UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report: December 14, 2001 (Date of Earliest Event Reported: December 12, 2001) EL PASO CORPORATION (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-14365 76-0568816 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) El Paso Building 1001 Louisiana Street Houston, Texas 77002 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (713) 420-2600 Item 5. Other Events On December 12, 2001, we announced a plan to enhance our balance sheet through a combination of asset sales, capital spending reductions, retained earnings, equity financings and the elimination or renegotiation of ratings triggers on certain of our financing transactions. A copy of our press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. Item 7.Financial Statements and Exhibits c) Exhibits. Exhibit Number Description -------------- ----------- 99.1 Press release dated December 12, 2001 SIGNATURES ---------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. EL PASO CORPORATION By: /s/ Jeffrey I. Beason --------------------- Jeffrey I. Beason Senior Vice President and Controller (Chief Accounting Office) Date: December 14, 2001 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description -------------- ------------ 99.1 Press release dated December 12, 2001