America's Natural Gas Alliance will become part of the American Petroleum Institute early next year in a merger both sides say will enhance the energy industry's voice in public policy issues.

The $57 million-revenue ANGA is a relatively young association, having formed as natural gas began to play a larger role in the nation's energy portfolio. The group has been headed since 2013 by Marty Durbin, who is API's former top lobbyist.

Under the terms of the merger, ANGA will become part of the $225 million-revenue API on Jan. 1, 2016. Durbin will become executive director of API's new Market Development Group, where he will continue to promote natural gas development.

"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," Durbin said. "Combining these two associations continues that vision by recognizing how best to organize for maximum effect."

ANGA members not already members of API will automatically be enrolled in the latter's membership.

"There is a natural synergy between our organizations," API CEO Jack Gerard said. "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."

Neither group addressed the future of most of ANGA's staff. The association employed 30 people in 2013, according to its most recent tax filings. Also, neither group specifically discussed financial reasons for the merger. News reports, citing anonymous sources, said falling gas prices are putting a financial pinch on the groups' members, and as a result they started to question the necessity of having two associations represent their interests in Washington, D.C.

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