Exhibit 23.1

               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (File Numbers 33-49956 and 333-26813) of El Paso
Energy Corporation of our report dated June 15, 1999 relating to the
financial statements and supplemental schedules of the El Paso Energy
Corporation Retirement Savings Plan, which appears in this Form 11-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas
June 28, 1999