Following approval of both boards of directors, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) said the two organizations will combine into a single trade association, effective Jan. 1, 2016.

The combined association will continue ANGA’s mission under API, according to a news release.

“There is a natural synergy between our organizations,” API CEO Jack Gerard said in the release. “As a single organization, the combined skills and capabilities bring an enhanced advocacy strength to natural gas market development—ANGA’s primary mission—and the combined association’s expanded membership will provide additional lift to API’s ongoing efforts on important public policy issues.”

Under the agreement, ANGA's mission to promote natural gas as a clean, affordable solution to America’s energy and environmental needs will be handled by a new market development group at API, a team led by current ANGA President Marty Durbin, the release said. ANGA members who are not already members of API will become full members.

API and ANGA have long collaborated to highlight environmental, job creation, energy security and consumer benefits from abundant and affordable supplies of natural gas, the release said.

“ANGA was founded in 2009 at the beginning of the shale energy revolution, and its members were visionary regarding the benefits natural gas would bring to our energy supply and our economy,” said Marty Durbin, who will become executive director of market development under the combined association. “Combining these two associations continues that vision by recognizing how best to organize for maximum effect.”