ARPEL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Petroleum Institute (API), the North American trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry.

“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,” said ARPEL Executive Secretary Izeusse Dias Braga. “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.”

“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.”

The MOU’s purpose is to establish long-term cooperation and constructive working agreements between the two industry associations. 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, strengthening industry support on cybersecurity issues as well as holding events, joint forums and conferences.

The document was signed by the Executive Secretary of ARPEL, Izeusse Dias Braga, and by the API Global Industry Services (GIS) Senior Vice President, Debra Phillips.

The MOU goes into effect immediately and remains in place until December 31, 2022.

ARPEL is a non-profit association founded in 1965 as a vehicle of cooperation and mutual assistance among companies of the sector. Its membership includes national and international operating companies as well as goods and service providers with upstream and downstream operations in over 30 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. ARPEL network is expanded through collaborative agreements with national and international institutions of the sector.

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. 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.