HOUSTON, May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- El Paso Corporation (NYSE: EP) announced today that it is continuing the binding open season for a project under development by the Continental Connector Pipeline Company, a subsidiary of El Paso. The open season, which began May 1, will be extended until June 8. Several prospective shippers requested additional time to allow them to further evaluate and fully respond to the open season.

Additional information on the binding open season package and related items can be found by visiting the project Web site at http://www.continentalconnectorpipeline.com , by contacting your El Paso marketing representative, or by calling Joe Wyzik at 713-420-4338.

The Continental Connector project will link the fastest growing supply areas including the Rockies, Mid-Continent, and the Barnett Shale fields of north Texas, with existing infrastructure at the hub near Perryville, Louisiana, to access virtually every gas market in the Eastern and Southeastern United States. Taking full advantage of El Paso's existing pipeline systems, Continental Connector would span more than 700 miles and include about 300 miles of new pipeline along with leased capacity on other pipeline systems to connect El Paso's Colorado Interstate, WIC, and Cheyenne Plains pipelines to points on the company's ANR Pipeline and Tennessee Gas Pipeline.

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, our ability to secure sufficient binding commitments to proceed with this project; our ability to successfully construct, complete and operate this project; the uncertainties associated with governmental regulation; 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
05/23/2006

CONTACT: 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

0667 05/23/2006 12:10 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com