Williams invests in HoustonStreet Exchange to support adoption of Web-based energy trading

Williams Energy Marketing & Trading Co. buys into future of online wholesale energy trading

PORTSMOUTH, NH, March. 8, 2000 - HoustonStreet Exchange today announced that Williams Energy Marketing & Trading Co., one of the top 10 energy trading companies in the United States, acquired a minority equity stake in HoustonStreet.

This strategic relationship with Williams Energy Marketing & Trading is the second in a series of strategic energy industry investments in HoustonStreet by major energy trading companies. On February 8, Equiva Trading Company, the U.S. trading arm for Shell, Texaco and Saudi Aramco's downstream alliances, Equilon and Motiva, acquired a minority interest in HoustonStreet to assist with online trading platforms for crude oil and refined products. HoustonStreet Exchange benefits from these relationships through increased liquidity and activity on the exchange, strategic guidance from traders using the site on how best to improve its performance, and the capital to upgrade the site and expand its reach into other markets.

"Emerging technologies continue to change the way the energy industry operates, and HoustonStreet.com is on the leading edge of the revolution. Internet-based trading has exploded, and we believe that this investment will allow us to play a significant role in the development of new markets and platforms," said Bill Hobbs, president of Williams Energy Marketing & Trading.

Williams Energy Marketing &Trading Co., a unit of Williams (NYSE:WMB), buys and sells a variety of energy products nationwide including natural gas and gas liquids, crude oil and refined products and electricity. The unit also manages its customers' exposure to volatile energy prices using comprehensive risk management services, and creates customized energy financing solutions for energy producers and end-users. HoustonStreet provides power traders with real-time price transparency, a view of the depth and breadth of the market, as well as information traders need to do their jobs better such as weather services and worldwide energy news.

"To have one of the leading energy companies in the country invest in our trading platform is a direct validation of our technology and our vision for the future of energy trading" said Frank Getman, president and CEO of HoustonStreet Exchange. "We look forward to Williams' market strength and support in creating what we believe to be the premier online energy trading platform across multiple commodities."

About HoustonStreet Exchange
Designed by traders for traders, HoustonStreet Exchange represents the first Web portal for the trading of wholesale energy products. HoustonStreet.com provides an online trading engine that allows traders to buy and sell their energy products faster, more efficiently and more easily than they do today. HoustonStreet Exchange is headquartered in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with offices in Houston, Texas. HoustonStreet Exchange is a majority-owned subsidiary of BayCorp Holdings, Ltd., (AMEX: MWH).

About Williams
Williams, through its subsidiaries, connects businesses to energy and communications. The company delivers innovative, reliable products and services through its extensive networks of energy-distributing pipelines and high-speed fiber-optic cables, comprehensive energy services, including commodity trading and risk management, and business communications systems, international satellite and fiber-optic video services. Based in Tulsa, Okla., Williams operates about $25 billion in assets. Company information is available at www.williams.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause these forward-looking statements to be materially inaccurate. These factors include, without limitation, that (i) energy traders may be unwilling or unable to use Internet-based energy trading systems, including HoustonStreet.com, (ii) HoustonStreet.com may not be able to operate profitably, (iii) technological or systems outages could occur, (iv) competitors with greater financial, marketing or other resources could emerge, (v) performance is contingent upon successful completion of design and implementation of the crude and refined products site,(vi) market acceptance of HoustonStreet.com cannot be predicted and (vii) HoustonStreet.com may be unable to fully realize the strategic benefits afforded by the Williams relationship. HoustonStreet.com is a registered service mark of HoustonStreet Exchange.