HOUSTON, TX, Jun 22, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --El Paso Corporation (NYSE: EP) today reported that its wholly owned subsidiary, El Paso Exploration & Production Company, has completed three additional successful Eagle Ford well tests, has increased its lease position, and will continue to execute on its Eagle Ford program activities throughout the year.

"We are very pleased with the results of our most recent Eagle Ford wells," said Brent Smolik, president of El Paso Exploration & Production Company. "All three wells have performed at or above our expectations. We intend to drill and complete one more well in the dry gas area of the trend to better appraise our leasehold and then maintain two rigs in the gas condensate area for the remainder of the year. The Eagle Ford is one of our most profitable programs, and our acreage position provides significant future drilling opportunities. We see the Eagle Ford as a key source of reserve and production growth for many years, and we intend to ramp up our activity in this program in 2011."

Three Additional Successful Well Tests

El Paso recently completed two additional wells in the gas condensate area of the trend and one well in the dry gas area. The gas condensate wells are liquids rich, with the gas streams from these wells testing approximately 1,350 Btu per standard cubic foot.

The Hixon 4H well in LaSalle County, Texas tested at an average rate of 2.1 million cubic feet of natural gas per day (MMcf/d) and 765 barrels per day of 53.5 API gravity condensate on a 23/64-inch choke with 1,811 pounds of flowing casing pressure. The well was drilled to a vertical depth of approximately 9,900 feet with a 5,000-foot horizontal lateral. El Paso completed the well with an 18-stage fracture stimulation treatment.

The Hixon 2H well in LaSalle County, Texas tested at an average rate of 1.6 MMcf/d and 584 barrels per day of 53.5 API gravity condensate on a 21/64-inch choke with 1,543 pounds of flowing casing pressure. The well was drilled to a vertical depth of approximately 9,900 feet with a 3,800-foot horizontal lateral. The well was completed with a 13-stage fracture stimulation treatment.

The Nunley Traylor 1H well in LaSalle County, Texas, which is located in the dry gas area, tested at an average rate of 6.4 MMcf/d on an 18/64-inch choke with 5,100 pounds of flowing casing pressure. The well was drilled to a vertical depth of approximately 12,600 feet with a 4,000-foot horizontal lateral and completed with a 14-stage fracture stimulation treatment. Based on engineering analysis, this well has the same producing capability as the Briscoe Nunley GU 1H well, which had an initial rate of 8.1 MMcf/d on a 24/64 inch choke with 3,750 pounds of flowing casing pressure.

All rates and pressures were recorded over a consecutive 24-hour period.

Expanded Acreage Position

El Paso now holds a total of approximately 165,000 net acres in the Eagle Ford Shale. Approximately 100,000 net acres are located in the liquids rich area north of the dry gas window.

El Paso Corporation provides natural gas and related energy products in a safe, efficient, and dependable manner. El Paso owns North America's largest interstate natural gas pipeline system and one of North America's largest independent natural gas producers. For more information, visit www.elpaso.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes certain forward-looking statements and projections. The company has made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information and assumptions on which these statements and projections are based are current, reasonable, and complete. However, a variety of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this release, including, without limitation, our ability to implement and achieve objectives in our 2010 plan and updated guidance, our ability to meet production volume targets in our E&P segment; changes in commodity prices and basis differentials for oil, natural gas, and power; general economic and weather conditions in geographic regions or markets served by the company and its affiliates, or where operations of the company and its affiliates are located, including the risk of a global recession and negative impact on natural gas demand; the uncertainties associated with governmental regulation; competition; and other factors described in the company's (and its affiliates') SEC filings. While the company makes these statements and projections in good faith, neither the company nor its management can guarantee that anticipated future results will be achieved. Reference must be made to those filings for additional important factors that may affect actual results. The company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by the company, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contacts:
Investor-Media Relations
Bruce Connery
Vice President
Office: (713) 420-5855

Media Relations
Richard Wheatley
Manager
Office: (713) 420-6828

SOURCE: El Paso Corporation