HOUSTON, May 3, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Southern Natural Gas Company, a subsidiary of El Paso Corporation (NYSE: EP), has been recognized as an industry leader in safe operations by the American Gas Association (AGA). The company received the American Gas Association's 2004 AGA Safety Achievement Award for achieving the lowest lost time incident rate among medium-sized transmission companies. Company representatives accepted the award last week at a ceremony in Chicago, Illinois.

"This award reflects our team members' hard work and dedication to ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas supplies across the Southeast," said Jim Yardley, president of Southern Natural Gas Company. "We have embraced safety as a core value at El Paso, and AGA's recognition demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the safety of our communities, customers, and team members."

The AGA has recognized Southern's safety achievements three times over the past four years. During 2004, Southern Natural Gas employees worked more than 1 million hours and had only two recordable injuries and zero lost-time injuries. In congratulating the company's employees on their accomplishment, the AGA emphasized that the company's excellent safety performance has contributed to the pipeline industry's record as one of the safest forms of transportation.

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

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
Aaron Woods, Manager,
1-713-420-6828, or fax, 1-713-420-6341
both of El Paso Corporation