HOUSTON, Oct 28, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- El Paso Corporation's (NYSE: EP) Pipeline Group was recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the 2003 Natural Gas STAR "Transmission Partner of the Year" at its awards ceremony and annual conference in Houston today. The company, which joined the STAR Program in 1993, received the award for demonstrating outstanding performance in reducing methane emissions, identifying and implementing new emission-reducing practices, and supporting Natural Gas STAR Program outreach activities.

"We are honored to receive this award for our efforts in the Environmental Protection Agency's STAR Program," said John W. Somerhalder II, president of the El Paso Pipeline Group. "As a STAR partner, we work to demonstrate our commitment to the environment. Our participation in the program has helped us identify opportunities to improve the company's performance with efficiency enhancements identified by EPA and other STAR partners."

The Natural Gas STAR Program is a partnership between EPA and the oil and natural gas industry that works with production, processing, transmission, and distribution companies to identify and promote the implementation of cost effective technologies and practices to reduce emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas.

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, the successful implementation of the 2003 operational and financial plan; the successful implementation of the settlement related to the western energy crisis; 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; the uncertainties associated with the outcome of governmental investigations; 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.

SOURCE El Paso Corporation

investor and public relations, Bruce L. Connery, Vice
President, +1-713-420-5855, or fax, +1-713-420-4417, or media relations, Mel
Scott, Director, +1-713-420-3039, or fax, +1-713-420-6341, both of El Paso
Corporation

http://www.elpaso.com