On June 17, 2003, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'BBB' corporate credit rating on midstream energy company Enterprise Products Partners L.P., and removed the rating from CreditWatch with negative implications. The outlook is stable. The Houston, Texas based company has about $1.7 billion of debt. The ratings affirmation for Enterprise Products reflects the strides the firm has taken to strengthen its credit protection measures by issuing $700 million in common equity as permanent financing for its acquisitions of the Mid-America Pipeline Co. and the Seminole Pipeline Co. from the The Williams Cos. Inc. in 2002. In addition, the firm's ability to increase its cash flow diversity through greater integration of its natural gas liquids (NGL) business is also