This institute is a leading oil and gas industry trade association. The American Petroleum Institute is concerned with public policy and industry lobbying efforts, health and safety regulations, environment, training and certification programs, and setting up various industry standards.

The American Petroleum Institute has about 400 corporate members which signify a broad range of subdivisions in the oil and gas industry. The institute also accumulates various industry statistics and distributes more than 200,000 copies of its publications important to operators in the oil and gas industry every year.