EXHIBIT 99 (a):


            CMS ENERGY ANNOUNCES DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT FOR SALE OF ITS
             INTERESTS IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA TO MARATHON OIL COMPANY

               DEARBORN, Mich., November 2, 2001 - CMS Energy Corporation
(NYSE:CMS) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Marathon
Oil Company for the sale of all of CMS' ownership interests in Equatorial
Guinea, West Africa, for approximately $1 billion. The transaction is expected
to close in January 2002. The transaction is subject to approval of the
Government of Equatorial Guinea.

               "The sale is a key component of CMS Energy's asset sale program
announced last week," said CMS Energy President and Chief Operating Officer
David W. Joos. "It is important to the execution of our strategic repositioning
plan, and will also be beneficial to the Government of Equatorial Guinea and its
people, for whom we have high regard."

               Included in the sale are all of CMS Oil and Gas Company's oil and
gas reserves in Equatorial Guinea and CMS' ownership interest in the Atlantic
Methanol Production Company.

               CMS Energy Corporation has annual sales of $15 billion and assets
of $16 billion throughout the U.S. and in selected foreign markets with
businesses in electric and natural gas utility operations; independent power
production; natural gas pipelines, gathering, processing and storage; LNG
importation; oil and gas exploration and production; and energy marketing,
services and trading.

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For more information on CMS Energy, please visit our web site at:
www.cmsenergy.com/

Media Contacts: Kelly M. Farr, 313/436-9253 or John P. Barnett, 713/989-7556
Investment Analyst Contact: CMS Energy Investor Relations, 517/788-2590