ENRON CORP/OR/
S-3, 1997-12-19
PETROLEUM & PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (NO BULK STATIONS)
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<PAGE>   1
 
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 19, 1997
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                             ---------------------
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             ---------------------

                                  ENRON CORP.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
                                     OREGON
         (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
 
                                   47-0255140
                      (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
 
                              REX R. ROGERS, ESQ.
                                  ENRON CORP.
                  VICE PRESIDENT AND ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL
                    1400 SMITH STREET, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
                                 (713) 853-3069
              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                 INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL
                    EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                             ---------------------
 
    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: FROM TIME
TO TIME AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS DETERMINED IN
LIGHT OF MARKET CONDITIONS AND OTHER FACTORS.
 
    IF THE ONLY SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED ON THIS FORM ARE BEING OFFERED
PURSUANT TO DIVIDEND OR INTEREST REINVESTMENT PLANS, PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING
BOX.  [ ]
 
    IF ANY OF THE SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED ON THIS FORM ARE TO BE OFFERED ON
A DELAYED OR CONTINUOUS BASIS PURSUANT TO RULE 415 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, OTHER THAN SECURITIES OFFERED ONLY IN CONNECTION WITH DIVIDEND OR INTEREST
REINVESTMENT PLANS, PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX.  [X]
 
    IF THIS FORM IS FILED TO REGISTER ADDITIONAL SECURITIES FOR AN OFFERING
PURSUANT TO RULE 462(B) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX
AND LIST THE SECURITIES ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT NUMBER OF THE EARLIER
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SAME OFFERING. [ ]
 
    IF THIS FORM IS A POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 462(C)
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX AND LIST THE SECURITIES ACT
REGISTRATION STATEMENT NUMBER OF THE EARLIER EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
FOR THE SAME OFFERING. [ ]
 
    IF DELIVERY OF THE PROSPECTUS IS EXPECTED TO BE MADE PURSUANT TO RULE 434,
PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX. [ ]

                             ---------------------

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================================
                                                AMOUNT           PROPOSED MAXIMUM     PROPOSED MAXIMUM       AMOUNT OF
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF                           TO BE             OFFERING PRICE     AGGREGATE OFFERING   REGISTRATION
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED                   REGISTERED           PER SECURITY            PRICE                FEE 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                                           <C>                <C>                  <C>                  <C>     
Enron Corp. Debt Securities.................
- --------------------------------------------
Warrants to Purchase Common Stock(1)........
- --------------------------------------------  $1,000,000,000(3)         (4)            $1,000,000,000(5)    $295,000(6) 
Enron Corp. Preferred Stock.................
- --------------------------------------------
Enron Corp. Depositary Shares(2)............
- --------------------------------------------
=========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 
(1) Consists of warrants to purchase up to 7.5 million shares of Enron Corp.
    Common Stock previously registered.
 
(2) The consideration for the Enron Corp. Depositary Shares is included in that
    for the Enron Corp. Preferred Stock.
 
(3) Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
    Statement contains a combined prospectus that also relates to 7.5 million
    shares of Enron Corp. Common Stock previously registered on Form S-3,
    Registration No. 33-53877. The maximum aggregate offering price of
    securities covered by such combined prospectus (in addition to the 7.5
    million shares of Enron Corp. Common Stock previously registered) is
    $1,000,000,000. Without limitation as to class of securities, securities of
    the classes listed in the above table may be offered pursuant to such
    combined prospectus at a maximum aggregate offering price of $1,000,000,000.
 
(4) The proposed maximum offering price per security is equal to (a) 100% of the
    principal amount thereof in the case of Enron Corp. Debt Securities and (b)
    the proposed maximum aggregate offering price divided by the number of
    shares offered in the case of other securities.
 
(5) Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee.
 
(6) Paid herewith.
 
    The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
 
    Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement contains a combined prospectus that also relates to 7.5 million shares
of Enron Corp. Common Stock previously registered on Registration Statement No.
33-53877, which was declared effective on July 14, 1994 (the "Previously
Registered Securities"). This Registration Statement constitutes Post-Effective
Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement No. 33-53877, pursuant to which the
total amount of unsold Previously Registered Securities registered on
Registration Statement No. 33-53877 may be offered and sold together with the
securities registered hereunder through the use of the combined Prospectus
included herein. In the event such Previously Registered Securities are offered
and sold prior to the effective date of this Registration Statement, the amount
of such Previously Registered Securities so sold will not be included in the
prospectus hereunder.
================================================================================
 
<PAGE>   2
 
                                EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
            ADOPTION OF PREDECESSOR ISSUER'S REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
     Effective July 1, 1997, Enron Corp. (formerly Enron Oregon Corp.), an
Oregon corporation, became the successor issuer to the Common Stock and Debt
Securities of Enron Corp., a Delaware corporation. The succession transaction
was a reincorporation merger (the "Reincorporation Merger") of Enron Corp., a
Delaware corporation ("Old Enron"), with and into the registrant ("Enron"),
which, until the Reincorporation Merger, was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Old
Enron. As a result of the Reincorporation Merger, (i) each issued share of
common stock, par value $.10 per share, of Old Enron was converted into one
share of common stock, without par value, of the registrant, and (ii) each
issued and outstanding share of Cumulative Second Preferred Convertible Stock,
par value $1.00 per share, of Old Enron was converted into one share of
Cumulative Second Preferred Convertible Stock, without par value, of the
registrant, and (iii) each issued and outstanding share of 9.142% Perpetual
Second Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of Old Enron was converted
into one share of 9.142% Perpetual Second Preferred Stock, without par value, of
the registrant. Immediately following the Reincorporation Merger, also on July
1, 1997, the registrant acquired Portland General Corporation ("PGC") by means
of the merger of PGC with and into the registrant. Enron's Form 8-B Registration
Statement filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act") was declared effective on July 22, 1997.
 
     Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities
Act"), this Registration Statement contains a combined prospectus that also
relates to 7.5 million shares of Enron common stock previously registered on Old
Enron's Registration Statement No. 33-53877, which was declared effective on
July 14, 1994. This filing constitutes Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Old
Enron's Registration Statement No. 33-53877, and is filed pursuant to Rule
414(d) under the Securities Act. Post-Effective Amendments Nos. 2 and 3 to such
Registration Statement No. 33-53877, which were also filed pursuant to Rule
414(d) under the Securities Act, were previously declared effective by the
Commission. Enron expressly adopts such Registration Statement No. 33-53877 as
its own for all purposes of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
<PAGE>   3
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
                     SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 19, 1997
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  [ENRON LOGO]
 
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                                PREFERRED STOCK
                                  COMMON STOCK
                       WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
                            ------------------------
     Enron Corp. ("Enron") may offer from time to time (i) secured or unsecured
debt securities ("Debt Securities") consisting of debentures, notes or other
secured or unsecured evidences of indebtedness in one or more series, and (ii)
shares of Preferred Stock, no par value ("Preferred Stock"), in one or more
series, which may be represented by depositary shares ("Depositary Shares")
evidenced by depositary receipts, or (iii) any combination of the foregoing, at
an aggregate initial public offering price not to exceed $1,000,000,000, at
prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of sale. In
addition, Enron may offer from time to time up to 7.5 million shares of Enron
common stock, no par value ("Common Stock"), at prices and on terms to be
determined at or prior to the time of sale. Enron may offer from time to time
warrants to purchase up to 7.5 million shares of Common Stock ("Stock Warrants")
and Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Stock Warrants, at prices and on
terms to be determined at or prior to the time of sale.
 
     Specific terms of the securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
being delivered ("Offered Securities") will be set forth in an accompanying
Prospectus Supplement ("Prospectus Supplement"), together with the terms of the
offering of the Offered Securities, the initial price thereof and the net
proceeds from the sale thereof. The Prospectus Supplement will set forth with
regard to the particular Offered Securities, without limitation, the following:
(i) in the case of Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate
principal amount, authorized denomination, maturity, rate (which may be fixed or
variable) or method of calculation of interest and dates for payment thereof,
and any exchangeability, conversion, redemption, prepayment or sinking fund
provisions and any listing on a securities exchange, and (ii) in the case of
Preferred Stock, the designation, number of shares or fractional interests
therein, liquidation preference per share, initial public offering price,
dividend rate (or method of calculation thereof), dates on which dividends shall
be payable and dates from which dividends shall accrue, any redemption or
sinking fund provisions and any listing on a securities exchange. If shares of
Preferred Stock are to be represented by Depositary Shares, the Prospectus
Supplement will set forth the fraction of a share of such Preferred Stock
represented by one Depositary Share. With regard to Stock Warrants, if any, the
Prospectus Supplement will contain a description of the Common Stock for which
each warrant is exercisable and the offering price, if any, exercise price,
duration, detachability, call provisions, and other principal terms of the
warrants.
 
     Enron may sell the Offered Securities directly, through agents designated
from time to time or through underwriters or dealers. See "Plan of
Distribution." If any underwriters are involved in the sale of the Offered
Securities, the names of such underwriters and any applicable commissions and
discounts will be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Offered Securities
unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
                            ------------------------
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
               The date of this Prospectus is             , 1997.
<PAGE>   4
 
     NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR
IN A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY ENRON.
NEITHER THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT CONSTITUTES AN OFFER OF
ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THOSE TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH AN
OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN
OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     Enron is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other
information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549; and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: Midwest
Regional Office, Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511; and Northeast Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates or from the site maintained by the
Commission on the Internet World Wide Web at http://www.sec.gov. Enron's Common
Stock is listed on the New York, Midwest and Pacific Stock Exchanges. Reports,
proxy statements and other information concerning Enron can be inspected and
copied at the respective offices of these exchanges at 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York 10005; 120 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603; and 301
Pine Street, San Francisco, California 94014.
 
     This Prospectus constitutes a part of Registration Statements on Form S-3
(together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the "Registration
Statements") filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Securities Act") with respect to the Offered Securities. This Prospectus does
not contain all of the information set forth in such Registration Statements,
certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the Commission. Reference is made to such Registration Statements and to the
exhibits relating thereto for further information with respect to Enron and the
Offered Securities. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of
any document filed as an exhibit to any of the Registration Statements or
otherwise filed with the Commission or incorporated by reference herein are not
necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such
document so filed for a more complete description of the matter involved. Each
such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     Effective July 1, 1997, Enron Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Old Enron"),
was reincorporated in Oregon by means of a merger with and into Enron Oregon
Corp., an Oregon corporation, which changed its name to Enron Corp. upon
consummation of the merger. Unless the context otherwise requires, as used
herein the term "Enron" refers to Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation, and to Old
Enron, its predecessor Delaware corporation.
 
     The following documents filed by Enron with the Commission pursuant to the
Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
 
          (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
     1996;
 
          (b) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,
     1997, June 30, 1997 and September 30, 1997;
 
          (c) Current Reports on Form 8-K dated July 15, 1997, August 29, 1997
     and September 17, 1997; and
 
          (d) The description of Enron's capital stock set forth in Enron's
     Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed on July 2, 1997.
 
     The following documents filed by Old Enron with the Commission pursuant to
the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
 
          (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
     1996;
 
          (b) Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 17, 1997;
 
          (c) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
     1997; and
 
          (d) Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 5, 1997.
 
     Each document filed by Enron pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of the offering of the Offered Securities pursuant hereto shall be
deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such document. Any statement contained herein or in a document
all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     Enron will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this
Prospectus is delivered, on the request of any such person, a copy of any or all
of the foregoing documents incorporated herein by reference other than exhibits
to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into the documents that this Prospectus incorporates). Written or
telephone requests for such copies should be directed to Secretary Division,
Enron Corp., at its principal executive offices, 1400 Smith Street, Houston,
Texas 77002 (telephone: 713-853-6161).
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
                               BUSINESS OF ENRON
 
     Enron, an Oregon corporation, is an integrated natural gas and electricity
company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Essentially all of Enron's operations
are conducted through its subsidiaries and affiliates which are principally
engaged in the transportation and wholesale marketing of natural gas to markets
throughout the United States and internationally through approximately 36,000
miles of natural gas pipelines; the exploration for and production of natural
gas and crude oil in the United States and internationally; the production,
purchase, transportation and worldwide marketing of natural gas liquids and
refined petroleum products; the independent (i.e., non-utility) development,
promotion, construction and operation of power plants, natural gas liquids
facilities and pipelines in the United States and internationally; and the
non-price regulated purchasing and marketing of electricity and other energy
related commitments.
 
     REGULATED OPERATIONS. Enron's operations include interstate transmission of
natural gas, construction, management and operation of natural gas and natural
gas liquids pipelines, liquids plants, clean fuel plants and power facilities.
Enron and its subsidiaries operate domestic interstate pipelines extending from
Texas to the Canadian border and across the southern United States from Florida
to California. Included in Enron's domestic interstate natural gas pipeline
operations are Northern Natural Gas Company ("Northern"), Transwestern Pipeline
Company ("Transwestern"), and Florida Gas Transmission Company ("Florida Gas")
(indirectly 50% owned by Enron), and all such pipelines are subject to the
regulatory jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Each
pipeline serves customers in a specific geographical area: Northern, the upper
Midwest; Transwestern, principally the California market and pipeline
interconnects on the east end of Transwestern's system; and Florida Gas, the
State of Florida. In addition, Enron holds a 13% interest in Northern Border
Partners, L.P., which owns a 70% interest in the Northern Border Pipeline
system. An Enron subsidiary operates the Northern Border Pipeline system, which
transports gas from western Canada to delivery points in the midwestern United
States.
 
     On July 1, 1997, Enron acquired Portland General Corporation, the parent
company of Portland General Electric Company ("PGE"), by means of a merger of
Portland General Corporation with and into Enron. As a result of the merger, PGE
is a subsidiary of Enron. PGE is an electric utility engaged in the generation,
purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity in the State of
Oregon. PGE also sells energy to wholesale customers throughout the western
United States.
 
     CAPITAL AND TRADE RESOURCES. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Enron
Capital & Trade Resources Corp. and its affiliated companies ("ECT"), Enron
purchases natural gas, natural gas liquids, electricity and other energy
products through a variety of contractual arrangements, including both short-
term and long-term contracts, the arrangement of production payment and other
financing transactions, and other contractual arrangements. ECT markets these
energy products to local distribution companies, electric utilities,
cogenerators, and both commercial and industrial end-users. ECT also provides
price risk management services in connection with natural gas, natural gas
liquids and electricity transactions through both physical delivery and
financial arrangements.
 
     ECT offers a broad range of non-price regulated natural gas merchant
services by tailoring a variety of supply and marketing options to its
customers' specific needs. ECT's strategy is to provide predictable pricing,
reliable delivery and low cost capital to its customers. ECT provides these
services through a variety of instruments, including forward contracts, swap
agreements and other contractual commitments.
 
     RETAIL ENERGY SERVICES. Enron Energy Services ("EES") was established to
pursue the significant growth opportunities in anticipation of a fully
competitive retail natural gas and electricity market. As states begin to
deregulate their natural gas and electricity markets, and as these markets
continue to converge, EES's goal is to provide end-users with a broad range of
energy choices at more competitive prices. EES has participated in selected
natural gas and electric retail marketing pilot programs, including a state-wide
electricity pilot in New Hampshire, where individual customers are free to
select the power provider of their choice. EES will continue to participate in
such programs.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
     INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT. Enron's international activities
principally involve the independent (non-utility) development, acquisition,
financing, promotion and operation of natural gas and power projects in emerging
markets, and the marketing of natural gas liquids and other liquid fuels.
Development projects are focused on power plants, gas processing and terminaling
facilities, and gas pipelines, while marketing activities center on fuels used
by or transported through such facilities. Enron's international activities
include management of direct and indirect ownership interests in and operation
of power plants in England, Germany, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, the
Philippines and China; pipeline systems in Argentina and Colombia; retail gas
and propane sales in the Caribbean basin; processing of natural gas liquids at
Teesside, England; and marketing of natural gas liquids and other liquid fuels
worldwide. Enron is also involved in power, pipeline and liquefied natural gas
projects in varying stages of development in China, India, Puerto Rico, Italy,
Turkey, Qatar, Vietnam, Israel, Jordan, Bolivia, Brazil, Indonesia, Poland and
elsewhere.
 
     EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION. Substantially all of Enron's natural gas and
crude oil exploration and production operations are conducted by its subsidiary,
Enron Oil & Gas Company ("EOG"). EOG is engaged in the exploration for, and
development and production of, natural gas and crude oil primarily in major
producing basins in the United States, as well as in Canada, Trinidad, India
and, to a lesser extent, selected other international areas. At December 31,
1996, EOG had estimated net proved natural gas reserves of 3,675 billion cubic
feet, including 1,180 billion cubic feet of proved undeveloped methane reserves
in the Big Piney, Wyoming deep Paleozoic formations, and estimated net proved
crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids reserves of 55 million barrels,
and at such date, approximately 74% of EOG's reserves (on a natural gas
equivalent basis) was located in the United States, 9% in Canada, 10% in
Trinidad, and 7% in India. Enron currently owns 53% of the outstanding common
stock of EOG.
 
     Enron, an Oregon corporation, has its principal executive offices at 1400
Smith Street, Houston, Texas 77002, and its telephone number is 713-853-6161.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds from the sale of the Offered Securities will be added to
Enron's general funds and are expected to be used to retire existing
indebtedness and for general corporate purposes, except as may be stated in a
Prospectus Supplement.
 
                   RATIO OF ENRON'S EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
          AND EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               NINE MONTHS
                                                  ENDED                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                              SEPTEMBER 30,   ----------------------------------------------------
                                                  1997          1996       1995       1994       1993       1992
                                              -------------     ----       ----       ----       ----       ----
<S>                                           <C>             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges..........       (1)            3.00       2.92       2.34       1.98       1.74
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
  Preferred Stock Dividends.................       (1)            2.85       2.77       2.25       1.89       1.64
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, earnings were inadequate to
    cover fixed charges and combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends
    by $182 million and $199 million, respectively.
 
     The ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends are
based on continuing operations. "Earnings" represent the aggregate of (a) the
pre-tax income of Enron and its majority owned subsidiaries, (b) Enron's share
of pre-tax income of its 50% owned companies, (c) any income actually received
from less than 50% owned companies, and (d) fixed charges, net of interest
capitalized. "Fixed Charges" represent interest (whether expensed or
capitalized), amortization of debt discount and expense and that portion of
rentals considered to be representative of the interest factor. "Fixed Charges
and Preferred Stock Dividends" represent fixed charges (as described above) and
preferred stock dividend requirements of Enron and its majority owned
subsidiaries.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The following description of the terms of the Debt Securities sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate (the "Offered Debt Securities"). The particular
terms of the Offered Debt Securities and the extent, if any, to which such
general provisions may apply to the Offered Debt Securities will be described in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Offered Debt Securities.
 
     The Offered Debt Securities will be secured or unsecured obligations of
Enron. Any such unsecured obligations will be issued under an Indenture (the
"Indenture") between Enron and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Trustee (the
"Trustee"), dated as of November 1, 1985, as supplemented. The following
statements are summaries of certain provisions contained in the Indenture, the
form of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statements of which
this Prospectus is a part. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for full
and complete statements of such terms and provisions, including the definitions
of certain terms used herein. Wherever reference is made in the following
statements to a particular section of the Indenture, such section shall be
deemed to be incorporated in such statements as a part thereof. If Offered Debt
Securities will be secured obligations of Enron, they will be issued under a
separate indenture, which will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such Offered Debt Securities.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of unsecured
debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of Enron (the "Indenture
Securities") which may be issued thereunder from time to time in one or more
series by Enron, and Enron may in the future issue additional Indenture
Securities (in addition to the Offered Debt Securities) under the Indenture. At
December 15, 1997, an aggregate of $2,842,200,000 principal amount of Indenture
Securities of Enron was issued and outstanding under the Indenture. Reference is
made to the Prospectus Supplement for the following terms of the Offered Debt
Securities: (i) the title of the Offered Debt Securities; (ii) any limit upon
the aggregate principal amount of the Offered Debt Securities; (iii) the date or
dates on which the principal of the Offered Debt Securities is payable; (iv) the
rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method by which such rate
or rates shall be determined, at which the Offered Debt Securities shall bear
interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the
method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the interest payment
dates on which such interest shall be payable and the regular record date for
the interest payable on any interest payment date; (v) the place or places where
the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Offered Debt Securities
shall be payable; (vi) the period or periods within which, the price or prices
at which and the terms and conditions upon which Offered Debt Securities may be
redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of Enron, if Enron is to have that
option; (vii) the obligation, if any, and the option, if any, of Enron to
redeem, purchase or repay Offered Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund
or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or
periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions
upon which Offered Debt Securities shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid in
whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation or option; (viii) any trustees,
paying agents, transfer agents or registrars with respect to Offered Debt
Securities; and (ix) any other terms of the Offered Debt Securities (which terms
shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture). (Section 301.)
 
     Enron will maintain in each place specified by it for payment of any series
of Offered Debt Securities an office or agency where Offered Debt Securities of
that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Offered Debt
Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or
exchange and where notices and demands to or upon Enron in respect of the
Offered Debt Securities of that series and the Indenture may be served.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto,
the Offered Debt Securities will be issued only in fully registered form,
without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof.
(Section 302.) No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
such Offered Debt Securities, but Enron may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in relation thereto.
(Section 305.)
 
     Debt Securities may be issued under the Indenture as Original Issue
Discount Securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount below their
principal amount. Material federal income tax, accounting and other
considerations applicable to any such Original Issue Discount Securities will be
described in any Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. "Original Issue
Discount Security" means any security which provides for an amount less than the
principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of
acceleration of the maturity thereof as a result of the occurrence of an Event
of Default and the continuation thereof. (Section 101.)
 
LIMITATIONS ON MORTGAGES AND LIENS
 
     The Indenture provides that so long as any of the Indenture Securities
issued under the Indenture (including the Offered Debt Securities) are
outstanding, Enron will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary (as defined in
the Indenture and herein) to, pledge, mortgage or hypothecate, or permit to
exist, except in favor of Enron or any Subsidiary, any mortgage, pledge or other
lien upon, any Principal Property (as defined in the Indenture and herein) at
any time owned by it, to secure any indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture),
unless effective provision is made whereby outstanding Indenture Securities
(including the Offered Debt Securities) will be equally and ratably secured with
any and all such indebtedness and with any other indebtedness similarly entitled
to be equally and ratably secured. This restriction does not apply to prevent
the creation or existence of: (a) mortgages, pledges, liens or encumbrances on
any property held or used by Enron or a Subsidiary in connection with the
exploration for, development of or production of, oil, gas, natural gas
(including liquified gas and storage gas), other hydrocarbons, helium, coal,
metals, minerals, steam, timber, geothermal or other natural resources or
synthetic fuels, such properties to include, but not be limited to, Enron's or a
Subsidiary's interest in any mineral fee interests, oil, gas or other mineral
leases, royalty, overriding royalty or net profits interests, production
payments and other similar interests, wellhead production equipment, tanks,
field gathering lines, leasehold or field separation and processing facilities,
compression facilities and other similar personal property and fixtures; (b)
mortgages, pledges, liens or encumbrances on oil, gas, natural gas (including
liquified gas and storage gas), other hydrocarbons, helium, coal, metals,
minerals, steam, timber, geothermal or other natural resources or synthetic
fuels produced or recovered from any property, an interest in which is owned or
leased by Enron or a Subsidiary; (c) mortgages, pledges, liens or encumbrances
(or certain extensions, renewals or refundings thereof) upon any property
acquired before or after the date of the Indenture, created at the time of
acquisition or within one year thereafter to secure all or a portion of the
purchase price thereof, or existing thereon at the date of acquisition, whether
or not assumed by Enron or a Subsidiary, provided that every such mortgage,
pledge, lien or encumbrance applies only to the property so acquired and fixed
improvements thereon; (d) mortgages, pledges, liens or encumbrances upon any
property acquired before or after the date of the Indenture by any corporation
that is or becomes a Subsidiary after the date of the Indenture ("Acquired
Entity"), provided that every such mortgage, pledge, lien or encumbrance (1)
shall either (i) exist prior to the time the Acquired Entity becomes a
Subsidiary or (ii) be created at the time the Acquired Entity becomes a
Subsidiary or within one year thereafter to secure all or a portion of the
acquisition price thereof and (2) shall only apply to those properties owned by
the Acquired Entity at the time it becomes a Subsidiary or thereafter acquired
by it from sources other than Enron or any other Subsidiary; (e) pledges of
current assets, in the ordinary course of business, to secure current
liabilities; (f) deposits to secure public or statutory obligations; (g) liens
to secure indebtedness other than Funded Debt (as defined in the Indenture and
herein); (h) mortgages, pledges, liens or encumbrances upon any office, data
processing or transportation equipment; (i) mortgages, pledges, liens or
encumbrances created or assumed by Enron or a Subsidiary in connection with the
issuance of debt securities the interest on which is excludable from gross
income of the holder of such security pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, for the purpose of financing the acquisition or construction
of property to be used by Enron or a Subsidiary; (j) pledges or assignments of
accounts receivable or conditional sales contracts or chattel mortgages and
evidences of indebtedness secured thereby, received in connection with the sale
by Enron or a
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
Subsidiary of goods or merchandise to customers; or (k) certain other liens or
encumbrances. (Section 1007.)
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, Enron or a Subsidiary may issue, assume or
guarantee indebtedness secured by a mortgage which would otherwise be subject to
the foregoing restrictions in an aggregate amount which, together with all other
indebtedness of Enron or a Subsidiary secured by a mortgage which (if originally
issued, assumed or guaranteed at such time) would otherwise be subject to the
foregoing restrictions (not including secured indebtedness permitted under the
foregoing exceptions), does not at the time exceed 10% of the Consolidated Net
Tangible Assets (total assets less (a) total current liabilities, excluding
indebtedness due within 12 months, and (b) goodwill, patents and trademarks) of
Enron, as shown on the audited consolidated financial statements of Enron as of
the end of the fiscal year preceding the date of determination. (Section 1007.)
 
     The holders of at least 50% in principal amount of the outstanding
Indenture Securities under the Indenture (including the Offered Debt Securities)
may waive compliance by Enron with the covenant contained in Section 1007 of the
Indenture (and certain other covenants of Enron). (Section 1009.)
 
     The Indenture defines the term "Subsidiary" to mean a corporation all of
the voting shares (that is, shares entitled to vote for the election of
directors, but excluding shares entitled so to vote only upon the happening of
some contingency unless such contingency shall have occurred) of which shall be
owned by Enron or by one or more Subsidiaries or by Enron and one or more
Subsidiaries. The term "Principal Property" is defined to mean any oil or gas
pipeline, gas processing plant or chemical plant located in the United States,
except any such property, pipeline or plant that in the opinion of the Board of
Directors of Enron is not of material importance to the total business conducted
by Enron and its Subsidiaries. "Principal Property" does not include any oil or
gas property or the production or any proceeds of production from an oil or gas
producing property or the production or any proceeds of production of gas
processing plants or oil or gas or petroleum products in any pipeline. (Section
101.)
 
     The term "indebtedness", as applied to Enron or any Subsidiary, is defined
to mean bonds, debentures, notes and other instruments representing obligations
created or assumed by any such corporation for the repayment of money borrowed
(other than unamortized debt discount or premium). All indebtedness secured by a
lien upon property owned by Enron or any Subsidiary and upon which indebtedness
any such corporation customarily pays interest, even though such corporation has
not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness, is also
deemed to be indebtedness of any such corporation. All indebtedness for money
borrowed incurred by other persons which is directly guaranteed as to payment of
principal by Enron or any Subsidiary is for all purposes of the Indenture deemed
to be indebtedness of any such corporation, but no other contingent obligation
of any such corporation in respect of indebtedness incurred by other persons is
for any purpose deemed indebtedness of such corporation. Indebtedness of Enron
or any Subsidiary does not include (i) amounts which are payable only out of all
or a portion of the oil, gas, natural gas, helium, coal, metals, minerals,
steam, timber or other natural resources produced, derived or extracted from
properties owned or developed by such corporation; (ii) any amount representing
capitalized lease obligations; (iii) any indebtedness incurred to finance oil,
gas, natural gas, helium, coal, metals, minerals, steam, timber, hydrocarbons or
geothermal or other natural resources or synthetic fuel exploration or
development, payable, with respect to principal and interest, solely out of the
proceeds of oil, gas, natural gas, helium, coal, metals, minerals, steam,
timber, hydrocarbons or geothermal or other natural resources or synthetic fuel
to be produced, sold and/or delivered by Enron or any Subsidiary; (iv) indirect
guarantees or other contingent obligations in connection with the indebtedness
of others, including agreements, contingent or otherwise, with such other
persons or with third persons with respect to, or to permit or ensure the
payment of, obligations of such other persons, including, without limitation,
agreements to purchase or repurchase obligations of such other persons,
agreements to advance or supply funds to or to invest in such other persons or
agreements to pay for property, products or services of such other persons
(whether or not conferred, delivered or rendered) and any demand charge,
throughput, take-or-pay, keep-well, make-whole, cash deficiency, maintenance of
working capital or earnings or similar agreements; and (v) any guarantees with
respect to lease or other similar periodic payments to be made by other persons.
(Section 101.)
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
     The term "Funded Debt" as applied to any corporation means all indebtedness
incurred, created, assumed or guaranteed by such corporation, or upon which it
customarily pays interest charges, which matures, or is renewable by such
corporation to a date, more than one year after the date as of which Funded Debt
is being determined; provided, however, that the term "Funded Debt" shall not
include (i) indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business
representing borrowings, regardless of when payable, of such corporation from
time to time against, but not in excess of the face amount of, its installment
accounts receivable for the sale of appliances and equipment sold in the regular
course of business or (ii) advances for construction and security deposits
received by such corporation in the ordinary course of business. (Section 101.)
 
     The foregoing limitations on mortgages, pledges and liens are intended to
limit other creditors of Enron from obtaining preference or priority over
holders of the Indenture Securities issued under the Indenture, but are not
intended to prevent other creditors from sharing equally and ratably and without
preference ("pari passu") over the holders of such Indenture Securities. While
such limitations on mortgages and liens do provide protection to the holders of
the Indenture Securities, there are a number of exceptions to such restrictions
which could result in certain assets of Enron and its Subsidiaries being
encumbered without equally and ratably securing the Indenture Securities issued
under the Indenture. Specifically, the restrictions apply only to pledges,
mortgages or liens upon "Principal Property" (as defined in the Indenture and
herein) to secure any "indebtedness" (as defined in the Indenture and herein),
unless effective provision is made whereby outstanding Securities will be
equally and ratably secured with any such indebtedness and with any other
indebtedness similarly entitled to be equally and ratably secured. There are
certain exceptions to the definition of "indebtedness," which are enumerated in
the Indenture and herein. In addition, the restrictions do not apply to prevent
the creation or existence of mortgages, pledges, liens or encumbrances on
certain types of properties or pursuant to certain types of transactions, all as
enumerated in the Indenture and above. Also, up to 10% of Consolidated Net
Tangible Assets (as defined in the Indenture and herein) is not subject to the
mortgage and lien limitations contained in the Indenture.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement, the covenants
contained in the Indenture and the Indenture Securities would not necessarily
afford holders of the Indenture Securities protection in the event of a highly
leveraged or other transaction involving Enron that may adversely affect
holders.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
     With certain exceptions, the Indenture provides that, with the consent of
the holders of not less than 50% in principal amount of all outstanding
Indenture Securities (including, where applicable, the Offered Debt Securities)
affected thereby, Enron and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture
for the purpose of adding to, changing or eliminating any of the provisions of
the Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of
Indenture Securities under the Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
consent of the holder of each outstanding Indenture Security affected thereby
will be required to: (a) change the Stated Maturity (as defined in the
Indenture) of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest
on, any Indenture Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate
of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or
change any Place of Payment (as defined in the Indenture) where, or change the
coin or currency in which, any Indenture Security or any premium or the interest
thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of
any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of
redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, as defined in the Indenture); (b)
reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Indenture
Securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any
supplemental indenture or for any waiver provided for in the Indenture; or (c)
with certain exceptions, modify any of the provisions of the sections of the
Indenture which concern waivers of past defaults, waivers of certain covenants
or consent to supplemental indentures, except to increase the percentage of
principal amount of Indenture Securities of any series, the holders of which are
required to effect such waiver or consent, or to provide that certain other
provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of
the holder of each outstanding Indenture Security affected
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
thereby. The Indenture provides that a supplemental indenture which changes or
eliminates any covenant or other provision of the Indenture which has expressly
been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of
Indenture Securities, or which modifies the rights of the holders of Indenture
Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision,
shall be deemed not to affect the rights under the Indenture of the holders of
Indenture Securities of any other series. (Section 902.)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND RIGHTS UPON DEFAULT
 
     Under the Indenture, the term "Event of Default" with respect to any series
of Indenture Securities, means any one of the following events which shall have
occurred and is continuing: (a) default in the payment of any interest upon any
Indenture Security of that series when it becomes due and payable or default in
the payment of any mandatory sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of
any series of Indenture Securities, and continuance of such default for a period
of 30 days; (b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any,
on) any Indenture Security of that series at its maturity; (c) default in the
performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of Enron in the Indenture
(other than a covenant or warranty a default in the performance of which or the
breach of which is otherwise specifically dealt with in the Indenture or which
has been expressly included in the Indenture solely for the benefit of one or
more series of Indenture Securities other than that series), and continuance of
such default or breach for 60 days after there has been given to Enron by the
Trustee, or to Enron and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal
amount of all outstanding Indenture Securities, a written notice specifying such
default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice
is a "Notice of Default" under the Indenture; or (d) certain events involving
Enron in bankruptcy, receivership or other insolvency proceedings or an
assignment for the benefit of creditors. (Section 501.)
 
     If an Event of Default described in clause (a) or (b) in the foregoing
paragraph has occurred and is continuing with respect to Indenture Securities of
any series, the Indenture provides that the Trustee or the holders of not less
than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Indenture Securities of that
series may declare the principal amount of all of the Indenture Securities of
that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration
such principal amount shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of
Default described in clause (c) or (d) of the foregoing paragraph occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount
of all of the Indenture Securities then outstanding may declare the principal
amount of all of the Indenture Securities to be due and payable immediately, and
upon any such declaration such principal amount shall become immediately due and
payable. (Section 502.)
 
     A default under other indebtedness of Enron is not an Event of Default
under the Indenture, and an Event of Default under one series of Indenture
Securities will not necessarily be an Event of Default under another series.
 
     At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Indenture Securities of any series (or of all series, as the case may be) has
been made and before judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been
obtained by the Trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Indenture Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case
may be) may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, if, subject
to certain conditions, all Events of Default with respect to Indenture
Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be), other than the
non-payment of the principal of the Indenture Securities due solely by such
declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived and all payments due
(other than by acceleration) have been paid or deposited with the Trustee.
(Section 502.) With certain exceptions, the holders of not less than a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding Indenture Securities of any series, on
behalf of the holders of all the Indenture Securities of such series, may waive
any past default described in clause (a) or (b) of the first paragraph of this
heading "Events of Default and Rights Upon Default" (or, in the case of a
default described in clause (c) or (d) of such paragraph, the holders of a
majority in principal amount of all outstanding Indenture Securities may waive
any such past default), and its consequences, except a default (a) in the
payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Indenture
Security, or (b) in respect of a covenant or provision of the Indenture which
under the Indenture cannot be
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding
Indenture Security of such series affected. (Section 513.)
 
     The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Indenture Securities of any series at the time outstanding are empowered under
the terms of the Indenture, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. (Section
512.)
 
     The Indenture further provides that no holder of an Indenture Security of
any series may enforce the Indenture except in the case of failure by the
Trustee to act for 60 days after notice of a continuing Event of Default with
respect to the Indenture Securities of that series and after request by the
holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Indenture
Securities of such series and the offer to the Trustee of reasonable indemnity,
but this provision will not prevent a holder of any Indenture Security from
enforcing the payment of the principal of, and interest on, such holder's
Indenture Security. (Sections 507 and 508.)
 
     The Indenture requires that Enron deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days
after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer's Certificate, stating whether to
the best knowledge of the signers thereof Enron is in default in the performance
and observance of certain of the terms of the Indenture and, if so, specifying
each such default and the nature and status thereof of which the signers may
have knowledge. (Section 1008.)
 
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
 
     With certain exceptions, Enron may discharge its obligations under the
Indenture with respect to any series of Indenture Securities by (i) paying or
causing to be paid the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all
the Indenture Securities of such series outstanding, as and when the same shall
become due and payable; (ii) delivering to the Trustee all outstanding Indenture
Securities of such series for cancellation; or (iii) entering into an agreement
in form and substance satisfactory to Enron and the Trustee providing for the
creation of an escrow fund and depositing in trust with the Trustee, as escrow
agent of such fund, sufficient funds in cash and/or Eligible Obligations and/or
U.S. Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest in such
amounts and at such times as will be sufficient to pay at the Stated Maturity or
Redemption Date all such Indenture Securities of such series not previously
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if
any) and interest to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date. (Section 401.)
 
     The Indenture defines "Eligible Obligations" to mean interest bearing
obligations as a result of the deposit of which the Indenture Securities are
rated in the highest generic long-term debt rating category assigned to legally
defeased debt by one or more nationally recognized rating agencies. (Section
101.)
 
     For federal income tax purposes, there is a substantial risk that a legal
defeasance of a series of Indenture Securities by the deposit of cash, Eligible
Obligations or U.S. Government Obligations in a trust would be characterized by
the Internal Revenue Service or a court as a taxable exchange by the holders of
the Indenture Securities of that series for either (i) an issue of obligations
of the defeasance trust or (ii) a direct interest in the cash and/or Eligible
Obligations and/or U.S. Government Obligations held in the defeasance trust. If
the defeasance were so characterized, then a holder of an Indenture Security of
the series defeased would be: (i) required to recognize gain or loss (which
would be capital gain or loss if the Indenture Securities were held as a capital
asset) at the time of the defeasance as if the Indenture Security had been sold
at such time for an amount equal to the amount of cash and the fair market value
of the Eligible Obligations and/or U.S. Government Obligations held in the
defeasance trust; (ii) required to include in income in each taxable year the
interest and any original issue discount or gain or loss attributable to either
such defeasance trust obligations or such securities, as the case may be; and
(iii) subject to the market discount provisions of the Internal Revenue Code as
they may pertain to such defeasance trust obligations or such securities. As a
result, a holder of an Indenture Security may be required to pay taxes on any
such gain or income even though such holder may not have received any cash
therefrom. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own advisors as to
the tax consequences
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
of an actual or legal defeasance, including the applicability and effect of tax
laws other than federal income tax law.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
     Harris Trust and Savings Bank is the Trustee under the Indenture. Such bank
also acts as a depository of funds for, makes loans to, and performs other
services for, Enron in the normal course of business, including acting as
trustee under other indentures of Enron. The corporate trust office of the
Trustee is located at 311 West Monroe, Chicago, Illinois, 60690.
 
     The Trustee may resign from its duties with respect to the Indenture at any
time or may be removed by Enron. If the Trustee resigns, is removed or becomes
incapable of acting as Trustee or a vacancy occurs in the office of the Trustee
for any reason, a successor Trustee shall be appointed in accordance with the
provisions of the Indenture. (Article Six.)
 
     The Indenture contains the provisions required by the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939 with reference to the disqualification of the Trustee if it shall have
or acquire any "conflicting interest", as therein defined. (Section 608.) The
Indenture also contains certain limitations on the right of the Trustee, as a
creditor of Enron, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize
on certain property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or
otherwise. (Section 613.)
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
                    DESCRIPTION OF ENRON CORP. CAPITAL STOCK
 
AUTHORIZED AND OUTSTANDING CAPITAL STOCK
 
     At December 15, 1997, the authorized capital stock of Enron was 616,500,000
shares, consisting of:
 
          (a) 16,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock, no par value, of which:
 
           (i)  1,337,757 shares of Cumulative Second Preferred Convertible
                Stock were outstanding, and
 
               (ii) 35.568509 shares of 9.142% Perpetual Second Preferred Stock
                    were issued and are held by an Enron subsidiary; and
 
          (b) 600,000,000 shares of Common Stock, no par value (the "Common
              Stock"), of which 310,944,953 shares were outstanding.
 
     The following descriptions of certain of the provisions of the Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Enron (the "Enron Charter") and the Bylaws
of Enron ("Enron Bylaws") are summaries and do not purport to be complete, and
are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Enron Charter and the Enron
Bylaws filed as exhibits to this Registration Statement.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     Enron is authorized to issue up to 600,000,000 shares of Enron Common
Stock. The holders of Enron Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share
on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders and do not have cumulative
voting rights in the election of directors. The holders of Enron Common Stock
are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by
the Board of Directors of Enron out of legally available funds subject to the
rights of any preferred stock. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of Enron, the holders of Enron Common Stock are entitled to share
ratably in all assets of Enron remaining after provision for payment of
liabilities and satisfaction of the liquidation preference of any shares of
Enron Preferred Stock that may be outstanding. The holders of Enron Common Stock
have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights,
preferences and privileges of holders of Enron Common Stock are subject to those
of holders of Enron Preferred Stock, including any series of Enron Preferred
Stock issued in the future.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The following is a general description of the terms of the Preferred Stock
of Enron. The particular terms of any series of Preferred Stock offered hereby
("Offered Preferred Stock") will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto. The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions,
including dividend rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation
preferences, of the Offered Preferred Stock of each series will be fixed or
designated pursuant to a certificate of designations adopted by the Board of
Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof. The description of Preferred
Stock set forth below and the description of the terms of a particular series of
Offered Preferred Stock that will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement do not
purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
certificate of designations relating to such series.
 
     The Offered Preferred Stock shall rank in preference to the Common Stock as
to payment of dividends and as to distribution of assets of Enron upon the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Enron. Upon issuance against full
payment of the purchase price therefor, shares of Offered Preferred Stock will
be fully paid and nonassessable.
 
     Enron is authorized to issue up to 16,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock. An
aggregate of 1,370,000 shares of Enron Preferred Stock are designated the
Cumulative Second Preferred Convertible Stock ("Enron Convertible Preferred
Stock"), and an aggregate of 35.568509 shares of Enron Preferred Stock are
designated the 9.142% Perpetual Second Preferred Stock ("Enron 9.142% Preferred
Stock").
 
     In addition to the Enron Convertible Preferred Stock and the Enron 9.142%
Preferred Stock, the Enron Board of Directors has authority, without shareholder
approval (except to the extent that holders of
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
any series of Enron Preferred Stock are entitled by their terms to class voting
rights), to issue shares of Enron Preferred Stock in one or more series and to
determine the number of shares, designations, dividend rights, conversion
rights, voting power, redemption rights, liquidation preferences and other terms
of any such series. The issuance of Enron Preferred Stock, while providing
desired flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate
purposes, could adversely affect the voting power of holders of Enron Common
Stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and
payments upon liquidation and could have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change in control of Enron.
 
ENRON CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The following summary of the terms of the Enron Convertible Preferred Stock
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of series designation for
the Enron Convertible Preferred Stock filed as an exhibit to this registration
statement.
 
     The annual rate of dividends payable on shares of the Enron Convertible
Preferred Stock is the greater of $10.50 per share or the dividend amount
payable on the number of shares of Enron Common Stock into which one share of
Enron Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible (currently 13.652 shares,
subject to adjustment). Such dividends are payable quarterly on the first days
of January, April, July and October. These dividend rights are superior to the
dividend rights of the Enron Common Stock and rank equally with the dividend
rights on the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock.
 
     The amount payable on shares of the Enron Convertible Preferred Stock in
the event of any involuntary or voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the affairs of Enron is $100 per share, together with accrued dividends to
the date of distribution or payment. The liquidation rights of the Enron
Convertible Preferred Stock are superior to the Enron Common Stock and rank
equally with the liquidation rights of the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock. The
Enron Convertible Preferred Stock is redeemable at the option of Enron at any
time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of $100 per share, together
with accrued dividends to the date of distribution or payment. Each share of
Enron Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible initially into 13.652 shares of
Enron Common Stock at any time at the option of the holder (which conversion
rate is and will be subject to certain adjustments).
 
     Holders of Enron Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to vote together
with the Enron Common Stock on all matters submitted to a vote of Enron
shareholders, with each share of Enron Convertible Preferred Stock having a
number of votes equal to the number of shares of Enron Common Stock into which
one share of Enron Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible. In addition,
holders of Enron Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to certain class
voting rights, including (unless provision is made for redemption of such
shares) (a) the requirement for approval by the holders of at least two-thirds
of the Enron Convertible Preferred Stock (voting together with all other shares
of parity stock similarly affected) to effect (i) an amendment to the Enron
Charter or Bylaws that would affect adversely the voting powers, rights or
preferences of the holders of the Enron Convertible Preferred Stock or reduces
the time for any notice to which the holders of the Enron Convertible Preferred
Stock may be entitled, (ii) the authorization, creation or issuance of, or the
increase in the authorized amount of, any stock of any class or series or any
security convertible into stock of any class or series ranking prior to the
Enron Convertible Preferred Stock, (iii) the voluntary dissolution, liquidation
or winding up of the affairs of Enron, or the sale, lease or conveyance by Enron
of all or substantially all of its property or assets, or (iv) the purchase or
redemption (for sinking fund purposes or otherwise) of less than all of the
Enron Convertible Preferred Stock and other parity stock at the time outstanding
unless the full dividends on all shares of Enron Convertible Preferred Stock
then outstanding shall have been paid or declared and a sum sufficient for
payment thereof set apart, and (b) the requirement for approval by the holders
of at least a majority of the Enron Convertible Preferred Stock (voting together
with all other shares of parity stock similarly affected), to effect (i) the
authorization, creation or issuance of, or the increase in the authorized amount
of, any stock of any class or series or any security convertible into stock of
any class or series, ranking on a parity with the Enron Convertible Preferred
Stock, provided that no such consent shall be required for the authorization,
creation or issuance by Enron of a number of shares of one or more
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
series of Preferred Stock ranking on parity with the Enron Convertible Preferred
Stock that, together with number of shares of Enron Convertible Preferred Stock
and other Preferred Stock ranking on parity with the Enron Convertible Preferred
Stock then outstanding, would equal 5,000,000, or (ii) the merger or
consolidation of Enron with or into any other corporation, unless the
corporation resulting from such merger or consolidation will have after such
merger or consolidation no class of stock and no other securities either
authorized or outstanding ranking prior to or on a parity with the Enron
Convertible Preferred Stock, except the same number of shares of stock and the
same amount of other securities with the same rights and preferences as the
stock and securities of Enron respectively authorized and outstanding
immediately preceding such merger or consolidation, and each holder of Enron
Convertible Preferred Stock immediately preceding such merger or consolidation
shall receive the same number of shares, with the same rights and preferences,
of the resulting corporation. In addition, if dividend payments on the Enron
Convertible Preferred Stock are in default in an amount equivalent to six
quarterly dividends on such shares, then the holders of the Enron Convertible
Preferred Stock (together with holders of any parity stock similarly affected)
shall have certain voting rights to elect two directors to Enron's Board of
Directors until such dividends have been paid or funds sufficient therefor
deposited in trust.
 
9.142% PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The following summary of the terms of the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of series designation for the
Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock included as an exhibit to this registration
statement.
 
     The annual rate of dividends payable on shares of the Enron 9.142%
Preferred Stock is $91,420 per share. Such dividends are payable quarterly on
the first days of January, April, July and October. These dividend rights are
superior to the dividend rights of the Enron Common Stock and rank equally with
the dividend rights on the Enron Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
     The amount payable on shares of the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock in the
event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of Enron is $1,000,000 per share, together with accrued dividends.
The liquidation rights of the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock are superior to the
Enron Common Stock and rank equally with the liquidation rights of the Enron
Convertible Preferred Stock.
 
     The Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock is not redeemable at the option of Enron.
Pursuant to an agreement between Enron and its subsidiary, however, such
subsidiary will have the rights, exercisable at any time, in whole or in part,
for a 180-day period commencing January 31, 2004, to cause Enron to redeem 18
shares for $1,000,000 per share, together with accrued dividends.
 
     The holders of Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock generally have no voting rights
but are entitled to certain class voting rights, including (unless provision is
made for redemption of such shares) (a) the requirement for approval by the
holders of at least two-thirds of the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock (voting
together with the holders of all other shares of parity stock similarly
affected), to effect (i) an amendment to the Enron Charter or Bylaws that would
affect adversely the voting powers, rights or preferences of the holders of the
Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock or would reduce the time for any notice to which
the holders of the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock may be entitled, (ii) the
authorization, creation or issuance of, or the increase in the authorized amount
of, any stock of any class or series or any security convertible into stock of
any class or series ranking prior to the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock, (iii) the
voluntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of Enron, or the
sale, lease or conveyance by Enron of all or substantially all of its property
or assets, or (iv) the purchase or redemption (for sinking fund purposes or
otherwise) of less than all of the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock and other parity
stock at the time outstanding unless the full dividends on all shares of Enron
9.142% Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have been paid or declared and a
sum sufficient for payment thereof set apart, and (b) the requirement for
approval by the holders of at least a majority of the Enron 9.142% Preferred
Stock (voting together with all other shares of parity stock similarly
affected), to effect (i) the
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
authorization, creation or issuance of, or the increase in the authorized amount
of, any stock of any class or series or any security convertible into stock of
any class or series, ranking on a parity with the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock,
provided that no such consent shall be required for the authorization, creation
or issuance by Enron of a number of shares of one or more series of Preferred
Stock ranking on parity with the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock that, together
with number of shares of Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock and other Preferred Stock
ranking on parity with the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock then outstanding, would
equal 5,000,000, or (ii) the merger or consolidation of Enron with or into any
other corporation, unless the corporation resulting from such merger or
consolidation will have after such merger or consolidation no class of stock and
no other securities either authorized or outstanding ranking prior to or on a
parity with the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock, except the same number of shares
of stock and the same amount of other securities with the same rights and
preferences as the stock and securities of Enron respectively authorized and
outstanding immediately preceding such merger or consolidation, and each holder
of Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock immediately preceding such merger or
consolidation shall receive the same number of shares, with the same rights and
preferences, of the resulting corporation. In addition, if dividend payments on
the Enron 9.142% Preferred Stock are in default in an amount equivalent to six
quarterly dividends on such shares, then the holders of the Enron 9.142%
Preferred Stock (together with holders of any other parity stock similarly
affected) shall have certain voting rights to elect two directors to Enron's
Board of Directors until such dividends have been paid or funds sufficient
therefor deposited in trust.
 
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ENRON CHARTER AND BYLAWS
 
     Fair Price Provision. The Enron Charter contains a "fair price" provision
which generally requires that certain mergers, business combinations and similar
transactions with a "Related Person" (generally the beneficial owner of at least
10 percent of Enron's voting stock) be approved by the holders of at least 80
percent of Enron's voting stock, unless (a) the transaction is approved by at
least 80 percent of the "Continuing Directors" of Enron, who constitute a
majority of the entire board, (b) the transaction occurs more than five years
after the last acquisition of Enron voting stock by the Related Person or (c)
certain "fair price" and procedural requirements are satisfied.
 
     The Enron Charter defines "Business Transaction" as (a) any merger or
consolidation involving Enron or a subsidiary of Enron, (b) any sale, lease,
exchange, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of
transactions), including without limitation a mortgage or any other security
device, of all or any substantial part of the assets either of Enron or of a
subsidiary of Enron, (c) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other
disposition of all or any substantial part of the assets of an entity to Enron
or a subsidiary of Enron, (d) the issuance, sale, exchange, transfer or other
disposition by Enron or a subsidiary of Enron of any securities of Enron or any
subsidiary of Enron, (e) any recapitalization or reclassification of Enron's
securities (including without limitation, any reverse stock split) or other
transaction that would have the effect of increasing the voting power of a
Related Person, (f) any liquidation, spinoff, splitoff, splitup or dissolution
of Enron, and (g) any agreement, contract or other arrangement providing for any
of the transactions described in this definition of Business Transaction.
"Continuing Director" is defined to mean a director who either was a member of
the Board of Directors of Enron prior to the time such Related Person became a
Related Person or who subsequently became a director of Enron and whose
election, or nomination for election by Enron's shareholders, was approved by a
vote of at least 80 percent of the Continuing Directors then on the Board,
either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement issued by Enron
on behalf of the Board of Directors in which such person is named as nominee for
director, without an objection to such nomination; provided, however, that in no
event shall a director be considered a "Continuing Director" if such director is
a Related Person and the Business Transaction to be voted upon is with such
Related Person or is one in which such Related Person otherwise has an interest
(except proportionately as a shareholder of Enron).
 
     Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals and Nominations. The
Enron Bylaws provide that for business to be properly brought before an annual
meeting of shareholders, it must be either (a) specified in the notice of
meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors or (c) otherwise properly brought before the
meeting by a shareholder of Enron who is a shareholder of record at the time of
giving of notice hereinafter provided for, who shall be entitled to vote at such
meeting and who complies with the following notice procedures. In addition to
any other applicable requirements, for business to be brought before an annual
meeting by a shareholder of Enron, the shareholder must have given to the
Secretary of Enron timely notice in writing of the business to be brought before
an annual meeting of shareholders. To be timely, a shareholder's notice must be
delivered to or mailed and received at Enron's principal executive offices not
less than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the proxy statement for the
previous year's annual meeting of the shareholders of Enron (or Old Enron, with
respect to the first such meeting after the Effective Time). A shareholder's
notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter the shareholder
proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the
business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for
conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address, as
they appear on Enron's books, of the shareholder proposing such business, (iii)
the acquisition date, the class and the number of shares of voting stock of
Enron which are owned beneficially by the shareholder, (iv) any material
interest of the shareholder in such business and (v) a representation that the
shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring the
proposed business before the meeting. No business shall be conducted at an
annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures outlined above.
 
     The Enron Bylaws provide that only persons who are nominated for election
as a director of Enron in accordance with the following procedures shall be
eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to
Enron's Board of Directors may be made at a meeting of shareholders (a) by or at
the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) by any shareholder of Enron who
is a shareholder of record at the time of giving of notice hereinafter provided
for, who shall be entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting
and who complies with the following notice procedures. Such nominations, other
than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made
pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of Enron. To be timely, a
shareholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at Enron's
principal executive offices, (i) with respect to an election to be held at an
annual meeting of shareholders of Enron, not less than 120 days prior to the
anniversary date of the proxy statement for the previous year's annual meeting
of the shareholders of Enron (or Old Enron, with respect to the first such
meeting after the Effective Time), and (ii) with respect to an election to be
held at a special meeting of shareholders of Enron for the election of
directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the
date on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure
of the date of the meeting was made, whichever first occurs. Such shareholder's
notice to the Secretary shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the
shareholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, all
information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations for proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required,
pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including the written consent
of such person to be named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as a
director if elected); and (b) as to the shareholder giving the notice, (i) the
name and address, as they appear on Enron's books, of such shareholder, and (ii)
the class and number of shares of capital stock of Enron which are beneficially
owned by the shareholder.
 
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS OF OREGON LAW
 
     Business Combinations with Interested Shareholders. Enron is subject to the
provisions of Sections 60.825-60.845 of the Oregon Business Corporation Act
("OBCA"), which generally provide that any person who acquires 15% or more of a
corporation's voting stock (thereby becoming an "interested shareholder") may
not engage in certain "business combinations" with the corporation for a period
of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder,
unless (i) the board of directors has approved, prior to the date the person
became an interested shareholder, either the business combination or the
transaction that resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder, (ii)
upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an
interested shareholder, that person owns at least 85% of the corporation's
voting stock outstanding at the time the
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
transaction is commenced (excluding shares owned by persons who are both
directors and officers and shares owned by employee stock plans in which
participants do not have the right to determine whether shares will be tendered
in a tender or exchange offer), or (iii) on or subsequent to the date the person
became an interested shareholder, the business combination is approved by the
board of directors and authorized by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of
the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested shareholder.
 
     Control Share Statute. As is permitted by the OBCA, the Enron Charter
provides that Enron is not subject to the Oregon Control Share Act. The Oregon
Control Share Act restricts the ability of a shareholder of certain Oregon-based
corporations to vote shares of stock acquired in a transaction that causes the
acquiring person to control at least one-fifth, one-third or one-half of the
votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors, except as authorized by
a vote of the corporation's disinterested shareholders.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
GENERAL
 
     Enron may, at its option, elect to offer fractional interests in the
Offered Preferred Stock. In the event such option is exercised, Enron will offer
depositary shares ("Depositary Shares"), each of which will represent a fraction
(to be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of
Offered Preferred Stock) of a share of a particular series of Offered Preferred
Stock as described below.
 
     The Offered Preferred Stock of any series represented by Depositary Shares
will be deposited under a deposit agreement (the "Deposit Agreement") between
Enron and a bank or trust company selected by Enron having its principal office
in the United States and having, alone or together with its affiliates, a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (the "Depositary"). Subject
to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, each registered holder of a Depositary
Share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of
Offered Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Share, to all the rights
and preferences of the Offered Preferred Stock represented thereby (including
dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights).
 
     The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts ("Depositary
Receipts") issued pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. Depositary Receipts will be
distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional interests in Offered
Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of the offering set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. A copy of the form of Deposit Agreement is
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statements of which this Prospectus is a
part, and the following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such exhibit.
 
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     The Depositary will distribute all dividends or other cash distributions
received in respect of the Offered Preferred Stock to the record holders of
Depositary Shares relating to such Offered Preferred Stock in proportion to the
number of such Depositary Shares owned by such holders.
 
     In the event of a distribution other than in cash or rights, preferences or
privileges upon the Offered Preferred Stock, the Depositary will distribute
property received by it to the record holders of Depositary Shares entitled
thereto in proportion to the number of such Depositary Shares owned by such
holders, unless the Depositary determines that such distribution cannot be made
proportionately among such holders or that it is not feasible to make such
distribution, in which case the Depositary may, with the approval of Enron, sell
such securities or property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to
such holders or adopt such other method as it deems equitable and practicable
for effecting such distribution.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
WITHDRAWAL OF THE OFFERED PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Upon surrender of the Depositary Receipts at the corporate trust office of
the Depositary (unless the related Offered Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares
have previously been called for redemption), and upon payment of the charges
provided in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the terms thereof, the holder
of the Depositary Shares evidenced thereby is entitled to delivery at such
office to or upon his order the number of whole shares of Offered Preferred
Stock and any money or other property represented by such Depositary Shares. If
the Depositary Receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of Depositary
Shares in excess of the number of Depositary Shares representing the number of
whole shares of Offered Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, the Depositary will
deliver to such holder at the same time a new Depositary Receipt evidencing such
excess number of Depositary Shares. Holders of Offered Preferred Stock thus
withdrawn, and any subsequent holders of those shares, will not thereafter be
entitled to deposit such shares under the Deposit Agreement or to receive
Depositary Shares therefor.
 
REDEMPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
     Upon redemption of Offered Preferred Stock represented by Depositary
Shares, the Depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of
Depositary Shares representing Offered Preferred Stock so redeemed, provided
Enron shall have paid in full to the Depositary the redemption price of the
Offered Preferred Stock to be redeemed (which redemption price shall include an
amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for
redemption). The redemption price per Depositary Share will be equal to the
applicable fraction of the redemption price and any other amounts per share
payable with respect to the Offered Preferred Stock. If fewer than all the
Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will
be selected by the Depositary by lot or pro rata or by any other equitable
method, in each case as may be determined by Enron.
 
VOTING OF THE OFFERED PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Offered
Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, the Depositary will mail the information
contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the Depositary
Shares. Each record holder of such Depositary Shares on the record date (which
will be the same date as the record date for the Offered Preferred Stock) will
be entitled to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights
pertaining to the amount of Offered Preferred Stock represented by such holder's
Depositary Shares. The Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote
the number of shares of Offered Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary
Shares in accordance with such instructions, and Enron will agree to take all
reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the Depositary in order to
enable the Depositary to do so. The Depositary will abstain from voting Offered
Preferred Stock (but, at its discretion, not from appearing at any meeting with
respect to such Offered Preferred Stock) to the extent it does not receive
specific instructions from the holders of Depositary Shares representing Offered
Preferred Stock.
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
 
     The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares and any
provision of the Deposit Agreement may at any time be amended by agreement
between Enron and the Depositary. However, any amendment which materially and
adversely alters the rights of the holders of Depositary Shares will not be
effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a
majority of the Depositary Shares then outstanding.
 
     The Deposit Agreement may be terminated by Enron upon not less than 60
days' notice, whereupon the Depositary shall deliver or make available to each
holder of Depositary Receipts, upon surrender of the Depositary Receipts held by
such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of Offered Preferred
Stock represented by such Depositary Receipts. The Deposit Agreement will
automatically terminate if (i) all outstanding Depositary Shares have been
redeemed, or (ii) there has been a final
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
distribution in respect of the Offered Preferred Stock in connection with any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Enron and such distribution has been
made to the holders of Depositary Receipts.
 
CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY
 
     Enron will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges
arising solely from the existence of the Depositary arrangements. Enron will pay
the fees and expenses of the Depositary in connection with the performance of
its duties under the Deposit Agreement, to the extent specified in the Deposit
Agreement. Holders of Depositary Receipts will pay transfer and other taxes and
governmental charges.
 
MISCELLANEOUS
 
     Enron will forward to holders of Depositary Shares any reports and
communications that it sends to holders of Offered Preferred Stock.
 
     Neither the Depositary nor Enron will be liable if it is prevented from or
delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control, performing its
obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of Enron and the
Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be limited to performing their
duties thereunder without negligence or willful misconduct, and Enron and the
Depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in
respect of any Depositary Shares or any Offered Preferred Stock unless
satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Enron and the Depositary may rely on advice
of counsel or accountants, on information provided by holders of Depositary
Shares or other persons believed to be authorized or competent and on documents
believed to be genuine.
 
     In the event the Depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or
instructions from any holders of Depositary Receipts, on the one hand, and
Enron, on the other hand, the Depositary shall be entitled to act on such
claims, requests or instructions received from Enron.
 
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF DEPOSITARY
 
     The Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to Enron notice of its
election to do so, and Enron may at any time remove the Depositary, any such
resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor
Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor Depositary
must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or
removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the
United States and having, alone or together with its affiliates, a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
 
                DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
 
     The following statements with respect to the Stock Warrants are summaries
of, and subject to, the detailed provisions of a warrant agreement ("Stock
Warrant Agreement") to be entered into by Enron and a warrant agent to be
selected at the time of issue (the "Stock Warrant Agent"), and having the terms
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Stock Warrants, evidenced by warrant certificates (the "Stock Warrant
Certificates"), may be issued under the Stock Warrant Agreement independently or
together with any Offered Securities and may be attached to or separate from
such Offered Securities. If Stock Warrants are offered, the Prospectus
Supplement will describe the terms of the warrants, including the following: (1)
the offering price, if any; (2) the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable
upon exercise of one Stock Warrant and the initial price at which such shares
may be purchased upon exercise; (3) the date on which the right to exercise the
Stock Warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; and
(4) any other terms of the Stock Warrants. The shares of Common Stock issuable
upon
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
exercise of the Stock Warrants will, when issued in accordance with the Stock
Warrant Agreement, be fully paid and nonassessable.
 
EXERCISE OF STOCK WARRANTS
 
     Stock Warrants may be exercised by surrendering to the Stock Warrant Agent
the Stock Warrant Certificate signed by the warrantholder, or his duly
authorized agent, indicating the warrantholder's election to exercise all or a
portion of the Stock Warrants evidenced by the certificate. Surrendered Stock
Warrant Certificates shall be accompanied by payment of the aggregate exercise
price of the Stock Warrants to be exercised, as set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement, which payment may be made in the form of cash or a check equal to
the exercise price. Certificates evidencing duly exercised Stock Warrants shall
be delivered by the Stock Warrant Agent to the transfer agent for the Common
Stock. Upon receipt thereof, the transfer agent shall deliver or cause to be
delivered, to or upon the written order of the exercising warrantholder, a
certificate representing the number of shares of Common Stock purchased. If
fewer than all of the Stock Warrants evidenced by any certificate are exercised,
the Stock Warrant Agent shall deliver to the exercising warrantholder a new
Stock Warrant Certificate representing the unexercised Stock Warrants.
 
ANTIDILUTION PROVISIONS
 
     The exercise price payable and the number of shares of Common Stock
purchasable upon the exercise of each Stock Warrant will be subject to
adjustment in certain events, including (1) the issuance of a stock dividend to
holders of Common Stock or a combination, subdivision or reclassification of
Common Stock; (2) the issuance of rights, warrants or options to all holders of
Enron's Common Stock entitling the holders thereof to purchase Common Stock for
an aggregate consideration per share less than the current market price per
share of Common Stock; or (3) any distribution by Enron to the holders of its
Common Stock of evidences of indebtedness of Enron or of assets (excluding cash
dividends or distributions payable out of consolidated earnings and earned
surplus and dividends or distributions referred to in (1) above). In lieu of
adjusting the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of each
Stock Warrant, Enron may elect to adjust the number of Stock Warrants. No
adjustment in the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of the Stock
Warrants will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of
at least 1% thereof. Enron may, at its option, reduce the exercise price at any
time. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of Stock Warrants, but
Enron will pay the cash value of any fractional shares otherwise issuable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case of any consolidation, merger or sale or
conveyance of the property of Enron as an entirety or substantially as an
entirety, the holder of each outstanding Stock Warrant upon exercise thereof
shall have the right to the kind and amount of shares of stock and other
securities and property (including cash) receivable by a holder of the number of
shares of Common Stock for which such Stock Warrant was exercisable immediately
prior thereto.
 
NO RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDERS
 
     Holders of Stock Warrants will not be entitled, by virtue of being such
holders, to vote, to consent, to receive dividends, to receive notice as
stockholders with respect to any meeting of stockholders for the election of
directors of Enron or any other matter or to exercise any rights whatsoever as
stockholders of Enron.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     Enron may sell the Offered Securities (i) through underwriters or dealers;
(ii) directly to purchasers; or (iii) through agents. The Prospectus Supplement
with respect to the Offered Securities will set forth the terms of the offering
of the Offered Securities, including the name or names of any underwriters or
agents, if required, the purchase price of the Offered Securities and the
proceeds to Enron from such sale, any delayed delivery arrangements, any
underwriting discounts and commissions and other items constituting
underwriters' compensation, any initial public offering price and any discounts
or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. Any initial public
offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers may be changed from time to time.
 
     If underwriters are used in the sale, the Offered Securities will be
acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time
to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a
fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.
In connection with the sale of the Offered Securities, underwriters, brokers,
dealers or agents may be deemed to have received compensation from Enron in the
form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions
from purchasers of the Offered Securities for whom they may act as agent or to
whom they may sell as principal. Underwriters or agents may sell the Offered
Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in
the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or
commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. The Offered
Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates
represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more
firms acting as underwriters. The underwriter or underwriters with respect to a
particular underwritten offering of Offered Securities will be named in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to such offering and, if an underwriting
syndicate is used, the managing underwriter or underwriters will be set forth on
the cover of such Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the obligations of the underwriters to
purchase the Offered Securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent,
and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the Offered Securities if
any are purchased.
 
     If dealers are utilized in the sale of Offered Securities, Enron will sell
such Offered Securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers may then
resell such Offered Securities to the public at varying prices to be determined
by such dealers at the time of resale. To the extent required, the names of
dealers or brokers acting as dealers and the terms of the transaction will be
set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
     The Offered Securities may be sold directly by Enron or through agents
designated by Enron from time to time. Any agent acting as an underwriter in the
offer or sale of the Offered Securities in respect to which this Prospectus is
delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by Enron to such agent will
be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Unless otherwise
indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best
efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
 
     If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, Enron will authorize agents,
underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to
purchase Offered Securities from Enron at the public offering price set forth in
the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for
payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be
subject only to those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and the
Prospectus Supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of
such contracts.
 
     The Offered Securities (other than the Common Stock), when first issued,
will have no established trading market. Any underwriters or agents to or
through whom Offered Securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a
market in such Offered Securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be
obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without
notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for
any such Offered Securities.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
     Agents, dealers and underwriters may be entitled under agreements with
Enron to indemnification by Enron against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to
payments which such agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make in
respect thereof. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in
transactions with or perform services for Enron in the ordinary course of
business.
 
     The Offered Securities may or may not be listed on a national securities
exchange. No assurances can be given that there will be a market for the Offered
Securities.
 
                             VALIDITY OF SECURITIES
 
     The validity of the Offered Securities will be passed upon for Enron by
James V. Derrick, Jr., Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Enron.
Mr. Derrick owns substantially less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock of Enron.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements included in Enron's Current Report on
Form 8-K dated March 17, 1997 and consolidated financial statements and schedule
included in Enron's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996, incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the
registration statement, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are
incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in giving said reports.
 
     The letter report of DeGolyer and MacNaughton, independent petroleum
consultants, included as an exhibit to Enron's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1996, and the estimates from the reports of that
firm appearing in such Annual Report, are incorporated by reference herein on
the authority of said firm as experts in petroleum engineering and in giving
such reports.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   27
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The following table sets forth those expenses to be incurred by Enron in
connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being
registered. Except for the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee,
all amounts shown are estimates.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee.........  $295,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses................................    20,000
Legal Fees and Expenses.....................................    50,000
Fees and Expenses of Transfer Agent, Trustee and
  Depositary................................................    15,000
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses, Including Counsel Fees..........    25,000
Listing Fees................................................    20,000
Printing and Engraving Expenses.............................   150,000
Miscellaneous...............................................    25,000
                                                              --------
          Total.............................................  $600,000
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
     The Enron Charter contains provisions under which Enron will indemnify, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, persons who are made a party to an action
or proceeding by virtue of the fact that the individual is or was a director,
officer, or, in certain circumstances, an employee or agent, of Enron or another
corporation at Enron's request. The Oregon Business Corporation Act generally
permits such indemnification to the extent that the individual acted in good
faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in the best interest of
or not opposed to the corporation or, with respect to criminal matters, if the
individual had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
In addition, the Enron Charter contains a provision that eliminates the personal
liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary
damages for conduct as a director, except for liability of a director (i) for
breach of the duty of loyalty, (ii) for actions or omissions not in good faith
or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for
the payment of improper dividends or redemptions, or (iv) for any transaction
from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
 
     The Form of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1 hereto, under certain
specified circumstances, provides for indemnification by the Underwriters of the
directors, officers and controlling persons of Enron.
 
     Enron has purchased liability insurance policies covering the directors and
officers of Enron to provide protection where Enron cannot legally indemnify a
director or officer and where a claim arises under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 against a director or officer based on an alleged
breach of fiduciary duty or other wrongful act.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                       <C>
         *1.01    --      Form of Underwriting Agreement -- Debt Securities (Exhibit
                          1.01 to Enron Registration Statement on Form S-3 -- File No.
                          333-35549).
         *1.02    --      Form of Underwriting Agreement -- Equity Securities (Exhibit
                          1.02 to Enron Registration Statement on Form S-3 -- File No.
                          333-35549).
         *1.03    --      Enron Corp. Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions,
                          dated as of September 15, 1997 (Exhibit 1.03 to Enron
                          Registration Statement on Form S-3 -- File No. 333-35549).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   28
<TABLE>
         <S>              <C>
         *2       --      Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as
                          of July 20, 1996 and amended and restated as of September
                          24, 1996 among Enron, Enron Oregon Corp. and PGC, as amended
                          by the First Amendment thereto dated April 14, 1997 (Annex A
                          to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in Enron's
                          Registration Statement on Form S-4 -- File No. 333-13791).
         *3.01    --      Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Enron
                          (Annex E to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in
                          Enron's Registration Statement on Form S-4 -- File No.
                          333-13791).
         *3.02    --      Articles of Merger of Enron Oregon Corp., an Oregon
                          Corporation, and Enron Corp., a Delaware Corporation
                          (Exhibit 3.02 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Enron's
                          Registration Statement on Form S-3 - File No. 33-60417).
         *3.03    --      Articles of Merger of Enron Corp., an Oregon Corporation,
                          and Portland General Corporation, an Oregon Corporation
                          (Exhibit 3.03 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Enron's
                          Registration Statement on Form S-3 - File No. 33-60417).
         *3.04    --      Bylaws of Enron (Exhibit 3.04 to Post-Effective Amendment
                          No. 1 to Enron's Registration Statement on Form S-3 - File
                          No. 33-60417).
         *3.05    --      Form of Series Designation for the Enron Convertible
                          Preferred Stock (Annex F to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
                          included in Enron's Registration Statement on Form
                          S-4 -- File No. 333-13791).
         *3.06    --      Form of Series Designation for the Enron 9.142% Preferred
                          Stock (Annex G to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in
                          Enron's Registration Statement on Form S-4 -- File No.
                          333-13791).
         *4.01    --      Indenture dated as of November 1, 1985, between Old Enron
                          and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as supplemented and as
                          amended by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of
                          December 1, 1995 (Form T-3 Application for Qualification of
                          Indentures under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, File No.
                          22-14390, filed October 24, 1985; Exhibit 4(b) to Old
                          Enron's Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 33-64057 filed
                          on November 8, 1995). There have not been filed as exhibits
                          to this registration statement other debt instruments
                          defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of Enron,
                          none of which relates to authorized indebtedness that
                          exceeds 10% of the consolidated assets of Enron and its
                          subsidiaries. Enron hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any
                          such instrument to the Commission upon request.
         *4.02    --      Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 8, 1997, by and
                          among Enron Corp., Enron Oregon Corp. and Harris Trust and
                          Savings Bank, as Trustee (Exhibit 4.02 to Post-Effective
                          Amendment No. 1 to Enron's Registration Statement on Form
                          S-3 - File No. 33-60417).
         *4.03    --      Form of Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 1,
                          1997, between Enron Corp. and Harris Trust and Savings Bank,
                          as Trustee. (Exhibit 4.03 to Enron Registration Statement on
                          Form S-3 -- File No. 333-35549).
         *4.04    --      Form of Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
                          Partnership of Enron Capital Resources, L.P. (Exhibit 3.1 to
                          Old Enron Form 8-K dated August 2, 1994).
         *4.05    --      Form of Payment and Guarantee Agreement dated as of August
                          3, 1994, executed by Enron Corp. for the benefit of the
                          holders of Enron Capital Resources, L.P. 9% Cumulative
                          Preferred Securities, Series A (Exhibit 4.1 to Old Enron
                          Form 8-K dated August 2, 1994).
 </TABLE>
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   29
<TABLE>
         <S>              <C> 
         *4.06    --      Form of Loan Agreement, dated as of August 3, 1994, between
                          Enron Corp. and Enron Capital Resources, L.P. (Exhibit 4.2
                          to Old Enron Form 8-K dated August 2, 1994).
         *4.07    --      Articles of Association of Enron Capital LLC (Exhibit 9 to
                          Old Enron Form 8-K dated November 12, 1993).
         *4.08    --      Form of Payment and Guarantee Agreement of Enron Corp.,
                          dated as of November 15, 1993, in favor of the holders of
                          Enron Capital LLC 8% Cumulative Guaranteed Monthly Income
                          Preferred Shares (Exhibit 2 to Old Enron Form 8-K dated
                          November 12, 1993).
         *4.09    --      Form of Loan Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1993,
                          between Enron Corp. and Enron Capital LLC (Exhibit 3 to Old
                          Enron Form 8-K dated November 12, 1993).
         *4.10    --      Form of Deposit Agreement between Enron and the Depositary
                          (Exhibit 4(b) to Old Enron Registration Statement No.
                          33-50641, filed October 15, 1993).
          5       --      Opinion of James V. Derrick, Jr., Esq., Senior Vice
                          President and General Counsel of Enron, as to validity of
                          Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common
                          Stock and Stock Warrants.
         12       --      Computation of Enron's Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                          and Preferred Stock Dividends.
         23.01    --      Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
         23.02    --      Consent of DeGolyer and MacNaughton.
         23.03    --      The consent of James V. Derrick, Jr., Esq., is contained in
                          his opinion filed as Exhibit 5 hereto.
         24       --      Powers of Attorney.
         25       --      Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
                          Act of 1939 of Harris Trust and Savings Bank.
 </TABLE>
- ---------------
 
 * Incorporated by reference as indicated.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
     The undersigned Registrant, Enron Corp., hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to each Registration Statement:
 
             (i) To include any prospectus required in Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933;
 
             (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of each Registration Statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in the Registration Statements;
 
             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statements
        or any material change to such information in the Registration
        Statements;
 
     provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the
     information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
     paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant
     pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statements;
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   30
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment that contains a
     form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
     relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
     securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
     offering thereof;
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering; and
 
          (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each filing of Enron's annual report pursuant to
     section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that
     is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant have been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of such registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, such Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   31
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, ENRON CERTIFIES
THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR FILING ON FORM S-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR
AMENDMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND STATE OF TEXAS, ON THE 18TH DAY OF
DECEMBER, 1997.
 
                                          ENRON CORP.
                                          (Registrant)
 
                                          By:      /s/  RICHARD A. CAUSEY
                                                    Richard A. Causey
                                             Senior Vice President and Chief
                                            Accounting and Information Officer
 
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR AMENDMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN
THE CAPACITIES WITH ENRON CORP. INDICATED AND ON THE 18TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                        TITLE
                  ---------                                        -----
<C>                                            <S>
             /s/ KENNETH L. LAY                Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
- ---------------------------------------------    Officer and Director (Principal Executive
              (Kenneth L. Lay)                   Officer)
 
            /s/ RICHARD A. CAUSEY              Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting
- ---------------------------------------------    and Information Officer (Principal
             (Richard A. Causey)                 Accounting Officer)
 
            /s/ ANDREW S. FASTOW               Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
- ---------------------------------------------    (Principal Financial Officer)
             (Andrew S. Fastow)
 
              ROBERT A. BELFER*                                  Director
- ---------------------------------------------
             (Robert A. Belfer)
 
            NORMAN P. BLAKE, JR.*                                Director
- ---------------------------------------------
           (Norman P. Blake, Jr.)
 
               RONNIE C. CHAN*                                   Director
- ---------------------------------------------
              (Ronnie C. Chan)
 
               JOHN H. DUNCAN*                                   Director
- ---------------------------------------------
              (John H. Duncan)
 
                 JOE H. FOY*                                     Director
- ---------------------------------------------
                (Joe H. Foy)
 
               WENDY L. GRAMM*                                   Director
- ---------------------------------------------
              (Wendy L. Gramm)

               KEN L. HARRISON*                                   Director
- ---------------------------------------------
              (Ken L. Harrison)

             ROBERT K. JAEDICKE*                                  Director
- ---------------------------------------------
            (Robert K. Jaedicke)
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   32
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                        TITLE
                  ---------                                        -----
<C>                                            <S>
 
            CHARLES A. LEMAISTRE*                                Director
- ---------------------------------------------
           (Charles A. LeMaistre)
 
               JEROME J. MEYER*                                  Director
- ---------------------------------------------
              (Jerome J. Meyer)
 
             JEFFREY K. SKILLING*                       Director and President and
- ---------------------------------------------             Chief Operating Officer
            (Jeffrey K. Skilling)
 
              JOHN A. URQUHART*                                  Director
- ---------------------------------------------
             (John A. Urquhart)
 
                JOHN WAKEHAM*                                    Director
- ---------------------------------------------
               (John Wakeham)
 
              CHARLS E. WALKER*                                  Director
- ---------------------------------------------
             (Charls E. Walker)
 
              BRUCE G. WILLISON*                                 Director
- ---------------------------------------------
             (Bruce G. Willison)
 
           HERBERT S. WINOKUR, JR.*                              Director
- ---------------------------------------------
          (Herbert S. Winokur, Jr.)
 
         *By: /s/ PEGGY B. MENCHACA
- ---------------------------------------------
              Peggy B. Menchaca
  (Attorney-in-fact for persons indicated)
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>   33
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     EXHIBIT NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION
     --------------                                -----------
<S>                        <C>
         *1.01      --     Form of Underwriting Agreement -- Debt Securities (Exhibit
                           1.01 to Enron Registration Statement on Form S-3 -- File No.
                           333-35549).
         *1.02      --     Form of Underwriting Agreement -- Equity Securities (Exhibit
                           1.02 to Enron Registration Statement on Form S-3 -- File No.
                           333-35549).
         *1.03      --     Enron Corp. Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions,
                           dated as of September 15, 1997 (Exhibit 1.03 to Enron
                           Registration Statement on Form S-3 -- File No. 333-35549).
         *2          --    Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as
                           of July 20, 1996 and amended and restated as of September
                           24, 1996 among Enron, Enron Oregon Corp. and PGC, as amended
                           by the First Amendment thereto dated April 14, 1997 (Annex A
                           to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in Enron's
                           Registration Statement on Form S-4 -- File No. 333-13791).
         *3.01      --     Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Enron
                           (Annex E to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in
                           Enron's Registration Statement on Form S-4 -- File No.
                           333-13791).
         *3.02      --     Articles of Merger of Enron Oregon Corp., an Oregon
                           Corporation, and Enron Corp., a Delaware Corporation
                           (Exhibit 3.02 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Enron's
                           Registration Statement on Form S-3 - File No. 33-60417).
         *3.03      --     Articles of Merger of Enron Corp., an Oregon Corporation,
                           and Portland General Corporation, an Oregon Corporation
                           (Exhibit 3.03 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Enron's
                           Registration Statement on Form S-3 - File No. 33-60417).
         *3.04      --     Bylaws of Enron (Exhibit 3.04 to Post-Effective Amendment
                           No. 1 to Enron's Registration Statement on Form S-3 - File
                           No. 33-60417).
         *3.05      --     Form of Series Designation for the Enron Convertible
                           Preferred Stock (Annex F to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
                           included in Enron's Registration Statement on Form
                           S-4 -- File No. 333-13791).
         *3.06      --     Form of Series Designation for the Enron 9.142% Preferred
                           Stock (Annex G to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in
                           Enron's Registration Statement on Form S-4 -- File No.
                           333-13791).
         *4.01      --     Indenture dated as of November 1, 1985, between Old Enron
                           and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as supplemented and as
                           amended by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of
                           December 1, 1995 (Form T-3 Application for Qualification of
                           Indentures under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, File No.
                           22-14390, filed October 24, 1985; Exhibit 4(b) to Old
                           Enron's Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 33-64057 filed
                           on November 8, 1995). There have not been filed as exhibits
                           to this registration statement other debt instruments
                           defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of Enron,
                           none of which relates to authorized indebtedness that
                           exceeds 10% of the consolidated assets of Enron and its
                           subsidiaries. Enron hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any
                           such instrument to the Commission upon request.
         *4.02      --     Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 8, 1997, by and
                           among Enron Corp., Enron Oregon Corp. and Harris Trust and
                           Savings Bank, as Trustee (Exhibit 4.02 to Post-Effective
                           Amendment No. 1 to Enron's Registration Statement on Form
                           S-3 - File No. 33-60417).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   34
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     EXHIBIT NUMBER                                DESCRIPTION
     --------------                                -----------
<S>                        <C>
         *4.03      --     Form of Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 1,
                           1997, between Enron Corp. and Harris Trust and Savings Bank,
                           as Trustee. (Exhibit 4.03 to Enron Registration Statement on
                           Form S-3 -- File No. 333-35549).
         *4.04      --     Form of Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
                           Partnership of Enron Capital Resources, L.P. (Exhibit 3.1 to
                           Old Enron Form 8-K dated August 2, 1994).
         *4.05      --     Form of Payment and Guarantee Agreement dated as of August
                           3, 1994, executed by Enron Corp. for the benefit of the
                           holders of Enron Capital Resources, L.P. 9% Cumulative
                           Preferred Securities, Series A (Exhibit 4.1 to Old Enron
                           Form 8-K dated August 2, 1994).
         *4.06      --     Form of Loan Agreement, dated as of August 3, 1994, between
                           Enron Corp. and Enron Capital Resources, L.P. (Exhibit 4.2
                           to Old Enron Form 8-K dated August 2, 1994).
         *4.07      --     Articles of Association of Enron Capital LLC (Exhibit 9 to
                           Old Enron Form 8-K dated November 12, 1993).
         *4.08      --     Form of Payment and Guarantee Agreement of Enron Corp.,
                           dated as of November 15, 1993, in favor of the holders of
                           Enron Capital LLC 8% Cumulative Guaranteed Monthly Income
                           Preferred Shares (Exhibit 2 to Old Enron Form 8-K dated
                           November 12, 1993).
         *4.09      --     Form of Loan Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1993,
                           between Enron Corp. and Enron Capital LLC (Exhibit 3 to Old
                           Enron Form 8-K dated November 12, 1993).
         *4.10      --     Form of Deposit Agreement between Enron and the Depositary
                           (Exhibit 4(b) to Old Enron Registration Statement No.
                           33-50641, filed October 15, 1993).
           5          --   Opinion of James V. Derrick, Jr., Esq., Senior Vice
                           President and General Counsel of Enron, as to validity of
                           Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common
                           Stock and Stock Warrants.
         12          --    Computation of Enron's Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                           and Preferred Stock Dividends.
         23.01      --     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
         23.02      --     Consent of DeGolyer and MacNaughton.
         23.03      --     The consent of James V. Derrick, Jr., Esq., is contained in
                           his opinion filed as Exhibit 5 hereto.
         24          --    Powers of Attorney.
         25          --    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
                           Act of 1939 of Harris Trust and Savings Bank.
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 * Incorporated by reference as indicated.

<PAGE>   1
                              [ENRON LETTERHEAD]


                               December 18, 1997

Enron Corp.
1400 Smith Street
Houston, Texas 77002

Gentlemen:

     As Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Enron Corp., an Oregon
corporation ("Enron"), I am familiar with the Registration Statement of Enron
on Form S-3 and Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement No.
33-53877 (collectively, the "Registration Statement") relating to the proposed
offering from time to time of (i) up to an aggregate amount of $1,000,000,000
of Enron Debt Securities, Enron Stock Warrants, Enron Preferred Stock and
Depositary Shares, and (ii) up to 7.5 million shares of Enron Common Stock, no
par value (the Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Stock
Warrants and Common Stock collectively referred to herein as the
"Securities").  In connection therewith, I have examined, among other things, a
copy of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Enron,
the corporate proceedings taken to date with respect to the authorization,
issuance and sale of the Securities, a copy of the Indenture dated as of
November 1, 1985, as supplemented (the "Indenture"), between Enron and Harris
Trust and Savings Bank, Trustee, and the forms of certain other agreements to
be entered into by Enron, and I have performed such other investigations as I
have considered appropriate as the basis for the opinions expressed herein.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are used as defined in the
Registration Statement.

     Based on the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:

     (1)  Enron is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Oregon.

     (2)  The Debt Securities of Enron have been validly authorized for
issuance, and (subject to the Registration Statement becoming effective and any
applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws being complied with), when the
terms thereof and their issue and sale have been duly established, upon
issuance and delivery thereof as set forth in the Registration Statement, and 
upon receipt by Enron of the purchase price thereof, the Debt Securities will 
be validly issued and will be binding obligations of Enron.

     (3)  When (a) terms of the series of Preferred Stock and their issue and
sale have been duly established, and (if applicable) a deposit agreement has
been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Enron and a Depositary, in each
case in conformity with Enron's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
and Oregon law, (b) a certificate of designations with respect to such series

<PAGE>   2
Enron Corp.
December 18, 1997
Page 2

- ---------------

of the Preferred Stock has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Oregon, (c) the Registration Statement has become effective and any
applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws have been complied with, (d) the
shares of such series have been issued, and (if applicable) Depositary Receipts
have been delivered as set forth in the Registration Statement, and (e) Enron
has received the purchase price of such shares in accordance with the terms of
their issue and sale, the shares of such series of Preferred Stock and (if
applicable) the related Depositary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.

     (4)  The issuance of the Common Stock to be issued by Enron has been duly
authorized, and (subject to the Registration Statement becoming effective and
applicable Blue Sky laws being complied with), when the terms of their issue
and sale have been duly established, upon the issuance and delivery thereof as
set forth in the Registration Statement, and upon the receipt by Enron of the
purchase price thereof, the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

     (5)  The Stock Warrants have been validly authorized for issuance, and
(subject to the Registration Statement becoming effective and any applicable
state securities or Blue Sky laws being complied with), when the terms thereof
and their issue and sale have been duly established, upon issuance and delivery
thereof as set forth in the Registration Statement, and upon receipt by Enron
of the purchase price thereof, the Stock Warrants will be validly issued and
will be binding obligations of Enron.

     I am a member of the bar of the State of Texas.  The opinion set forth
above is limited in all respects to the laws of the State of Texas, the General
Corporation Law of the State of Oregon and federal law.

     I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the references to me under the caption "Validity
of Securities" in the Prospectus constituting part of the Registration
Statement and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit thereto.  By giving
such consent I do not admit that I am an expert with respect to any part of the
Registration Statement, including this exhibit, within the meaning of the term
"expert" as used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued thereunder.

                                   Very truly yours,



                                   /s/ JAMES V. DERRICK, JR.


<PAGE>   1

                                                                      Exhibit 12

                          ENRON CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO
                           COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND
                           PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
                                 (In Millions)
                                  (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  
                                                Nine Months                          Year Ended December 31,
                                                   Ended           ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                  9/30/97           1996           1995         1994         1993        1992
                                                 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>
Earnings available for fixed charges
   Net income (loss)                               $ (64)          $  584         $  520       $  453        $333        $329
   Less:
      Undistributed earnings and
       losses of less than 50% owned
       affiliates                                    (56)             (39)           (14)          (9)        (20)        (33)
      Capitalized interest of
       nonregulated companies                        (11)             (10)            (8)          (9)        (26)        (66)
   Add:
      Fixed charges (a)                              421              454            436          487         471         452
      Minority interests                              58               75             27           30          28          18
      Income tax expense (benefit)                  (109)             297            310          190         148          88
                                                   --------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total                                    $ 239           $1,361         $1,271       $1,142        $934        $788
                                                   ==========================================================================

Preferred dividend requirements                    $  13           $   16         $   16       $   15        $ 17        $ 22
Ratio of income before provision
 for income taxes to net income (b)                 1.27             1.46           1.55         1.37        1.41        1.28
Preferred dividend factor on a
 pretax basis                                         17               23             25           21          24          28
Fixed charges
   Interest expense (a)                              384              404            386          445         436         430
   Rental expense representative of
    interest factor                                   37               50             50           42          35          22
                                                   --------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total                                    $ 438           $  477         $  461       $  508        $495        $480
                                                   ==========================================================================

Ratio of earnings to combined fixed
 charges and preferred dividends                     (c)             2.85           2.76         2.25        1.89        1.64
                                                   ==========================================================================
</TABLE>


(a)   Amounts exclude costs incurred on sales of accounts receivables.
(b)   Represents net income before provision for income taxes dividend by net
      income, which adjusts dividends on preferred stock to a pretax basis.
(c)   For the nine months ended September 30, 1997, earnings were inadequate 
      to cover combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends by 
      $199 million.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.01

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS




As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement of our reports dated February 17,
1997 included in Enron Corp.'s Form 8-K dated March 17, 1997 and Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1996 and to all references to our Firm included in
this Registration Statement.



                                           /s/  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



Houston, Texas
December 17, 1997





<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.02

                     [DEGOLYER AND MACNAUGHTON LETTERHEAD]



                               December 17, 1997



Enron Corp.
1400 Smith Street
Houston, Texas 77002

Gentlemen:

         In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the
Registration Statement), to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on or about December 18, 1997, by Enron Corp., DeGolyer and
MacNaughton (the firm) hereby consents to the incorporation by reference in
said Registration Statement of the references to the firm and to the opinions
delivered to Enron Oil & Gas Company (the Company) regarding the comparison of
estimates prepared by the firm with those furnished to it by the Company of the
proved oil, condensate, natural gas liquids, and natural gas reserves of
certain selected properties owned by the Company. The opinions are contained in
the firm's letter reports dated January 13, 1995, January 22, 1996, and January
17, 1997, for estimates, as of January 1, 1995, December 31, 1995, and December
31, 1996, respectively. The opinions are referred to in the section "Oil and
Gas Exploration and Production Properties and Reserves -- Reserve Information"
in Enron Corp.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996, and in Note 19 to the Enron Corp. consolidated financial statements
included in Enron Corp.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.
DeGolyer and MacNaughton also consents to the incorporation by reference in the
Registration Statement of the firm's letter report, dated January 17, 1997,
addressed to the Company, which is included as Exhibit 23.03 to Enron Corp.'s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996. DeGolyer and
MacNaughton also consents to the references to the firm in the section
"Experts" in the Prospectus that is a part of the Registration Statement.

                                      Very truly yours,


                                      /s/  DeGOLYER AND MacNAUGHTON



<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 24

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.

                                       
                                       /s/ ROBERT A. BELFER            
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Robert A. Belfer
<PAGE>   2
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ NORMAN P. BLAKE, JR.        
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Norman P. Blake, Jr.
<PAGE>   3
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ RONNIE C. CHAN              
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Ronnie C. Chan
<PAGE>   4
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ JOHN H. DUNCAN              
                                       --------------------------------
                                       John H. Duncan
<PAGE>   5
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ JOE H. FOY                           
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Joe H. Foy
<PAGE>   6
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
her and on her behalf and in her name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set her hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ WENDY L. GRAMM              
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Wendy L. Gramm
<PAGE>   7
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ KEN L. HARRISON             
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Ken L. Harrison
<PAGE>   8
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ ROBERT K. JAEDICKE          
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Robert K. Jaedicke
<PAGE>   9
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ KENNETH L. LAY              
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Kenneth L. Lay
<PAGE>   10
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ CHARLES A. LeMAISTRE        
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Charles A. LeMaistre
<PAGE>   11
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ JEROME J. MEYER             
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Jerome J. Meyer
<PAGE>   12
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ JEFFREY K. SKILLING         
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Jeffrey K. Skilling
<PAGE>   13
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ JOHN A. URQUHART            
                                       --------------------------------
                                       John A. Urquhart
<PAGE>   14
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ JOHN WAKEHAM                         
                                       ---------------------------------
                                       John Wakeham
<PAGE>   15
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ CHARLS S. WALKER            
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Charls S. Walker
<PAGE>   16
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ BRUCE G. WILLISON           
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Bruce G. Willison
<PAGE>   17
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that in connection with the proposed
registration by Enron Corp., an Oregon corporation (the "Company"), of Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Warrants to
purchase Common Stock of the Company, the undersigned officer or director of
the Company hereby constitutes and appoints Kenneth L. Lay, Richard A. Causey,
Andrew S. Fastow, and Peggy B. Menchaca, and each of them (with full power to
each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file a registration statement on Form S-3
relating to such securities to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, together with all amendments thereto, with all exhibits and any and
all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory
authority, granting unto said attorneys, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if
personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereto set his hand this 9th
day of December, 1997.


                                       /s/ HERBERT S. WINOKUR, JR.     
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Herbert S. Winokur, Jr.

<PAGE>   1



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549


                                    FORM T-1


                            Statement of Eligibility
                     Under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
                     of a Corporation Designated to Act as
                                    Trustee


                      Check if an Application to Determine
                  Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section
                           305(b)(2) _______________


                         HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
                               (Name of Trustee)

        Illinois                                         36-1194448
(State of Incorporation)                    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                111 West Monroe Street; Chicago, Illinois  60603
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


                Frank A. Pierson, Harris Trust and Savings Bank,
                111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60603
                                  312-461-2533
           (Name, address and telephone number for agent for service)


                                  ENRON CORP.
                               (Name of obligor)

        Delaware                                        47-0255140
(State of Incorporation)                    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                               1400 Smith Street
                             Houston, Texas  77002
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                Debt Securities
                        (Title of indenture securities)
<PAGE>   2



 1.      GENERAL INFORMATION.  Furnish the following information as to the
         Trustee:

         (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
              which it is subject.

                Commissioner of Banks and Trust Companies, State of Illinois,
                Springfield, Illinois; Chicago Clearing House Association, 164
                West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois; Federal Deposit
                Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.; The Board of Governors
                of the Federal Reserve System,Washington, D.C.

         (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

                Harris Trust and Savings Bank is authorized to exercise
                corporate trust powers.

 2.      AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.  If the Obligor is an affiliate of the
         Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

                The Obligor is not an affiliate of the Trustee.

 3. thru 15.

                 NO RESPONSE NECESSARY

16.      LIST OF EXHIBITS.

         1.  A copy of the articles of association of the Trustee is now in
             effect which includes the authority of the trustee to commence
             business and to exercise corporate trust powers.

             A copy of the Certificate of Merger dated April 1, 1972 between
             Harris Trust and Savings Bank, HTS Bank and Harris Bankcorp, Inc.
             which constitutes the articles of association of the Trustee as
             now in effect and includes the authority of the Trustee to
             commence business and to exercise corporate trust powers was filed
             in connection with the Registration Statement of Louisville Gas
             and Electric Company, File No. 2-44295, and is incorporated herein
             by reference.

         2.  A copy of the existing by-laws of the Trustee.

             A copy of the existing by-laws of the Trustee was filed in
             connection with the Registration Statement of Commercial Federal
             Corporation, File No. 333-20711, and is incorporated herein by
             reference.

         3.  The consents of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

                 (included as Exhibit A on page 2 of this statement)

         4.  A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published
             pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or
             examining authority.

                 (included as Exhibit B on page 3 of this statement)

                                       1
<PAGE>   3




                                   SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee,
HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, a corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Illinois, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in
the City of Chicago, and State of Illinois, on the 12TH day of December, 1997.

HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK


By:  /s/ FRANK A. PIERSON
    -----------------------------------------------
         Frank A. Pierson                             
         Vice President

EXHIBIT A

The consents of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as the Trustee herein named, hereby consents
that reports of examinations of said trustee by Federal and State authorities
may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission
upon request therefor.

HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK


By:  /s/ FRANK A. PIERSON
    -----------------------------------------------
         Frank A. Pierson
         Vice President





                                      2
<PAGE>   4
                                                                       EXHIBIT B

Attached is a true and correct copy of the statement of condition of Harris
Trust and Savings Bank as of September 30, 1997, as published in accordance
with a call made by the State Banking Authority and by the Federal Reserve Bank
of the Seventh Reserve District.

                               [HARRIS BANK LOGO]
                         Harris Trust and Savings Bank
                             111 West Monroe Street
                            Chicago, Illinois  60603

of Chicago, Illinois, And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries, at the close of
business on September 30, 1997, a state banking institution organized and
operating under the banking laws of this State and a member of the Federal
Reserve System. Published in accordance with a call made by the Commissioner of
Banks and Trust Companies of the State of Illinois and by the Federal Reserve
Bank of this District.

                        Bank's Transit Number 71000288

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 THOUSANDS
                                                      ASSETS                                     OF DOLLARS
<S>                                                                                       <C>         <C>
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:                                    
             Non-interest bearing balances and currency and coin.......................                $1,188,709
             Interest bearing balances.................................................                  $550,173
Securities:............................................................................  
a.  Held-to-maturity securities                                                                                $0
b.  Available-for-sale securities                                                                      $3,685,983
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell i                                 $396,400
Loans and lease financing receivables:                                                 
             Loans and leases, net of unearned income..................................   $8,401,048
             LESS:  Allowance for loan and lease losses................................     $107,180
                                                                                          ----------
             Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve          
             (item 4.a minus 4.b)......................................................                 $8,293,868
Assets held in trading accounts........................................................                    $98,368
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)...............................                   $213,612
Other real estate owned................................................................                       $778
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies....................                        $86
Customer's liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding...........................                    $41,205
Intangible assets......................................................................                   $283,839
Other assets...........................................................................                   $603,886
                                                                                                       -----------
TOTAL ASSETS                                                                                           $15,356,907
                                                                                                       ===========
</TABLE>



                                      3
<PAGE>   5

                                  LIABILITIES
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                <C>           <C>
Deposits:                                                                                  
    In domestic offices....................................................................                       $8,374,055
             Non-interest bearing..........................................................          $2,770,029
             Interest bearing..............................................................          $5,604,026
    In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBF's.........................                       $1,991,659
             Non-interest bearing..........................................................             $27,364
             Interest bearing..............................................................          $1,964,295
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase in domestic     
offices of the bank and of its                                                             
Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBF's:                                             
    Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase.............                       $2,549,328
Trading Liabilities                                                                                                   62,186
Other borrowed money:......................................................................
a.  With remaining maturity of one year or less                                                                     $630,911
b.  With remaining maturity of more than one year                                                                         $0
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding                                                             $41,205
Subordinated notes and debentures..........................................................                         $325,000
Other liabilities..........................................................................                         $132,188
                                                                                                                 -----------

TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                                                                $14,106,532
                                                                                                                 ===========
                                                                                           
                                                     EQUITY CAPITAL                        
Common stock...............................................................................                         $100,000
Surplus....................................................................................                         $600,853
a.  Undivided profits and capital reserves.................................................                         $553,257
b.  Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities                                           ($3,735)
                                                                                                                 -----------

TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL                                                                                              $1,250,375
                                                                                                                 ===========

Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity capital........................                      $15,356,907
                                                                                                                 ===========
</TABLE>


         I, Pamela Piarowski, Vice President of the above-named bank, do hereby
declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the
instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and
is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                PAMELA PIAROWSKI
                                    10/29/97

         We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this
Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and, to the
best of our knowledge and belief, has been prepared in conformance with the
instructions issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and
the Commissioner of Banks and Trust Companies of the State of Illinois and is
true and correct.

                 EDWARD W. LYMAN,
                 ALAN G. McNALLY,
                 JAMES J. GLASSER
                                                                      Directors.

                                      4


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