Williams plans to launch a new Internet-based capacity marketing and trading platform, called WGPeMarketing, that will help natural gas pipeline customers purchase products and services online. The software platform is expected to be introduced on Williams’ Texas Gas system in early June 2002, with future plans to expand it nationwide to its other natural gas pipelines.

“WGPeMarketing will help customers adjust to rapidly-changing market conditions through a real-time sales channel capable of efficiently and accurately handling large volumes of transactions at a lower cost than traditional methods,” said Allison Bridges, vice president of service delivery for Williams gas pipeline unit.

Williams said WGPeMarketing initially will be utilized for short-term firm transportation, parking and lending, interruptible transportation, interruptible storage and system management gas purchases. Software features offered to registered users include the ability to create or edit security access for their company’s users or agents, public markets allowing approved users the ability to place bids for capacity and receive immediate feedback regarding the status of their bids, and browse and search capabilities for easy access to scheduled, open and closed market information.

The platform will be operated by Williams pipeline employees and will reside on the company’s secure computer system, utilizing the latest encryption technology.

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