Information Technology

API's Electronic Business & Information Management and Technology Committees support a wide range of activities in the areas of electronic business, telecommunications, information technology security, data privacy and information technology applications for the oil and natural gas industry. They support advocacy efforts and standards development in these areas, and serve as a conduit between industry technologists and operations personnel. Committees in this area include: Information Management and Technology Committee (IMTC) The IMTC serves as a forum for the oil and natural gas industry to address issues in systems technology, including computers, communications, and electronic commerce. Key issues that the IMTC addresses include risk management, network security, critical infrastructure protection, information privacy, technological change, and knowledge management. The IMTC periodically conducts various studies and projects designed to investigate technological innovations, undertake benchmarking studies of interest to the industry, or establish inter or intra-industry groups to promote developments of interest.  The IMTC committee oversees the activities the following Subcommittees: Information Technology Security Subcommittee (ITSS) The API ITSS provides an opportunity to work together more proactively to address areas of common interest to the petroleum industry and to demonstrate that the industry is taking prudent steps to protect our cyber infrastructure. Cyber security is an increasingly important consideration in protection of the nation's critical infrastructure. IT systems and applications – whether operating an E-commerce web application or operating a mission critical system to companies' business models - need to be adequately protected. Telecommunications SubcommitteeThe API Telecommunications Subcommittee serves as a forum for the oil, gas and energy industry to address telecommunications matters impacting existing or proposed operations. The Subcommittee addresses communications management issues and fosters quality enterprise communications services by developing and implementing telecommunications policies and strategies. The Subcommittee also monitors regulatory and legislative matters, interceding when necessary to satisfy the needs and concerns of the energy industry. Petroleum Industry Data Exchange (PIDX) PIDX is the API's Electronic Business Subcommittee. For over twenty years oil companies, their customers, suppliers and other business partners have collaborated on scores of projects. These projects have reengineered entire business processes and operations for greater efficiency and profitability through the implementation of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and emerging Electronic Business technologies such as the Internet and eXtensible Markup Language (XML).  Consideration is currently being given to transitioning the PIDX activity to another organization.