Sunday, July 22, 2012

Great New Initiative from API

The American Petroleum Institute (API) has launched a great new initiative - to share standards online! Even though most of their standards are available illegally on the Net, that's not the way we should be working with. Now, anyone can register (for free) at http://publications.api.org and can API standards in the following categories.

1. Safety and fire protection
2. Exploration and production
3. Refinery equipment
4. Pipeline operation
5. Petroleum measurement
6. Marketing

The documents are available on a special format that can be viewed only with RealRead Viewer (also provided online). There is no provision for saving the file. You can read the full standard online and if you want to copy it, you have to buy it. The purpose of this offering "is to provide the public with access to key industry standards, particularly those standards that are safety-related or have been incorporated into federal regulation".

I wish all standard-making bodies imitate this noble initiative from API.