HOUSTON, Oct 04, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- El Paso Corporation (NYSE: EP) announced today a proposed new natural gas transportation project called Continental Connector. The project would directly connect El Paso's western pipelines, which offer extensive access to growing natural gas supplies in the Rockies and Mid-Continent regions, with El Paso's southern and eastern pipelines, which offer unmatched access to markets from Florida to New England as well as the Midwest. The project would also provide access to production in north and east Texas.

In addition to taking full advantage of El Paso's existing pipeline systems, Continental Connector as currently proposed would involve the construction of more than 1,000 miles of up to 42-inch diameter pipeline to connect El Paso's Colorado Interstate, WIC, and Cheyenne Plains pipelines to points on the company's ANR Pipeline, Tennessee Gas Pipeline, and Southern Natural Gas systems. El Paso anticipates that the project can be placed in service as early as November 2008.

"Continental Connector is the right project at the right time being done by the right company," said Doug Foshee, president and chief executive officer of El Paso Corporation. "After the hurricane events of the past few weeks, it is clear the United States needs access not only to new sources of natural gas supply but diversity in those supply sources. By providing an integrated natural gas transportation path to connect western and mid-continent supplies with eastern markets, Continental Connector meets this need. And El Paso is the company to make that connection a reality. Continental Connector leverages the size and scope of our premier natural gas pipeline franchise and our proven project development and construction expertise to provide a competitive, cost-effective solution for both producers and markets. It's an excellent example of our continuing commitment to meet the critical new natural gas transportation infrastructure needs of the nation."

El Paso will hold a non-binding open season to seek input from potential shippers to better define the full scope of the Continental Connector project. The open season will begin at 10 a.m. CDT, Tuesday, October 4, 2005, and run through 5 p.m. CDT, Friday, November 4, 2005. A copy of the Open Season Guidelines will be available at http://www.elpaso.com/business/continentalconnector.shtm .

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 receipt of the necessary capacity commitments for this project; the receipt of necessary governmental approvals for this project; our ability to successfully construct and operate the proposed facilities described in this release; general economic 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, 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, Richard Wheatley, Manager, 1-713-420-6828, or fax, 1-713-420-6341
Both of El Paso Corporation

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