NEW YORK (Standard & Poor's) Nov. 2, 2006--Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today noted that the announced intent of midstream energy company Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (EPD; BB+/Positive/--) to form a new master limited partnership and transfer certain of its assets to the new partnership is, on balance, credit-neutral and will not immediately affect the ratings or outlook on EPD. The new entity, to be named Duncan Energy Partners L.P., will house some of EPD's more mature, lower-growth assets and should allow the partnership to finance its own growth more efficiently. As a wholly owned subsidiary of EPD, the business and financial profile of Duncan Energy Partners will be incorporated into the analysis of EPD's credit quality.
