HOUSTON, TX, Oct 06, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --

The board of directors of El Paso Corporation (NYSE: EP) declared today a quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share on the company's outstanding common stock. The dividend will be payable January 3, 2012 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 2, 2011. Outstanding shares of common stock entitled to receive dividends as of September 30, 2011 were 770,482,626.

El Paso Corporation provides natural gas and related energy products in a safe, efficient, and dependable manner. The company owns North America's largest interstate natural gas pipeline system, one of North America's largest independent exploration & production companies and an emerging midstream business. El Paso owns a 42 percent limited partner interest, and the 2 percent general partner interest in El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P. El Paso Corporation's Board of Directors has granted initial approval of a plan to separate the company into two publicly traded companies through a tax-free spinoff of its exploration and production business to shareholders before year-end 2011. 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 pay the dividends declared; the uncertainties associated with governmental regulation; and other factors described in the company's (and its affiliates') Securities and Exchange Commission 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 and Media Relations
Bruce L. Connery
Vice President
(713) 420-5855

Media Relations
Bill Baerg
Manager
(713) 420-2906

SOURCE: El Paso Corporation