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WASHINGTON, June 2, 2026 — The American Petroleum Institute (API) today announced the publication of the 47th edition of API Specification 5L (API Spec 5L), Line Pipe. Originally published in 1924 as API’s first standard, API Spec 5L has supported the safe and reliable manufacture of steel line pipe used to transport oil and gas for more than a century. The 47th edition includes important new requirements across more than 15 topic areas, including high-frequency weld (HFW) pipe quality and pipe used in CO2 transport.
Line pipe is a critical component of energy infrastructure, helping transport oil, gas and other energy products. API Spec 5L establishes requirements for the manufacture of seamless and welded steel pipe, including material specifications, manufacturing processes, inspection, testing, marking and traceability. These requirements support manufacturing of pipe that is suitable for its intended use and advances pipeline safety and reliability.
Subject matter experts from more than a dozen countries provided insights that shaped the 47th edition. Updates include those related to hydrotest pressure gauge calibration, non-destructive evaluation personnel certification, magnetic particle testing, tensile test flattening, records retention, sour-service requirements, chemical element ranges, high-frequency weld line quality, impact toughness requirements, lamination control, sulfide stress cracking test requirements, and carbon dioxide transmission pipeline requirements.
“API Specification 5L has helped establish consistent requirements for line pipe manufacturing for more than 100 years,” API Senior Vice President of Global Industry Services Anchal Liddar said. “The 47th edition reflects the energy pipeline industry’s collective experience over that time period, as well as API’s ongoing commitment to applying technical expertise to support the safe and reliable operation of pipeline systems through API’s accredited standards development processes.”
API Spec 5L demonstrates the durability of foundational standards that are continually revised to address evolving industry experience and needs. It reflects API’s broader mission to develop standards that improve safety, strengthen operational reliability and support environmental stewardship.
Monogram applications
API Monogram is a voluntary licensing program that facilitates the consistent manufacturing of product that conforms to applicable API Specifications. Organizations that have the capability to manufacture line pipe and couplings meeting the requirements of the 47th edition of Spec 5L will have, as with prior editions, the option to apply the API Monogram mark to those products provided the organizations are licensed to apply the mark through the API Monogram/APIQR Program.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry, supporting nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. With approximately 600 members, API companies produce, process, and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy. Founded in 1919, API has developed over 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
