In other El Paso news not related to the Leviathan deal, El Pasostockholders approved increasing the company’s authorized commonshares in anticipation of a 2-for-1 stock split in the form of a100% stock dividend. The shareholders agreed to increase the numberof authorized common shares from 100 million to 275 million. Thestock split will be effective on April 1, 1998 for shareholders ofrecord on March 13, 1998.

And El Paso announced another deal last week when El Paso EnergyInternational said Epic Energy (WA) Pipeline Trust venture won thebid to buy the 925-mile AlintaGas Dampier-to-Bunbury Natural GasPipeline in Western Australia for about US$1.64 billion. El PasoEnergy International holds a 33.3% interest in the joint venture.Other partners include Consolidated Natural Gas Company (33.3%),AMP Asset Management (11.1%), Axiom Funds Management (11.1%), andHastings Funds Management (11.1%).

Joe Fisher, Houston

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