Exhibit 24.2
Consent of Huddleston & Co., Inc.
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of The Coastal Corporation on Form S-8 relating to The Coastal Corporation
Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors and The Coastal Corporation 1997
Directors Stock Plan of our report under the captions "Business-Gas System
Reserves" and "Supplemental Information on Oil and Gas Producing Activities
(Unaudited)" appearing in and incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A of The Coastal Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1999, and
to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in this Registration
Statement.
HUDDLESTON & CO., INC.
/S/ PETER D. HUDDLESTON
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Peter D. Huddleston, P.E.
President
Houston, Texas
August 24, 2000
