HOUSTON, May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ANR Pipeline Company (ANR), a subsidiary of El Paso Corporation (NYSE: EP), announced today a non-binding open season for incremental storage and associated transport service in response to recent customer requests for capacity in excess of ANR's existing storage portfolio.

The open season will commence today, May 23, 2005 and will end on June 22, 2005. ANR will use the results of the open season to confirm the level of demand and then structure an appropriately sized expansion. Depending on the level of desired capacity, ANR anticipates expanding its existing storage fields as well as developing one or more new fields, all in Michigan. ANR is soliciting requests for incremental service commencing April 1, 2006, 2007, or 2008.

"The outlook for growing demand for storage services is compelling given continued high commodity prices as well as favorable price spreads between the summer injection and winter withdrawal seasons," said Stephen C. Beasley, president of El Paso's Eastern Pipeline Group. "Add to these fundamentals the anticipated near- and mid-term increase of liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies in the United States, and ANR is optimistic that customers will recognize the growing need for and value of additional storage capacity to manage their gas supplies economically. With our access to prolific reservoirs in Michigan, ANR is ideally situated to provide additional cost- effective service."

ANR Pipeline Company operates more than 10,500 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline and more than 230 billion cubic feet of storage fields, providing transportation, storage, and capacity-related services to customers in the United States and Canada.

El Paso Corporation provides natural gas and related energy products in a safe, efficient, and 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 .

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 ability to implement and achieve our objectives in the long-range plan; the receipt of the necessary capacity commitments for this project; the receipt of necessary governmental approvals for this project; 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
05/23/2005

CONTACT:
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

Web site: http://www.elpaso.com