On Sept. 22, 2004, Standard&Poor's Rating Services affirmed its 'BB+' corporate credit rating on Enterprise Products Partners L.P. and, at the same time, assigned its 'BB+' senior unsecured rating to Enterprise Products' subsidiary Enterprise Products Operating L.P.'s proposed $2.0 billion (in aggregate) note issues. The notes will be issued in four tranches, due 2007, 2009, 2014, and 2034. The outlook is stable. As of June 30, 2004, the Houston, Texas-based company had about $4.2 billion of debt outstanding, pro forma for the proposed and other recent financings. Proceeds from the issuances will be used to permanently finance acquisition-related bank debt related to Enterprise Products' pending merger with GulfTerra Energy Partners L.P. The $6.1 billion merger (total consideration, including
