A Delivery Committee Panel (the “Committee”) convened this morning, Friday September 23, 2005, to review deliveries in progress related to the NYMEX Natural Gas (NG) futures contract for the September 2005 contract month.

The Committee noted that Exchange Staff had been advised that Sabine Pipeline, which operates the Henry Hub facility in Louisiana, had implemented a pipeline shutdown yesterday and also had issued a Force Majeure declaration that became effective at 1:00 p.m. CST yesterday September 22, 2005.

Based upon this shutdown and declaration by Sabine, the Committee determined to make a finding of Force Majeure with respect to all remaining delivery obligations in the September 2005 Natural Gas contract month effective as of yesterday’s declaration by Sabine. Accordingly, any further action as may be made by the Committee will be undertaken pursuant to its authority as set forth in NYMEX Rule 220.18, in particular Rule 220.18 Section (C)(6). The Committee is currently in and will continue to be in close contact with Sabine regarding handling of all outstanding delivery obligations.

All market participants with outstanding September 2005 NYMEX NG obligations will be advised of any further decisions of the Committee via their Clearing Members and through additional Notices To Members posted on the NYMEX website ( www.nymex.com). All parties have available now, as always, the ability to mutually agree to execute an alternative delivery procedure pursuant to NYMEX Rule 220.17(A) for the September 2005 delivery obligations.

Furthermore, if necessary, the Committee will consider any appropriate decisions and actions pursuant to the rules regarding any upcoming obligations in the October 2005 NG contract as conditions at the Henry Hub are evaluated.