Refining

How a Refinery Works
Explore the critical role refining plays in unleashing the potential of a barrel of crude oil and turning it into the specially formulated products that we rely on every day. These products include gasoline, agricultural chemicals, heating oil, plastics, and even prescription medicines. Demonstrated in this section are the sophisticated technologies involved in several key processes, including distilling, reforming, blending and treating that safely and efficiently help deliver energy in all its usable forms to American consumers.

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Refinery Turnarounds
A turnaround is a planned, periodic shut down (total or partial) of a refinery process unit or plant to perform maintenance, overhaul and repair operations and to inspect, test and replace process materials and equipment.

Refinery Safety
API members are committed to protecting the environment and the health and safety of all that share it. API's safety activities and programs support this commitment through research, standards development, training, information sharing and transfer and advocacy.  In addition, API member company refineries comply with safety regulations such as OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM). 

API Refining Standards and Publications
Since 1924, API has been a cornerstone in establishing, maintaining and publishing standards and recommended practices for the oil and natural gas industry. API efforts help the industry invent and manufacture superior products consistently, provide critical services, ensure fairness in the marketplace for businesses and consumers alike, and promotes the acceptance of products and practices globally. The API Refining program promotes and develops safe and proven engineering practices in the design, fabrication, installation, inspection and use of materials and equipment in refineries and related processing facilities. Click here for more information.

There's a lot of life in oil and natural gas.
When you stop and think about it, it’s amazing how many things get their start from oil and natural gas. Comfy synthetic fabrics we wear year-round. Medicines that make us feel better. Transportation fuels that help us get around. Fertilizers that help our gardens grow. And just about every toy we play with. Oil and natural gas - they’re the stuff of life. Learn more about oil and natural gas and how they touch your life in amazing ways.

Contacts for Refining
API staff contacts for refining issues and activities.