ongoing learning. 

API Energy Excellence will advance accountability by requiring member companies to report progress in implementing the 13 core elements, showcasing their measurable and meaningful action.

“API Energy Excellence is an important step toward a more sustainable future for the entire industry. For the past 100 years, API has developed standards to enhance safety and environmental performance across industry operations and in the use of petroleum by consumers. API Energy Excellence builds on this rich history of driving excellence in the industry,” API said in the release.

For additional information on API Energy Excellence, visit API.org/oil-and-natural-gas/api-energy-excellence.