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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.7

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated January 23, 2001, with respect to the combined
financial statements of GATX Terminals Companies as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2000, included in the Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on February 16, 2001 and incorporated by reference in
this Registration Statement and related Prospectus.

Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 16, 2001