POWER OF ATTORNEY


	KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned,
THOMAS R. HIX, hereby appoints David L. Siddall, Corporate
Secretary; Robert W. Baker, General Counsel; Cara E. Carlson, Counsel;
Alan D. Bishop, Director of Shareholder Relations, or Stacy J. James,
Manager of Corporate Law of El Paso Corporation, to be the true and
lawful attorney-in-fact for the undersigned, for him and in his name, place
and stead to execute, acknowledge, deliver and file, as required, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, national securities exchanges and
El Paso Corporation (the Company), the following forms with respect to the
securities of the Company: (i) Forms 3, 4 and 5 (including amendments
thereto) pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and (ii) Form 144
(including amendments thereto) in accordance with the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and hereby
grants to each of David L. Siddall, Robert W. Baker, Cara E. Carlson, Alan D.
Bishop or Stacy J. James full power and authority, to act individually, to
perform all acts necessary to complete such purposes.

	The undersigned agrees that the attorneys-in-fact herein, David L.
Siddall, Robert W. Baker, Cara E. Carlson, Alan D. Bishop or Stacy J. James,
may rely entirely on information furnished orally or in writing by the
undersigned to such attorneys-in-fact.  The undersigned also agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the attorneys-in-fact against
any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in these respects)
that arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or omission of
necessary facts in the information provided by the undersigned to the
attorneys-in-fact for purposes of executing, acknowledging, delivering or
filing Forms 3, 4 or 5 and Form 144 (including amendments thereto) and
agrees to reimburse the Company and the attorneys-in-fact herein for any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating
or defending against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action.

	The validity of this Power of Attorney shall not be affected in any
manner by reason of the execution, at any time, of other powers of attorney
by the undersigned in favor of persons other than those named herein.

	The undersigned agrees and represents to those dealing with its
attorneys-in-fact herein, David L. Siddall, Robert W. Baker, Cara E. Carlson,
Alan D. Bishop or Stacy J. James, that this Power of Attorney is for
indefinite duration and may be voluntarily revoked only by written notice to
such attorney-in-fact, delivered by registered mail or certified mail, return
receipt requested.

	IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of
Attorney to be executed as of this 20th day of May, 2004.



       S/  THOMAS R. HIX