The American Petroleum Institute has released new recommended practices for the transportation of carbon dioxide, providing a safety roadmap as the United States looks to expand its pipeline infrastructure to meet climate goals.

Designated as Recommended Practice 1192, the guidelines outline technical standards for the entire lifecycle of CO2 pipelines, including design, construction, operation, and maintenance. 

The new standards focus on the unique physical complexities of CO2 transport. Key areas of focus include operating pressure ranges, corrosion prevention, and ductile fracture control. 

Crucially, the document also provides a framework for repurposing existing pipeline assets for CO2 service and establishes protocols for emergency response planning.

The publication of these new guidelines comes as the energy industry faces increasing pressure to scale up carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“By consolidating technical knowledge into a single document, it supports the safe, reliable operation of CO2 pipeline systems,” said Anchal Liddar, API senior vice president of global industry services. 

Liddar noted that the structured guidance is designed to help operators manage the specific characteristics of carbon dioxide across its various states.

According to API’s December 2025 announcements, the standards apply to CO2 transported in gaseous, liquid, and supercritical states, emphasizing that RP 1192 is intended to complement, rather than replace, existing federal pipeline regulations.

The United States currently operates approximately 5,300 miles of CO2 pipelines, the majority of which link natural carbon sources to oil fields for enhanced oil recovery. 

However, energy analysts and federal officials suggest that a vastly larger network will be required to facilitate the large-scale CCS projects necessary to decarbonize industrial sectors and meet mid-century climate targets.

As infrastructure projects face increased scrutiny, the API standards represent an industry-wide effort to ensure consistency in the integrity and management of carbon transportation systems.