EXHIBIT 32.A


                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                       AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


     In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending
March 31, 2004, of El Paso Production Holding Company (the "Company") as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"),
I, Lisa A. Stewart, President and Chief Executive Officer, certify (i) that the
Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (ii) that the information
contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
condition and results of operations of the Company.



                                        /s/ Lisa A. Stewart
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Lisa A. Stewart
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer
                                        (Principal Executive Officer)

                                        October 28, 2004








A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to El Paso Production Holding Company and will be retained by El Paso
Production Holding Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission or its staff upon request.