Williams Cos. Inc. (WMB)

[frenchee]

Williams and TransCanada Propose New Natural Gas Pipeline for Western U.S.


TULSA, Okla., March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Williams (NYSE: WMB) and TransCanada Corporation (TSX, NYSE: TRP) are evaluating the joint development of Sunstone Pipeline, a major new natural gas transmission pipeline that would offer producers and end-users a cost-effective way to move natural gas supply from the Rockies to markets in the western United States.

The proposed Sunstone Pipeline is a 618-mile, 42-inch-diameter pipeline with capacity of up to 1.2 billion cubic feet per day. The project, which is proposed for service in 2011, would involve constructing a new pipeline substantially parallel to the existing Williams Northwest Pipeline system between the Opal Hub in Wyoming and Stanfield, Ore. Williams' Northwest system interconnects at Stanfield with TransCanada's Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) pipeline system.

The project provides the option to deliver gas to markets served by the Northwest and GTN pipeline systems. Sunstone's open season will commence March 17 and run through April 30, 2008. GTN will hold an additional open season to offer existing capacity available on its pipeline system between Stanfield and GTN's terminus near Malin, Ore., near California's northern border.

Sunstone offers significant benefits for natural gas producers and consumers:


-- Broad access to markets throughout the Pacific Northwest, northern
Nevada and northern California;
-- Enhanced supply diversity for western markets through increased access
to Rocky Mountain supplies;
-- Construction of fewer miles of pipeline along existing utility
corridors, including segments of Northwest's existing pipeline system;
-- Favorable rates due to efficiencies from existing infrastructure and
operations along the route;
-- Both companies have knowledge of the environment and established
relationships with neighboring stakeholders, and Williams has recent
construction experience along the pipeline corridor.


"The proposed Sunstone Pipeline project is designed to ensure that our customers have access to abundant and diverse natural gas supplies in the region," said Phil Wright, president of Williams' gas pipeline business. "We have been reliably delivering natural gas to the Pacific Northwest for more than 50 years and have established long-standing relationships with the communities along our pipeline corridor."

"Sunstone offers customers in the West excellent access to markets and supply," said Hal Kvisle, president and chief executive officer of TransCanada. "Sunstone and GTN provide efficient, continued access to Western Canada Sedimentary Basin gas supply in addition to new access to growing Rocky Mountain production. The combination of new and existing infrastructure provides benefits to markets across California, Nevada and the Pacific Northwest."

"Natural gas is a key resource for the future of our region," said Kimberly Harris, executive vice president and chief resource officer for Puget Sound Energy. "Our customers would benefit from enhanced access to diverse supplies of natural gas that could be provided by projects like the Sunstone Pipeline."


About Williams
Williams, through its subsidiaries, finds, produces, gathers, processes and transports natural gas. Williams' operations are concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Gulf Coast, and Eastern Seaboard. More information is available at http://www.williams.com. Go to http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=630&to=ea&s=0 to join our e-mail list.


About TransCanada
With more than 50 years' experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas pipelines, power generation, gas storage facilities, and projects related to oil pipelines and LNG facilities. TransCanada's network of wholly owned pipelines extends more than 59,000 kilometres (36,500 miles), tapping into virtually all major gas supply basins in North America. TransCanada is one of the continent's largest providers of gas storage and related services with approximately 355 billion cubic feet of storage capacity. A growing independent power producer, TransCanada owns, or has interests in, approximately 7,700 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the United States. TransCanada's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol TRP.



Contact: Michele Swaner
Williams (media relations)
[phone]

Richard George
Williams (investor relations)
[phone]

Shela Shapiro or Cecily Dobson
TransCanada (media relations)
[phone] or [phone]

David Moneta, Myles Dougan or Terry Hook
TransCanada (investor relations)
[phone] or [phone]


FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
Portions of this document may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined by federal law. Although the company believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the "safe harbor" protections provided under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in the company's annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.