HOUSTON, May 1, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- El Paso Corporation (NYSE: EP) announced today that Dane E. Whitehead joined El Paso Exploration & Production as chief financial officer effective today. Reporting to President Lisa Stewart, he will be responsible for Exploration & Production's financial, accounting, IT, and risk functions.

Whitehead had more than 13 years of tenure at Burlington Resources, Inc., which he joined in 1993 as Internal Audit manager. There he held various positions of increasing responsibility, most recently serving as vice president, controller, and chief accounting officer. Prior to Burlington, he was with Coopers & Lybrand.

"We are pleased to welcome Dane to the team," said Stewart. "He brings a wealth of experience to his new job and extensive knowledge of internal controls, accounting and auditing standards, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, and strategy that will be invaluable as we grow our business. We are confident that Dane will provide the strong financial oversight and leadership that we need to create significant value for El Paso's shareholders."

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 our 2006 plan; our ability to retain and attract qualified officers; the uncertainties associated with governmental regulation; 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, Chris Jones, Manager, +1-713-420-4136, or fax, +1-713-420-4417, both of El Paso Corporation

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