FYI

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Holmes, Bradley  
Sent:	Thursday, October 11, 2001 1:58 PM
To:	Corman, Shelley; Blair, Lynn; Bryant, Mike; Nacey, Sheila
Subject:	Thiis sale is curious in relation to Williams purchasing MOPS

Enbridge to Acquire Williams' South Texas Natural Gas Gathering, Treating and Transmission Assets
CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 2001--Enbridge Inc. (NASDAQ:ENBR <http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=enbr&d=t> - news </n/e/enbr.html>; TSE:ENB. <http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=enb.to&d=t> - news </n/ca/e/enb.html>) today announced that it is purchasing natural gas gathering, treating and transmission assets in south Texas from a unit of Williams (NYSE:WMB <http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=wmb&d=t> - news </n/w/wmb.html>). 
Enbridge will acquire 792 kilometres (492 miles) of gas mainlines regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and 480 kilometres (298 miles) of non-FERC regulated assets including gathering systems and pipeline laterals. Closing of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals including approval by FERC to remove the mainlines from jurisdiction under the Natural Gas Act. 
The acquisition, for US$50 million, is the first to be completed by Enbridge's recently created Transportation Group South, which is based in Houston and has overall responsibility for Enbridge's U.S. business activities. The assets will be owned and operated by Enbridge's wholly owned subsidiary, Enbridge Midcoast Energy Inc. 
``Acquisition of these assets enables Enbridge to further expand its geographic footprint and scale of operations,'' said Dan C. Tutcher, Enbridge Group Vice President, Transportation Group South. ``It levers off the expertise that Enbridge Midcoast Energy has developed in gas gathering, processing and transportation, and enhances our position in the active Gulf Coast region. In addition to its strategic value, we expect the acquisition to be immediately accretive to Enbridge earnings, and to have potential for future expansion.'' 
The mainline assets include two pipelines that run from close to the Texas-Mexico border near Laredo and McAllen to Transco Station 30 where they connect with the Williams Transco mainline, which has connections at the Katy hub and continues on to the U.S. Southeast and Northeast. 
The non-FERC regulated assets include a 210-kilometre (130-mile) gathering system with a 90 million cubic feet per day capacity sour gas treatment plant and 78 ton per day sulphur recovery facilitity; 210 kilometres (130 miles) of other gathering laterals; a currently inactive processing plant in Bee County with capacity of 60 million cubic feet per day; and a 61-kilometre (38-mile) lateral connecting the two FERC-regulated mainlines. 
Enbridge Inc. is a leader in energy transportation, distribution and services in North America and internationally. As a transporter of energy, Enbridge operates, in Canada and the U.S., the world's longest crude oil and liquids pipeline system. The Company also is involved in international energy projects, and has a growing involvement in natural gas transmission and midstream businesses. As a distributor of energy, Enbridge owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, which provides gas and retail services in Ontario, Quebec and New York State. The Company is developing a gas distribution network for the province of New Brunswick; is involved in the distribution of electricity; and provides retail energy products and services to a growing number of Canadian and U.S. markets. Enbridge employs approximately 6,000 people, primarily in Canada, the U.S. and South America. Enbridge common shares trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada under the symbol ``ENB'' and on the NASDAQ National Market in the U.S. under the symbol ``ENBR''. Information about Enbridge is available on the Company's web site at www.enbridge.com <http://www.enbridge.com>.