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El Paso Corporation Reports Fifth Consecutive Year of Improved Earnings and Financial Strength

Posted on: Tuesday, 26 February 2008, 09:01 CST

HOUSTON, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- El Paso Corporation is reporting today fourth quarter and full-year 2007 financial and operational results for the company.

Highlights: -- Earnings per share (EPS) $1.53 in 2007 versus $0.64 in 2006 - up 139% -- Quarterly EPS from continuing operations up significantly - $0.21 earnings per diluted share from continuing operations versus a loss of $0.03 in 2006 -- Pipeline earnings before interest expense and taxes (EBIT) and throughput up 2 percent and 11 percent, respectively, from fourth quarter 2006 -- E&P EBIT up 92 percent versus fourth quarter 2006 -- Production, including unconsolidated affiliate volumes, totaled 924 million cubic feet equivalent per day (MMcfe/d) - an 11 percent increase over fourth quarter 2006 -- Integrated Peoples Energy Production Company acquisition -- Successful IPO of El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.

"We are delighted to report our fifth consecutive year of improved earnings," said Doug Foshee, El Paso's president and chief executive officer. "During the year, our pipeline group placed more than $500 million of projects into service while expanding our committed project backlog to almost $4 billion. Our E&P business also had a very good year, with 8 percent production growth, as well an 18 percent increase in proved reserves and lower unit direct lifting costs. We enter 2008 with a strong balance sheet, visible multi-year growth in hand, and opportunities to add to our growth trajectory."

A summary of financial results for the three- and 12-month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 is as follows:

Financial Results Three Months Twelve Months Ended Ended ($ in millions, except December 31, December 31, per share amounts) 2007 2006 2007 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Income (loss) from continuing operations $160 $(15) $436 $531 Discontinued operations, net of income taxes - (151) 674 (56) --------------------------------------- Net income (loss) 160 (166) 1,110 475 Preferred stock dividends 9 9 37 37 --------------------------------------- Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $151 $(175) $1,073 $438 ======================================= Basic per common share amounts Income (loss) from continuing operations $0.22 $(0.03) $0.57 $0.73 Discontinued operations - (0.22) 0.97 (0.08) --------------------------------------- Net income (loss) per common share $0.22 $(0.25) $1.54 $0.65 ======================================= Diluted per common share amounts Income (loss) from continuing operations $0.21 $(0.03) $0.57 $0.72 Discontinued operations - (0.22) 0.96 (0.08) --------------------------------------- Net income (loss) per common share $0.21 $(0.25) $1.53 $0.64 ======================================= Items Impacting Quarterly Results

Fourth quarter 2007 results from continuing operations include a $17-million, or $0.02 per diluted share, after-tax loss due to the change in fair value of derivatives intended to manage price risk on natural gas and oil production in the marketing segment. Results also include a $22-million, or $0.03 per diluted share, after-tax loss related to the change in fair value of power contracts in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland (PJM) power pool and an $8-million, or $0.01 per diluted share, after-tax loss related to Brazilian power impairments. After-tax amounts were calculated using a 36 percent tax rate on all charges except Brazilian power impairments.

Fourth Quarter 2007 ($ millions, except per share amounts) Before Tax After Tax EPS ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Continuing operations $231 $160 $0.21 Adjustments Change in fair value of PJM power contracts $34 $22 0.03 Change in fair value of production-related derivatives 26 17 0.02 Brazilian power impairments 8 8 0.01 ------- Adjusted EPS-continuing operations $0.27 ======= Fourth Quarter 2006 ($ millions, except per share amounts) Before Tax After Tax EPS ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Continuing operations $(38) $(15) $(0.03) Adjustments Alliance capacity buyout $188 $122 0.17 Change in fair value of power contracts (7) (4) - Change in fair value of production-related derivatives (13) (8) (0.01) Financial Results - 12 Months Ended December 31, 2007

For the 12 months ended December 31, 2007, El Paso reported net income available to common stockholders of $1,073 million, or $1.53 per diluted share, compared with $438 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, for full-year 2006. A schedule of items affecting annual results is listed below:

Financial Results ($ millions, except per share amounts) After Tax EPS ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Twelve Months 2007 Continuing Operations Debt repurchase costs $(186) $(0.27) Impairment of Brazilian power assets (72) (0.10) Change in fair value of production-related derivatives (57) (0.08) Change in fair value of power contracts (49) (0.07) Case Corporation indemnity (7) (0.01) Crude oil trading liability 49 0.07 Twelve Months 2007 Discontinued Operations Sale of ANR and related assets $674 $0.96 Twelve Months 2006 Continuing Operations Alliance capacity buyout $(122) $(0.17) Change in fair value of Midland Cogeneration Venture gas supply contracts (85) (0.12) Change in fair value of production-related derivatives 172 0.23 Income tax settlement benefits 159 0.22 Change in fair value of power contracts 45 0.06 Twelve Months 2006 Discontinued Operations ANR and International Power assets $(56) $(0.08)

After-tax amounts were calculated using a 36 percent tax rate on all charges except Brazilian power impairments and income tax settlement benefits.

Business Unit Financial Update Segment EBIT Results Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, ($ in millions) 2007 2006 2007 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pipeline Group $308 $302 $1,265 $1,187 Exploration and Production 263 137 909 640 Marketing (64) (184) (202) (71) Power (4) 31 (37) 82 Corporate and Other (20) (37) (283) (88) --------------------------------------------- $483 $249 $1,652 $1,750 ============================================= Pipeline Group

The Pipeline Group's EBIT for the three months ended December 31, 2007, was $308 million, compared with $302 million for the same period in 2006. Fourth quarter 2007 results benefited from incremental revenues from several expansion projects placed in service during 2006 and 2007; higher transportation revenues due to increased sales and utilization of capacity; and higher throughput, primarily in the Rocky Mountains and southern regions. Offsetting these favorable results were higher operating costs for repair and maintenance, and increased insurance costs.

Three Months Ended Pipeline Group Results December 31, ($ in millions) 2007 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ EBIT $308 $302 DD&A $94 $92 Total throughput (BBtu/d) (1) 18,797 16,992 (1) Includes proportionate share of jointly owned pipelines Exploration and Production

The Exploration and Production segment's EBIT for the three months ended December 31, 2007, was $263 million, compared with $137 million for the same period in 2006. The increase was primarily due to increased production volumes and higher realized commodity prices, which benefited from hedging gains that added $0.59 per thousand cubic foot (Mcf) to the realized price for natural gas produced. Fourth quarter 2007 production volumes averaged 847 MMcfe/d, excluding 77 MMcfe/d of unconsolidated affiliate volumes. Fourth quarter 2006 production volumes averaged 762 MMcfe/d, excluding 68 MMcfe/d of unconsolidated affiliate volumes. The increase reflects successful drilling programs and acquisitions. Despite industry inflation, total per-unit cash operating costs decreased to an average of $1.83 per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe) in fourth quarter 2007, compared with $1.91 per Mcfe for the same 2006 period. The improvement is primarily a result of reduced unit direct lifting costs resulting from lower workover activity levels, partially offset by higher production taxes due to increased natural gas and oil revenues and higher general and administrative costs due to the transfer of Marketing employees to the E&P organization.

Exploration and Production Results Three Months Ended December 31, ($ in millions, except price and unit cost amounts) 2007 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- EBIT $263 $137 DD&A $227 $180 Consolidated volumes: Natural gas sales volumes (MMcf/d) 708 630 Oil, condensate, and NGL sales volumes (MBbls/d) 23 22 Total consolidated equivalent sales volumes (MMcfe/d) 847 762 Four Star total equivalent sales volumes (MMcfe/d) (1) 77 68 Weighted average realized prices including hedges Natural gas ($/Mcf) $7.16 $6.15 Oil, condensate, and NGL ($/Bbl) $77.47 $50.58 Transportation costs Natural gas ($/Mcf) $0.24 $0.24 Oil, condensate, and NGL ($/Bbl) $0.96 $0.58 Per-unit costs ($/Mcfe) Depreciation, depletion and amortization $2.91 $2.58 Cash operating costs (2) $1.83 $1.91 (1) Four Star is an equity investment. Amounts disclosed represent the company's proportionate share. (2) Includes direct lifting costs, production-related taxes, G&A expenses, and taxes other than production and income. New Hedge Positions for 2008

As of February 22, 2008, El Paso had hedge positions for more than two-thirds of its estimated 2008 equivalent production. The hedges have an average floor price of $7.94 per million British thermal unit (MMBtu) and an average ceiling price of $10.21 per MMBtu on 188 trillion British thermal unit. In addition, El Paso hedged 3.7 million barrels of crude oil with an average floor price of $80.94 per barrel and an average ceiling price of $81.44 per barrel. Further information on the company's hedging activities will be available in El Paso's Form 10-K.

Other Operations Marketing

The Marketing segment reported an EBIT loss of $64 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007, compared with an EBIT loss of $184 million for the same period in 2006. Changes in the fair value of derivatives intended to manage the price risk of the company's natural gas and oil production resulted in a 2007 fourth quarter loss of $26 million compared to a 2006 fourth quarter gain of $13 million. Fourth quarter 2007 also includes a $34-million loss related to PJM power contracts, while fourth quarter 2006 also includes a loss of $188 million related to the divestiture of capacity on the Alliance Pipeline.

Power

The Power segment reported an EBIT loss of $4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007, compared with EBIT of $31 million for the same period in 2006. Fourth quarter 2007 results included impairments of $8 million on the company's Manaus and Rio Negro power plants in Brazil, which were transferred to the power purchaser on January 15, 2008. Fourth quarter 2006 results included a $34-million gain on the sale of the company's remaining interest in Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).

Corporate and Other

During the fourth quarter of 2007, Corporate and Other reported EBIT loss of $20 million compared with an EBIT loss of $37 million for the same period in 2006. Fourth quarter 2007 results were impacted by adjustments to legacy liabilities and reserves.

Detailed operating statistics for each of El Paso's businesses will be posted at http://www.elpaso.com/ in the Investors section.

Webcast Information

El Paso Corporation has scheduled a live webcast of a review of its 2007 results on February 26, 2008, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, 8:00 a.m. Central Time, which may be accessed online through El Paso's Web site at http://www.elpaso.com/ in the Investors section. During the webcast, management will refer to slides that will be posted on the Web site. The slides will be available one hour before the webcast and can be accessed in the Investors section. A limited number of telephone lines will also be available to participants by dialing (888) 710-3574 (conference ID # 34210298) ten minutes prior to the start of the webcast.

A replay of the webcast will be available online through the company's Web site in the Investors section. A telephone audio replay will be also available through March 4, 2008, by dialing (800) 642-1687 (conference ID # 34210298). If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please contact Margie Fox at (713) 420-2903.

Disclosure of Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Update

The SEC's Regulation G applies to any public disclosure or release of material information that includes a non-GAAP financial measure. In the event of such a disclosure or release, Regulation G requires (i) the presentation of the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and (ii) a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measure presented and the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The required presentations and reconciliations are attached. Additional detail regarding non-GAAP financial measures can be reviewed in El Paso's full operating statistics, which will be posted at http://www.elpaso.com/ in the Investors section.

El Paso uses the non-GAAP financial measure "earnings before interest expense and income taxes" or "EBIT" to assess the operating results and effectiveness of the company and its business segments. The company defines EBIT as net income (loss) adjusted for (i) items that do not impact its income (loss) from continuing operations, such as extraordinary items, discontinued operations, and the impact of accounting changes; (ii) income taxes; and (iii) interest and debt expense. The company excludes interest and debt expense so that investors may evaluate the company's operating results without regard to its financing methods or capital structure. El Paso's business operations consist of both consolidated businesses as well as investments in unconsolidated affiliates. As a result, the company believes that EBIT, which includes the results of both these consolidated and unconsolidated operations, is useful to its investors because it allows them to evaluate more effectively the performance of all of El Paso's businesses and investments. Exploration and Production per-unit total cash costs or cash operating costs equal total operating expenses less DD&A and cost of products and services divided by total production. It is a valuable measure of operating efficiency. Adjusted EPS is earnings per share from continuing operations excluding Brazilian power impairments, changes in fair value of PJM power contracts and changes in fair value of the production-related derivatives in the Marketing segment during the quarter. It is useful in analyzing the company's on-going earnings potential.

El Paso believes that the non-GAAP financial measures described above are also useful to investors because these measurements are used by many companies in the industry as a measurement of operating and financial performance and are commonly employed by financial analysts and others to evaluate the operating and financial performance of the company and its business segments and to compare the operating and financial performance of the company and its business segments with the performance of other companies within the industry.

These non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measurements used by other companies and should not be used as a substitute for net income, earnings per share or other GAAP operating measurements.

El Paso Corporation provides natural gas and related energy products in a safe, efficient, and dependable manner. El Paso owns North America's largest interstate 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 - Update

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, changes in unaudited and/or unreviewed financial information; our ability to implement and achieve our objectives in our 2008 plan, including achieving our earnings and cash flow targets; changes in reserve estimates based upon internal and third party reserve analyses; the effects of any changes in accounting rules and guidance; our ability to meet production volume targets in our Exploration and Production segment; uncertainties and potential consequences associated with the outcome of governmental investigations, including, without limitation, those related to the reserve revisions; outcome of litigation; our ability to comply with the covenants in our various financing documents; our ability to obtain necessary governmental approvals for proposed pipeline projects and our ability to successfully construct and operate such projects; the risks associated with recontracting of transportation commitments by our pipelines; regulatory uncertainties associated with pipeline rate cases; actions by the credit rating agencies; the successful close of our financing transactions; our ability to close our announced asset sales on a timely basis; changes in commodity prices and basis differentials for oil, natural gas, and power; inability to realize anticipated synergies and cost savings associated with restructurings and divestitures on a timely basis or at all; general economic and weather conditions in geographic regions or markets served by the company and its affiliates, or where operations of the company and its affiliates are located; the uncertainties associated with governmental regulation; political and currency risks associated with international operations of the company and its affiliates; 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.

EL PASO CORPORATION SEGMENT INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) 2007 2006 ---- ---- (In millions) First Second Third Fourth First Second Third Fourth ------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenues Pipelines $644 $614 $586 $650 $643 $580 $582 $597 Exploration and Production 505 575 575 645 466 462 456 470 Marketing (135) (16) (9) (59) 205 18 (105) (176) Power - - - - 1 2 3 - Field Services (1) - - - - - - - - Corporate and other, including eliminations (2) 8 25 14 26 22 27 6 22 ------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated total $1,022 $1,198 $1,166 $1,262 $1,337 $1,089 $942 $913 ------------------------------------------------------------- Depreciation, depletion and amortization Pipelines $94 $91 $94 $94 $93 $93 $92 $92 Exploration and Production 170 189 194 227 146 156 163 180 Marketing 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 Power - - 1 - - 1 - 1 Field Services (1) - - - - - - - - Corporate and other (2) 6 5 4 4 10 5 4 7 ------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated total $271 $286 $293 $326 $250 $256 $260 $281 ------------------------------------------------------------- Operating income (loss) Pipelines $324 $276 $234 $277 $321 $251 $221 $270 Exploration and Production 177 229 228 252 191 161 138 135 Marketing (136) (20) (13) (65) 200 8 (113) (186) Power (5) (9) (9) (3) (15) (17) (14) (15) Field Services (1) - - - - - - - - Corporate and other (2) (25) (25) (23) (19) (14) (40) (14) (41) ------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated total $335 $451 $417 $442 $683 $363 $218 $163 ------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings (losses) before interest expense and income taxes (EBIT) Pipelines $364 $318 $275 $308 $346 $286 $253 $302 Exploration and Production 179 235 232 263 199 163 141 137 Marketing (135) 5 (8) (64) 208 13 (108) (184) Power 18 16 (67) (4) 3 10 38 31 Field Services (1) - - - - - - - - Corporate and other (2) (210) (104) 51 (20) - (34) (17) (37) ------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated total $216 $470 $483 $483 $756 $438 $307 $249 ------------------------------------------------------------- Year-to-Date ------------ (In millions) 2007 2006 2005 --------------------------- Operating revenues Pipelines $2,494 $2,402 $2,171 Exploration and Production 2,300 1,854 1,787 Marketing (219) (58) (796) Power - 6 82 Field Services (1) - - 123 Corporate and other, including eliminations (2) 73 77 (8) --------------------------- Consolidated total $4,648 $4,281 $3,359 --------------------------- Depreciation, depletion and amortization Pipelines $373 $370 $343 Exploration and Production 780 645 612 Marketing 3 4 4 Power 1 2 2 Field Services (1) - - 3 Corporate and other (2) 19 26 42 --------------------------- Consolidated total $1,176 $1,047 $1,006 --------------------------- Operating income (loss) Pipelines $1,111 $1,063 $779 Exploration and Production 886 625 671 Marketing (234) (91) (855) Power (26) (61) (63) Field Services (1) - - (16) Corporate and other (2) (92) (109) (577) --------------------------- Consolidated total $1,645 $1,427 $(61) --------------------------- Earnings (losses) before interest expense and income taxes (EBIT) Pipelines $1,265 $1,187 $924 Exploration and Production 909 640 696 Marketing (202) (71) (837) Power (37) 82 (89) Field Services (1) - - 285 Corporate and other (2) (283) (88) (521) --------------------------- Consolidated total $1,652 $1,750 $458 --------------------------- E&P Cash Costs Fourth Quarter Fourth Quarter 2007 2006 Total Per Unit Total Per Unit ($MM) ($/Mcfe) ($MM) ($/Mcfe) ------------------------------------- Total operating expense $393 $4.61 $335 $4.78 Depreciation, depletion and amortization (645) (2.42) (180) (2.58) Cost of products & services (87) (0.33) (20) (0.29) ------------------------------------- Per unit cash costs (3) $1.86 $1.91 ------------------------------------- Total equivalent volumes (Mmcfe) (3) 77,914 70,142 ------------------------------------- (1) By the end of 2005, we sold or transferred to other segment substantially all of our Field Services assets; therefore, Field Services is not reported as a segment starting 2006. (2) Includes our corporate businesses, telecommunications business and residual assets and liabilities of previously sold or discontinued businesses. (3) Excludes volumes and costs associated with equity investment in Four Star. EL PASO CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per common share amounts) (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended 12 Months Ended December 31, December 31, ------------------ ----------------- 2007 2006 2007 2006 ------------------ ----------------- Operating revenues $1,262 $913 $4,648 $4,281 Operating expenses Cost of products and services 75 37 245 238 Operation and maintenance 355 380 1,333 1,337 Gain on long-lived assets Depreciation, depletion and amortization 326 281 1,176 1,047 Taxes, other than income taxes 64 52 249 232 ---------- -------- -------- -------- 820 750 3,003 2,854 ---------- -------- -------- -------- Operating income 442 163 1,645 1,427 Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates 26 24 101 145 Loss on debt extinguishment (4) - (291) (26) Other income, net 19 62 197 204 ---------- -------- -------- -------- 41 86 7 323 ---------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings before interest expense, income taxes, and other charges 483 249 1,652 1,750 Interest and debt expense (252) (287) (994) (1,228) ---------- -------- -------- -------- Income (loss) before income taxes 231 (38) 658 522 Income taxes 71 (23) 222 (9) ---------- -------- -------- -------- Income (loss) from continuing operations 160 (15) 436 531 Discontinued operations, net of income taxes - (151) 674 (56) ---------- -------- -------- -------- Net income (loss) 160 (166) 1,110 475 Preferred stock dividends 9 9 37 37 ---------- -------- -------- -------- Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $151 $(175) $1,073 $438 ========== ======== ======== ======== Earnings (losses) per common share Basic Income (loss) from continuing operations $0.22 $(0.03) $0.57 $0.73 Discontinued operations, net of income taxes - (0.22) 0.97 (0.08) ---------- -------- -------- -------- Net income (loss) per common share $0.22 $(0.25) $1.54 $0.65 ========== ======== ======== ======== Diluted Income (loss) from continuing operations $0.21 $(0.03) $0.57 $0.72 Discontinued operations, net of income taxes - (0.22) 0.96 (0.08) ---------- -------- -------- -------- Net income (loss) per common share $0.21 $(0.25) $1.53 $0.64 ========== ======== ======== ======== Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic 697 693 696 678 ========== ======== ======== ======== Diluted 759 693 699 739 ========== ======== ======== ======== Dividends declared per common share $0.04 $0.04 $0.16 $0.16 ========== ======== ======== ========

El Paso Corporation

CONTACT: Investor and Public Relations, Bruce L. Connery, VicePresident, +1-713-420-5855, or Media Relations, Bill Baerg, Manager,+1-713-420-2906, both of El Paso Corporation

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

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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