HOUSTON, May 15, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Wyoming Interstate Company Ltd (WIC), a subsidiary of El Paso Corporation (NYSE: EP), announced today that it concluded an open season April 30, 2003, to solicit binding bids for reversing flow on WIC for deliveries into the Overthrust Pipeline at Kanda and/or extension of the WIC pipeline to Kern River Pipeline for deliveries into Kern River. WIC received one signed Precedent Agreement for 20,000 dekatherms per day for service from Cheyenne to Kern River. No bids for reversal of flow to Overthrust Pipeline Company were received.

As this result illustrates, there is insufficient market demand to support the expansion of WIC's system to flow west at this time. WIC will however hold a third open season later this summer to determine if market demand will then support the project. Any parties still interested in supporting a WIC reversal and/or extension are encouraged to share their desire with Greg Ruben 719-520-4870 or Scott Dalene 719-520-4819.

El Paso Corporation is the leading provider of natural gas services and the largest pipeline company in North America. The company has core businesses in pipelines, production, and midstream services. Rich in assets, El Paso is committed to developing and delivering new energy supplies and to meeting the growing demand for new energy infrastructure. For more information, visit www.elpaso.com .

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements and projections, made in reliance on the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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 attract and retain qualified members of the Board of Directors; the successful recruitment and retention of a qualified CEO; the successful implementation of the 2003 operational and financial plan; the successful implementation of the settlement related to the Western Energy Crisis; material and adverse impacts from our proxy contest with Selim Zilkha/Oscar Wyatt; actions by the credit rating agencies; the successful close of financing transactions; our ability to successfully exit the energy trading business; our ability to divest of certain non-core assets; changes in commodity prices for oil, natural gas, and power; general economic and weather conditions in geographic regions or markets served by El Paso Corporation and its affiliates, or where operations of the company and its affiliates are located; the uncertainties associated with governmental regulation; political and currency risks associated with international operations of the company and its affiliates; inability to realize anticipated synergies and cost savings associated with restructurings and divestitures on a timely basis; difficulty in integration of the operations of previously acquired companies, competition, 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.

Additional Important Information

On May 12, 2003, El Paso Corporation began the process of mailing its definitive proxy statement, together with a WHITE proxy card. Shareholders are strongly advised to read El Paso's proxy statement as it contains important information.

Shareholders may obtain an additional copy of El Paso's definitive proxy statement and any other documents filed by El Paso with the Securities and Exchange Commission for free at the Internet Web site maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov . Copies of the definitive proxy statement are available for free at El Paso's Internet Web site at www.elpaso.com or by writing to El Paso Corporation, Investor Relations, P.O. Box 2511, Houston, TX 77252. In addition, copies of El Paso's proxy materials may be requested by contacting El Paso's proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at (800) 322-2885 Toll-Free or by email at proxy@mackenziepartners.com .

Information regarding the names, affiliation and interests of individuals who may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of El Paso's shareholders is contained in El Paso's definitive proxy statement.

SOURCE El Paso Corporation

communications and government affairs, Norma F. Dunn, Senior
Vice President, +1-713-420-3750, or fax, +1-713-420-3632, or investor
relations, Bruce L. Connery, Vice President, +1-713-420-5855, or fax,
+1-713-420-4417, both of El Paso Corporation; or alternate contacts, Joele
Frank or Dan Katcher, both of Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher,
+1-212-355-4449, or fax, +1-212-355-4554, for El Paso Corporation

http://www.elpaso.com