OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - American Energy Partners, the Oklahoma City-based oil and natural gas company founded by the late energy tycoon Aubrey McClendon, is shutting down.

The company said in a statement Wednesday it had decided to wind down operations but the five independent companies it had launched wouldn't be affected.

McClendon, who co-founded Chesapeake Energy, died in a car crash in March, a day after being indicted on a bid-rigging charge.