EL PASO NATURAL GAS CO
PREM14A, 1996-08-28
NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION
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<PAGE>
 
                           SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                     Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.)

Filed by the Registrant  [X]

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]

Check the appropriate box:

[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement        [_]  CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE
                                            COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
                                            RULE 14A-6(E)(2))

[_] Definitive Proxy Statement

[_] Definitive Additional Materials

[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12

                         El Paso Natural Gas Company 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[_] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2)
    or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.

[_] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
    14a-6(i)(3).

[X] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

    (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

         Common Stock, par value $3.00 per share, of El Paso Natural Gas Company
         Adjustable Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, 
           of El Paso Natural Gas Company
         Depository Shares, each representing 1/25th of a share of Adjustable
           Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value, $.01 per share, of El
           Paso Natural Gas Company

    (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
         23,894,862 shares of common stock, par value $3.00 pr share, of El Paso
         Natural Gas Company or, under certain circumstances, 7,000,000 shares
         of common stock, par value $3.00 per share, of El Paso Natural Gas
         Company and up to approximately 12,646,875 Depositary Shares
         representing interest in up to 505,875 shares of Adjustable Rate
         Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share.

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

    (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed 
        pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which
        the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

        Pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11, the filing fee is
        $233,200, based upon (a) the book value of $1,054,000,000 of the
        combined equity of the Energy Business (as defined in the Registration
        Statement) to be acquired in the Merger as of June 30, 1996, and (b) the
        aggregate liquidation value of $112,000,000 as of June 30, 1996 of the
        $7.40 Cumulative Preferred Stock, without par value, and the $4.50
        Cumulative Preferred Stock, without par value, of Tenneco Inc. to be
        received by El Paso Natural Gas Company in the Merger.

    (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

        See (3) above.

    (5) Total fee paid:

        $233,200      
[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[X] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
    Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
    was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
    number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

    (1) Amount Previously Paid

        $402,069

    (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

        Form S-4 Registration Statement No. 333-10911 under the Securities Act 
        of 1933 of El Paso Natural Gas Company

    (3) Filing Party:

        El Paso Natural Gas Company

    (4) Date Filed:
        August 27, 1996


<PAGE>
 
 
           [LETTERHEAD OF EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY APPEARS HERE]
 
                                                                         , 1996
 
To the Stockholders of El Paso Natural Gas Company:
 
  You are cordially invited to attend a Special Meeting of Stockholders of El
Paso Natural Gas Company ("El Paso") to be held on      ,        , 1996 at
10:00 a.m. local time (MST) at The Sheraton Crescent Hotel, 2620 West Dunlap
Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona. At this important meeting, you will be asked to
approve the issuance by El Paso (the "Stock Issuance") of up to 23,894,862
shares of El Paso's common stock, par value $3.00 per share (the "El Paso
Common Stock"). The El Paso Common Stock will be issued in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June
19, 1996 (the "Merger Agreement"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Tenneco
will distribute to its common stockholders its automotive/packaging and
shipbuilding businesses. Following these distributions, an indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of El Paso will merge (the "Merger") with Tenneco, which at
that time will consist of Tenneco's remaining active and discontinued
operations and businesses, including the transportation and marketing of
natural gas. As a result of the Merger, El Paso will own 100% of the common
equity and approximately 75% of the combined equity value of Tenneco.
 
  The consideration to be paid by El Paso in the Merger consists of (i) the
retention of approximately $2.65 billion of debt and preferred stock
obligations by Tenneco following the Merger, subject to certain adjustments,
(ii) the retention of liabilities related to certain discontinued businesses
of Tenneco estimated by El Paso at approximately $600 million and (iii) the
issuance of approximately $750 million of El Paso equity securities, as
described in more detail below.
 
  The combination of El Paso and Tenneco's energy business will create one of
the nation's largest natural gas companies, with combined volumes of
approximately 18.4 billion cubic feet of gas per day, and will dramatically
expand the size and geographic scope of El Paso's operations. This transaction
will create a coast-to-coast pipeline system with access to all of the
nation's major markets and supply basins, providing diversification and
reducing El Paso's dependence on the California market, adding critical mass
to El Paso's expanding non-regulated operations, and positioning El Paso to
participate in the emerging deregulation of the United States electric
industry. In addition, the transaction will expand El Paso's international
operations and provide opportunities for further international growth.
 
  If the Stock Issuance is approved by El Paso's stockholders, existing common
stockholders and preferred stockholders of Tenneco (other than the holders of
a new series of junior preferred stock of Tenneco to be issued prior to the
Merger) will receive in the Merger on a tax-free basis shares of El Paso
Common Stock in exchange for their shares of Tenneco stock. If the Stock
Issuance is not approved by the stockholders of El Paso, the Merger is still
expected to be consummated, but existing common stockholders and preferred
stockholders of Tenneco (other than the holders of Tenneco junior preferred
stock issued prior to the Merger) will receive an aggregate of 7,000,000
shares of El Paso Common Stock plus depositary shares representing interests
in shares of a new series of preferred stock of El Paso. The El Paso
securities to be received by Tenneco stockholders in the Merger in either case
will have an aggregate market value of approximately $750 million, subject to
downward adjustment if Tenneco is unable to acquire certain assets prior to
the effective time of the Merger, and subject to a maximum and minimum
exchange ratio based upon the market price of El Paso Common Stock, as further
described in the accompanying Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus.
 
  Your Board of Directors has carefully considered the terms of the proposed
Merger. The investment banking firm of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette has
provided the Board with an opinion, dated June 27, 1996, that based upon the
assumptions and other matters set forth therein, the consideration to be paid
by El Paso pursuant to the Merger is fair to El Paso and its common
stockholders from a financial point of view.
<PAGE>
 
  BASED ON THE FOREGOING, THE EL PASO BOARD HAS DETERMINED THAT THE MERGER IS
IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF EL PASO AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS. THE EL PASO BOARD HAS
APPROVED THE MERGER AND RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE THE STOCK
ISSUANCE BY EXECUTING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY.
 
  The enclosed Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus contains detailed information
concerning the terms of the proposed transaction. WE URGE YOU TO READ THE
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY.
 
  Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, please complete, sign
and date the enclosed proxy card and return it as promptly as possible in the
enclosed envelope. If you attend the Special Meeting in person, you may, if
you wish, vote personally on all matters brought before the Special Meeting
even if you have previously returned your proxy.
 
  Your interest and participation are appreciated.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
                                          /s/ William A. Wise
 
                                          William A. Wise
                                          Chairman of the Board
                                          and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
 
                          EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
                            ONE PAUL KAYSER CENTER
                           100 NORTH STANTON STREET
                             EL PASO, TEXAS 79901
 
                               ----------------
 
                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                          TO BE HELD ON        , 1996
 
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY:
 
  NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of Stockholders of El Paso
Natural Gas Company, a Delaware corporation ("El Paso"), will be held on
  , 1996 at 10:00 a.m. local time (MST) at The Sheraton Crescent Hotel, 2620
West Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona for the following purposes:
 
    1. To consider and vote upon the proposed issuance by El Paso (the "Stock
  Issuance") of up to 23,894,862 shares of El Paso's common stock, par value
  $3.00 per share (the "El Paso Common Stock"), in connection with the
  transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
  June 19, 1996, as such may be amended, supplemented or modified from time
  to time (the "Merger Agreement"), among El Paso, El Paso Merger Company, a
  Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of El Paso
  ("El Paso Subsidiary"), and Tenneco Inc., a Delaware corporation
  ("Tenneco"), pursuant to which El Paso Subsidiary will be merged with and
  into Tenneco (the "Merger"); and
 
    2. To transact such other business, including, without limitation, the
  adjournment of the Special Meeting (including an adjournment of the Special
  Meeting to obtain a quorum, to solicit additional votes in favor of
  proposal 1 and/or to allow for the fulfillment of certain conditions
  precedent to the Merger), as may properly come before the Special Meeting
  or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
 
  Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., on which the El Paso
Common Stock is listed, the Stock Issuance must be approved by the
stockholders of El Paso. If the Stock Issuance is approved by El Paso's
stockholders, common stockholders and preferred stockholders of Tenneco (other
than holders of a new series of Tenneco junior preferred stock to be issued
between the date hereof and the Merger) will receive in the Merger on a tax-
free basis shares of El Paso Common Stock in exchange for their shares of
Tenneco stock pursuant to formulas set forth in the Merger Agreement and
described more fully in the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus which accompanies
this Notice. If the Stock Issuance is not approved by the stockholders of El
Paso, the Merger is still expected to be consummated, but common stockholders
and preferred stockholders of Tenneco (other than holders of the new series of
Tenneco junior preferred stock) will receive an aggregate of 7,000,000 shares
of El Paso Common Stock plus depositary shares representing interests in
shares of a new series of preferred stock of El Paso, in each case pursuant to
formulas set forth in the Merger Agreement and described more fully in the
Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus.
 
  The Board of Directors of El Paso has fixed the close of business on
  , 1996 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting and any adjournments or
postponements thereof. A list of such stockholders will be available for
examination, during ordinary business hours, at the location of the Special
Meeting, for a period of at least ten days prior to the Special Meeting.
<PAGE>
 
  A proxy card and a Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus containing more detailed
information with respect to the matters to be considered at the Special
Meeting accompany this notice. Whether or not you plan to attend the Special
Meeting, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in
order for all of your shares of El Paso Common Stock to be voted by proxy. A
copy of the Merger Agreement in effect as of the date hereof is attached to
the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus as Appendix B.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                          /S/ Stacy J. James
                                          Stacy J. James
                                          Corporate Secretary
 
El Paso, Texas
       , 1996
 
 
 
 
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                   IMPORTANT
 
             All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the
                          Special Meeting in person.
 
             Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting
             in person, in order to assure your representation at the
             meeting, you are urged to complete, sign and date the
             enclosed proxy card, which is being solicited by the
             Board of Directors, and promptly return it in the self-
             addressed return envelope enclosed for that purpose. The
             envelope requires no postage if mailed in the United
             States. Any stockholder who signs and sends in a proxy
             card may revoke it at any time prior to the vote at the
             Special Meeting by following the procedures set forth
             above and in the accompanying Joint Proxy Statement-
             Prospectus.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                 TENNECO INC.
 
              PROXY STATEMENT FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                         TO BE HELD DECEMBER   , 1996
 
                               ----------------
 
                          EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
              PROXY STATEMENT FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                           TO BE HELD        , 1996
 
                                  PROSPECTUS
 
                               ----------------
 
  This Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus is being furnished to the stockholders
of Tenneco Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Tenneco"), and to the stockholders
of El Paso Natural Gas Company, a Delaware corporation ("El Paso"), in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Boards of Directors of
Tenneco and El Paso for use at the respective meetings of stockholders of
Tenneco and El Paso, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof
(respectively, the "Tenneco Special Meeting" and the "El Paso Special
Meeting").
 
  The Tenneco Special Meeting will be held on December   , 1996 at the time
and place and for the purposes specified in the accompanying Notice. See "THE
TENNECO SPECIAL MEETING." At the Tenneco Special Meeting, holders of record as
of the close of business on October   , 1996 (the "Tenneco Record Date") of
outstanding shares of (a) Common Stock, par value $5.00 per share, of Tenneco
(the "Tenneco Common Stock" and, together with the Tenneco Preferred Stock (as
defined below), the "Tenneco Stock"), (b) $4.50 Cumulative Preferred Stock,
without par value, of Tenneco (the "$4.50 Preferred Stock"), and (c) $7.40
Cumulative Preferred Stock, without par value, of Tenneco (the "$7.40
Preferred Stock" and, together with the $4.50 Preferred Stock, the "Tenneco
Preferred Stock") will consider and vote upon:
 
    (1) a single unified proposal relating to the proposed reorganization of
  Tenneco (the "Transaction") to:
 
      (a) approve and adopt the Distribution Agreement, dated as of      ,
    1996, attached hereto as Appendix A, as such may be amended,
    supplemented or modified from time to time (the "Distribution
    Agreement"), among Tenneco, New Tenneco Inc., a Delaware corporation
    and newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of Tenneco ("New Tenneco"),
    and Newport News Shipbuilding Inc., a Delaware corporation (formerly
    known as Tenneco InterAmerica Inc.) and wholly owned subsidiary
 
                                                       (continued on next page)
 
                               ----------------
 
THE NEW TENNECO INFORMATION STATEMENT AND THE NEWPORT NEWS INFORMATION
STATEMENT (EACH AS DEFINED HEREIN) ARE ATTACHED HERETO AS APPENDICES C AND D.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" THEREIN FOR CERTAIN MATTERS RELEVANT TO THE OWNERSHIP OF
NEW TENNECO COMMON STOCK AND NEWPORT NEWS COMMON STOCK. SEE ALSO "CERTAIN
CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION" AND "RISK FACTORS" APPEARING
HEREIN FOR MATTERS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSACTION
AND THE SECURITIES OF EL PASO ISSUABLE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
 
                               ----------------
 
THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED IN THE DISTRIBUTIONS AND THE MERGER HAVE NOT BEEN
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR BY ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                                ----------------
       THE DATE OF THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS IS      , 1996.
<PAGE>
 
(continued from front cover)
 
    of Tenneco ("Newport News"), pursuant to which (i) Tenneco and its
    subsidiaries will undertake various intercompany transfers and
    distributions (collectively, the "Corporate Restructuring
    Transactions") designed to restructure, divide and separate their
    existing businesses and assets so that all of the assets, liabilities
    and operations of (A) their automotive parts, packaging and
    administrative services businesses (collectively, the "Industrial
    Business") are owned and operated by New Tenneco, and (B) their
    shipbuilding business (the "Shipbuilding Business") are owned and
    operated by Newport News, and (ii) Tenneco will then distribute (the
    "New Tenneco Distribution") all of the outstanding common stock, $.01
    par value per share, of New Tenneco ("New Tenneco Common Stock") and
    all of the outstanding common stock, $.01 par value per share, of
    Newport News ("Newport News Common Stock") pro rata to holders of
    Tenneco Common Stock (individually, the "Newport News Distribution"
    and, together with the New Tenneco Distribution, the "Distributions");
 
      (b) approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
    June 19, 1996, attached hereto as Appendix B, as such may be amended,
    supplemented or modified from time to time (the "Merger Agreement"),
    among El Paso, El Paso Merger Company, an indirect wholly owned
    subsidiary of El Paso ("El Paso Subsidiary"), and Tenneco, pursuant to
    which (i) El Paso Subsidiary will be merged (the "Merger") with and
    into Tenneco, which will then consist only of the existing and
    discontinued operations and businesses of Tenneco and its subsidiaries
    other than those relating to the Industrial Business or Shipbuilding
    Business, including the transmission and marketing of natural gas
    (collectively, the "Energy Business" or "Tenneco Energy"), and (ii)
    shares of Tenneco Stock will be converted into the right to receive
    shares of El Paso Common Stock (as defined below) and possibly, in the
    case of holders of Tenneco Common Stock, depositary shares ("El Paso
    Preferred Depositary Shares"), each representing a fractional interest
    equal to one twenty-fifth of a share of a new series of voting
    preferred stock of El Paso, to be designated as the Adjustable Rate
    Cumulative Preferred Stock (the "El Paso Preferred Stock"), pursuant to
    formulas set forth in the Merger Agreement and more fully described
    below;
 
      (c) approve the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and
    the Distribution Agreement;
 
      (d) approve an amendment (the "Charter Amendment") to the Certificate
    of Incorporation of Tenneco, as amended (the "Tenneco Charter"), which
    will eliminate certain relative rights and preferences of the junior
    preferred stock of Tenneco; and
 
    (2) such other business, including, without limitation, the adjournment
  of the meeting (including an adjournment to obtain a quorum, solicit
  additional votes in favor of proposal (1) and/or allow for the fulfillment
  of certain conditions precedent to the Transaction), as may properly come
  before the Tenneco Special Meeting.
 
  The El Paso Special Meeting will be held on        , 1996 at the time and
place and for the purposes specified in the accompanying Notice. See "THE EL
PASO SPECIAL MEETING." At the El Paso Special Meeting, holders of record as of
the close of business on        , 1996 (the "El Paso Record Date") of
outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $3.00 per share, of El Paso (the
"El Paso Common Stock"), will consider and vote upon the proposed issuance by
El Paso (the "Stock Issuance") of up to 23,894,862 shares of El Paso Common
Stock in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement.
 
  If the Stock Issuance is approved by the El Paso stockholders, holders
(collectively, the "Tenneco Stockholders") of Tenneco Stock (which does not
include the shares of a new series of Tenneco junior preferred stock to be
issued between the date hereof and the Merger, as more fully described below)
will receive in the Merger, on a tax-free basis, shares of El Paso Common
Stock in exchange for their shares of Tenneco Stock pursuant to formulas set
forth in the Merger Agreement and more fully described below. If the Stock
Issuance is not approved by the stockholders of El Paso, the Merger is still
expected to be consummated, but Tenneco Stockholders will receive an aggregate
of 7,000,000 shares of El Paso Common Stock plus, in the case of holders
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
(continued from front cover)
 
of Tenneco Common Stock, a number of El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares
pursuant to formulas set forth in the Merger Agreement and more fully
described below. Tenneco Stockholders who receive El Paso Common Stock in
connection with the Merger will receive, together with each share of El Paso
Common Stock issued in the Merger, one associated preferred stock purchase
right of El Paso (an "El Paso Purchase Right"). The El Paso Purchase Rights
are currently attached to certificates for shares of El Paso Common Stock, are
not separately tradeable and become exercisable only upon certain conditions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to "El Paso Common
Stock" include the associated El Paso Purchase Rights.
 
  The purpose of the Transaction is to merge a subsidiary of El Paso with the
Energy Business of Tenneco while leaving the Industrial Business and the
Shipbuilding Business as separate publicly held companies owned by the
existing holders of Tenneco Common Stock. As a result of the Distributions and
Merger, and as more fully described below, (a) holders of Tenneco Common Stock
will receive shares of New Tenneco Common Stock, Newport News Common Stock and
El Paso Common Stock (and possibly El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares), and
(b) holders of Tenneco Preferred Stock will receive shares of El Paso Common
Stock.
 
  In the Distributions, record holders of Tenneco Common Stock as of the
Distribution Record Date (as hereinafter defined) will receive one share of
New Tenneco Common Stock for each share of Tenneco Common Stock held and one
share of Newport News Common Stock for every five shares of Tenneco Common
Stock held. In addition, the boards of directors of New Tenneco and Newport
News will each adopt a stockholder rights plan and cause to be issued, with
each share of New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock to be
distributed in the Distributions, one right, entitling the holder thereof to
purchase, under certain circumstances, one one-hundredth of a share of a
junior series of New Tenneco preferred stock or Newport News Preferred Stock,
as the case may be (which rights will expire on June 10, 1998 (unless extended
with stockholder approval), the same date the rights under Tenneco's existing
stockholder rights plan would have expired if such plan were not being
terminated in connection with the Transaction). Unless the context otherwise
requires, references herein to New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News
Common Stock include the associated rights. Holders of Tenneco Common Stock
will receive cash (without interest) in lieu of fractional shares in the
Distributions. See "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--Manner of Distribution." Upon
consummation of the Distributions, all of the outstanding shares of New
Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock will be held by the holders
of Tenneco Common Stock as of the Distribution Record Date, and Tenneco's
assets will consist only of the Energy Business. Application will be made to
list the New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock on the New
York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE").
 
  The Merger is expected to be consummated promptly following the
Distributions. The Merger Agreement provides for (i) the retention by Tenneco
after the Merger of approximately $2.65 billion of debt and preferred stock
obligations, subject to certain adjustments described herein, (ii) the
retention by Tenneco after the Merger of liabilities related to discontinued
businesses of Tenneco (estimated by El Paso at approximately $600 million) and
(iii) the issuance of El Paso equity securities to Tenneco Stockholders in the
Merger valued at an aggregate of $750 million (the "Equity Consideration"),
subject to (a) downward adjustment if Tenneco is unable to acquire certain
assets (the "Acquisition") prior to the effective time of the Merger (the
"Merger Effective Time"), and (b) the effect of the "Collar" described below
on the market price of El Paso Common Stock.
 
  Assuming approval of the Stock Issuance at the El Paso Special Meeting, upon
consummation of the Merger, (a) each outstanding share of $7.40 Preferred
Stock (other than shares owned directly or indirectly by El Paso, Tenneco or
any of their respective wholly owned subsidiaries, which will be cancelled)
will be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of El Paso
Common Stock designed generally to provide, in the aggregate, [$38 million
(assumed, solely for purposes of this preliminary filing, to be the estimated
aggregate liquidation preference of the total number of such shares presently
outstanding)] of the Equity Consideration to the holders of $7.40 Preferred
Stock, (b) each outstanding share of $4.50 Preferred Stock (other than shares
owned directly or indirectly by El Paso, Tenneco or any of their respective
wholly owned subsidiaries, which will be cancelled, and shares held by
stockholders who perfect their appraisal rights) will be converted into the
right to receive a number of shares of El Paso Common Stock designed generally
to provide, in the aggregate, [$74 million
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
(continued from front cover)
 
(assumed, solely for purposes of this preliminary filing, to be the estimated
aggregate liquidation preference of the total number of such shares presently
outstanding)] of the Equity Consideration to the holders of $4.50 Preferred
Stock, and (c) subject to the effect of the "Collar" described below, each
outstanding share of Tenneco Common Stock (other than shares owned directly or
indirectly by El Paso, Tenneco or any of their respective wholly owned
subsidiaries, which will be cancelled) will be converted into the right to
receive a number of shares of El Paso Common Stock designed to provide, in the
aggregate, the balance of the Equity Consideration of [$638] million, subject
to the downward adjustment described above, to the holders of Tenneco Common
Stock in the Merger.
 
  The number of shares of El Paso Common Stock to be issued to holders of
Tenneco Preferred Stock as described above will be based on the average of the
per share closing prices on the NYSE of El Paso Common Stock during the period
of twenty consecutive trading days (the "Average Period") ending on the
trading day that is two trading days prior to the Merger Effective Time (the
"Average El Paso Common Price," as described more fully herein). The number of
such shares to be issued to holders of Tenneco Common Stock will also be based
on the Average El Paso Common Price; provided that, if the Average El Paso
Common Price is less than $31.3875, the Average El Paso Common Price will be
deemed to be $31.3875, and if the Average El Paso Common Price is more than
$38.3625, the Average El Paso Common Price will be deemed to be $38.3625 (the
"Collar"). The Collar has the following effects: (i) if the Average El Paso
Common Price falls within the Collar (i.e., between $31.3875 and $38.3625,
inclusive), the number of shares of El Paso Common Stock issued to holders of
Tenneco Common Stock will be based on that price, (ii) if the Average El Paso
Common Price is less than $31.3875 (the "Minimum El Paso Price"), the number
of shares of El Paso Common Stock issued to holders of Tenneco Common Stock
will nonetheless be based on a per share price of $31.3875 and will likely
have a market value as of the Merger Effective Time which is less than [$638
million,] and (iii) if the Average El Paso Common Price is more than $38.3625
(the "Maximum El Paso Price"), the number of shares of El Paso Common Stock
issued to holders of Tenneco Common Stock will nonetheless be based on a per
share price of $38.3625 and will likely have a market value as of the Merger
Effective Time which is greater than [$638 million.]
 
  Alternatively, if the El Paso stockholders do not approve the Stock
Issuance, El Paso will issue to the holders of Tenneco Stock 7,000,000 shares
of El Paso Common Stock, with the balance of the equity consideration to
consist of El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares. In such case, the holders of
Tenneco Preferred Stock will receive shares of El Paso Common Stock as
described above, and each share of Tenneco Common Stock will be converted into
the right to receive (i) the number of shares of El Paso Common Stock obtained
by subtracting from 7,000,000 the number of shares of El Paso Common Stock
issued to the holders of Tenneco Preferred Stock and dividing that number by
the number of shares of Tenneco Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
the Merger Effective Time which are to be converted in the Merger (the
"Tenneco Common Conversion Shares"), and (ii) El Paso Preferred Depositary
Shares representing interests in that number of shares of El Paso Preferred
Stock which has an aggregate liquidation preference equal to the value (based
on the average El Paso Common Price) of the additional shares of El Paso
Common Stock that would have been issued to the holder of a single share of
Tenneco Common Stock if the Stock Issuance had been approved. To the extent
issued in connection with the Merger, each whole share of El Paso Preferred
Stock will entitle the holder thereof to 15 votes on each matter submitted to
a vote at any meeting of El Paso's stockholders, entitle the holder to a
liquidation preference of $1,000 (plus accrued and unpaid dividends), bear
dividends at a rate to be determined (which will not be less than 6% nor more
than 10% per year) and be subject to redemption at the liquidation preference
any time after the fifth anniversary of the Merger. See "DESCRIPTION OF EL
PASO PREFERRED STOCK." Holders of the El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares will
have rights equivalent to those of holders of whole shares of El Paso
Preferred Stock (to the extent of their fractional interests therein). See
"THE MERGER--Depositary Arrangements for El Paso Preferred Stock." Because the
formula for determining the number of shares of El Paso Common Stock and El
Paso Preferred Depositary Shares issuable to holders of Tenneco Common Stock
if the Stock Issuance is not approved is designed to provide such holders with
the same aggregate
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
(continued from front cover)
 
dollar value of consideration that they would have received had the Stock
Issuance been approved, under this alternative scenario holders of Tenneco
Common Stock will also likely receive stock worth more than [$638 million] if
the Average El Paso Common Price is above the Collar and less than [$638
million] if the Average El Paso Common Price is below the Collar.
 
  For the 20 trading days ended August 21, 1996, the average per share closing
price of the El Paso Common Stock on the NYSE was $39.8625. Beginning on
     , 1996, Tenneco Stockholders can obtain the average per share closing
price of the El Paso Common Stock on the NYSE for the most recent twenty-day
trading period by calling El Paso's transfer agent, The First National Bank of
Boston, at 1-800-   -    . Because the consideration to be received by Tenneco
Stockholders will be fixed based upon an average of closing prices of the El
Paso Common Stock over a twenty trading day period ending on the day that is
two trading days prior to the Merger Effective Time, the market value at the
Merger Effective Time of the El Paso Common Stock received by Tenneco
Stockholders in the Merger may be more or less than such twenty trading day
average.
 
  In any event, holders of Tenneco Common Stock and Tenneco Preferred Stock
will receive cash (without interest) in lieu of fractional shares of El Paso
Common Stock and fractional El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any.
Immediately following or simultaneously with the Merger, New Tenneco will
change its name to "Tenneco Inc." For a more complete description of the terms
of the Transaction, see "THE TRANSACTION," "THE NPS ISSUANCE," "DEBT AND CASH
REALIGNMENT," "CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS," "THE DISTRIBUTIONS,"
"THE MERGER," and "THE CHARTER AMENDMENT."
 
  Between the date hereof and the Merger, Tenneco intends to issue shares (the
"NPS Issuance") of a new series of junior preferred stock (the "Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock") in an amount designed to result in the shares of Tenneco
Junior Preferred Stock that are outstanding upon consummation of the Merger
having an aggregate value as of such time that is equal to approximately 25%
of the value of all Tenneco capital stock outstanding upon consummation of the
Merger. Holders of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will possess as a class, the
right to elect a number of directors of Tenneco, rounded up to the nearest
whole number, representing one-sixth of the number of members of the Board of
Directors of Tenneco if there were no vacancies. Under the existing terms of
the Tenneco Charter, the approval of a majority of the outstanding Tenneco
Junior Preferred Stock will be required to effect the Distributions and the
approval of two-thirds of the outstanding Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will
be required to effect the Charter Amendment if the NPS Issuance occurs prior
to approval of the Transaction at the Tenneco Special Meeting. Accordingly, if
the NPS Issuance occurs prior to approval of the Transaction at the Tenneco
Special Meeting, as part of the NPS Issuance, Tenneco will obtain such
approvals from the initial record holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred
Stock (which, in the case of a public offering, will be the underwriters of
the public offering) pursuant to a written consent to be signed and delivered
by such initial record holders. Notwithstanding such approvals, if the NPS
Issuance occurs prior to approval of the Transaction at the Tenneco Special
Meeting, persons who become record holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred
Stock on or prior to the date of the Tenneco Special Meeting will have the
right to demand appraisal of their shares of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock at
or prior to the Tenneco Special Meeting. See "THE NPS ISSUANCE."
 
  It is expected that the Distributions and Merger will be tax-free for
federal income tax purposes to Tenneco and its stockholders, except to the
extent cash is received in lieu of fractional shares and fractional El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares, if any, or in connection with a proper demand for
appraisal of shares. Tenneco has requested, and expects to receive, a ruling
from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") with respect to the Distributions to
that effect and an opinion of counsel (to the extent not covered by the IRS
ruling) with respect to the Merger to that effect.
 
  This Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus also constitutes a prospectus of El
Paso with respect to the shares of El Paso Common Stock and the El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares (including the underlying El Paso Preferred Stock)
issuable upon consummation of the Merger. The number of shares of El Paso
Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares (and underlying shares of
El Paso Preferred Stock) issuable upon
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
(continued from front cover)
 
consummation of the Merger will be determined in accordance with the formulas
set forth in the Merger Agreement.
 
  This Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus, the attached Notices of Special
Meeting, and the enclosed proxy are first being mailed to Tenneco and El Paso
stockholders on or about             , 1996.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  El Paso has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a
registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the
El Paso Common Stock, El Paso Preferred Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary
Shares issuable in connection with the Merger. As permitted by the rules and
regulations of the SEC, this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus does not contain
all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement or the exhibits
thereto. For further information, reference is hereby made to such
Registration Statement and exhibits. Statements contained herein concerning
provisions of documents are necessarily summaries of the documents, and each
statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the
applicable document filed with the SEC. All information concerning El Paso and
its affiliates (including El Paso Subsidiary) contained or incorporated by
reference in this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus has been furnished by El
Paso, and all information concerning Tenneco, New Tenneco, Newport News and
their respective affiliates contained or incorporated by reference in this
Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus has been furnished by Tenneco.
 
  A Registration Statement on Form 10 will be filed by each of New Tenneco
(the "New Tenneco Registration Statement") and Newport News (the "Newport News
Registration Statement") to register their respective shares of common stock
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
The information statement regarding New Tenneco to be filed as part of the New
Tenneco Registration Statement (the "New Tenneco Information Statement") is
attached hereto as Appendix C. The information statement regarding Newport
News to be filed as part of the Newport News Registration Statement (the
"Newport News Information Statement") is attached hereto as Appendix D.
 
  El Paso and Tenneco are (and, upon consummation of the Distributions, New
Tenneco and Newport News will be) subject to the informational requirements of
the Exchange Act, and, in accordance therewith, file (or will file) reports,
proxy statements and other information with the SEC.
 
  The Registration Statement and exhibits thereto filed by El Paso, and the
reports, proxy statements, and other information filed with the SEC by El Paso
and Tenneco (or to be filed with the SEC, in the case of New Tenneco and
Newport News) can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the SEC at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, DC
20549, and at the SEC's Regional Offices located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th
Floor, New York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such materials may be obtained
by mail, at prescribed rates, from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 or on the SEC's Web site at
(http://www.sec.gov). The El Paso Common Stock, Tenneco Common Stock and $7.40
Preferred Stock are listed on the NYSE, and reports and other information
concerning El Paso and Tenneco can be inspected at the NYSE, 20 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10005.
 
                               ----------------
 
  NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE MATTERS DESCRIBED IN THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS (WHICH INCLUDES THE MATERIALS APPENDED HERETO) OTHER THAN
THOSE CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY EL PASO, EL PASO SUBSIDIARY, TENNECO, NEW
TENNECO OR NEWPORT NEWS. THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS (WHICH INCLUDES
THE MATERIALS APPENDED HERETO) DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY, NOR DOES
IT CONSTITUTE THE SOLICITATION OF A PROXY, IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH, OR TO
ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER OR PROXY SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS (WHICH INCLUDES THE MATERIALS APPENDED HERETO) NOR ANY
DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES AS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF EL PASO, EL PASO SUBSIDIARY, TENNECO, NEW TENNECO OR NEWPORT NEWS
SINCE THE DATE HEREOF, OR THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY
TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
               INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
 
  THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
WITH RESPECT TO EL PASO AND TENNECO THAT ARE NOT PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED
HEREWITH. DOCUMENTS RELATING TO EL PASO (EXCLUDING EXHIBITS THERETO, UNLESS
SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO SUCH DOCUMENTS)
ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO
WHOM THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL
REQUEST TO NORMA F. DUNN, VICE PRESIDENT, INVESTOR AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, EL
PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY, ONE PAUL KAYSER CENTER, 100 NORTH STANTON STREET, EL
PASO, TEXAS 79901, TELEPHONE (915) 541-2600. DOCUMENTS RELATING TO TENNECO
(EXCLUDING EXHIBITS THERETO, UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO SUCH DOCUMENTS) ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE TO
ANY PERSON, INCLUDING ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO WHOM THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST TO KARL A.
STEWART, VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY, TENNECO INC., 1275 KING STREET,
GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06831, TELEPHONE (203) 863-1000. IN ORDER TO ENSURE
TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY           ,
1996.
 
  The following documents filed by El Paso with the SEC (File No. 1-2700) are
incorporated by reference into this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus:
 
    1.El Paso's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
  31, 1995;
 
    2. El Paso's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods
  ended March 31, 1996, as amended, and June 30, 1996;
 
    3.El Paso's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held
  on April 30, 1996;
 
    4. El Paso's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated May 2, 1996 and June 28,
  1996; and
 
    5.El Paso's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with respect to the
  El Paso Common Stock, as amended to date.
 
  The following documents filed by Tenneco with the SEC (File No. 1-9864) are
incorporated by reference into this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus:
 
    1.Tenneco's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
  31, 1995, as amended;
 
    2. Tenneco's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for quarters ended March 31,
  1996 and June 30, 1996;
 
    3. Tenneco's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held
  on May 14, 1996; and
 
    4. Tenneco's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated November 17, 1995,
  February 2, 1996, March 21, 1996, June 6, 1996 and June 19, 1996.
 
  All documents filed by El Paso or Tenneco pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to
the date of the Tenneco Special Meeting and El Paso Special Meeting shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the
date any such document is filed.
 
  Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained herein, or in any other subsequently filed document that
is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein,
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus. Subject to the
foregoing, all information appearing in this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus
is qualified in its entirety by the information appearing in the documents
incorporated herein by reference.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION.....................................................   7
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE.........................   8
TABLE OF CONTENTS.........................................................   9
SUMMARY OF JOINT PROXY STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS ..............................  12
CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION........................  42
  Lack of Operating History as Separate Entities and Other Operating
   Considerations.........................................................  42
  Potential Responsibility for Liabilities Not Expressly Assumed..........  42
  Newport News Debt After the Transaction.................................  42
  Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations...............................  42
  Impact of the Collar on Holders of Tenneco Common Stock.................  43
  No Current Market for New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common
   Stock..................................................................  44
  No Current Market for El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares...............  44
  Trading Prices of and Markets for Stock Following the Transaction.......  44
  Dividend Policies.......................................................  45
  Certain Consent Requirements............................................  45
  Potential Conflicts.....................................................  45
  Differences in Stockholder Rights.......................................  46
  Indemnification.........................................................  46
  Fraudulent Transfer Considerations; Legal Dividend Requirements.........  46
  Proposed Offering of El Paso Equity Securities..........................  47
RISK FACTORS..............................................................  48
  Exposure to Markets.....................................................  48
  Rates and Regulation....................................................  48
  Competition.............................................................  50
  Environmental Matters...................................................  51
  Changes in Economic and Industry Conditions.............................  51
  Risk Management; Derivative Financial Instruments.......................  51
  Operating Hazards and Uninsured Risks...................................  52
  Effects of Weather......................................................  52
  Acquisitions and Investments............................................  52
  Liabilities of Tenneco Energy for Discontinued Businesses...............  52
  Accounting Standards....................................................  52
  California Risks........................................................  52
  Integration of Operations...............................................  53
  Safe Harbor Disclosure; Forward Looking Statements and Associated Risks.  53
THE TENNECO SPECIAL MEETING...............................................  54
  General.................................................................  54
  Purpose of the Tenneco Special Meeting..................................  54
  Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum............................  54
  Votes Required; Effect of Abstentions and Non-Votes.....................  54
  Voting and Revocation of Proxies........................................  55
  Solicitation of Proxies.................................................  55
  Appraisal Rights........................................................  56
  Adjournment of the Tenneco Special Meeting..............................  56
  Tenneco Junior Preferred Stockholders Written Consent...................  56
THE EL PASO SPECIAL MEETING...............................................  56
  General.................................................................  56
  Purpose of the El Paso Special Meeting..................................  56
  Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum............................  57
  Votes Required; Effect of Abstentions and Non-Votes.....................  57
  Voting and Revocation of Proxies........................................  57
  Solicitation of Proxies.................................................  58
</TABLE>
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
  Adjournment of the El Paso Special Meeting..............................  58
THE TRANSACTION...........................................................  59
  Structure of the Transaction............................................  59
  Consideration to Tenneco Stockholders...................................  60
  Background of the Transaction...........................................  61
  Reasons for the Transaction; Recommendations of the Boards of Directors.  63
  Opinions of Financial Advisors..........................................  66
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Transaction.........................  73
  Expenses................................................................  74
THE NPS ISSUANCE .........................................................  75
DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT.................................................  76
  Debt Realignment........................................................  76
  Cash Expenditure Adjustment.............................................  78
  Cash Realignment........................................................  78
CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS......................................  79
THE DISTRIBUTIONS.........................................................  80
  Manner of Distribution..................................................  80
  Certain Other Pre-Distribution Transactions.............................  81
  Relationship Among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News After the
   Distributions..........................................................  82
  Conditions to Consummation of the Distributions.........................  86
  Amendment or Termination of the Distributions...........................  87
  Trading of New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock.......  87
THE MERGER................................................................  88
  Closing of the Merger...................................................  88
  Conversion of Shares....................................................  88
  Effects of the Merger...................................................  91
  Certain Other Pre-Merger Transactions...................................  91
  No Solicitation.........................................................  91
  Certain Covenants.......................................................  92
  Employee Benefits.......................................................  94
  Representations and Warranties..........................................  95
  Conditions Precedent....................................................  96
  Amendment or Termination of Merger Agreement............................  97
  Waiver..................................................................  98
  Termination Fee ........................................................  98
  Consulting Arrangement..................................................  98
  Regulatory Approvals....................................................  99
  Appraisal Rights........................................................  99
  Depository Arrangements for El Paso Preferred Stock..................... 102
  Restrictions on Resale of El Paso Stock................................. 102
THE CHARTER AMENDMENT..................................................... 102
DESCRIPTION OF THE TENNECO JUNIOR PREFERRED STOCK......................... 103
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES................................... 104
  Tax Rulings and Opinions................................................ 104
  The Distributions....................................................... 106
  The Merger.............................................................. 107
  Possible Future Legislation............................................. 108
  Back-up Withholding Requirements........................................ 109
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA................................................... 110
  Tenneco Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries Selected Consolidated
   Financial Information.................................................. 110
  El Paso Selected Financial Data......................................... 112
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        PAGE
                                                                     ----------
<S>                                                                  <C>
  Tenneco Energy Combined Selected Financial Data...................        113
  New Tenneco Combined Selected Financial Data......................        114
  Newport News Selected Financial Data..............................        115
INFORMATION CONCERNING TENNECO......................................        116
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ENERGY BUSINESS TO BE MERGED.............        116
  General...........................................................        116
  Interstate Pipeline Operations....................................        116
  Gas Marketing, Intrastate Pipelines and Related Services..........        120
  International, Power Generation and Ventures......................        121
  Discontinued and Other Operations.................................        122
  Employees.........................................................        122
  Properties........................................................        122
  Operation of the Energy Business After the Merger.................        122
  Environmental Matters.............................................        123
  Legal Proceedings.................................................        125
  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
   Results of Operations of the Energy Business.....................        126
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION...........................        134
  Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements of El Paso and
   Tenneco Energy...................................................        134
  Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements of New Tenneco..        148
  Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements of Newport News.        153
COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS OF TENNECO, NEW TENNECO AND
 NEWPORT NEWS.......................................................        157
INFORMATION CONCERNING EL PASO......................................        160
DESCRIPTION OF EL PASO PREFERRED STOCK..............................        160
COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS OF TENNECO AND EL PASO.........        161
LEGAL MATTERS.......................................................        170
EXPERTS.............................................................        170
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS...............................................        171
INDEX OF CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS......................................        172
INDEX TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE.................        F-1
Distribution Agreement.............................................. Appendix A
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated 6/19/96.......................... Appendix B
New Tenneco Information Statement................................... Appendix C
Newport News Information Statement.................................. Appendix D
Appraisal Rights.................................................... Appendix E
Lazard Opinion...................................................... Appendix F
DLJ Opinion......................................................... Appendix G
Certificate of Designation of the El Paso Preferred Stock........... Appendix H
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
                  SUMMARY OF JOINT PROXY STATEMENT-PROSPECTUS
 
  The following summary is not intended to be complete and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the more detailed information included or incorporated
by reference in this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus, and the Appendices
hereto, including, but not limited to the Distribution Agreement and the Merger
Agreement (as currently in effect) set forth as Appendix A and Appendix B
hereto, respectively. Stockholders are urged to read carefully this Joint Proxy
Statement-Prospectus, the Appendices hereto and the documents incorporated by
reference in their entirety. Unless the context otherwise requires, as used
herein (i) the term "New Tenneco" refers to (A) New Tenneco Inc. (to be renamed
Tenneco Inc. upon consummation of the Merger) and its subsidiaries, for all
periods after consummation of the Distributions, and (B) the entities through
which Tenneco and its subsidiaries operated the Industrial Business, for all
periods prior to consummation of the Distributions, and (ii) the term "Newport
News" refers to (A) Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. (formerly known as Tenneco
InterAmerica Inc.) and its subsidiaries (including Newport News Shipbuilding
and Dry Dock Company), for periods after consummation of the Distributions, and
(B) Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and its subsidiaries,
through which Tenneco and its subsidiaries operated the Shipbuilding Business,
for periods prior to consummation of the Distributions. Capitalized terms that
are used but not defined in this summary are defined elsewhere in this Joint
Proxy Statement-Prospectus. See "INDEX OF CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS."
 
                                 THE COMPANIES
 
EL PASO
 
  El Paso is a Delaware corporation which was incorporated in 1928. In
recognition of changes in the natural gas industry and the manner in which El
Paso manages its businesses, and in order to facilitate a more detailed
understanding of the various activities in which it engages, El Paso began
doing business under the name El Paso Energy Corporation (effective April 22,
1996) and has segregated its business activities into three business segments:
(i) natural gas transmission, (ii) field and merchant services, and (iii)
corporate and other.
 
  The natural gas transmission segment includes one of the nation's largest
mainline natural gas transmission systems, connecting natural gas supply
regions in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado to markets in California,
Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico. The transmission
system consists of approximately 10,000 miles of pipeline and is connected to
one of the most prolific supply basins in the nation, the San Juan Basin of
northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.
 
  The field and merchant services segment provides field services including
gathering, products extraction, dehydration, purification, and compression. In
addition, the segment purchases, markets, and trades natural gas, natural gas
liquids, power, and other energy commodities and provides risk management
activities associated with those commodities. The segment has approximately
7,900 miles of gathering lines and 64,000 horsepower of compression located in
the San Juan, Anadarko, and Permian Basins, and in East Texas and Louisiana.
 
  The corporate and other segment includes El Paso Energy International and
other corporate activities. El Paso conducts its international activities
through El Paso Energy International.
 
  El Paso's principal executive offices are located at One Paul Kayser Center,
100 North Stanton Street, El Paso, Texas 79901, and its telephone number is
(915) 541-2600. For further information concerning El Paso, see "--Summary
Historical and Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Data of El Paso,"
"AVAILABLE INFORMATION," "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE,"
"SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA--El Paso Selected Financial Data," and "INFORMATION
CONCERNING EL PASO."
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
 
EL PASO SUBSIDIARY
 
  El Paso Subsidiary, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of El Paso Energy
Corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of El Paso, was formed by
El Paso solely for the purpose of effecting the Merger. El Paso Subsidiary's
principal executive offices are located at One Paul Kayser Center, 100 North
Stanton Street, El Paso, Texas 79901 and its telephone number at that location
is (915) 541-2600.
 
TENNECO
 
  Tenneco is a diversified industrial company conducting all of its operations
through its subsidiaries. The major businesses of Tenneco presently consist of
(i) interstate and intrastate transportation and marketing of natural gas, (ii)
the manufacture and sale of automotive exhaust system parts and ride control
products, (iii) the manufacture and sale of packaging materials, cartons,
containers and specialty packaging products for consumer and commercial
markets, and (iv) the design, construction, repair and overhauling of ships
(primarily nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the United
States Navy).
 
  In 1987, Tenneco was incorporated in Delaware and acquired all of the
outstanding shares of Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (which at the time was
named Tenneco Inc.). Tenneco's principal executive offices are located at 1275
King Street, Greenwich, Connecticut 06831 and its telephone number at that
address is (203) 863-1000. For further information concerning Tenneco, see "--
Summary Consolidated Financial Data of Tenneco," "AVAILABLE INFORMATION,"
"INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE," "SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA--
Tenneco Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries Selected Consolidated Financial
Information," and "INFORMATION CONCERNING TENNECO."
 
TENNECO ENERGY BUSINESS TO BE MERGED
 
  Under the terms of the Merger, El Paso Subsidiary will be merged with and
into Tenneco, which will then consist only of the existing and discontinued
operations and businesses of Tenneco and its subsidiaries other than those
relating to the Industrial Business or the Shipbuilding Business, including the
transmission and marketing of natural gas (collectively, the "Energy Business"
or "Tenneco Energy"). Following the Merger, 100% of the common equity of
Tenneco Energy and approximately 75% of the combined equity value of Tenneco
Energy will be held by El Paso, with the balance held by the holders of the new
series of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock to be issued prior to the Merger
pursuant to the NPS Issuance, and Tenneco will change its name to "El Paso
Tennessee Pipeline Co." See "THE NPS ISSUANCE." The Energy Business as
presently conducted consists primarily of the interstate and intrastate
transportation and marketing of natural gas, as well as certain other
businesses not generally subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission ("FERC"), including the development of and participation in
international natural gas pipelines and international and domestic gas-fired
power generation projects and the development of natural gas production and
production financing programs.
 
  Tenneco Energy's principal interstate pipeline operations consist of the
pipeline systems of wholly owned subsidiaries Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company
("TGP"), Midwestern Gas Transmission Company and East Tennessee Natural Gas
Company. The interstate systems, which include approximately 16,300 miles of
pipeline, gathering lines and sales laterals, serve markets located primarily
in the Eastern United States. Tenneco Energy Resources Corporation, an 80%
owned subsidiary of Tenneco, and its subsidiaries operate approximately 1,300
miles of intrastate pipelines serving the Texas Gulf Coast and West Texas
markets. Its businesses include buying, selling, storing, processing and
transporting natural gas and price risk management services. Also, Tenneco
Energy is engaged in various international energy-related projects, invests in
oil and gas properties and finances independent producers engaged in
exploration and development projects. See "--Summary Historical and Pro Forma
Combined Consolidated Financial Data of El Paso," "--Summary Combined Financial
Data of Tenneco Energy," "SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA--Tenneco Energy Combined
Selected Financial Data," and "INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ENERGY BUSINESS TO BE
MERGED."
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
 
 
NEW TENNECO
 
  New Tenneco is a newly formed Delaware corporation which, upon completion of
the Transaction, will be renamed "Tenneco Inc." and will be an independent,
publicly held company. New Tenneco will own and operate, through its direct and
indirect subsidiaries, substantially all of the assets of, and will assume
substantially all of the liabilities associated with, the Industrial Business,
consisting primarily of Tenneco's current automotive parts, packaging and
administrative services businesses. New Tenneco's principal executive offices
will be located at 1275 King Street, Greenwich, Connecticut 06831, and its
telephone number at that location will be (203) 863-1000.
 
  Tenneco automotive is one of the world's leading manufacturers of automotive
exhaust and ride control systems for both the original equipment market and the
replacement market, or aftermarket. Tenneco automotive is a global business
that sells its products in over 100 countries. Tenneco automotive manufactures
and markets its automotive exhaust systems primarily under the Walker(R) brand
name and its ride control systems primarily under the Monroe(R) brand name.
Tenneco packaging is among the world's leading and most diversified packaging
companies, manufacturing packaging products for consumers, institutional and
industrial markets. The paperboard business group manufactures corrugated
containers, folding cartons and containerboard, has a joint venture in recycled
paperboard, and offers high value-added products such as enhanced graphics
packaging and displays and kraft honeycomb products. Its specialty products
group produces disposable aluminum, foam and clear plastic food containers,
molded fiber and pressed paperboard products, as well as polyethylene bags and
industrial stretch wrap. Tenneco packaging's consumer products include such
recognized brand names as Hefty(R), Baggies(R) and E-Z Foil(R). Tenneco's
administrative services operations design, implement and administer shared
administrative service programs for the Tenneco businesses as well as, on an
"as requested" basis, for former Tenneco business entities. See "--Summary
Historical and Pro Forma Combined Financial Data of New Tenneco," "SELECTED
FINANCIAL DATA--New Tenneco Combined Selected Financial Data," and the New
Tenneco Information Statement attached hereto as Appendix C.
 
NEWPORT NEWS
 
  Newport News (formerly known as Tenneco InterAmerica Inc.) was incorporated
in Delaware in 1965 and operates through its subsidiaries a shipyard with over
100 years of experience in the shipbuilding business. Upon consummation of the
Transaction, Newport News will become an independent, publicly held company
that will own and operate, through its direct and indirect subsidiaries,
substantially all of the assets of, and will assume substantially all of the
liabilities associated with, the Shipbuilding Business of Tenneco which
consists primarily of (i) the design, construction, repair and overhauling of
nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the United States Navy,
(ii) the overhaul and repair of U.S. Navy and commercial vessels, and (iii) the
refueling of nuclear-powered ships. Newport News' principal executive offices
will be located at 4101 Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia 23607, and
its telephone number at that address will be (757) 380-2000.
 
  Newport News believes it currently is (i) the only shipyard capable of
building the Navy's nuclear powered aircraft carriers, (ii) the only non-
government-owned shipyard capable of refueling and overhauling the Navy's
nuclear powered aircraft carriers, and (iii) one of only two shipyards capable
of building nuclear powered submarines. With over 100 years of experience,
Newport News has developed a preeminent reputation through the construction of
264 naval ships and 542 merchant vessels including aircraft carriers,
submarines, guided missile cruisers, cargo ships, passenger cruise liners,
tankers, large crude carriers, liquefied gas carriers and tug boats. In
addition to these major vessels, Newport News has built barges, caisson ships,
car floats (ferries) and pilot boats. See "--Summary Historical and Pro Forma
Combined Financial Data of Newport News," "SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA--Newport
News Combined Selected Financial Data," and the Newport News Information
Statement attached hereto as Appendix D.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
 
                                THE TRANSACTION
 
STRUCTURE OF THE TRANSACTION
 
  The Distributions, Merger and Charter Amendment are separate parts of the
Transaction, none of which will be consummated unless the Transaction as a
whole is approved at the Tenneco Special Meeting (although Tenneco may elect
subsequently to proceed with one or more of the transactions included in the
Transaction which do not require stockholder approval if the Transaction is not
approved).
 
  The following sets forth the principal transactions which will be undertaken
to consummate the Transaction:
 
  . NPS Issuance. Pursuant to the NPS Issuance, Tenneco will issue in a
    private placement or registered public offering shares of Tenneco Junior
    Preferred Stock in an amount calculated, to the extent possible, to have
    an aggregate value equal to approximately 25% of the total value of all
    shares of Tenneco capital stock then outstanding. Holders of Tenneco
    Junior Preferred Stock will have the right to elect a number of directors
    of Tenneco, rounded up to the nearest whole number, representing one-
    sixth of the number of members of the Board of Directors of Tenneco if
    there were no vacancies. The proceeds (the "NPS Issuance Proceeds") to
    Tenneco from the sale of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock in the NPS
    Issuance (which are estimated to be approximately $250 million) will, net
    of underwriting commission and other expenses, be used to repay certain
    existing indebtedness of Tenneco and certain of its subsidiaries in
    connection with Debt Realignment. See "THE NPS ISSUANCE."
 
  . Debt Realignment. The indebtedness for money borrowed of Tenneco and
    certain of its consolidated subsidiaries (the "Tenneco Energy
    Consolidated Debt," which had a total book value of approximately $4,443
    million at June 30, 1996) will be restructured through a series of tender
    offers, exchange offers, payments, redemptions, prepayments and
    defeasances involving Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News (the "Debt
    Realignment"). The Debt Realignment is intended to reduce the total
    amount of the Tenneco Energy Consolidated Debt to an amount that, when
    added to the total amount of certain other liabilities and obligations of
    Tenneco Energy outstanding as of the Merger Effective Time (the "Actual
    Energy Debt Amount," described more fully herein), equals $2.65 billion,
    less the NPS Issuance Proceeds and subject to certain other adjustments
    described herein (the "Base Debt Amount"). If the Actual Energy Debt
    Amount varies from the Base Debt Amount, the amount of such variance will
    be accounted for in a post-Transaction cash payment (the "Debt Cash
    Adjustment"), either depending on the direction of the variance, (i) from
    New Tenneco to Tenneco, in the event the Actual Energy Debt Amount
    exceeds the Base Debt Amount, or (ii) from Tenneco to New Tenneco, in the
    event the Actual Energy Debt Amount is less than the Base Debt Amount.
    See "THE DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT." If the Debt Realignment and the
    other components of the Transaction had been consummated on June 30,
    1996, on a pro forma basis, Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News would
    have had indebtedness for money borrowed of approximately $2,569 million,
    $2,057 million and $610 million, respectively. See "UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
    FINANCIAL INFORMATION."
 
  . Corporate Restructuring. Tenneco will restructure, divide and separate
    its existing businesses so that, upon consummation of the Distributions,
    the assets, liabilities and operations of the Industrial Business will be
    directly and indirectly owned and operated by New Tenneco and the assets,
    liabilities and operations of the Shipbuilding Business will be directly
    and indirectly owned and operated by Newport News.
 
  . Cash Realignment. The total amount of cash and cash equivalents of
    Tenneco and its consolidated subsidiaries (which, as of June 30, 1996,
    totalled approximately $229 million) as of the Merger Effective Time will
    be allocated $25.0 million to Tenneco, $5.0 million to Newport News and
    the balance to New Tenneco (the "Cash Realignment").
 
  . The Charter Amendment. Tenneco will file the Charter Amendment to
    eliminate certain relative rights and preferences of its junior preferred
    stock (including the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock issued in the NPS
    Issuance).
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
 
 
  . The Distributions. Tenneco will distribute pro rata to the holders of
    Tenneco Common Stock on the Distribution Record Date all outstanding
    shares of New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock. The
    Distribution Agreement and various agreements to be entered into in
    connection therewith will govern the post-Transaction allocation of
    various other rights and obligations among Tenneco, New Tenneco and
    Newport News. See "--Consideration to Tenneco Stockholders."
 
  . The Merger. El Paso Subsidiary will be merged with and into Tenneco,
    which will then consist solely of the Energy Business (i.e., the assets,
    liabilities and operations of Tenneco and its subsidiaries remaining
    after the Distributions, including certain discontinued operations
    thereof, not related to the Industrial Business or Shipbuilding
    Business). The consideration to be paid by El Paso in the Merger consists
    of (i) the retention by Tenneco of any outstanding Tenneco Energy
    Consolidated Debt as of the Merger Effective Time (subject to the Debt
    Cash Adjustment) and Tenneco's obligations to the holders of the Tenneco
    Junior Preferred Stock issued in the NPS Issuance, (ii) the retention by
    Tenneco after the Merger of liabilities related to certain discontinued
    businesses of Tenneco estimated by El Paso at approximately $600 million,
    and (iii) the issuance of El Paso equity securities with a value equal to
    the Equity Consideration. Tenneco will survive the Merger, with 100% of
    its common equity and approximately 75% of its combined equity value held
    indirectly by El Paso (and the remainder held by the holders of the
    Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the NPS Issuance). See
    "--Consideration to Tenneco Stockholders."
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
 
  The following chart shows the abbreviated corporate structure of Tenneco and
its subsidiaries immediately prior to the Transaction:

  [DIAGRAM SHOWING ABBREVIATED CORPORATE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF TENNECO 
                                 APPEARS HERE]

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
   The following chart shows the abbreviated corporate structure of Tenneco
 and its current subsidiaries immediately after giving effect to the
 Transaction:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                         POST-TRANSACTION

NEW TENNECO                 NEWPORT NEWS                                         EL PASO
                                                                  (with Tenneco Energy as a subsidiary)
<S>                         <C>                            <C>         
                                                      
Former holders of           Former holders of            * Current El Paso                       * Former Tenneco
Tenneco Common Stock        Tenneco common Stock           Stockholders to hold                    Stock holders to hold
to hold 100% of             to hold 100% of                approximately __% of                    approximately __-% of
Common Stock                Common Stock                   equity value and __%                    equity value and __%
        /                          /                       of combined voting power          /     of combined voting power
       /                          /                                           \             /
New Tenneco Inc.            Newport News                                    El Paso Natural   
(to be renamed              Shipbuilding Inc.                                 Gas Company
Tenneco Inc.                (name changed from                                    \
      /                     Tenneco InterAmerica Inc.)                       El Paso Energy
Monroe Auto                         /                                         Corporation
Equipment Co.,                     /                                                \
Walker Autoparts            Newport News                                     El Paso Energy          Third parties to hold
Division and                Shipbuilding and Dry                           to hold 100% Common       100% Junior Preferred
other                       Dock Company                                   Stock (approximately      Stock (approximately 25%
Automotive                                                                    75% of value)          of value) and the right
Subsidiaries;                                                                       \              / to elect 1/6th of directors
Tenneco Packaging Inc,                                                  El Paso Tennessee Pipeline Co.
and other Packaging                                                   (formerly known as Tenneco Inc.)
Sysidiaries;                                                                  /                       \
Tenneco Business                                           Tenneco Energy Operations                  Various Discontinued   
Services, Inc.                                             including TGP (pipeline division            and Other Operations 
                                                           only), TCC and various other      
                                                           Energy Subsidiaries
</TABLE> 
 
 * Assumes approval of the Stock Issuance by El Paso Stockholders. If the Stock
   Issuance is not approved, Tenneco stockholders would hold approximately
    % of combined voting power. Does not give effect to a proposed sale of
   approximately $200 million of equity securities which El Paso presently
   intends to undertake following consummation of the Transaction. See "CERTAIN
   CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION."
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
 
 
CONSIDERATION TO TENNECO STOCKHOLDERS
 
  The following table summarizes what Tenneco Stockholders would receive if the
Transaction were consummated on the date hereof (assuming, solely for purposes
of calculating the consideration to be received by Tenneco Stockholders in the
Merger, (i) an Average El Paso Common Price of $39.8625 (which is equal to the
average per share closing price of El Paso Common Stock on the NYSE for the 20-
day trading period ended August 21, 1996), (ii) prior consummation of the
Acquisition, [(iii) solely for purposes of this preliminary filing, an
estimated aggregate liquidation preference for all outstanding shares of
Tenneco Preferred Stock of $112 million], and (iv) the issuance of no
additional shares of Tenneco Common Stock upon the exercise of options and the
vesting of performance share awards in connection with the Merger).
 
<TABLE>
 <C>                             <S>
 HOLDERS OF:                     WILL RECEIVE:
 . Tenneco Common Stock          . one share of New Tenneco Common Stock for
                                   every share of Tenneco Common Stock held
                                 . one share of Newport News Common Stock for
                                   every five shares of Tenneco Common Stock
                                   held
                                 . if the Stock Issuance is approved, .097
                                   shares of El Paso Common Stock for every
                                   share of Tenneco Common Stock held
                                 . if the Stock Issuance is not approved, .025
                                   shares of El Paso Common Stock and .073 El
                                   Paso Preferred Depositary Shares for every
                                   share of Tenneco Common Stock held
 . $7.40 Preferred Stock         . 2.509 shares of El Paso Common Stock for
                                   every share of $7.40 Preferred Stock held
 . $4.50 Preferred Stock         . 2.509 shares of El Paso Common Stock for
                                   every share of $4.50 Preferred Stock held
</TABLE>
 
  In all events, Tenneco Stockholders will receive cash in lieu of fractional
shares and fractional El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any. There can be
no assurance that the actual Average El Paso Common Price will equal $39.8625.
See "THE TRANSACTION--Consideration to Tenneco Stockholders."
 
  Shares of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, which will be issued between
the date hereof and the Merger pursuant to the NPS Issuance, will not be
converted or exchanged in the Merger and will remain outstanding following the
Merger. Holders thereof will receive no consideration in the Transaction.
 
REASONS FOR THE TRANSACTION
 
  The combination of El Paso and Tenneco Energy will create one of the nation's
largest natural gas companies, with combined volumes of approximately 18.4
billion cubic feet of gas per day. The Merger will result in a combined company
with a coast-to-coast pipeline system with access to all of the nation's major
markets and supply basins, critical mass in non-regulated operations, including
gas gathering, processing and marketing, and will position the combined company
to participate in the emerging deregulation of the United States electric
industry. In addition, the combined company will have an expanded international
presence, with opportunities for further international growth.
 
  The charts on the following pages illustrate (i) the combined United States
operations of El Paso and Tenneco Energy and (ii) the combined international
operations of El Paso and Tenneco Energy.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
                    El Paso Tenneco Energy U.S. Operations

 
                     [MAP OF UNITED STATES APPEARS HERE]


Gathering/Processing/Treating Facilities

Altamont Gas Transmission (proposed)   (Tenneco 53 1/3%)
Midwestern Gas Transmission (Tenneco 100%)
Overthrust Pipeline (Tenneco 18%)
TransColorado (El Paso 33 1/3%)
Mojave Pipeline (El Paso 100%)
EPNG Pipeline System (El Paso 100%)
Cornerstone (El Paso 100%)
East Tennessee Natural Gas (Tennece 100%)
Tennessee Gas Pipeline (Tenneco 100%)
D-T Line (Tenneco 40%)
A/S Pipeline (Tenneco 50%)
Oasis Pipeline (Tenneco 30%)


 





 
                                       20
<PAGE>

                       Combined International Operations
 
                         [MAP OF THE WORLD APPEARS HERE]
 
 
 
                                         * Location of International Facilities
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
 
  The Distributions are expected to enhance Tenneco stockholder values and to
accomplish the following principal business objectives: (i) to tailor the
assets of Tenneco to facilitate the acquisition of the Energy Business by El
Paso, (ii) to enhance the ability of New Tenneco and Newport News to provide
incentives to their respective management and other employees (including
through formation of an employee stock ownership plan by Newport News), and
(iii) to allow New Tenneco and Newport News greater flexibility in pursuing
business opportunities, including acquisitions, joint ventures and business
combinations. See "THE TRANSACTION--Reasons for the Transaction;
Recommendations of the Boards of Directors."
 
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
 
TENNECO
 
  The Board of Directors of Tenneco has approved the Distribution Agreement,
Merger Agreement and Charter Amendment and the transactions contemplated
thereby and recommends that the stockholders of Tenneco vote FOR approval and
adoption of the Transaction. The Board of Directors of Tenneco believes the
Transaction is in the best interests of Tenneco and its stockholders and, in
making that determination, considered the factors described under "THE
TRANSACTION--Reasons for the Transaction; Recommendations of the Boards of
Directors--Tenneco."
 
EL PASO
 
  The Board of Directors of El Paso believes that the Merger Agreement is in
the best interests of El Paso and its stockholders, has approved the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and recommends that the El
Paso stockholders vote FOR approval of the Stock Issuance. In making the
determination described above, the El Paso Board of Directors considered the
factors described under "THE TRANSACTION--Reasons for the Transaction;
Recommendations of the Boards of Directors--El Paso."
 
CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS
 
  In deciding whether to approve the Transaction or the Stock Issuance, as the
case may be, stockholders should carefully evaluate the matters set forth under
"CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION" and "RISK FACTORS" herein
and the sections entitled "RISK FACTORS" in the New Tenneco Information
Statement and Newport News Information Statement, in addition to the other
matters described herein and therein.
 
                                THE NPS ISSUANCE
 
  Prior to the Merger, Tenneco will issue Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock
pursuant to the NPS Issuance and will use the NPS Issuance Proceeds to repay a
portion of the Tenneco Energy Consolidated Debt pursuant to the Debt
Realignment. Under the existing terms of the Tenneco Charter, the approval of
holders of a majority of the outstanding Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will be
required to effect the Distributions and the approval of holders of two-thirds
of the outstanding Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will be required to effect
the Charter Amendment if the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock is issued on or
prior to consummation of the Distributions and the effective date of the
Charter Amendment, respectively. Accordingly, if the NPS Issuance occurs prior
to the approval of the Transaction at the Tenneco Special Meeting, as part of
the NPS Issuance, Tenneco will obtain such approvals from the initial record
holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock pursuant to a written consent to
be signed and delivered by such initial record holders (which will be the
underwriters, in the case of an underwritten public offering). Notwithstanding
such approvals, if the NPS Issuance occurs prior to the approval of the
Transaction at the Tenneco Special Meeting, persons who become record holders
of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock on or prior to the date of the Tenneco
Special Meeting will have the right to demand appraisal of their shares of
Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock at or prior to the Tenneco Special Meeting. See
"THE NPS ISSUANCE," "THE MERGER--Appraisal Rights" and "THE CHARTER AMENDMENT."
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
 
 
                           DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT
 
  In general, from and after the Distributions, each of Tenneco, New Tenneco
and Newport News will be responsible for the debts, liabilities and obligations
related to the business or businesses which it then owns and operates.
Tenneco's historical practice, however, has been to incur indebtedness for its
consolidated group at the parent company level or at a limited number of
subsidiaries, rather than at the operating company level, and to centrally
manage various cash functions. Accordingly, the Distribution Agreement and the
Merger Agreement provide for the pre-Distribution restructuring and refinancing
of the Tenneco Energy Consolidated Debt pursuant to the Debt Realignment and
for the allocation of cash and cash equivalents on hand as of the Merger
Effective Time pursuant to the Cash Realignment. See "DEBT AND CASH
REALIGNMENT."
 
DEBT REALIGNMENT
 
  The Debt Realignment is intended to reduce the total amount of the Tenneco
Energy Consolidated Debt to an amount that, when added to the total amount of
certain other outstanding obligations of Tenneco Energy as of the Merger
Effective Time, will be equal to the Base Debt Amount. As of June 30, 1996, the
total book value of the Tenneco Energy Consolidated Debt was $4,443 million,
including $624 million of short term debt (excluding the current portion of
long term debt), $85 million of non-public debt and $3,734 million book value
($3,955 million principal amount) of publicly traded debt. The short term debt
consists primarily of commercial paper and bank borrowings under Tenneco's
current credit facilities. The publicly traded debt includes an aggregate of
$2,619 million, $436 million and $679 million book value ($2,625 million, $650
million and $680 million principal amount) of publicly traded indebtedness
issued by Tenneco, TGP and Tenneco Credit Corporation ("TCC"), respectively
(the "Public Debt"). The Public Debt was issued in various series under several
different trust indentures.
 
  Pursuant to the Debt Realignment, the following actions will be taken:
 
  .  Short-term debt will be retired with cash;
 
  .  Tenneco will make tender offers for certain of the Public Debt issues (the
     "Debt Tender Offers");
 
  .  New Tenneco will offer to exchange debt obligations of New Tenneco ("New
     Tenneco Debt") for other issues of Public Debt (the "Debt Exchange
     Offer"); and
 
  .  Tenneco and/or certain of its subsidiaries will call for redemption,
     prepay, defease or let mature the remaining Tenneco Energy Consolidated
     Debt.
 
  The Debt Tender Offers and related extinguishments above, as well as the
retirement of existing short term and non-public debt, will be funded by
internally generated cash, borrowings by Tenneco under a new credit facility to
be entered into by Tenneco in connection with the Transaction (the "Tenneco
Credit Facility"), the net NPS Issuance Proceeds, and a cash dividend of $600
million to be paid by Newport News principally using borrowings under a new
credit facility to be entered into by Newport News in connection with the
Transaction (the "Newport News Credit Facility"). The balance of the funding
for the Debt Realignment will be provided by a cash dividend to be paid by New
Tenneco to Tenneco using borrowings under a new credit facility to be entered
into by New Tenneco in connection with the Transaction (the "New Tenneco Credit
Facility"). Upon consummation of the Debt Exchange Offer, Tenneco will purchase
for cash (and thereafter extinguish) the Public Debt held by New Tenneco and
New Tenneco will then distribute the cash proceeds to Tenneco as a dividend.
 
  Accordingly, after giving effect to the Debt Realignment, (i) Tenneco and its
subsidiaries after giving effect to the Distributions (the "Energy Group") will
remain responsible for their obligations in respect of the Tenneco Energy
Consolidated Debt which remains outstanding and any borrowings under the
Tenneco Credit Facility,
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
 
(ii) New Tenneco will be responsible for the New Tenneco Debt and borrowings
under the New Tenneco Credit Facility, and (iii) Newport News will be
responsible for all borrowings under the Newport News Credit Facility. Any
variance between the Actual Energy Debt Amount (which includes the Tenneco
Energy Consolidated Debt and borrowings under the Tenneco Credit Facility as of
the Merger Effective Time) and Base Debt Amount will be accounted for,
following consummation of the Merger, through the Debt Cash Adjustment. See
"DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT."
 
  The Debt Realignment is expected to create tax benefits to Tenneco of
approximately $120 million. Pursuant to the tax sharing agreement to be entered
into by Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News in connection with the
Distributions, any such tax benefits will be allocated to New Tenneco. For a
description of this tax sharing arrangement, see "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--
Relationship Among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News After the
Distributions."
 
  If the Debt Realignment and the other components of the Transaction had been
consummated on June 30, 1996, on a pro forma basis, Tenneco, New Tenneco and
Newport News would have had indebtedness for money borrowed of approximately
$2,569 million, $2,057 million and $610 million, respectively. See "UNAUDITED
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION."
 
CASH REALIGNMENT
 
  Pursuant to the Cash Realignment, as of the Merger Effective Time the Energy
Group will be allocated $25.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, Newport
News and its subsidiaries after giving effect to the Distributions (the
"Shipbuilding Group") will be allocated $5.0 million of cash and cash
equivalents and New Tenneco and its subsidiaries after giving effect to the
Distributions (the "Industrial Group") will be allocated all remaining cash and
cash equivalents on hand. See "DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT."
 
                      CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prior to the Distributions, Tenneco will consummate the Corporate
Restructuring Transactions to restructure, divide and separate the existing
businesses of Tenneco and its subsidiaries so that the Industrial Business and
Shipbuilding Business will be owned and operated, directly and indirectly, by
New Tenneco and Newport News, respectively. Following the Distributions,
Tenneco, which will then consist only of the Energy Business, will be acquired
by El Paso pursuant to the Merger. See "THE MERGER."
 
                               THE DISTRIBUTIONS
 
MANNER OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  On the effective date of the Distributions (the "Distribution Date") Tenneco
will distribute to all holders of Tenneco Common Stock of record as of the
close of business on a record date to be specified by the Tenneco Board of
Directors (the "Distribution Record Date," which Tenneco presently estimates
will be on or about the Distribution Date) (i) one share of New Tenneco Common
Stock for every share of Tenneco Common Stock held, and (ii) one share of
Newport News Common Stock for every five shares of Tenneco Common Stock held.
Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares. See "THE DISTRIBUTIONS."
 
RELATIONSHIP AMONG TENNECO, NEW TENNECO AND NEWPORT NEWS AFTER THE
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  The Distributions will be effected pursuant to the terms of the Distribution
Agreement which, in addition to establishing the manner of the Distributions,
provides for the consummation of various pre-Distribution transactions, the
allocation among the parties of certain rights and obligations, and the
assumption by each of the parties of certain liabilities. In addition, the
Distribution Agreement requires that, prior to the Distributions, Tenneco, New
Tenneco and/or Newport News enter into certain ancillary instruments,
assignments, arrangements and agreements (the "Ancillary Agreements") designed
(together with the Distribution Agreement) to effectuate the disaffiliation of
the Industrial Business and the Shipbuilding Business from the Energy Business
and to facilitate the operation of each of New Tenneco, Newport News and
Tenneco as a separate entity. Included among these arrangements are agreements
concerning the Debt Realignment and Cash Realignment, tax sharing, insurance,
indemnification, trademark licensing, transition services and employee benefits
and human resources
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
 
allocation. See "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--Relationship Among Tenneco, New Tenneco and
Newport News After the Distributions."
 
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  The Distributions are conditioned on, among other things, (i) declaration by
the Tenneco Board of Directors of the special distributions necessary to effect
the Distributions, (ii) approval of the Distributions (to be submitted as a
part of the Transaction) by Tenneco Stockholders at the Tenneco Special Meeting
and by the holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock (if issued prior to
approval of the Transaction at the Tenneco Special Meeting), (iii) execution
and delivery of certain of the Ancillary Agreements and consummation of various
pre-Distribution transactions, (iv) receipt of rulings from the IRS (the "IRS
Ruling Letter") to the effect that for federal income tax purposes the
Distributions will be treated as tax-free to Tenneco and its stockholders under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and certain other
transactions to be effected as a part of the Corporate Restructuring
Transactions will also be treated as tax-free, (v) approval of the New Tenneco
Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock to be distributed for listing on the
NYSE, and (vi) registration of the New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News
Common Stock under the Exchange Act. Certain of the foregoing conditions may be
waived under certain circumstances by the Tenneco Board of Directors, to the
extent permitted by law. See "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--Conditions to Consummation of
the Distributions."
 
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  Tenneco has reserved the right, under certain circumstances, to amend or
terminate the Distribution Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby
(without the approval of New Tenneco or Newport News or the stockholders of
Tenneco), subject in certain circumstances to the prior written consent of El
Paso. See "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--Amendment or Termination of the Distributions."
 
TRADING OF NEW TENNECO COMMON STOCK AND NEWPORT NEWS COMMON STOCK
 
  No trading market has existed with respect to shares of New Tenneco Common
Stock or Newport News Common Stock. New Tenneco and Newport News each intend to
apply for listing of their respective shares of common stock on the NYSE and
the Distributions will not occur until such listings are approved.
 
                                   THE MERGER
 
CONVERSION OF SHARES
 
  In general, the Merger consideration formulas are designed to yield an
aggregate Equity Consideration of $750 million (subject to downward adjustment
in the event Tenneco is unable to complete the Acquisition prior to the Merger)
to the holders of Tenneco Stock if the Average El Paso Common Price is within
the Collar of $31.3875 to $38.3625, inclusive. Based on the number of shares of
Tenneco Preferred Stock outstanding as of the date hereof, a total of [$112
million of the Equity Consideration (based, solely for purposes of this
preliminary filing, on the estimated aggregate liquidation preference of all
outstanding Tenneco Preferred Stock)]will be allocated and paid in the form of
shares of El Paso Common Stock to the holders of Tenneco Preferred Stock. This
amount, which will be allocated $38 million to the $7.40 Preferred Stock and
$74 million to the $4.50 Preferred Stock, is designed to ensure that the
holders of Tenneco Preferred Stock receive in the Merger El Paso Common Stock
with a value equal to the liquidation preference of their Tenneco Preferred
Stock. This amount is fixed and is not subject to the Collar.
 
  The balance of the Equity Consideration will be allocated and paid to the
holders of Tenneco Common Stock. The form of payment, however, depends on
whether the Stock Issuance is approved by El Paso stockholders. If El Paso
stockholders approve the Stock Issuance, this amount will be paid entirely in
the form of El Paso Common Stock to holders of Tenneco Common Stock. However,
because the number of such shares issued to holders of Tenneco Common Stock in
the Merger would be based on the Average El Paso Common
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
 
Price after giving effect to the Collar, it is likely that the market value as
of the Merger Effective Time of El Paso Common Stock received by holders of
Tenneco Common Stock in the Merger under this scenario will be greater than
this amount if the Average El Paso Common Price is above $38.3625 and will be
less than this amount if the Average El Paso Common Price is below $31.3875.
See "CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION--Impact of the Collar
on the Holders of Tenneco Common Stock" and "THE TRANSACTION--Consideration to
Tenneco Stockholders." If the Stock Issuance is not approved by El Paso's
stockholders, the aggregate Merger consideration paid to holders of Tenneco
Stock will consist of 7,000,000 shares of El Paso Common Stock and El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares in respect of that number of shares of El Paso
Preferred Stock that has an aggregate liquidation value which, when added to
the value of the 7,000,000 shares of El Paso Common Stock (based on the Average
El Paso Common Price), equals the aggregate consideration which would have been
received by holders of Tenneco Stock had the Stock Issuance been approved. See
"THE TRANSACTION--Consideration to Tenneco Stockholders."
 
  As described above, the actual number of shares of El Paso Common Stock and
El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares (if any) to be issued to Tenneco
Stockholders in the Merger will depend on the Average El Paso Common Price. In
addition, the actual number of shares of El Paso Common Stock and El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares, if any, to be received by holders of Tenneco
Common Stock will depend on the following additional factors that will or may
not be known prior to the Tenneco Special Meeting: (i) the outcome of the vote
by El Paso stockholders on the Stock Issuance, (ii) whether the Average El Paso
Common Price is outside the Collar, and (iii) whether the Acquisition will be
consummated prior to the Merger Effective Time. See "THE MERGER--Conversion of
Shares" for a more complete description of the conversion of Tenneco Stock in
the Merger.
 
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
 
  Because consummation of the Distributions (with only certain permitted
modifications) is a condition to consummation of the Merger, all of the
conditions to the Distributions are therefore also generally conditions to the
Merger. See "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--Conditions to Consummation of the
Distributions." In addition, the obligations of the parties to consummate the
Merger are generally subject to the following additional conditions, including
but not limited to (i) the receipt of all material authorizations, consents and
approvals of third parties; (ii) approval of the El Paso Common Stock (and El
Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any) issuable in the Merger for listing on
the NYSE; (iii) the receipt of an opinion of Jenner & Block, counsel to Tenneco
(the "Tax Opinion"), to the extent not covered by the IRS Ruling Letter, to the
effect that, among other things, the Merger will be treated as tax-free for
federal income tax purposes to El Paso, Tenneco and Tenneco Stockholders
(except to the extent that cash is received in lieu of fractional shares (and
fractional El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any) or in connection with a
proper demand for appraisal of shares); (iv) the absence of certain material
adverse changes in the business of Tenneco and El Paso; (v) consummation of the
NPS Issuance; (vi) approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement by Tenneco
Stockholders; (vii) the absence of any announcement or introduction of
legislation by specified U.S. government officials that would be reasonably
likely to cause the Distributions or the Merger to be taxable to Tenneco and El
Paso for federal income tax purposes; and (viii) certain other conditions
customary in transactions of this nature. See "THE MERGER--Conditions to
Consummation of the Merger."
 
  Early termination of the waiting period applicable to the Merger under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (together with
the rules and regulations thereunder, the "HSR Act") was granted on July 30,
1996.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
  The Merger Agreement contains various covenants of the parties customary in
transactions of a nature similar to the Transaction. See "THE MERGER--Certain
Covenants."
 
NO SOLICITATION
 
  The Merger Agreement provides that, except as contemplated thereby, Tenneco,
its subsidiaries and their respective directors and officers may not, and
Tenneco must use its best efforts to ensure that its and its subsidiaries'
affiliates, representatives or agents do not, directly or indirectly, solicit
any person, entity or group
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
 
concerning certain acquisition or similar transactions involving Tenneco and/or
the Energy Business. Prior to the approval of the Transaction by Tenneco
Stockholders, however, Tenneco may pursue such a transaction if it is
reasonably likely to result in consummation of an acquisition or similar
transaction more favorable, from a financial point of view, to the stockholders
of Tenneco and if Tenneco provides prior notice to El Paso and Tenneco's Board
of Directors determines in good faith, after consultation with independent
legal counsel, that there is a substantial risk that the failure to do so would
be found to constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable law (a
"Higher Proposal"). See "THE MERGER--No Solicitation."
 
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
 
  The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Merger
Effective Time, whether before or after its approval by the Tenneco
Stockholders and the approval of the Stock Issuance by the stockholders of El
Paso, by (i) the mutual written consent of El Paso and Tenneco authorized by
their respective boards of directors; (ii) El Paso or Tenneco, if the Merger
has not been effected on or prior to June 30, 1997 (the "Termination Date"),
subject to limited exceptions; (iii) El Paso or Tenneco, if there has been a
material breach on the part of the other party of any covenant, agreement,
representation or warranty set forth in the Merger Agreement or any other
circumstances have occurred such that the conditions to El Paso's or Tenneco's
consummation of the Merger, respectively, could not be satisfied on or prior to
the Termination Date; (iv) El Paso or Tenneco if the Tenneco Stockholders at
the Tenneco Special Meeting do not approve the Transaction; (v) El Paso or
Tenneco, under certain circumstances if the board of directors of the other
party withdraws, amends or modifies its favorable recommendation to its
stockholders of the Transaction or the Stock Issuance, as applicable, or
promulgates any favorable recommendation with respect to certain other business
combinations not involving the other party; (vi) El Paso or Tenneco, if certain
events involving a business combination not involving El Paso or the Energy
Business occur; (vii) El Paso, if there have occurred various events, changes
or effects which, in the aggregate with all other such events, changes or
effects, reduces the value of the Energy Business by more than $75.0 million;
(viii) Tenneco if there have occurred various events, changes or effects which,
in the aggregate with all other such events, changes or effects, reduces the
value of El Paso by more than $75.0 million; (ix) El Paso, under certain
circumstances, if the FERC administrative law judge ("ALJ") in a pending
proceeding (the "GSR Proceeding") issues a ruling on the eligibility of certain
GSR costs (the "GSR Ruling") which could have substantially adverse effects on
the Energy Business (see "INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ENERGY BUSINESS TO BE
MERGED--Interstate Pipeline Operations--Federal Regulation"); or (x) by El Paso
or Tenneco (but only prior to approval by Tenneco stockholders), in the event
Tenneco receives a Higher Proposal which El Paso does not at least match within
five business days. See "THE MERGER--Amendment or Termination of the Merger
Agreement."
 
  Prior to the Merger Effective Time, whether before or after approval and
adoption of the Transaction by the Tenneco Stockholders, the provisions of the
Merger Agreement may be amended by a written agreement executed and delivered
by the parties thereto, subject to applicable law. After the Merger Effective
Time, the provisions of the Merger Agreement may be amended only by a written
agreement executed and delivered by El Paso, Tenneco (as the surviving
corporation of the Merger) and New Tenneco.
 
TERMINATION FEE
 
  The Merger Agreement requires Tenneco to pay to El Paso $25.0 million, plus
up to $10.0 million in actual out of pocket expenses incurred and payable to
third parties (collectively, the "Termination Fee"), if the Merger Agreement is
terminated under certain circumstances. See "THE MERGER--Termination Fee."
 
CONSULTING ARRANGEMENT
 
  Tenneco and El Paso have entered into an Agreement, dated June 19, 1996 (the
"Consulting Agreement"), pursuant to which El Paso is providing certain
consulting services to Tenneco for the six-month term of the Consulting
Agreement with respect to enhancing the Energy Business' relationships with
customers, plaintiffs in
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
 
material litigation and regulatory authorities. As consideration for these
services, El Paso is entitled to an aggregate consulting fee of $60.0 million.
Under the terms of the Consulting Agreement, however, this fee is only due and
payable by Tenneco if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain
circumstances. See "THE MERGER--Consulting Arrangement."
 
EXPENSE PAYMENTS
 
  In general, and except for certain environmental costs and expenses, Tenneco
is responsible for all fees and expenses incurred by Tenneco, New Tenneco and
Newport News in connection with the Transaction for periods prior to the
Distribution Date. Any such fees and expenses which are unpaid as of the Merger
Effective Time will be allocated to and remain the responsibility of Tenneco
pursuant to the Debt Realignment and will be included in the Actual Energy Debt
Amount, and El Paso has agreed to pay or cause to be paid all such amounts.
Each party has agreed to bear its own respective fees and expenses incurred
after consummation of the Transaction. See "THE TRANSACTION--Expenses."
 
DEPOSITARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR EL PASO PREFERRED STOCK
 
  If the Stock Issuance is not approved at the El Paso Special Meeting and the
Merger is consummated, each share of Tenneco Common Stock will be converted in
part into the right to receive El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, in addition
to El Paso Common Stock, and El Paso will enter into a depositary arrangement
(the "Depositary Agreement") so that holders of Tenneco Common Stock are issued
El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares (each representing a one twenty-fifth
interest in a whole share of El Paso Preferred Stock) rather than whole shares
of El Paso Preferred Stock. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement, holders of El
Paso Preferred Depositary Shares will have rights equivalent to those of
holders of whole shares of El Paso Preferred Stock (to the extent of their
fractional interests therein). The El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares will be
listed on the NYSE.
 
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
 
  Holders of record of $4.50 Preferred Stock who do not vote in favor of the
Transaction and persons who become record holders of Tenneco Junior Preferred
Stock on or prior to the date of the Tenneco Special Meeting have the right,
upon compliance with specific procedures set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL,
to demand payment from Tenneco of the fair value of their shares in connection
with the Merger. No other stockholders of Tenneco are entitled to such
appraisal rights. See "THE NPS ISSUANCE" and "THE MERGER--Appraisal Rights."
 
                             THE CHARTER AMENDMENT
 
  As part of the Transaction, Tenneco Stockholders will be asked at the Tenneco
Special Meeting to approve an amendment to the Tenneco Charter which will
eliminate various rights and preferences of Tenneco's authorized class of
junior preferred stock, including rights and preferences of the Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock to be issued in the NPS Issuance. Assuming satisfaction or
waiver of all requisite conditions to the Distributions and Merger, the Charter
Amendment will be filed immediately prior to the Merger. See "THE NPS
ISSUANCE," "THE CHARTER AMENDMENT" and "DESCRIPTION OF TENNECO JUNIOR PREFERRED
STOCK."
 
                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
TENNECO SPECIAL MEETING
 
  General. The Tenneco Special Meeting will be held on December   , 1996 at
10:00 a.m. (EST), at the Tenneco executive offices at 1275 King Street,
Greenwich, Connecticut. At the Tenneco Special Meeting, holders of Tenneco
Common Stock, $7.40 Preferred Stock and $4.50 Preferred Stock will be asked to
consider and vote upon proposals to approve and adopt the Transaction and to
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
 
  Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum. Only the holders of record of
Tenneco Stock at the close of business on October   , 1996 (the "Tenneco Record
Date"), will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Tenneco Special
Meeting. On that date, there were outstanding (i)            shares of Tenneco
Common
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
 
Stock, (ii)      shares of $7.40 Preferred Stock, and (iii)    shares of $4.50
Preferred Stock, with each share being entitled to one vote on each matter to
be considered at the Tenneco Special Meeting by the holders of shares of such
class or series of Tenneco Stock. The holders of at least (i) a majority of the
outstanding shares of Tenneco Common Stock and $7.40 Preferred Stock, and (ii)
a majority of the outstanding shares of $7.40 Preferred Stock and $4.50
Preferred Stock, must be present in person or represented by proxy at the
Tenneco Special Meeting to establish a quorum for the transaction of business.
 
  Votes Required. The Transaction must be approved and adopted by both (i)
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Tenneco Common Stock and
$7.40 Preferred Stock, voting together as a class, and (ii) holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of $4.50 Preferred Stock and $7.40 Preferred
Stock, voting together as a class. Except as otherwise provided by applicable
law, the Tenneco Charter and the Tenneco Bylaws, any other business to properly
come before the Tenneco Special Meeting will require the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares of Tenneco Common Stock and $7.40
Preferred Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Tenneco
Special Meeting, voting together as a class. In addition, as discussed above,
if the NPS Issuance occurs prior to approval of the Transaction at the Tenneco
Special Meeting the approval of the holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred
Stock to be issued pursuant to the NPS Issuance will be required to consummate
the Distributions and effect Charter Amendment. Tenneco will obtain such
approvals from the initial record holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock
pursuant to a written consent executed by such holders. See "THE NPS ISSUANCE."
 
  As of the Tenneco Record Date, directors and executive officers of Tenneco,
and their respective affiliates, in the aggregate held (i)      shares of
Tenneco Common Stock (or   % of the outstanding shares of Tenneco Common
Stock), (ii)     shares of $7.40 Preferred Stock (or   % of the outstanding
shares of $7.40 Preferred Stock), and (iii) no shares of $4.50 Preferred Stock.
See "--El Paso Special Meeting--Vote Required" for a description of the voting
rights of directors and executive officers of El Paso, and their respective
affiliates, at the El Paso Special Meeting.
 
  Reasons for Votes. While the holders of Tenneco Common Stock are not entitled
as a matter of Delaware law to vote on the Distributions, their approval of the
Distributions is a condition to the consummation of the Distributions under the
Distribution Agreement. Furthermore, while the holders of $4.50 Preferred Stock
are not entitled as a matter of Delaware law to vote on the Merger Agreement or
Charter Amendment, Tenneco's Board of Directors has nonetheless determined to
submit the Transaction as a whole to the vote of all Tenneco Stockholders.
 
EL PASO SPECIAL MEETING
 
  General. The El Paso Special Meeting will be held on       , 1996 at 10:00
a.m. (MST), at The Sheraton Crescent Hotel, 2620 West Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix,
Arizona. At the El Paso Special Meeting, holders of El Paso Common Stock will
be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Stock Issuance and
to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
 
  Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum. Only the holders of record of
El Paso Common Stock at the close of business on       , 1996 (the "El Paso
Record Date"), will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the El Paso Special
Meeting. On that date, there were outstanding    shares of El Paso Common
Stock, with each share being entitled to one vote on each matter to be
considered at the El Paso Special Meeting. In order to establish a quorum for
the transaction of business at the El Paso Special Meeting, holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of El Paso Common Stock must be either (i)
present in person at the El Paso Special Meeting, or (ii) represented at the
meeting by a valid proxy, whether the instrument granting such proxy is marked
as casting a vote or abstaining, is left blank or does not empower such proxy
to vote with respect to some or all matters to be voted upon at the meeting.
 
  Vote Required. The Stock Issuance must be approved by the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares of the El Paso Common Stock present in
person or represented by proxy at the El Paso Special
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
 
Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Any other business to come properly
before the El Paso Special Meeting will require the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the shares of El Paso Common Stock present in person
or represented by proxy at the El Paso Special Meeting and entitled to vote
thereon, unless a greater vote is required by Delaware law or by El Paso's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws.
 
  As of the El Paso Record Date, directors and executive officers of El Paso,
and their respective affiliates, in the aggregate held      shares of El Paso
Common Stock (or   % of the outstanding shares of El Paso Common Stock). See
"--Tenneco Special Meeting--Voting Rights" for a description of the voting
rights of directors and executive officers of Tenneco, and their respective
affiliates, at the Tenneco Special Meeting.
 
  Reasons for Vote. El Paso is seeking stockholder approval of the Stock
Issuance to comply with certain requirements of the NYSE relating to the
issuance of El Paso Common Stock in the Merger. Approval of the Stock Issuance
by El Paso stockholders is not required by Delaware law or by El Paso's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws. If the El Paso Stock Issuance
is not approved by El Paso's stockholders, the Merger is still expected to be
consummated but Tenneco Stockholders will receive in the Merger, instead of
solely shares of El Paso Common Stock, an aggregate of 7,000,000 shares of El
Paso Common Stock plus, in the case of holders of Tenneco Common Stock, a
number of El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares representing interests in El Paso
Preferred Stock pursuant to formulas set forth in the Merger Agreement and
described more fully below.
 
                INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE TRANSACTION
 
  In the Transaction, Tenneco Stockholders should be aware, and should
carefully consider, that certain members of Tenneco's management and the
Tenneco Board of Directors may be deemed to have interests in the Transaction
that are in addition to their interests as holders of Tenneco Stock generally
and which may create potential conflicts of interest. These interests include
the assumption by New Tenneco and Newport News of certain employment and
severance obligations of Tenneco, the acceleration of the vesting of certain
stock options, the acceleration of vesting of certain restricted stock and
performance share units, the commonality of the directors and executive
officers of Tenneco before the Transaction with the directors and executive
officers of New Tenneco and Newport News after the Transaction and certain
insurance, indemnity and other arrangements. The Tenneco Board of Directors was
aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in approving
the Transaction.
 
  Stockholders of El Paso and Tenneco should also be aware that the El Paso
Energy Corporation Strategic Stock Plan (the "El Paso Stock Plan") provides for
the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, limited stock
appreciation rights and restricted stock to officers and key management
employees of El Paso and Tenneco in order to provide incentive to encourage the
successful acquisition and integration of the Energy Business with El Paso. A
grant of restricted stock and nonqualified stock options has been made to
certain officers of El Paso, contingent upon the closing of the Merger and
other factors. It is anticipated that after the Merger Effective Time, certain
officers and key management employees of Tenneco who remain employees of the
Energy Business may receive grants under the El Paso Stock Plan. See "THE
TRANSACTION--Interests of Certain Persons in the Transaction."
 
                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
  Tenneco has requested a ruling from the IRS substantially to the effect that
for federal income tax purposes, among other things, the Distributions will be
tax-free to Tenneco and its stockholders (except with respect to cash received
for fractional shares) under Section 355 of the Code, and that certain internal
transactions involving Tenneco or its subsidiaries to be effected prior to the
Distributions as part of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions will not be
taxable transactions. Receipt of an IRS ruling to the effect that the
Distributions and certain internal spin-off transactions included in the
Corporate Restructuring Transactions will be tax-free for federal income tax
purposes under Section 355 of the Code is a condition to the Distributions.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
 
 
  The Merger is conditioned upon receipt of the foregoing IRS ruling and
receipt by Tenneco and El Paso of the Tax Opinion, to the extent not covered by
the IRS Ruling Letter, to the effect, among other things, that the Merger will
constitute a reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(B) of the Code, and that
each of Tenneco, El Paso and El Paso Subsidiary will be a party to the
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code, that El Paso
will not recognize any gain or loss upon the receipt of Tenneco Stock solely in
exchange for El Paso Common Stock and, under certain circumstances, El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares as set forth in the Merger Agreement, and that no
gain or loss will be recognized by the holders of Tenneco Stock upon the
exchange of such Tenneco Stock for El Paso Common Stock and, under certain
circumstances, El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares (except to the extent that
cash is received in lieu of fractional shares or fractional El Paso Preferred
Depositary Shares, if any or in connection with a proper demand for appraisal
of shares). All stockholders should read carefully the discussion in "CERTAIN
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES" and other sections of this Joint Proxy
Statement-Prospectus.
 
  BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE TAX TREATMENT OF THE TRANSACTION, IT IS
RECOMMENDED THAT EACH STOCKHOLDER CONSULT HIS, HER OR ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR
CONCERNING THE APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
THE TRANSACTION.
 
                  SUMMARY OF TERMS OF EL PASO PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The El Paso Preferred Stock, interests in which will be issued in the Merger
in the form of El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares if the Stock Issuance is not
approved, will (i) entitle the holder thereof to 15 votes per share on each
matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of El Paso's stockholders and to
elect two directors whenever dividends are in arrears for six or more quarterly
dividend periods, (ii) entitle the holder thereof to a distribution of $1,000
per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends (the "liquidation preference") in
the event of any liquidation of El Paso, which distribution must be paid before
any stock ranked junior to it receives a distribution, (iii) be subject to
redemption at the liquidation preference any time after the fifth anniversary
of the Merger Effective Time at El Paso's option, and (iv) bear dividends at a
rate for each quarterly dividend period which is equal to the average of
quotations from at least two reference banks (one of which will be designated
by each of Tenneco and El Paso prior to consummation of the Transaction,
provided that if the two reference banks cannot agree on the dividend rate for
the first quarterly dividend period, such rate will be set by Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated, a financial advisor to Tenneco) and designed to cause the
market price of 25 El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares to equal approximately
$1,000 (but, in any event, the dividend rate shall not be less than 6% per year
nor more than 10% per year). See "DESCRIPTION OF EL PASO PREFERRED STOCK."
 
                              ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
  Consummation of the Transaction is subject to certain conditions, including
receipt of a favorable ruling from the IRS to the effect that the Distributions
and certain internal spin-off transactions included in the Corporate
Restructuring Transactions will be tax-free for federal income tax purposes and
approval by the Tenneco Stockholders. Upon receipt of a favorable ruling from
the IRS, approval of the Transaction by Tenneco Stockholders and approval of
the Distributions and Charter Amendment by the initial record holders of the
Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, Tenneco will restate its consolidated financial
statements to reflect discontinued operations. The Distributions will be
accounted for based on Tenneco's historical basis in the assets and liabilities
of the Industrial Business and Shipbuilding Business.
 
  El Paso intends to account for the Merger using the purchase method of
accounting under generally accepted accounting principles and the rules and
regulations of the SEC. Under the purchase method of accounting, El Paso will
be treated as the acquiror of Tenneco and, as a result, the assets and
liabilities of the Energy Business will be recorded by El Paso at their
estimated fair values. The historical financial statements of the Energy
Business included herein have not been adjusted for any purchase price
adjustments.
 
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
 
                     MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
 
  The El Paso Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "EPG" and the
Tenneco Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "TEN." No public
trading market currently exists for the El Paso Preferred Stock, El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares, New Tenneco Common Stock or Newport News Common
Stock. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and
low sales prices for the El Paso Common Stock and Tenneco Common Stock, as
reported on the NYSE Composite Transactions Tape, and cash dividends declared
on shares of El Paso Common Stock and Tenneco Common Stock. For current price
information, Tenneco Stockholders are urged to consult publicly available
sources.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            EL PASO COMMON            TENNECO COMMON
                             STOCK PRICES              STOCK PRICES
                            ---------------           ---------------
                                             EL PASO                   TENNECO
                                              CASH                      CASH
                             HIGH     LOW   DIVIDENDS  HIGH     LOW   DIVIDENDS
                            ------- ------- --------- ------- ------- ---------
                                           (PER SHARE)                  (PER
                                                                       COMMON
                                                                       SHARE)
<S>                         <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>
1994
  First Quarter............ $41.875 $35.250  $0.3025  $58.750 $51.500  $0.4000
  Second Quarter........... $39.000 $31.500  $0.3025  $54.875 $45.125  $0.4000
  Third Quarter............ $35.375 $31.625  $0.3025  $49.500 $43.250  $0.4000
  Fourth Quarter........... $34.750 $29.875  $0.3025  $45.750 $37.000  $0.4000
1995
  First Quarter............ $32.500 $28.000  $0.3300  $47.375 $42.250  $0.4000
  Second Quarter........... $29.875 $26.875  $0.3300  $48.625 $45.125  $0.4000
  Third Quarter............ $29.500 $24.750  $0.3300  $50.250 $44.875  $0.4000
  Fourth Quarter........... $31.625 $26.500  $0.3300  $50.375 $41.875  $0.4000
1996
  First Quarter............ $38.125 $28.625  $0.3475  $58.500 $47.625  $0.4500
  Second Quarter........... $39.000 $34.250  $0.3475  $57.625 $49.625  $0.4500
  Third Quarter (through
   August 21, 1996)........ $41.875 $37.750           $51.875 $45.625
</TABLE>
 
  Since the second quarter of 1992, El Paso has paid quarterly cash dividends
to the holders of El Paso Common Stock. The timing and amount of future
dividends will be (i) dependent on El Paso's results of operations, financial
condition, cash requirements and other relevant factors, (ii) subject to the
discretion of the Board of Directors of El Paso, and (iii) subject to
restrictions, if any, contained in debt instruments of El Paso in effect from
time to time and under the DGCL.
 
  On June 18, 1996, the last full trading day prior to the announcement of the
execution of the Merger Agreement, the high and low sales prices per share, as
reported on the NYSE Composite Transactions Tape, of El Paso Common Stock,
Tenneco Common Stock and $7.40 Preferred Stock were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 JUNE 18, 1996
                                                                ----------------
                                                                  HIGH     LOW
                                                                -------- -------
     <S>                                                        <C>      <C>
     El Paso Common Stock...................................... $ 35.250 $34.375
     Tenneco Common Stock...................................... $ 54.875 $53.750
     $7.40 Preferred Stock..................................... $100.000 $99.625
</TABLE>
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
 
                 SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF TENNECO
 
  The summary consolidated financial data set forth below as of and for each of
the fiscal years in the five-year period ended December 31, 1995 were derived
from audited financial statements of Tenneco and its consolidated subsidiaries.
The financial statements as of and for each of the fiscal years in the five-
year period ended December 31, 1995 have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants. The summary consolidated financial data set
forth below as of and for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 1996 and
1995 were derived from the unaudited condensed financial statements of Tenneco
and its consolidated subsidiaries. The results of operations for the six months
ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 should not be regarded as indicative of the
results that may be expected for the full year. This information should be read
in conjunction with Tenneco's financial statements, and the notes thereto,
contained in the Tenneco Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year
ended December 31, 1995 and the Tenneco Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended June 30, 1996, which are incorporated by reference
herein. See "AVAILABLE INFORMATION", "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY
REFERENCE" and "SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA--Tenneco Inc. and Consolidated
Subsidiaries Selected Financial Data."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS EXCEPT SHARE      SIX MONTHS
AMOUNTS)                  ENDED JUNE 30,                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- ------------------------  ----------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          1996(a)  1995(a)    1995(a)      1994(a)         1993(a)          1992            1991
                          -------  -------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 (LOSS) DATA(b):
Net sales and operating
 revenues from
 continuing operations--
 Automotive.............   $1,463   $1,263  $     2,479  $     1,989     $     1,785     $     1,763     $     1,668
 Energy.................    1,366      937        1,916        2,378           2,862           2,183           2,183
 Packaging..............    1,775    1,318        2,752        2,184           2,042           2,078           1,934
 Shipbuilding...........      915      845        1,756        1,753           1,861           2,265           2,216
 Other..................       (2)      (2)          (4)          (6)             (5)             31              26
                          -------  -------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
  Total.................  $ 5,517  $ 4,361  $     8,899  $     8,298     $     8,545     $     8,320     $     8,027
                          =======  =======  ===========  ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
Income from continuing
 operations before in-
 terest expense, income
 taxes and minority in-
 terest--
 Automotive.............  $   163  $   134  $       240  $       223     $       222     $       237     $       188
 Energy.................      185      148          333          415             411             360             561 (c)
 Packaging..............      256      244          430          209             139             221             139 (c)
 Shipbuilding...........       81       90          160          200             225             249             225
 Other..................       (4)     (11)         (67)         (25)             18             (32)            (98)
                          -------  -------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
  Total.................  $   681  $   605  $     1,096  $     1,022     $     1,015     $     1,035     $     1,015
                          =======  =======  ===========  ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
Income from continuing
 operations.............  $   317  $   257  $       489  $       503     $       463     $       532     $       520
Income (loss) from dis-
 continued operations,
 net of income tax(d)...      339       81          246          (51)(e)         (12)(e)      (1,144)(e)      (1,252)(e)
Extraordinary loss, net
 of income tax..........       --       --           --           (5)            (25)            (12)             --
Cumulative effect of
 changes in accounting
 principles, net of in-
 come tax...............       --       --           --          (39)(f)          --            (699)(f)          --
                          -------  -------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Net income (loss).......      656      338          735          408             426          (1,323)           (732)
Preferred stock divi-
 dends..................        5        6           12           12              14              16              16
                          -------  -------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Net income (loss) to
 common stock...........  $   651  $   332  $       723  $       396     $       412     $    (1,339)    $      (748)
                          =======  =======  ===========  ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
Earnings (loss) per
 average share of common
 stock--
 Continuing operations..  $  1.83  $  1.43  $      2.75  $      2.72     $      2.66     $      3.58     $      4.10
 Discontinued opera-
  tions.................     1.99      .46         1.41         (.27)           (.07)          (7.93)         (10.19)
 Extraordinary loss.....       --       --           --         (.03)           (.15)           (.08)             --
 Cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principles............       --       --           --         (.22)             --           (4.86)             --
                          -------  -------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
 Net earnings (loss)....  $  3.82  $  1.89  $      4.16  $      2.20 (g) $      2.44 (g) $     (9.29)(g) $     (6.09)
                          =======  =======  ===========  ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
BALANCE SHEET DATA(b):
 Total assets...........  $13,262  $12,090  $    13,451  $    12,251     $    11,105     $    11,320     $    12,985
 Short-term debt........    1,146      635          908          536             431             669           1,132
 Long-term debt.........    3,374    3,309        3,751        3,568           3,620           4,718           4,593
 Minority interest......      320      315          320          320             150             160             171
 Preferred stock with
  mandatory redemption
  provisions............      112      129          130          147             163             191             194
 Shareowners' equity....    3,569    2,911        3,148        2,900           2,601           1,330           2,774
</TABLE>
                                                        (Continued on next page)
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
 
(Continued from previous page)
- --------
(a) For a discussion of significant items affecting comparability of the
    financial information for 1995, 1994 and 1993, and for the six months ended
    June 30, 1996 and 1995, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for Tenneco Inc. and
    Consolidated Subsidiaries, included in the Tenneco Annual Report on Form
    10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 1995 and the Tenneco
    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996, which
    are incorporated by reference herein.
(b) During 1995 and 1994, Tenneco completed several acquisitions at its various
    operating segments, the most significant of which was Tenneco Packaging's
    acquisition of the plastics division of Mobil Corporation ("Mobil
    Plastics") for $1.3 billion in late 1995. See Note 2 to the Financial
    Statements of Tenneco Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries, included in the
    Tenneco Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December
    31, 1995, which are incorporated by reference herein, for further
    information on the Tenneco acquisitions.
(c) For Tenneco Energy, includes a gain of $265 million related to the sale of
    its natural gas liquids business, including its interest in an MTBE plant
    then under construction. Also, Tenneco Packaging recorded a gain of $42
    million related to the sale of three short-line railroads.
(d) Discontinued operations reflected in the above periods include Tenneco's
    farm and construction equipment operations, which were discontinued in
    March 1996, its chemicals and brakes operations, which were discontinued
    during 1994, and its minerals and pulp chemicals operations, which were
    discontinued in 1992. In addition, certain additional costs related to
    Tenneco's discontinued oil and gas operations were reflected in the 1991
    results.
(e) Includes a restructuring charge of $920 million recorded in 1992 relating
    to the discontinued farm and construction equipment business. This
    restructuring charge was reduced by $20 million in 1993 and $16 million in
    1994. Additionally, a $473 million restructuring charge was recorded in
    1991, of which $461 million related to the discontinued farm and
    construction equipment business.
(f) In 1994, Tenneco adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
    ("FAS") No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits". In
    1992, Tenneco adopted FAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for
    Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions," and FAS No. 109, "Accounting
    for Income Taxes."
(g) For purposes of computing earnings per share, Series A preferred stock was
    included in average common shares outstanding until its conversion into
    common stock in December 1994; therefore, the preferred dividends paid were
    not deducted from net income (loss) to determine net income (loss) to
    common stock. The inclusion of Series A preferred stock in the computation
    of earnings per share was antidilutive for the years and certain quarters
    in 1994, 1993 and 1992. Other convertible securities and common stock
    equivalents outstanding during each of the five years ended December 31,
    1995, 1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991 were not materially dilutive.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
 
  SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF EL
                                      PASO
 
  The summary financial data set forth below have been derived from the
financial statements of El Paso for each of the five fiscal years ended
December 31, 1995 and the unaudited six month periods ended June 30, 1996 and
June 30, 1995. The financial statements for each of the five fiscal years for
the period ended December 31, 1995 have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P., independent accountants.
 
  The summary pro forma combined financial data as of and for the six months
ended June 30, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1995 have been prepared
to reflect: (i) certain Tenneco Energy restructuring and realignment
transactions (see the Transaction included elsewhere herein), (ii) the Merger,
and (iii) other financing transactions, proceeds of which will be used to pay
off debt assumed in the Merger. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Position Data has been prepared as if such transactions occurred on June 30,
1996; the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Operating Results Data have been
prepared as if such transactions occurred as of January 1, 1995. Additionally,
the pro forma combined data is presented (i) assuming the Stock Issuance is
approved, and (ii) assuming the Stock Issuance is not approved. The summary pro
forma combined financial data are not necessarily indicative of actual
operating results or financial position had the transactions occurred as of the
dates indicated above, nor do they purport to indicate operating results or
financial position which may be attained in the future.
 
  This information should be read in conjunction with the historical financial
statements and notes thereto contained in the El Paso Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the year ended December 31, 1995 and the El Paso Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 1996, which are incorporated by
reference herein, and in conjunction with the Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements of El Paso and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Joint Proxy
Statement-Prospectus. See "AVAILABLE INFORMATION," "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN
INFORMATION BY REFERENCE," and "UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                PRO FORMA 1995
                         -----------------------------
                         ASSUMING STOCK ASSUMING STOCK
                          ISSUANCE IS    ISSUANCE IS
                            APPROVED     NOT APPROVED  1995(E)  1994  1993(F)  1992   1991
                         -------------- -------------- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------
                                          (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                      <C>            <C>            <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>    <C> <C>
OPERATING RESULTS
 Operating revenues.....     $2,907         $2,907     $1,038  $  870 $  910  $  803 $  735
 Depreciation,
  depletion, and
  amortization..........        318            318         72      65     54      73     61
 Litigation special
  charge................         --             --         --      15     --      --     --
 Operating income.......        223            223        212     222    229     185    185
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  before income taxes...        192            192        133     148    151     123    141
 Income taxes (benefit).          4              4         48      58     59      47     52
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations.        188            188         85      90     92      76     89
 Preferred stock
  dividend..............         20             68         --      --     --      --     --
                             ------         ------     ------  ------ ------  ------ ------
 Earnings (loss)
  available to common
  stock.................        168            118         85      90     92      76     89
 Earnings (loss) per
  common share from
  continuing operations.       2.85           2.54       2.47    2.45   2.46    2.12   2.82
 Cash dividends declared
  per common share(b)...       1.32           1.32       1.32    1.21   1.10    0.75     --
 Average common shares
  outstanding...........     58,925         46,495     34,495  36,632 37,212  36,049 31,422
<CAPTION>
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                       ------------------------------------
                                                       1995(E)  1994  1993(F)  1992   1991
                                                       ------- ------ ------- ------ ------
                                                                    (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                      <C>            <C>            <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>    <C> <C>
FINANCIAL POSITION
 Total assets...........                               $2,435  $2,332 $2,270  $2,051 $2,302
 Payable to Burlington
  Resources Inc.,
  including current
  portion...............                                   --      --     --      --    625
 Long-term debt(c)......                                  772     779    796     637    250
 Stockholders'
  equity(d).............                                  712     710    708     669    815
</TABLE>
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                         ---------------------------------------------
                                PRO FORMA 1996
                         -----------------------------
                         ASSUMING STOCK ASSUMING STOCK
                          ISSUANCE IS    ISSUANCE IS
                            APPROVED     NOT APPROVED  1996(e)   1995
                         -------------- -------------- -------  ------
                             (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                      <C>            <C>            <C>      <C>    
OPERATING RESULTS
 Operating revenues.....     $2,517         $2,517     $1,193   $  389
 Depreciation,
  depletion, and
  amortization..........        175            175         43       34
 Litigation special
  charge................         --             --         --       --
 Employee separation and
  asset impairment
  charge(a).............         99             99         99       --
 Operating income.......         71             71         29      109
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  before income taxes...         53             53        (18)      70
 Income taxes (benefit).         (4)            (4)        (7)      28
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations.         57             57        (11)      42
 Preferred stock
  dividend..............         10             35         --       --
                             ------         ------     ------   ------
 Earning (loss)
  available to common
  stock.................         47             22       (11)       42
 Earnings (loss) per
  common share from
  continuing operations.       0.79           0.47      (0.31)    1.21
 Cash dividends declared
  per common share(b)...        .70            .70       0.70     0.66
 Average common shares
  outstanding...........     59,694         47,264     35,264   34,976
<CAPTION>
                                           JUNE 30,
                         ---------------------------------------------
                           PRO FORMA
                              1996      PRO FORMA 1996
                         ASSUMING STOCK ASSUMING STOCK
                          ISSUANCE IS    ISSUANCE IS
                            APPROVED     NOT APPROVED   1996     1995
                         -------------- -------------- -------  ------
                                        (IN MILLIONS)
<S>                      <C>            <C>            <C>      <C>    
FINANCIAL POSITION
 Total assets...........     $8,543         $8,543     $2,768   $2,266
 Payable to Burlington
  Resources Inc.,
  including current
  portion...............         --             --         --       --
 Long-term debt(c)......      2,209          2,209        670      775
 Stockholders' equity...      1,915          1,915        688      691
 Preferred..............        250            747         --       --
 Common.................      1,665          1,168        688      691
                             ------         ------     ------   ------
</TABLE>
- -------
(a) Charge of $99 million pre-tax ($60 million after tax) to reflect costs
    associated with the implementation of a workforce reduction plan and the
    impairment of certain long-lived assets. Earnings per common share for the
    six months ended June 30, 1996 before giving effect to this charge would
    have been $1.40 (compared to $(0.31)) and $1.79 (compared to $0.79) on a
    historical and pro forma basis (assuming the stock issuance is approved)
    respectively.
(b) Represents dividends declared subsequent to El Paso's March 1992 initial
    public offering.
(c) Excludes current maturities.
(d) In May 1991, El Paso declared and paid a dividend of $175 million to The El
    Paso Company (formerly the parent company of El Paso). In September 1991,
    El Paso declared a dividend of all its Oil and Gas Operations Segment to
    The El Paso Company. The total amount of that dividend was $925 million. In
    addition, El Paso declared and paid dividends to Burlington Resources, Inc.
    totaling $55 million in 1991 and $274 million prior to El Paso's March 1992
    initial public offering.
(e) Reflects the consolidation in September 1995 of Eastex Energy Inc., in
    December 1995 of Premier Gas Company, and in June 1996 of Cornerstone
    Natural Gas Company.
(f) Mojave Pipeline Company was consolidated beginning May 1993.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
 
               SUMMARY COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
  The summary combined financial data as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for
the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were derived from the audited
Combined Financial Statements of Tenneco Energy. The summary combined financial
data as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December
31, 1992 and 1991 are unaudited and were derived from the accounting records of
Tenneco. The summary combined financial data as of and for each of the six-
month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 were derived from the unaudited
Combined Financial Statements of Tenneco Energy. In the opinion of Tenneco
Energy's management, the summary combined financial data of Tenneco Energy as
of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December 31, 1992
and 1991 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 include all
adjusting entries (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary
to present fairly the information set forth therein. The results of operations
for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 should not be regarded as
indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
 
  This information should be read in conjunction with the "Tenneco Energy
Combined Selected Financial Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of the Energy Business and
Tenneco Energy's Combined Financial Statements, and notes thereto, included
elsewhere in this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           SIX MONTHS
                         ENDED JUNE 30,        YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                         --------------- ---------------------------------------------
                         1996(a) 1995(a) 1995(a) 1994(a) 1993(a)      1992       1991
(MILLIONS)               ------- ------- ------- ------- -------     ------     ------
<S>                      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>         <C>        <C>
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 DATA(b):
 Net sales and operating
  revenues.............. $1,370  $  939  $1,921  $2,381  $2,866      $2,221     $2,216
                         ======  ======  ======  ======  ======      ======     ======
 Income before interest
  expense and income
  taxes ................ $  188  $  140  $  268  $  367  $  419      $  337     $  475(c)
                         ======  ======  ======  ======  ======      ======     ======
 Income before
  extraordinary loss and
  cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principles, net of
  income tax............ $  103  $   47  $  157  $  153  $  188      $  180     $  251
 Extraordinary loss, net
  of income tax.........     --      --      --      --     (25)(d)      (9)(e)     --
 Cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principles, net of
  income tax............     --      --      --      --      --        (332)(f)     --
                         ------  ------  ------  ------  ------      ------     ------
 Net income (loss)...... $  103  $   47  $  157  $  153  $  163      $ (161)    $  251
                         ======  ======  ======  ======  ======      ======     ======
BALANCE SHEET DATA(b):
 Total assets........... $5,539  $5,799  $5,792  $5,730  $4,290      $4,054     $4,464
 Short-term debt(g).....    521     376     456     399     304         392        338
 Long-term debt(g)......  1,519   1,737   1,811   2,242   2,019       2,282      2,674
 Combined equity........  1,054     899     687     382    (652)     (1,503)    (1,120)
</TABLE>
- -------
(a) For a discussion of the significant items affecting comparability of the
    financial information for 1995, 1994 and 1993 and for the six months ended
    June 30, 1996 and 1995, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of Tenneco Energy included
    elsewhere in this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus.
(b) During 1995, 1994 and 1993, Tenneco Energy completed several acquisitions
    and dispositions, the most significant of which was the acquisition of the
    natural gas pipeline assets of the Pipeline Authority of South Australia in
    1995 and the disposition of its 50% interest in Kern River Gas Transmission
    Company in 1995. See Notes 4 and 5 to the Combined Financial Statements of
    Tenneco Energy, included elsewhere in this Joint Proxy Statement-
    Prospectus, for further information on the Tenneco Energy acquisitions and
    dispositions.
(c) Includes a gain of $265 million related to the sale of Tenneco Energy's
    natural gas liquids business, including its interest in an MTBE plant then
    under construction.
(d) During 1993, Tenneco Energy recorded an extraordinary loss as a result of
    the prepayment of long-term debt. See Note 5 to the Combined Financial
    Statements of Tenneco Energy, included elsewhere in this Joint Proxy
    Statement-Prospectus, for further information on the Tenneco Energy
    extraordinary loss.
(e) During 1992, Tenneco Energy recorded an extraordinary loss as a result of
    the defeasance of $310 million of its high interest bearing long-term debt.
(f) In 1992, Tenneco Energy adopted FAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for
    Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions," and FAS No. 109, "Accounting
    for Income Taxes."
(g) Amounts are net of allocations from Tenneco to New Tenneco and Newport
    News. The allocation is based on the portion of Tenneco's investment in New
    Tenneco and Newport News which is deemed to be debt, generally based on the
    ratio of New Tenneco's and Newport News' net assets to Tenneco consolidated
    net assets plus debt. Tenneco's historical practice has been to incur
    indebtedness for its consolidated group at the parent company level or at a
    limited number of subsidiaries, rather than at the operating company level,
    and to centrally manage various cash functions. See Note 6 to the Combined
    Financial Statements of Tenneco Energy, included elsewhere in this Joint
    Proxy Statement--Prospectus.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
 
    SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA OF NEW TENNECO
 
  The summary combined financial data as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for
the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were derived from the audited
Combined Financial Statements of New Tenneco. The summary combined financial
data as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December
31, 1992 and 1991 are unaudited and were derived from the accounting records of
Tenneco. The summary combined financial data as of and for each of the six-
month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 were derived from the unaudited
Combined Financial Statements of New Tenneco. In the opinion of New Tenneco's
management, the summary combined financial data of New Tenneco as of December
31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December 31, 1992 and 1991 and
as of and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 include all adjusting
entries (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present
fairly the information set forth therein. The results of operations for the six
months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 should not be regarded as indicative of the
results that may be expected for the full year.
 
  The summary pro forma combined financial data as of and for the six months
ended June 30, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1995, have been
prepared to reflect (i) the acquisition of The Pullman Company and its Clevite
products division ("Clevite") in July 1996 and the acquisition of the Amoco
Foam Products Company, a unit of Amoco Chemical Company, ("Amoco Foam
Products"), in August 1996; (ii) the effect on New Tenneco of the Debt
Realignment; and (iii) the issuance of New Tenneco Common Stock as part of the
New Tenneco Distribution. The unaudited pro forma combined financial data for
the year ended December 31, 1995 also reflects the acquisition of Mobil
Plastics in November 1995. The unaudited pro forma combined Statements of
Income Data have been prepared as if the Transactions occurred on January 1,
1995; the unaudited pro forma combined Balance Sheet Data has been prepared as
if the Transaction occurred on June 30, 1996. The summary pro forma combined
financial data are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations of
New Tenneco had the transactions reflected therein actually been consummated on
the dates assumed and are not necessarily indicative of the results of
operations for any future period.
 
  This information should be read in conjunction with the "Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Financial Statements of New Tenneco" and the "New Tenneco Combined
Selected Financial Data" included elsewhere in this Joint Proxy--Prospectus,
and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" of New Tenneco and New Tenneco's Combined Financial Statements, and
notes thereto, included in the New Tenneco Information Statement attached
hereto as Appendix C.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   SIX MONTHS
(MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE       ENDED JUNE 30,                    YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
         AMOUNTS)           --------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------
                            PRO FORMA                   PRO FORMA
                              1996    1996(a)  1995(a)    1995    1995(a)  1994(a)     1993(a)   1992       1991
                            --------- -------  -------  --------- -------  -------     -------  ------     ------
<S>                         <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>        <C>     
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 DATA(b):
Net sales and operating
 revenues from continuing
 operations--
  Automotive.............    $1,583   $1,463   $1,263    $2,710   $2,479   $1,989      $1,785   $1,763     $1,668
  Packaging..............     1,927    1,775    1,318     4,556    2,752    2,184       2,042    2,078      1,934
  Intergroup sales and
   other.................        (5)      (5)      (4)      (10)     (10)      (7)         (7)      (5)        (5)
                             ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------      ------   ------     ------
  Total..................    $3,505   $3,233   $2,577    $7,256   $5,221   $4,166      $3,820   $3,836     $3,597
                             ======   ======   ======    ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
Income from continuing
 operations before inter-
 est expense, income
 taxes and minority in-
 terest--
  Automotive.............    $  170   $  163   $  134    $  258   $  240     $223      $  222   $  237     $  188
  Packaging..............       280      256      244       548      430      209         139      221        139
  Other..................        (5)      (5)      --         2        2       24          20        7          3
                             ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------      ------   ------     ------
  Total..................    $  445   $  414   $  378    $  808   $  672   $  456      $  381   $  465     $  330
                             ======   ======   ======    ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
Income from continuing
 operations..............    $  197   $  178   $  168    $  332   $  258   $  238      $  165   $  209     $  139
Loss from discontinued
 operations, net of in-
 come tax................        --       --       --        --       --      (31)         (7)      (7)       (12)
Cumulative effect of
 changes in accounting
 principles, net of
 income tax..............        --       --       --        --       --       (7)(c)      --      (99)(c)     --
                             ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------      ------   ------     ------
Net income...............    $  197   $  178   $  168    $  332   $  258   $  200      $  158   $  103     $  127
                             ======   ======   ======    ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
Earnings per share.......    $ 1.16                      $ 1.91
                             ======                      ======
EBITDA(e)................    $  603   $  551   $  458    $1,023   $  845   $  598      $  518   $  595     $  463
                             ======   ======   ======    ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
BALANCE SHEET DATA(b):
Total assets.............    $7,594   $6,523   $4,430       N/A   $6,117   $3,940      $3,029   $2,812     $2,792
Short-term debt(d).......       514      530      205       N/A      384      108          94      182        758
Long-term debt(d)........     1,543    1,573    1,246       N/A    1,648    1,039       1,178    1,675      1,555
Minority interest........       301      301      297       N/A      301      301           1        1          2
Combined equity..........     3,053    2,168    1,163       N/A    1,852      987         533      (87)      (553)
</TABLE>
                                                        (Continued on next page)
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
 
(Continued from previous page)
- --------
(a) For a discussion of the significant items affecting comparability of the
    financial information for 1995, 1994 and 1993 and for the six months ended
    June 30, 1996 and 1995, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of New Tenneco included in
    the New Tenneco Information Statement attached hereto as Appendix C.
(b) During 1995 and 1994, the Automotive and Packaging operating segments of
    New Tenneco each completed several acquisitions, the most significant of
    which was the Packaging segment's acquisition of Mobil Plastics for $1.3
    billion in late 1995. See Note 4 to the Combined Financial Statements of
    New Tenneco, included in the New Tenneco Information Statement attached
    hereto as Appendix C, for further information on New Tenneco's
    acquisitions.
(c) In 1994, New Tenneco adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for
    Postemployment Benefits." In 1992, New Tenneco adopted FAS No. 106,
    "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,"
    and FAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
(d) Historical amounts include debt allocated to New Tenneco from Tenneco based
    on the portion of Tenneco's investment in New Tenneco which is deemed to be
    debt, generally based upon the ratio of New Tenneco's net assets to Tenneco
    consolidated net assets plus debt. Tenneco's historical practice has been
    to incur indebtedness for its consolidated group at the parent company
    level or at a limited number of subsidiaries, rather than at the operating
    company level, and to centrally manage various cash functions. See the
    Combined Financial Statements of New Tenneco, and notes thereto, included
    in the New Tenneco Information Statement attached hereto as Appendix C.
(e) EBITDA represents income from continuing operations before interest
    expense, income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. EBITDA
    should not be considered as an alternative to net income or operating
    income, as an indicator of the operating performance of New Tenneco or as
    an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
 
    SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
  The summary combined financial data as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for
the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were derived from the audited
Combined Financial Statements of Newport News. The summary combined financial
data as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December
31, 1992 and 1991 are unaudited and were derived from the accounting records of
Tenneco. The summary combined financial data as of and for each of the six-
month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 were derived from the unaudited
Combined Financial Statements of Newport News. In the opinion of Newport News'
management, the summary combined financial data of Newport News as of December
31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December 31, 1992 and 1991 and
as of and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 include all adjusting
entries (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present
fairly the information set forth therein. The results of operations for the six
months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 should not be regarded as indicative of the
results that may be expected for the full year.
 
  The summary pro forma combined financial data as of and for the six months
ended June 30, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1995, have been
prepared to reflect: (i) borrowings of $610 million under the Newport News
Credit Facility; (ii) the cash dividend of $600 million to be paid by Newport
News to Tenneco or one of its subsidiaries as part of the Debt Realignment; and
(iii) the payment of $10 million of fees and expenses incurred in connection
with the Newport News Credit Facility; (iv) the issuance of Newport News Common
Stock pursuant to the Newport News Distribution. The unaudited pro forma
combined Statement of Earnings of Data has been prepared as if the Transaction
occurred on January 1, 1995; the unaudited pro forma combined Balance Sheet
Data has been prepared as if the Transaction occurred on June 30, 1996. The
summary pro forma combined financial data are not necessarily indicative of the
results of operations of Newport News had the transactions reflected therein
actually been consummated on the dates assumed and are not necessarily
indicative of the results of operations for any future period.
 
  This information should be read in conjunction with the "Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Financial Statements of Newport News" and the "Newport News Combined
Selected Financial Data" included elsewhere in this Joint Proxy Statement--
Prospectus and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" of Newport News, and the Newport News Combined Financial
Statements, and notes thereto, included in the Newport News Information
Statement attached hereto as Appendix D.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        YEARS
                                                        ENDED
                                                      DECEMBER
                            SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,    31,
                            ------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------
                            PRO FORMA                 PRO FORMA
(MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE    1996    1996(a) 1995(a)   1995    1995(a)  1994(a)     1993(a)     1992       1991
AMOUNTS)                    --------- ------- ------- --------- -------  -------     -------    ------     ------
<S>                         <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
EARNINGS STATEMENT DATA:
 Net sales................    $ 915    $ 915   $ 845   $1,756   $1,756   $1,753      $1,861     $2,265     $2,216
                              =====    =====   =====   ======   ======   ======      ======     ======     ======
 Operating earnings.......    $  81    $  81   $  90   $  157   $  157   $  201      $  210     $  249     $  224
                              =====    =====   =====   ======   ======   ======      ======     ======     ======
 Earnings before
  cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principles..............    $  29    $  37   $  41   $   54   $   73   $   95      $  111(b)  $  143     $  135
 Cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principles, net of tax..       --       --      --       --       --       (4)(c)      --        (93)(c)     --
                              -----    -----   -----   ------   ------   ------      ------     ------     ------
 Net earnings.............    $  29    $  37   $  41   $   54   $   73   $   91      $  111     $   50     $  135
                              =====    =====   =====   ======   ======   ======      ======     ======     ======
Earnings per share........    $ .85                    $ 1.55
                              =====                    ======
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital.........     (197)   $  41   $   4      N/A   $  (19)  $  (75)     $ (121)    $  (89)    $ (470)
  Total assets............    1,466    1,452   1,337      N/A    1,380    1,263       1,235      1,450      1,412
  Short-term debt(d)......      410       95      54      N/A       68       30          34         83         36
  Long-term debt(d).......      200      282     326      N/A      292      287         423        761        364
  Combined equity.........      203      349     236      N/A      272      199         105       (173)       (30)
</TABLE>
- -------
(a) For a discussion of significant items affecting comparability of the
    financial information for 1995, 1994 and 1993 and for the six months ended
    June 30, 1996 and 1995, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of Newport News, included in
    the Newport News Information Statement attached hereto as Appendix D.
(b) Includes a gain of $15 million related to the sale of Sperry Marine
    businesses.
(c) In 1994, Newport News adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for
    Postemployment Benefits." In 1992, Newport News adopted FAS No. 106,
    "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,"
    and FAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
(d) Historical amounts represent debt allocated to Newport News from Tenneco
    based on the portion of Tenneco's investment in Newport News which is
    deemed to be debt, generally based upon the ratio of Newport News' net
    assets to Tenneco consolidated net assets plus debt. Tenneco's historical
    practice has been to incur indebtedness for its consolidated group at the
    parent company level or at a limited number of subsidiaries, rather than at
    the operating company level, and to centrally manage various cash
    functions. See the Combined Financial Statements of Newport News, and notes
    thereto, included in the Newport News Information Statement attached hereto
    as Appendix D.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
 
 
COMPARATIVE HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA
 
  The tables below present certain comparative historical and pro forma per
share data adjusted to reflect: (i) the El Paso pro forma equivalent of one
share of Tenneco Common Stock and (ii) the New Tenneco and Newport News pro
forma equivalent of one share of Tenneco Common Stock. The El Paso pro forma
equivalent data is calculated based on the estimated conversion ratio of El
Paso Common Stock per share of Tenneco Common Stock multiplied by the pro forma
El Paso data. The estimated conversion ratio was calculated assuming, solely
for the purpose of making such calculation, (i) an Average El Paso Common Price
of $39.8625 (which is equal to the average per share closing price on the NYSE
for the El Paso Common Stock for the 20-day trading period ended on August 21,
1996), (ii) prior consummation of the Acquisition, and (iii) the issuance of no
additional shares of Tenneco Common Stock upon the exercise of options and the
vesting of performance share awards in connection with the Merger. The actual
conversion ratio may be higher or lower depending upon the Average El Paso
Common Price. See "THE MERGER--Conversion of Shares". The New Tenneco and
Newport News pro forma equivalent data is calculated based on the distribution
ratio for Tenneco Common Stock. In each case, the New Tenneco and Newport News
pro forma data is multiplied by the distribution ratio to calculate the
equivalent pro forma data. See "THE DISTRIBUTIONS" for discussion of the
Distributions.
 
EL PASO AND TENNECO COMMON EQUIVALENT PER SHARE DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                HISTORICAL                     PRO FORMA(A)
                         -------------------------- -----------------------------------
                                   TENNECO COMMON                      TENNECO COMMON
                                     EQUIVALENT          EL PASO         EQUIVALENT
                                  ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
                                            STOCK             STOCK             STOCK
                                   STOCK   ISSUANCE  STOCK   ISSUANCE  STOCK   ISSUANCE
                                  ISSUANCE   NOT    ISSUANCE   NOT    ISSUANCE   NOT
                         EL PASO  APPROVED APPROVED APPROVED APPROVED APPROVED APPROVED
                         -------  -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S>                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Year Ended December 31,
 1995
 Income from continuing
  operations per common
  share................. $ 2.47    $ .24    $ .06    $2.85    $2.54     $.28     $.06
 Cash dividends per
  common share..........   1.32      .13      .03     1.32     1.32      .13      .03
 Cash dividends per El
  Paso Preferred
  Depositary Share......    --       --       --       --      4.00      --       .29
Six Months Ended June
 30, 1996
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  per common share...... $(0.31)   $(.03)   $(.01)   $ .79    $ .47     $.08     $.01
 Cash dividends per
  common share..........   0.70      .07      .02      .70      .70      .08      .02
 Cash dividends per El
  Paso Preferred
  Depositary Share......    --       --       --       --      2.00      --       .15
 Book value per common
  share.................  19.32     1.88      .47    27.73    24.63     2.70      .60
</TABLE>
 
TENNECO, TENNECO COMMON EQUIVALENT, NEW TENNECO EQUIVALENT AND NEWPORT NEWS
EQUIVALENT PER SHARE DATA
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PRO FORMA EQUIVALENT(B)
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            TENNECO
                                 TENNECO     COMMON     NEW   NEWPORT   TOTAL
STOCK ISSUANCE APPROVED         HISTORICAL EQUIVALENT TENNECO  NEWS   PRO FORMA
- -----------------------         ---------- ---------- ------- ------- ---------
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>     <C>
Year Ended December 31, 1995
 Income from continuing
  operations per common share..   $2.75       $.28     $1.91   $.31     $2.50
 Cash dividends per common
  share........................    1.60        .13       N/A    N/A       .13
 Cash dividends per El Paso
  Preferred Depositary Share...     --         --        --     --        --
Six Months Ended June 30, 1996
 Income from continuing
  operations per common share..   $1.83       $.08     $1.16   $.17     $1.41
 Cash dividends per common
  share........................     .90        .07       N/A    N/A       .07
 Cash dividends per El Paso
  Preferred Depositary Share...     --         --        --     --        --
 Book value per common share...   20.89       2.70     17.87   1.19     21.76
<CAPTION>
                                                 PRO FORMA EQUIVALENT(B)
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            TENNECO
                                 TENNECO     COMMON     NEW   NEWPORT   TOTAL
STOCK ISSUANCE NOT APPROVED     HISTORICAL EQUIVALENT TENNECO  NEWS   PRO FORMA
- ---------------------------     ---------- ---------- ------- ------- ---------
<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>     <C>
Year Ended December 31, 1995
 Income from continuing
  operations per common share..   $2.75       $.06     $1.91   $.31     $2.28
 Cash dividends per common
  share........................    1.60        .03       N/A    N/A       .03
 Cash dividends per El Paso
  Preferred Depositary Share...     --         .28       --     --        .28
Six Months Ended June 30, 1996
 Income from continuing
  operations per common share..   $1.83       $.01     $1.16   $.17     $1.34
 Cash dividends per common
  share........................     .90        .02       N/A    N/A       .02
 Cash dividends per El Paso
  Preferred Depositary Share...     --         .14       --     --        .14
 Book value per common share...   20.89        .60     17.87   1.19     19.66
</TABLE>
- -------
(a) El Paso includes the pro forma effects of a $200 million common stock
    offering and $500 million of asset sales and project financings, the
    proceeds of which will be used to pay down long-term debt assumed in the
    Merger. See the "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements of El
    Paso and Tenneco Energy" included elsewhere herein.
(b) New Tenneco includes the pro forma effects of the Clevite and Amoco Foam
    Products acquisitions for all periods, and the pro forma effects of the
    Mobil Plastics acquisition for the year ended December 31, 1995. See the
    "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements of New Tenneco" included
    elsewhere herein.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
 
              CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION
 
LACK OF OPERATING HISTORY AS SEPARATE ENTITIES AND OTHER OPERATING
CONSIDERATIONS
 
  Upon consummation of the Distributions, Tenneco (as a subsidiary of El Paso)
will own and operate the Energy Business, New Tenneco will own and operate the
Industrial Business and Newport News will own and operate the Shipbuilding
Business. None of these businesses have any recent operating histories as
separate entities and each of these businesses has historically been able to
rely on the earnings, assets and cash flow of the others for capital
requirements and certain administrative services.
 
  Following the Distributions, the ability of each of Tenneco, New Tenneco and
Newport News to satisfy its respective obligations and maintain profitability
will be dependent upon its future performance, which will be subject to
prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors
affecting the business operations of Tenneco, New Tenneco or Newport News,
respectively, including factors beyond the control of Tenneco, New Tenneco or
Newport News.
 
  Subsequent to the Distributions, each of New Tenneco and Newport News will
be a smaller and less diversified company than Tenneco was prior to the
Distributions. In addition, the division of Tenneco may result in some
temporary dislocation and inefficiencies to the business operations, as well
as the organization and personnel structure, of each company, and will also
result in the duplication of certain personnel, administrative and other
expenses required for the operation of independent companies. Nevertheless,
the Tenneco Board of Directors believes that separation of the companies also
will result in certain long-term operating efficiencies by allowing the
companies to focus on their respective businesses.
 
POTENTIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR LIABILITIES NOT EXPRESSLY ASSUMED
 
  The Distribution Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements allocate among
Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News responsibility for various debts,
liabilities and obligations. See "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--Relationship Among
Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News After the Distributions." It is possible
that a court would disregard this contractual allocation of debts, liabilities
and obligations among the parties and require either Tenneco, New Tenneco or
Newport News to assume responsibility for obligations allocated to another
party, particularly if such other party were to refuse or was unable to pay or
perform any of its allocated obligations.
 
NEWPORT NEWS DEBT AFTER THE TRANSACTION
 
  Although following the Transaction Newport News will have substantially less
debt than Tenneco had prior to the Transaction, Newport News will be a
substantially more leveraged company. If the Transaction (including the Debt
Realignment) had been consummated as of June 30, 1996, on a pro forma basis,
Newport News would have had total debt of $610 million and total stockholders'
equity of $203 million. See "UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION--
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements of Newport News."
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
  It is a condition to the Distributions and the Merger that Tenneco receive
the IRS Ruling Letter to the effect, among other things, that for federal
income tax purposes the Distributions will be tax-free to Tenneco and the
Tenneco Stockholders under Section 355 of the Code (except to the extent cash
is received in lieu of fractional shares) and that certain other transactions
to be effected as part of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions will be
tax-free. See "CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES." Such an IRS ruling
letter, while generally binding upon the IRS, is based upon certain factual
representations and assumptions. If such factual representations and
assumptions were incomplete or untrue in a material respect, or the facts upon
which the IRS Ruling Letter was based are materially different from the facts
at the time of the Distributions, the IRS could
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
modify or revoke the IRS Ruling Letter retroactively. Each of El Paso,
Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News have agreed to certain restrictions on
its future actions to provide further assurances that the Distributions will
be tax-free for federal income tax purposes.
 
  If the Distributions were not to qualify as tax-free distributions under
Section 355 of the Code, then, in general, a corporate level federal income
tax would be payable by the consolidated group of which Tenneco is the common
parent, which tax (assuming the internal spin-off transactions included in the
Corporate Restructuring Transactions also failed to qualify under Section 355
of the Code) would be based upon the gain (computed as the difference between
the fair market value of the stock distributed and the distributing
corporation's adjusted basis in such stock) realized by each of the
distributing corporations upon its distribution of the stock of one or more
controlled corporations to its stockholders in the Transaction. The corporate
level federal income tax would be payable by Tenneco. Under certain limited
circumstances, however, New Tenneco and Newport News have agreed to indemnify
Tenneco for a defined portion of such tax liabilities. See "THE
DISTRIBUTIONS--Certain Relationships among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport
News After the Distributions--Ancilliary Agreements--Tax Sharing Agreement."
In addition, under IRS regulations, each member of the consolidated group
(including New Tenneco and Newport News) is severally liable for such tax
liability.
 
  It is possible that legislation may be introduced requiring a distributing
corporation in a transaction otherwise qualifying as a tax-free distribution
under Section 355 of the Code to recognize gain on the distribution of the
stock of one or more controlled corporations under certain circumstances. If
such legislation were enacted, the Distributions, if ultimately subject to
such legislation, may result in significant taxable gain to Tenneco under
Section 355(c) of the Code. See "CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES--
Possible Future Legislation."
 
  Furthermore, if the Distributions were not tax-free under Section 355 of the
Code, then each holder of Tenneco Common Stock who receives shares of New
Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock in the Distributions would
be treated as if such stockholder received taxable distributions in an amount
equal to the fair market value of the New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport
News Common Stock received, which would result in: (i) a dividend to the
extent paid out of Tenneco's current and accumulated earnings and profits;
then (ii) a reduction in such stockholder's basis in Tenneco Common Stock to
the extent the amount received exceeds the amount referenced in clause (i);
and then (iii) gain from the sale or exchange of Tenneco Common Stock to the
extent the amount received exceeds the sum of the amounts referenced in
clauses (i) and (ii).
 
  In connection with, and as a condition to consummation of, the Transaction,
Tenneco will also receive a Tax Opinion, to the effect, among other things
(but only to the extent not covered by the IRS Ruling Letter), that the Merger
will constitute a reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(B) of the Code and
that no gain or loss will be recognized by the holders of Tenneco Stock upon
the exchange of such Tenneco Stock for El Paso Common Stock and El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares, if any (except to the extent that cash is
received in lieu of fractional shares or any fractional El Paso Preferred
Depositary Shares or in connection with a proper demand for appraisal of
shares). If the Merger does not qualify as a reorganization within the meaning
of Section 368(a)(1)(B) of the Code, the Tenneco Stockholders will recognize
gain or loss upon the receipt of the El Paso Common Stock and any El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares in exchange for their Tenneco Stock equal to the
difference between the fair market value of the El Paso Common Stock and El
Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any, received and their basis in their
Tenneco Stock. In this regard, the failure of the Merger to qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(B) of the Code may also
cause the Distributions to not qualify as tax-free distributions under Section
355 of the Code, in which case Tenneco and the Tenneco Stockholders who
receive Newport News Common Stock and New Tenneco Common Stock in the
Distributions would be treated in the manner described in the previous two
paragraphs of this section.
 
IMPACT OF THE COLLAR ON HOLDERS OF TENNECO COMMON STOCK
 
  Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Collar only impacts the number
(and thus the aggregate value) of shares received in the Merger by the holders
of Tenneco Common Stock and does not have any impact on the number (and thus
the aggregate value) of shares received by holders of Tenneco Preferred Stock.
The
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
number of shares of El Paso Common Stock and any El Paso Preferred Depositary
Shares to be issued to holders of Tenneco Common Stock in the Merger will be
based on the Average El Paso Common Price only if such price is within the
Collar. If this price exceeds the Collar, the number of such shares issued
will nonetheless be based on $38.3625, with the result that shares received by
holders of Tenneco Common Stock in the Merger will likely have a market value,
as of the Merger Effective Time, that exceeds [$638 million.] If, on the other
hand, this price is less than the Collar, the number of such shares so issued
will nonetheless be based on $31.3875, with the result that the shares
received by holders of Tenneco Common Stock in the Merger will likely have a
market value, as of the Merger Effective Time, that is less than [$638
million.] See "THE TRANSACTION--Consideration to Tenneco Stockholders." The
Average El Paso Common Price, if it were to be based on the 20-day trading
period ended August 21, 1996, would be $39.8625. There can no be assurance,
however, that, when finally determined as of the Merger Effective Time the
Average El Paso Common Price will not have fallen below $31.3875, thereby
decreasing the total consideration to be received by holders of Tenneco Common
Stock. See "THE MERGER--Conversion of Shares."
 
NO CURRENT MARKET FOR NEW TENNECO COMMON STOCK AND NEWPORT NEWS COMMON STOCK
 
  There is not currently a public market for either New Tenneco Common Stock
or Newport News Common Stock, and there can be no assurance that such public
trading markets will develop or, assuming such public trading markets develop,
the prices at which trading in New Tenneco Common Stock or Newport News Common
Stock will occur after the Distributions. Until shares of New Tenneco Common
Stock and Newport News Common Stock are fully distributed and an orderly
market develops, the prices at which trading in such shares occurs may
fluctuate significantly. Tenneco intends to apply for listing of the New
Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock on the NYSE. See "THE
DISTRIBUTIONS--Trading of New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common
Stock." Prices for New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock will
each be determined in the marketplace and may be influenced by many factors,
including the respective operating performances of New Tenneco and Newport
News, the depth and liquidity of the market for New Tenneco Common Stock and
Newport News Common Stock, investor perception of New Tenneco and Newport
News, and general economic and market conditions.
 
NO CURRENT MARKET FOR EL PASO PREFERRED DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
  Although El Paso intends to list the El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if
issued, on the NYSE, there is not currently a public market for El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares and there can be no assurance as to the prices at
which trading in El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares will occur after the
Transaction. Until El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares are fully distributed
and an orderly market develops, the prices at which trading in any such shares
occurs may fluctuate significantly. Furthermore, although the dividend rate on
the El Paso Preferred Stock will be designed to cause the market price of 25
El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares to equal approximately $1,000, there can
be no assurance that such market price will be obtained.
 
TRADING PRICES OF AND MARKETS FOR STOCK FOLLOWING THE TRANSACTION
 
  Upon consummation of the Transaction, holders of Tenneco Common Stock as of
the Merger Effective Time and the Distribution Record Date will have received
shares of El Paso Common Stock (and possibly El Paso Preferred Depositary
Shares), New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock and holders of
Tenneco Preferred Stock as of the Merger Effective Time will have received
shares of El Paso Common Stock.
 
  Tenneco Stockholders should be aware that there can be no assurance as to
whether the combined market value after the Transaction of the shares of El
Paso Common Stock (and any El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares), New Tenneco
Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock (plus cash in lieu of fractional
shares and any fractional El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares) received in
respect of their shares of Tenneco Common
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
Stock will be less than, equal to or greater than the market value of their
shares of Tenneco Common Stock prior to the Transaction. Furthermore, there
can be no assurance that after the Transaction the market value of the shares
of El Paso Common Stock (plus cash in lieu of fractional shares) received in
respect of their shares of $7.40 Preferred Stock or $4.50 Preferred Stock in
the Merger will be less than, equal to or greater than the liquidation
preference or, in the case of the $7.40 Preferred Stock, market value, of such
shares of $7.40 Preferred Stock or $4.50 Preferred Stock prior to the
Transaction. Tenneco Common Stock is currently listed and traded, and
following the Distributions, New Tenneco Common Stock will be listed, on the
New York, Chicago, Pacific, Toronto and London Stock Exchanges. El Paso Common
Stock and $7.40 Preferred Stock are currently listed and traded, and, upon
consummation of the Transaction, El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any,
and Newport News Common Stock will be listed on the NYSE.
 
DIVIDEND POLICIES
 
  Historically, Tenneco has paid cash dividends on Tenneco Common Stock and
Tenneco Preferred Stock. The future payments of dividends by New Tenneco and
Newport News will depend on decisions that will be made by the New Tenneco
Board of Directors and Newport News Board of Directors, respectively, from
time to time based on the results of operations and financial conditions of
each entity. The future payments of dividends by El Paso will be (i) dependent
on El Paso's results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and
other relevant factors, (ii) subject to the discretion of the Board of
Directors of El Paso, and (iii) subject to restrictions, if any, contained in
debt instruments of El Paso in effect from time to time and under the DGCL. El
Paso Preferred Stock will bear dividends at a rate (which will be not less
than 6% per year nor more than 10% per year) which will be designed to cause
the market price of 25 El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares to equal
approximately $1,000. There can be no assurance that the annual dividend rate
received by holders of Tenneco Common Stock prior to the Transaction will be
equal to the aggregate dividend rate which such holders will receive from the
shares of El Paso Common Stock, El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares (if any),
New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock received in respect of
their Tenneco Common Stock in the Transaction (and it is unlikely that the
dividend rate would be greater than the aggregate dividend rate received by
holders of Tenneco Common Stock prior to the Transaction). There can be no
assurance that the annual dividend rate received by holders of Tenneco
Preferred Stock prior to the Transaction will be equal to the dividend rate
which such holders will receive from the shares of El Paso Common Stock
received in respect of their Tenneco Preferred Stock in the Transaction (and
it is unlikely that the dividend rate would be greater than the aggregate
dividend rate received by holders of Tenneco Preferred Stock prior to the
Transaction).
 
CERTAIN CONSENT REQUIREMENTS
 
  Certain of Tenneco's existing debt and other contractual arrangements
prohibit the consummation of the Transaction unless an appropriate amendment,
consent or waiver from third parties is obtained. It is a condition of the
Transaction that these amendments, consents or waivers have been obtained,
except for those for which the failure to obtain would not have a material
adverse effect. See "DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT" and "THE DISTRIBUTIONS."
 
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
 
  Subsequent to the Transaction, the interests of El Paso (which will include
Tenneco as a subsidiary), New Tenneco and Newport News may potentially
conflict due to the ongoing relationships among the companies. Additionally,
New Tenneco and Newport News will share one common director following the
Distributions and New Tenneco and El Paso will share one common director
following the Merger. Appropriate policies and procedures will be followed by
the Board of Directors of each company to attempt to limit the involvement of
the common directors (and, if appropriate, other officers and directors of
such companies) in situations that could give rise to conflicts of interest.
See "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--Relationship among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport
News After the Distributions."
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
DIFFERENCES IN STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS
 
  For a description of the principal differences in the rights of holders of
Tenneco Stock and holders of El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Stock,
see "COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS OF TENNECO AND EL PASO." For a
description of the principal differences in the rights of holders of Tenneco
Common Stock and holders of New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common
Stock, see "COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS OF TENNECO, NEW TENNECO AND
NEWPORT NEWS."
 
INDEMNIFICATION
 
  Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and certain of the Ancillary
Agreements, each of Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News has agreed to
indemnify the other parties from and after consummation of the Distributions
with respect to certain debts, liabilities and obligations. See "THE
DISTRIBUTIONS--Relationship Among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News After
the Distributions."
 
FRAUDULENT TRANSFER CONSIDERATIONS; LEGAL DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS
 
  The Corporate Restructuring Transactions, Debt Realignment and Tenneco's
distribution of the New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock to
holders of Tenneco Common Stock are subject to review under federal and state
fraudulent conveyance laws. Under these laws, if a court in a lawsuit by an
unpaid creditor or a representative of creditors (such as a trustee in
bankruptcy of Tenneco, New Tenneco or Newport News as a debtor-in-possession)
were to determine that Tenneco did not receive fair consideration or
reasonably equivalent value for distributing the New Tenneco Common Stock and
Newport News Common Stock or that Tenneco, New Tenneco, Newport News or any of
their subsidiaries did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent
value for incurring indebtedness or transferring assets in connection with the
Debt Realignment and Corporate Restructuring Transactions and, at the time of
such distribution, incurrence of indebtedness or transfer of assets, Tenneco,
New Tenneco, Newport News or any of their subsidiaries (i) was insolvent or
would be rendered insolvent, (ii) had unreasonably small capital with which to
carry on its business and all businesses in which it intended to engage, or
(iii) intended to incur, or believed it would incur, debts beyond its ability
to repay such debts as they would mature, then such court could order the
holders of the New Tenneco Common Stock and the Newport News Common Stock to
return the value of the stock and any dividends paid thereon, bar future
dividend and redemption payments on the stock, and invalidate, in whole or in
part, the Corporate Restructuring Transactions, Debt Realignment or
Distributions, as fraudulent conveyances.
 
  The measure of insolvency for purposes of the fraudulent conveyance laws
will vary depending on which jurisdiction's law is applied. Generally,
however, an entity would be considered insolvent if the present fair saleable
value of its assets is less than (i) the amount of its liabilities (including
contingent liabilities), or (ii) the amount that will be required to pay its
probable liabilities on its existing debts as they become absolute and mature.
No assurance can be given as to what standard a court would apply in
determining insolvency or that a court would not determine that Tenneco, New
Tenneco, Newport News or any of their subsidiaries was "insolvent" at the time
of or after giving effect to the Corporate Restructuring Transactions, the
Debt Realignment and the Distributions.
 
  In addition, Tenneco's distribution of the New Tenneco Common Stock and the
Newport News Common Stock, and the distributions pursuant to the Corporate
Restructuring Transactions and Debt Realignment, are subject to review under
state corporate distribution statutes. Under the DGCL, a corporation may only
pay dividends to its stockholders either (i) out of its surplus (net assets
minus capital) and not out of capital, or (ii) if there is no such surplus,
out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared
and/or the preceding fiscal year. Although all distributions are intended to
be made entirely from surplus, no assurance can be given that a court will not
later determine that some or all of the distributions were unlawful.
 
  Prior to the Distributions, the Tenneco Board of Directors expects to obtain
an opinion from a third-party financial advisor regarding the solvency of
Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News and the permissibility of the
Distributions under Section 170 of the DGCL. Tenneco's Board of Directors and
management believe that, in accordance with this opinion, (a) Tenneco, New
Tenneco and Newport News each will not be insolvent at or
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
following the time of the Distributions (in accordance with the foregoing
definitions), will be able to repay its debts as they mature following the
Distributions and will have sufficient capital to carry on its businesses, and
(b) the Distributions will be made entirely out of surplus, in accordance with
Section 170 of DGCL. There is no certainty, however, that a court would find
the opinion rendered by Tenneco's financial advisor to be binding on creditors
of Tenneco, New Tenneco or Newport News or that a court would reach the same
conclusions set forth in such opinion in determining whether Tenneco, New
Tenneco or Newport News was insolvent at the time of, or after giving effect
to, the Distributions, or whether lawful funds were available for the
distributions made in connection with the Transaction.
 
PROPOSED OFFERING OF EL PASO EQUITY SECURITIES
 
  Subject to market conditions, El Paso currently intends to issue, in public
or private transactions, up to approximately $200 million of equity securities
following the Merger, the proceeds of which would be used to pay down
indebtedness of El Paso and its subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that
such issuance will occur or as to the price at which such securities may be
issued. Such issuance could be dilutive to El Paso's earnings per share and
could adversely affect prices for, or liquidity of, El Paso Common Stock.
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  The following factors, in conjunction with the other information included in
this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus, should be considered by the
stockholders of Tenneco and El Paso in evaluating the Merger.
 
EXPOSURE TO MARKETS
 
  The revenues generated by Tenneco Energy and El Paso are dependent upon the
price of natural gas, as well as the prices of alternative sources of energy.
Fluctuations in energy prices are caused by a number of factors, including
regional, domestic and international demand, availability and adequacy of
transportation facilities, energy legislation, federal or state taxes, if any,
on the sale or transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids and the
abundance of supplies of alternative energy sources.
 
RATES AND REGULATION
 
  Certain pipeline facilities, services and rates of both Tenneco Energy
(including Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company ("TGP"), Midwestern Gas Transmission
Company and East Tennessee Natural Gas Company) and El Paso are regulated by
the FERC in accordance with the Natural Gas Act of 1938 and the Natural Gas
Policy Act of 1978. The FERC regulates the interstate transportation and
certain sales of natural gas, including, among other things, rates and charges
allowed natural gas companies, construction, extensions and abandonments of
facilities and service, rates of depreciation and amortization and accounting
systems. The businesses of El Paso and Tenneco Energy could be adversely
affected by the outcome of regulatory or rate proceedings relating to their
pipeline operations.
 
  TGP and El Paso are each currently parties to various regulatory and rate
proceedings relating to their pipeline operations. In particular, TGP is a
party to regulatory proceedings before the FERC relating to the recovery of
GSR costs associated with the restructuring by TGP of its transportation,
storage and sales services to convert TGP from primarily a merchant to
primarily a transporter of gas.
 
  As of June 30, 1996, TGP has deferred GSR costs yet to be recovered from its
customers of approximately $551 million, net of $380 million previously
recovered from its customers, subject to refund. A phased proceeding is
underway at the FERC with respect to the recovery of TGP's GSR costs (the "GSR
Proceeding"). Testimony has been completed in connection with Phase I of that
proceeding relating to the eligibility of GSR cost recovery; oral argument on
eligibility issues has been set by a FERC ALJ for late October 1996. Phase II
of the proceeding on the prudency of the costs to be recovered and on certain
contract specific eligibility issues has not yet been scheduled, but will
likely occur sometime after the ALJ's decision in Phase I is issued. The FERC
has generally encouraged pipelines to settle such issues through negotiations
with customers. Although the Order 636 transition cost recovery mechanism
provides for complete recovery by pipelines of eligible and prudently incurred
transition costs, certain customers have challenged the prudence and
eligibility of TGP's GSR costs and TGP has engaged in settlement discussions
with its customers concerning the amount of such costs in response to the FERC
statements acknowledging the desirability of such settlements. However, there
can be no assurance regarding the outcome of these settlement discussions.
 
  With regard to TGP's GSR costs, TGP, along with three other pipelines,
executed four separate settlement agreements with Dakota Gasification Company
and the U.S. Department of Energy and initiated four separate proceedings at
the FERC seeking approval to implement the settlement agreements. The
settlement resolved litigation concerning purchases made by TGP of synthetic
gas produced from the Great Plains Coal Gasification plant ("Great Plains").
The FERC previously ruled that the costs related to the Great Plains project
are eligible for recovery through GSR and other special recovery mechanisms
and that the costs are eligible for recovery for the duration of the term of
the original gas purchase agreements. On October 18, 1994, the FERC
consolidated the four proceedings and set them for hearing before an ALJ. The
hearing, which concluded in July 1995, was limited to the issue of whether the
settlement agreements are prudent. The ALJ concluded, in his initial decision
issued in December 1995, that the settlement was imprudent. TGP has filed
exceptions to this initial decision. While Tenneco Energy believes that this
decision will not impair TGP's
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
recovery of the costs resulting from this contract, there can be no assurance
that the outcome of this proceeding will not be adverse to Tenneco Energy. On
July 17, 1996, the FERC ordered oral arguments to be heard in September 1996.
 
  Also related to TGP's GSR costs, in June 1996, TGP settled certain
litigation with ICA Energy, Inc. and TransTexas Gas Corporation by making a
payment of $125 million. This payment is included in the deferred GSR costs
described in the preceding paragraph.
 
  In a separate declaratory judgment action relating to another gas purchase
contract, the Texas Supreme Court affirmed a ruling of the Court of Appeals
favorable to TGP on August 1, 1995. On April 18, 1996, the Texas Supreme Court
withdrew its initial opinion and issued an opinion reversing the Court of
Appeals opinion on the matter which was favorable to TGP. That Supreme Court
ruling, however, explicitly preserves TGP's defenses based on bad faith
conduct of the producers. In June 1996, TGP filed a motion for rehearing with
the Texas Supreme Court. On August 16, 1996, the Supreme Court denied TGP's
motion. Nothing in the Supreme Court's decision affects TGP's ability to seek
recovery of its above-market costs of purchasing gas under the contract from
its customers as GSR costs in the phased proceedings currently pending before
the FERC. In addition, TGP has initiated two lawsuits against the holders of
this gas purchase contract seeking damages related to their conduct in
connection with that contract.
 
  During the pendency of the declaratory judgment lawsuit, TGP has either
paid, or provided for the payment of, amounts it believes are appropriate to
cover the resolution of its contract reformation litigation, including
providing a bond (the "Bond") in the approximate amount of $200 million. As a
result of the Texas Supreme Court ruling, it is anticipated that the bonded
amounts will be paid to the producers and that TGP will file to recover those
amounts from its customers. It is anticipated that TGP will also continue to
pay the above-market contract price for the gas tendered by the producers
through the expiration of the contract in 1999, and will seek recovery of
those amounts from its customers in the FERC proceedings as well. TGP plans to
amend its complaint in one of the separate lawsuits pending against the
producers to seek recovery of amounts TGP believes it is entitled to recover
as a result of the producers' bad faith conduct.
 
  Given the uncertainty over the results of ongoing discussions between TGP
and its customers related to the recovery of GSR costs and the uncertainty
related to predicting the outcome of its gas purchase contract reformation
efforts and the associated litigation, Tenneco Energy is unable to predict the
timing or the ultimate impact that the resolution of these issues will have on
Tenneco Energy's combined financial position or results of operations.
 
  On December 30, 1994, TGP filed for a general rate increase (the "1995 Rate
Case"). On January 25, 1995, the FERC accepted the filing, suspended its
effectiveness for the maximum period of five months pursuant to normal
regulatory process, and set the matter for hearing. On July 1, 1995, TGP began
collecting rates, subject to refund, reflecting an $87 million increase in
TGP's annual revenue requirement. A Stipulation and Agreement was filed with
an ALJ in this proceeding on April 5, 1996. This Stipulation, which is
currently pending before the FERC, proposed to resolve the rates subject to
the 1995 Rate Case, including structural rate design and increased revenue
requirements, and TGP is reserving revenues it believes adequate to cover the
income impact of any refunds that may be required upon final settlement of
this proceeding. While Tenneco Energy believes that the Stipulation for the
settlement of the 1995 Rate Case is likely to be approved substantially in its
current form, there can be no assurance that there will not be changes which
are adverse to Tenneco Energy.
 
  For a detailed description of rate and regulatory proceedings relating to
TGP, see "INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ENERGY BUSINESS TO BE MERGED--Interstate
Pipeline Operations--Federal Regulation."
 
  In June 1995, El Paso made a filing with the FERC for approval of new system
rates for mainline transportation to be effective January 1, 1996. In July
1995, the FERC accepted and suspended El Paso's filing to be effective January
1, 1996, subject to refund and certain other conditions. The FERC also set El
Paso's rates for hearing. In March 1996, El Paso filed a comprehensive offer
of settlement which, if approved by the FERC,
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
would resolve issues related to the above-mentioned rate filing and issues
surrounding certain contract reductions and expirations scheduled to occur
from January 1, 1996, through December 31, 1997. The settlement provides for,
among other things: (i) a long term rate stability plan which establishes base
rates for a 10-year period from January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2005,
subject to annual escalation after 1997; (ii) payments within 8 years to El
Paso by its customers totaling $255 million (prior to interest) representing
recovery of approximately 35 percent of the revenues (for the period 1996 to
2003) associated with the contract reductions and expirations; (iii) the
sharing between El Paso (65%) and its customers (35%) of revenues, in excess
of a threshold, which are attributable to unsubscribed capacity sales during
the period 1996 through 2003; and (iv) a mechanism to adjust the base rate for
increases or decreases resulting from laws or regulations to the extent that
costs are impacted at a level in excess of $10 million a year. The settlement
contains a provision which permits any party desiring not to be bound by the
settlement to have its rates determined pursuant to procedures established by
the FERC.
 
  In March 1996, Southern California Edison Company ("Edison"), a firm shipper
on El Paso's system, filed its own offer of settlement. While Edison's offer
is similar in many respects to El Paso's, it contains provisions that El Paso
believes would be adverse to its interests if Edison's offer was approved and
El Paso's offer was rejected. The ALJ has established procedures to determine
what discovery will be allowed in connection with comments on the two offers
of settlement to be filed by the parties and in the meantime has suspended the
schedule for filing comments. It is El Paso's position that discovery is
inappropriate because, among other things, a provision in El Paso's offer of
settlement affords Edison the opportunity to have its rates determined
separately. The ALJ will determine whether to certify El Paso's settlement to
the FERC and will make a similar determination concerning the Edison offer.
Even though the comment schedule has been suspended, comments supporting El
Paso's settlement have been filed by the FERC staff, the regulatory agencies
of California, Arizona, and Nevada, the State of New Mexico, and customers
representing 95 percent of the firm throughput on El Paso's mainline
transmission system. Comments opposing Edison's offer have been filed by El
Paso, the FERC staff, and the customer coalition supporting El Paso's
settlement. While El Paso believes that its settlement is likely to be
approved substantially on the terms proposed by El Paso, there can be no
assurance that there will not be changes to such settlement which are adverse
to El Paso.
 
COMPETITION
 
  The regulated natural gas pipeline industry is experiencing increasing
competition, which results from actions taken by the FERC to strengthen market
forces throughout the industry. In a number of key markets, interstate
pipelines face competitive pressure from other major pipeline systems,
enabling local distribution companies and end users to choose a supplier or
switch suppliers based on the short term price of gas and the cost of
transportation. Both Tenneco Energy and El Paso also face varying degrees of
competition from alternative energy sources, such as electricity,
hydroelectric power, coal and oil.
 
  Competition between pipelines is particularly intense in Tenneco Energy's
Chicago, Northern Indiana, Roanoke, Chattanooga and Atlanta markets, and in
TGP's supply area, Louisiana and Texas. In some instances, Tenneco Energy's
pipelines have been required to discount their transportation rates in order
to maintain their market share. Additionally, transportation contracts
representing approximately 70% of firm interstate transportation capacity will
be expiring over the next five years, principally in the year 2000.
 
  El Paso faces significant competition from three companies that transport
natural gas to the California market, which is the largest single market
served by El Paso. Competition generally occurs on the basis of delivered
price. The combined capacity of the four pipelines transporting natural gas to
the California market is 6.9 billion cubic feet per day. In 1995, the demand
for interstate pipeline capacity to California averaged 5.0 billion cubic feet
per day. For a discussion of additional risks relating to the California
market, see "--California Risks."
 
  Future renegotiations of El Paso's or Tenneco Energy's existing
transportation contracts and negotiations with potential new customers could
be adversely impacted by the foregoing or other competitive factors.
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  The current and discontinued operations and activities of El Paso and
Tenneco Energy are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws
and regulations covering the discharge of material into the environment or
otherwise relating to protection of the environment. In particular, El Paso's
and Tenneco Energy's pipeline facilities and their use of facilities for
treating, processing, recovering, or otherwise handling natural gas are
subject to stringent environmental regulation by governmental authorities in
the United States and in foreign jurisdictions. Such regulations have
increased the costs of planning, designing, operating and abandoning
facilities.
 
  El Paso and Tenneco Energy have each expended significant resources, both
financial and managerial, to comply with environmental regulations and
permitting requirements and each anticipates that it will continue to do so in
the future. Although El Paso and Tenneco Energy believe that their respective
operations and facilities are in general compliance with applicable
environmental laws and regulations, risks of substantial costs and liabilities
are inherent in natural gas operations, and there can be no assurance that
significant costs and liabilities will not be incurred in the future.
Moreover, it is possible that other developments, such as increasingly strict
environmental laws, regulations and enforcement policies thereunder, and
claims for damages to property, employees, other persons and the environment
resulting from El Paso's or Tenneco Energy's current or discontinued
operations, could result in substantial costs and liabilities in the future.
See "INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ENERGY BUSINESS TO BE MERGED--Environmental
Matters" and Note 15 to the Tenneco Energy Combined Financial Statements
included elsewhere herein.
 
CHANGES IN ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRY CONDITIONS
 
  El Paso's business and operating results and Tenneco Energy's business and
operating results can be adversely affected by changes in the economic
environment, including changes in interest rates, market perceptions of the
natural gas industry, El Paso or Tenneco Energy, or security ratings. It is
anticipated that in excess of $2 billion of the debt of El Paso and its
subsidiaries after the Merger will be short term debt. El Paso's ability to
refinance this debt on favorable terms will be impacted by prevailing interest
rates at the time such debt is refinanced.
 
RISK MANAGEMENT; DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
  Prior to 1995, El Paso used derivative instruments to principally manage
well-defined interest rate price risks and had limited involvement in
financial derivative instruments to manage commodity price risks. Subsequent
to the acquisition of Eastex Energy Inc. in September 1995, El Paso has
broadened its utilization of natural gas futures, options and swap contracts
to hedge higher levels of volumetric fixed price purchase and sale
commitments. In the ordinary course and conduct of its business, El Paso's
marketing affiliate, El Paso Energy Marketing ("EPEM"), utilizes futures and
option contracts traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") and
over-the-counter ("OTC") options and price and basis swaps with major gas
merchants and financial institutions to hedge its price risk exposure related
to inventories and fixed price commitments to purchase and sell natural gas.
It is EPEM's policy to seek to maintain a balanced portfolio of supply and
demand contracts, utilizing the NYMEX and OTC financial markets to hedge
against price volatility which may affect those obligations. In addition to
its hedging activities, EPEM also engages in selective trading of these
financial instruments. Losses incurred as a result of derivatives transactions
could have an adverse effect on the financial condition or results of
operations of El Paso.
 
  Tenneco Energy has utilized financial instruments for many years to mitigate
its exposure to various risks. Tenneco Energy is currently party to financial
instruments to hedge its exposure to changes in interest rates and natural gas
prices. Although losses could occur, the derivatives contracts used by Tenneco
Energy are generally designated as hedges whose fair value correlates to price
movements of natural gas. As a result, gains or losses resulting from market
changes should generally be offset by losses or gains on the hedged
transaction.
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
OPERATING HAZARDS AND UNINSURED RISKS
 
  The operations of El Paso and Tenneco Energy are subject to the inherent
risks normally associated with the transportation, gathering and processing of
natural gas, including explosions, pollution and fires, each of which could
result in damage to or destruction of gas transportation, gathering and
processing facilities or damage to persons and property. While each of El Paso
and Tenneco Energy maintains insurance against such risks and in amounts that
it believes to be reasonable, the occurrence of a significant event that is
not fully insured against could have a material adverse effect on El Paso's or
Tenneco Energy's combined financial condition or operations.
 
EFFECTS OF WEATHER
 
  El Paso's and Tenneco Energy's results of operations can be adversely
affected by weather conditions, which may result in lower energy usage or in
increased availability of alternative energy sources, thereby reducing demand
for and prices of natural gas. See "--Exposure to Markets."
 
ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS
 
  Opportunities for growth through acquisitions and investments in joint
ventures, and future operating results and the success of acquisitions and
joint ventures within and outside the United States may be subject to the
effects of, and changes in, United States and foreign trade and monetary
policies, laws and regulations, political and economic developments, inflation
rates, and the effects of taxes and operating conditions. Activities in areas
outside the United States are also subject to the risks inherent in foreign
operations, including loss of revenue, property and equipment as a result of
hazards such as expropriation, nationalization, war, insurrection and other
political risks, and the effects of currency fluctuations and exchange
controls.
 
LIABILITIES OF TENNECO ENERGY FOR DISCONTINUED BUSINESSES
 
  Tenneco has certain actual and contingent liabilities which, under the terms
of the Distribution Agreement, will be liabilities of Tenneco Energy after the
Effective Time. These liabilities relate to, among other things, retiree
medical and other retiree costs of former employees of Tenneco and its
subsidiaries, litigation, environmental matters, and liabilities (including
environmental liabilities) relating to discontinued businesses and operations
of Tenneco and its subsidiaries (other than the discontinued businesses of New
Tenneco and Newport News). El Paso has estimated that the aggregate amount of
these liabilities is approximately $600 million. However, the actual amount of
such liabilities could vary materially from such estimate.
 
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
  The results of El Paso or Tenneco Energy could be affected by changes in
generally accepted accounting principles or policies by standard setting
bodies such as the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC.
 
CALIFORNIA RISKS
 
  El Paso's business is particularly sensitive to the California market.
California is the largest single market served by El Paso and is the second
largest natural gas market in the nation. However, the industry's increasing
reliance on market forces has allowed the construction of significant excess
pipeline capacity into California. Currently, El Paso has firm transportation
contracts covering 89% of its current capacity to California. By 1998, that
figure has the potential to drop to approximately 53%. El Paso's largest
contracts for interstate capacity to California are with Southern California
Gas Company ("SoCal") and Pacific Gas and Electric Company ("PG&E"). In 1995,
natural gas deliveries by El Paso to SoCal and PG&E accounted for 17% and 12%,
respectively, of El Paso's consolidated operating revenues (no other customer
accounted for 10% or more of such revenues). SoCal has exercised an option in
its contract to relinquish certain firm capacity rights, and PG&E has
exercised its right to relinquish all firm capacity rights commencing in 1998.
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
  In addition to the comprehensive offer of settlement described above, El
Paso is seeking to offset the effects of these and other future reductions in
existing firm capacity commitments by actively seeking new markets, pursuing
attractive opportunities to increase traditional market share, and controlling
costs. El Paso's efforts to obtain new markets in California at full tariff
rates are adversely impacted by the current excess interstate pipeline
capacity to California.
 
INTEGRATION OF OPERATIONS
 
  While El Paso believes that operational, financial and administrative
synergies can be achieved through the combination of El Paso and Tenneco
Energy, the amount and timing of realization of such synergies will depend
upon the ability of El Paso to integrate successfully the businesses and
operations of the companies, and the time period over which such integration
is effected.
 
SAFE HARBOR DISCLOSURE: FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AND ASSOCIATED RISKS
 
  This Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus contains or incorporates by reference
forward looking statements. The factors identified under "RISK FACTORS" are
important factors (but not necessarily all important factors) that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-
looking statement made by, or on behalf of, El Paso or Tenneco (or their
respective subsidiaries).
 
  Where any such forward-looking statement includes a statement of the
assumptions or bases underlying such forward-looking statement, El Paso and
Tenneco caution that, while such assumptions or bases are believed to be
reasonable and are made in good faith, assumed facts or bases almost always
vary from actual results, and the differences between assumed facts or basis
and actual results can be material, depending upon the circumstances. Where,
in any forward-looking statement, El Paso or Tenneco (or their respective
subsidiaries), or their respective managements, express an expectation or
belief as to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good
faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance
that the statement of expectation or belief will result or be achieved or
accomplished. The words "believe," "expect" and "anticipate" and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements. The portions of this Joint
Proxy Statement--Prospectus which contain forward-looking statements generally
include cross-references to "CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE
TRANSACTION" or "RISK FACTORS." See also the information contained under the
captions "--Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations of the Energy Business," "--Interstate Pipeline
Operations," "--Gas Marketing and Interstate Pipelines," "--International,
Power Generation and Ventures," and "--Operation of the Energy Business After
the Merger," included in the section entitled "INFORMATION CONCERNING THE
ENERGY BUSINESS TO BE MERGED" included elsewhere herein and the information
incorporated by reference from El Paso's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and El Paso's Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1996, as amended, and June 30, 1996
under the headings "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," and "Business and Properties."
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
                          THE TENNECO SPECIAL MEETING
 
GENERAL
 
  This Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus is being furnished to Tenneco
Stockholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the
Tenneco Board of Directors for use at the Tenneco Special Meeting to be held
on December   , 1996 at the time and place specified in the accompanying
Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders, or any adjournment or postponements
thereof.
 
PURPOSE OF THE TENNECO SPECIAL MEETING
 
  The purpose of the Tenneco Special Meeting is to consider and vote upon a
single, unified proposal to approve and adopt the Transaction and to transact
such other business as may properly come before the Tenneco Special Meeting.
The Distributions, Merger and Charter Amendment will be voted on together as
parts of the Transaction, and will not be effected separately (although if the
Transaction is not approved, Tenneco may subsequently elect to undertake one
or more transactions included in the Transaction which do not require
stockholder approval). See "THE TRANSACTION," "THE DISTRIBUTIONS," "THE
MERGER" and "THE CHARTER AMENDMENT."
 
  Each copy of this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus mailed to Tenneco
Stockholders is accompanied by a form of proxy for use at the Tenneco Special
Meeting. This Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus is also furnished to Tenneco
Stockholders as a prospectus of El Paso with respect to the shares of El Paso
Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any, issuable to
Tenneco Stockholders upon consummation of the Merger.
 
  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TENNECO RECOMMENDS THAT TENNECO STOCKHOLDERS VOTE
FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE TRANSACTION.
 
RECORD DATE; SHARES ENTITLED TO VOTE; QUORUM
 
  The Board of Directors of Tenneco has fixed the close of business on October
  , 1996 as the Tenneco Record Date for the determination of the Tenneco
Stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Tenneco Special
Meeting. Only holders of record of shares of Tenneco Stock as of the Tenneco
Record Date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Tenneco Special
Meeting. On the Tenneco Record Date, (a)            shares of Tenneco Common
Stock were outstanding, (b)       shares of $4.50 Preferred Stock were
outstanding, and (c)        shares of $7.40 Preferred Stock were outstanding,
with each share being entitled to one vote on each matter to be considered at
the Tenneco Special Meeting by the holders of shares of such class or series
of Tenneco Stock. The holders of at least (i) a majority of the outstanding
shares of Tenneco Common Stock and $7.40 Preferred Stock, together as a class,
and (ii) a majority of the outstanding shares of $7.40 Preferred Stock and
$4.50 Preferred Stock, together as a class, must be present in person or
represented by proxy at the Tenneco Special Meeting in order to establish a
quorum for the transaction of business at the Tenneco Special Meeting.
 
VOTES REQUIRED; EFFECT OF ABSTENTIONS AND NON-VOTES
 
  Approval and adoption of the Transaction by the Tenneco Stockholders at the
Tenneco Special Meeting requires both (i) the affirmative vote of holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Tenneco Common Stock and $7.40
Preferred Stock, voting together as a class, and (ii) the affirmative vote of
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the $4.50 Preferred Stock
and $7.40 Preferred Stock, voting together as a class. As described below, the
Distributions and the Charter Amendment will also require the approval of the
holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock to be issued in the NPS Issuance
if such stock is issued prior to approval of the Transaction at the Tenneco
Stockholders Meeting. If the NPS Issuance occurs prior to the approval of the
Transaction of the Tenneco Special Meeting, Tenneco intends to obtain such
approval in the form of written consent from the initial record holders of the
Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock. See "THE NPS ISSUANCE" and "THE MERGER--
Appraisal Rights." Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Tenneco
Charter and
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
the Tenneco Bylaws, any other business to properly come before the Tenneco
Special Meeting will require the affirmative vote of holders of majority of
the shares of Tenneco Common Stock and $7.40 Preferred Stock, voting together
as a class, present in person or by proxy at the Tenneco Special Meeting.
Abstentions will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or
absence of a quorum at the Tenneco Special Meeting. Broker non-votes (which
occur when brokers holding shares as nominees for their customers do not have
authority to vote on a matter absent specific instructions from the beneficial
owners of the shares) will be counted for purposes of determining the presence
or absence of a quorum at the Tenneco Special Meeting. Because approval of the
transaction requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding
shares of two groups of Tenneco stockholders, abstentions, broker non-votes
and failures to vote in person or by proxy at the Tenneco Special Meeting will
have the effect of votes against the Transaction. With respect to all other
business to properly come before the Tenneco Special Meeting, abstentions,
broker non-votes and failures to vote shares represented and entitled to vote
will have the effect of votes cast against.
 
  While holders of Tenneco Common Stock are not entitled as a matter of
Delaware law to vote on the Distributions, approval thereof by the holders of
Tenneco Common Stock is a condition to the consummation of the Distributions
under the Distribution Agreement. Furthermore, although the holders of $4.50
Preferred Stock are not entitled as a matter of Delaware law to vote on the
Merger Agreement and Charter Amendment, Tenneco's Board of Directors has
nonetheless determined to submit the Transaction as a whole to the vote of all
Tenneco Stockholders.
 
VOTING AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
 
  Stockholders of record as of the Tenneco Record Date are entitled to cast
their votes, in person or by properly executed proxy, at the Tenneco Special
Meeting. All shares of Tenneco Stock represented at the Tenneco Special
Meeting by properly executed proxies received prior to the Tenneco Special
Meeting, unless properly revoked, will be voted at the Tenneco Special Meeting
in accordance with the instructions indicated on such proxies. IF A PROXY IS
SIGNED AND RETURNED BY A HOLDER OF TENNECO STOCK WITHOUT INDICATING ANY VOTING
INSTRUCTIONS, THE SHARES OF TENNECO STOCK REPRESENTED BY THE PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE TRANSACTION. Any proxy given by a
Tenneco Stockholder pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person
giving it at any time before the proxy is voted by (a) filing with the
Secretary of Tenneco, at or before the Tenneco Special Meeting, a written
notice of revocation bearing a date later than the date of the proxy; (b) duly
executing a subsequent proxy relating to the same shares and delivering it to
the Secretary of Tenneco before the Tenneco Special Meeting; or (c) attending
the Tenneco Special Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the
Tenneco Special Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of a
proxy).
 
  The Board of Directors of Tenneco is not aware of any business to be acted
upon at the Tenneco Special Meeting other than as described in this Joint
Proxy Statement-Prospectus. If, however, other business is properly brought
before the Tenneco Special Meeting, including a stockholder vote on a motion
to adjourn, the persons appointed as proxies or their substitutes will have
discretion to vote or act thereon according to their best judgment and
applicable law unless the proxy indicates otherwise.
 
TENNECO STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR PROXY
CARDS.
 
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
  In connection with the Tenneco Special Meeting, proxies are being solicited
by and on behalf of the Tenneco Board of Directors. In addition to
solicitation by use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by directors,
officers and employees of Tenneco in person or by telephone, telegram or other
means of communication. Such directors, officers and employees will not be
specifically compensated for such services but may be reimbursed for out-of-
pocket expenses in connection with such solicitation. In addition, Tenneco has
engaged Georgeson & Co., Tenneco's regular investor relations firm, to assist
in the solicitation of proxies for the Tenneco Special Meeting. The
anticipated cost of such assistance is approximately $     . Arrangements will
be made with brokerage houses, nominees, fiduciaries and custodians for
forwarding of proxy solicitation materials to
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
beneficial owners of Tenneco Stock held of record by such persons, and Tenneco
may reimburse such nominees, fiduciaries and custodians for their reasonable
expenses incurred in connection therewith.
 
  All expenses of the solicitation of Tenneco Stockholders in connection with
the Tenneco Special Meeting will be borne by Tenneco. However, any such
expenses which remain unpaid as of the Merger Effective Time will remain the
responsibility of Tenneco pursuant to the Debt Realignment and be included in
the Actual Energy Debt Amount. New Tenneco must reimburse Tenneco for the
amount by which the Actual Energy Debt Amount exceeds the Base Debt Amount.
See "THE TRANSACTION--Expenses."
 
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
 
  Appraisal rights are available to record holders of $4.50 Preferred Stock
and persons who become record holders of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock on or
prior to the date of the Tenneco Special Meeting in connection with the
Merger. No other stockholders of Tenneco are entitled to any such appraisal
rights. See "THE NPS ISSUANCE" and "THE MERGER--Appraisal Rights."
 
ADJOURNMENT OF THE TENNECO SPECIAL MEETING
 
  If the Tenneco Special Meeting is adjourned to another time and place,
notice of the adjourned meeting will not be given if the time and place of the
adjourned meeting are announced at the Tenneco Special Meeting. If the
adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment the Tenneco
Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, a notice
of the Tenneco Special Meeting will be given to each Tenneco Stockholder of
record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting.
 
TENNECO JUNIOR PREFERRED STOCKHOLDERS WRITTEN CONSENT
 
  The holders of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the NPS
Issuance will not vote at the Tenneco Special Meeting. If the NPS Issuance
occurs prior to the approval of the Transaction at the Tenneco Special
Meeting, approval of each of the Distributions (which will require approval of
a majority of outstanding shares of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock) and the
Charter Amendment (which will require approval of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock) by the holders of
Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will be obtained separately by written consent
by the initial record holders thereof. See "THE NPS ISSUANCE."
 
                          THE EL PASO SPECIAL MEETING
 
GENERAL
 
  This Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus is being furnished to the stockholders
of El Paso in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the
Board of Directors of El Paso for use at the El Paso Special Meeting to be
held on        , 1996 at the time and place specified in the accompanying
Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders, or any adjournment or postponements
thereof.
 
PURPOSE OF THE EL PASO SPECIAL MEETING
 
  The purpose of the El Paso Special Meeting is to consider and vote upon the
proposal to approve the Stock Issuance and to transact such other business as
may properly come before the El Paso Special Meeting.
 
  El Paso is seeking stockholder approval of the Stock Issuance to comply with
certain requirements of the NYSE governing the listing of the El Paso Common
Stock thereon and relating to the issuance of El Paso Common Stock in the
Merger. Approval of the Stock Issuance by El Paso stockholders is not required
by Delaware law or by El Paso's Restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-
laws.
 
  Each copy of this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus mailed to El Paso
stockholders is accompanied by a form of proxy for use at the El Paso Special
Meeting.
 
  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EL PASO RECOMMENDS THAT EL PASO STOCKHOLDERS VOTE
FOR APPROVAL OF THE STOCK ISSUANCE.
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
RECORD DATE; SHARES ENTITLED TO VOTE; QUORUM
 
  The Board of Directors of El Paso has fixed the close of business on       ,
1996 as the El Paso Record Date for the determination of the El Paso
stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the El Paso Special
Meeting. Only holders of record of shares of El Paso Common Stock as of the El
Paso Record Date will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the El Paso
Special Meeting. On the El Paso Record Date,       shares of El Paso Common
Stock were outstanding. In order to establish a quorum for the transaction of
business at the El Paso Special Meeting, holders of a majority of shares of
outstanding El Paso Common Stock must be either (i) present in person at the
El Paso Special Meeting, or (ii) represented at the meeting by a valid proxy,
whether the instrument granting such proxy is marked as casting a vote or
abstaining, is left blank or does not empower such proxy to vote with respect
to some or all matters to be voted upon at the meeting.
 
VOTES REQUIRED; EFFECT OF ABSTENTIONS AND NON-VOTES
 
  Each share of El Paso Common Stock outstanding as of the El Paso Record Date
entitles the holder thereof to one vote on each matter presented for a
stockholder vote at the El Paso Special Meeting. Approval and adoption of the
Stock Issuance by the stockholders of El Paso requires the affirmative vote of
the holders of the majority of the shares of the El Paso Common Stock present
in person or represented by proxy at the El Paso Special Meeting and entitled
to vote thereon. Any other business to come properly before the El Paso
Special Meeting will require the affirmative vote of holders of the majority
of the shares of El Paso Common Stock present in person or represented by
proxy at the El Paso Special Meeting and entitled to vote thereon, unless a
greater vote is required by Delaware law or by El Paso's Restated Certificate
of Incorporation or By-laws. In determining the number of votes cast for or
against a proposal, shares abstaining from voting on a matter will not be
treated as a vote for or against the proposal. A non-vote by a broker will be
treated as if the broker never voted, but a non-vote by a stockholder will be
counted as a vote "for" the management's position. Because approval of the
Stock Issuance requires the affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of
the shares of El Paso Common Stock present at the El Paso Special Meeting or
represented by proxy, and abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted
toward the quorum requirement, abstentions and broker non-votes at the El Paso
Special Meeting will have the effect of votes against the Stock Issuance.
 
VOTING AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
 
  Stockholders of record as of the El Paso Record Date are entitled to cast
their votes, in person or by properly executed proxy, at the El Paso Special
Meeting. All shares of El Paso Common Stock represented at the El Paso Special
Meeting by properly executed proxies received at or prior to the El Paso
Special Meeting, unless properly revoked, will be voted at the El Paso Special
Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated on such proxies. IF A
PROXY IS SIGNED AND RETURNED BY A HOLDER OF EL PASO COMMON STOCK WITHOUT
INDICATING ANY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS, THE SHARES OF EL PASO COMMON STOCK
REPRESENTED BY THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL OF THE STOCK ISSUANCE. Any
proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving
it at any time before the proxy is voted by: (a) filing with the Secretary of
El Paso, at or before the El Paso Special Meeting, a written notice of
revocation bearing a date later than the date of the proxy; (b) duly executing
another proxy relating to the same shares and bearing a date subsequent to the
proxy being revoked and delivering it to the Secretary of El Paso at or before
the El Paso Special Meeting; or (c) attending the El Paso Special Meeting and
voting in person.
 
  The Board of Directors of El Paso is not aware of any business to be acted
upon at the El Paso Special Meeting other than as described in this Joint
Proxy Statement-Prospectus. If, however, other matters are properly brought
before the El Paso Special Meeting, or any adjournments or postponements
thereof, the persons appointed as proxies or their substitutes will have
discretion to vote or act thereon according to their best judgment and
applicable law unless the proxy indicates otherwise.
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
  In connection with the El Paso Special Meeting, proxies are being solicited
by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of El Paso. In addition to
solicitation by use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by directors,
officers and employees of El Paso in person or by telephone, telegram or other
means of communication. Such directors, officers and employees will not be
specifically compensated for such services but may be reimbursed for out-of-
pocket expenses in connection with such solicitation. In addition, El Paso has
engaged Georgeson & Co., El Paso's regular investor relations firm, to assist
in the solicitation of proxies for the El Paso Special Meeting. The
anticipated cost of such assistance is approximately $  . Arrangements will be
made with brokerage houses, nominees, fiduciaries and custodians for
reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith.
 
ADJOURNMENT OF THE EL PASO SPECIAL MEETING
 
  If the El Paso Special Meeting is adjourned to another time and place,
notice of the adjourned meeting will not be given if the time and place of the
adjourned meeting are announced at the El Paso Special Meeting. If the
adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment the El Paso
Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, a notice
of the El Paso Special Meeting will be given to each El Paso stockholder of
record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting.
 
                                      58
<PAGE>
 
                                THE TRANSACTION
 
STRUCTURE OF THE TRANSACTION
 
  The Distributions, Merger and Charter Amendment are separate parts of the
Transaction, none of which will be consummated unless the Transaction as a
whole is approved at the Tenneco Special Meeting (although Tenneco may elect
subsequently to proceed with one or more of the transactions included in the
Transaction which do not require stockholder approval if the Transaction is
not approved). The Distributions will not be consummated until all other
conditions to the Merger have been satisfied (or can be contemporaneously
satisfied), other than the filing of a Certificate of Merger with the
Secretary of State of Delaware.
 
  The following sets forth the principal transactions which will be undertaken
to consummate the Transaction:
 
  . NPS Issuance. Pursuant to the NPS Issuance, Tenneco will issue, in a
    private placement or registered public offering, shares of Tenneco Junior
    Preferred Stock in an amount calculated, to the extent possible, to have,
    as of the Merger Effective Time an aggregate value equal to approximately
    25% of the total value of all shares of Tenneco capital stock then
    outstanding. Holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will also have
    the right to elect, voting separately as a class, a number of directors
    of Tenneco (rounded up to the nearest whole number) representing one-
    sixth of the members of the Board of Directors of Tenneco. See "THE NPS
    ISSUANCE" and "DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT."
 
  . Debt Realignment. The Tenneco Energy Consolidated Debt (the book value of
    which, at June 30, 1996, totalled approximately $4,443 million) will be
    restructured and refinanced pursuant to the Debt Realignment. See "THE
    DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT." If the Transaction had been consummated on
    June 30, 1996, on a pro forma basis, Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport
    News would have had indebtedness for money borrowed of $2,569 million,
    $2,057 million and $610 million, respectively. See "--UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
    FINANCIAL INFORMATION."
 
  . Corporate Restructuring. Tenneco will restructure, divide and separate
    its existing businesses so that, upon consummation of the Distributions,
    the assets, liabilities and operations of the Industrial Business and the
    Shipbuilding Business will be directly and indirectly owned and operated
    by New Tenneco and Newport News, respectively.
 
  . Cash Realignment. The total amount of cash and cash equivalents of
    Tenneco and its consolidated subsidiaries (which, as of June 30, 1996
    totalled approximately $229 million) as of the Merger Effective Time will
    be allocated $25.0 million to Tenneco, $5.0 million to Newport News and
    the balance to New Tenneco. See "DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT."
 
  . The Charter Amendment. Tenneco will file the Charter Amendment to
    eliminate certain relative rights and preferences of its authorized class
    of junior preferred stock (including the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock
    issued pursuant to the NPS Issuance).
 
  . The Distributions. Tenneco will distribute pro rata to the holders of
    Tenneco Common Stock as of the Distribution Record Date all outstanding
    shares of New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock. The
    Distribution Agreement and various agreements to be entered into in
    connection therewith will govern the post-Transaction allocation of
    various other rights and obligations among Tenneco, New Tenneco and
    Newport News. See "--Consideration to Tenneco Stockholders."
 
  . The Merger. El Paso Subsidiary will be merged with and into Tenneco,
    which will then consist solely of the Energy Business (i.e., the
    remaining assets, liabilities and operations of Tenneco and its
    subsidiaries remaining after the Distributions, including certain
    discontinued operations thereof not
 
                                      59
<PAGE>
 
    related to the Industrial Business or Shipbuilding Business). Tenneco
    will survive the Merger, with approximately 75% of its equity value at
    that time being owned by El Paso (and the remainder held by the holders
    of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the NPS
    Issuance). In addition, the holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock
    issued pursuant to the NPS Issuance will possess the right to elect a
    number of directors of Tenneco, rounded up to the nearest whole number,
    representing one-sixth of the number of members of the Board of Directors
    of Tenneco if there were no vacancies. See "--Consideration to Tenneco
    Stockholders" and "THE NPS ISSUANCE."
 
CONSIDERATION TO TENNECO STOCKHOLDERS
 
  The following tables sets forth what holders of Tenneco Stock would receive
if the Transaction were consummated on the date hereof (assuming, solely for
purposes of calculating the consideration to be received by Tenneco
Stockholders in the Merger, (i) an Average El Paso Common Price of $39.8625
(which is equal to the average per share closing price on the NYSE for the 20-
day trading period ended August 21, 1996), (ii) prior consummation of the
Acquisition, (iii) [solely for purposes of this preliminary filing, an
aggregate liquidation preference for all outstanding shares of Tenneco
Preferred Stock of $112 million], and (iv) the issuance of no additional
shares of Tenneco Common Stock upon the exercise of options and the vesting of
performance share awards in connection with the Merger).
 
<TABLE>
 <C>                             <S>
 HOLDERS OF:                     WILL RECEIVE:
 . Tenneco Common Stock          . one share of New Tenneco Common Stock for
                                   every share of Tenneco Common Stock held
                                 . one share of Newport News Common Stock for
                                   every five shares of Tenneco Common Stock
                                   held
                                 . if the Stock Issuance is approved, .097
                                   shares of El Paso Common Stock for every
                                   share of Tenneco Common Stock held
                                 . if the Stock Issuance is not approved, .025
                                   shares of El Paso Common Stock and .073 El
                                   Paso Preferred Depositary Shares for every
                                   share of Tenneco Common Stock held
 . $7.40 Preferred Stock         . 2.509 shares of El Paso Common Stock for
                                   every share of $7.40 Preferred Stock held
 . $4.50 Preferred Stock         . 2.509 shares of El Paso Common Stock for
                                   every share of $4.50 Preferred Stock held
</TABLE>
 
  Because the number of shares of El Paso Common Stock (and El Paso Preferred
Depositary Shares, if any) to be issued in exchange for shares of Tenneco
Common Stock in the Merger is determined by taking into account the Collar,
but the number of shares of El Paso Common Stock to be issued in exchange for
Tenneco Preferred Stock is determined without regard to the Collar, the shares
of El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any,
received by holders of Tenneco Common Stock may have a value (based upon the
average closing price of the El Paso Common Stock for the Average Period) of
more or less than the Average El Paso Common Price, while the shares of El
Paso Common Stock received by holders of Tenneco Preferred Stock will always
have a value (based upon the average closing price of the El Paso Common Stock
for the Average Period) equal to the Average El Paso Common Price (subject in
each case to market price fluctuations between the date of issuance and
receipt).
 
                                      60
<PAGE>
 
  Because the consideration to be received by Tenneco Stockholders will be
fixed based upon an average of closing prices of the El Paso Common Stock over
a 20 trading day period ending on the day that is two trading days prior to the
Merger Effective Time, the market value at the Merger Effective Time of the El
Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any, received by
Tenneco Stockholders in the Merger may be more or less than such 20 trading day
average.
 
  Shares of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, which will be issued pursuant
to the NPS Issuance, will not be converted or exchanged in the Merger and will
remain issued and outstanding following the Merger, but holders thereof will
receive no consideration therefor in the Transaction. See "THE NPS ISSUANCE."
In any event, Tenneco Stockholders will receive cash in lieu of fractional
shares and fractional El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any. See "THE
DISTRIBUTIONS--Manner of Distribution" and "THE MERGER--Conversion of Shares."
 
  Tenneco Stockholders may call El Paso's transfer agent, The First National
Bank of Boston, at 1-800-       beginning on     , 1996 to obtain information
regarding the average per share closing price of El Paso Common Stock for the
most recent 20 trading-day period.
 
BACKGROUND OF THE TRANSACTION
 
  For the past several years, Tenneco has been undergoing a corporate
transformation from a highly diversified industrial corporation to a global
manufacturing company focused on its automotive and packaging businesses. This
process can best be described in three phases. The first phase included the
restructuring of Case Corporation ("Case") and the successful implementation of
a $1.1 billion Tenneco equity offering in April 1993. The second phase
consisted of an extensive operating cost savings program, whereby the company
instituted an integrated system of processes, controls and incentives in an
effort to enhance profitability in each of the company's divisions.
 
  The third phase, which is currently ongoing, involves an effort to enhance
growth through the redeployment of Tenneco's resources to higher growth, less
cyclical businesses. For example, the monetization of Tenneco's investment in
Case began with an initial public offering in June 1994 and was followed by
secondary offerings in November 1994, August 1995 and March 1996. Similarly,
Tenneco divested its Albright & Wilson chemicals subsidiary through a 100%
initial public offering in March 1995. The capital raised through these and
other initiatives has been (or will be) redeployed into higher growth
businesses such as (i) Heinrich Gillet GmbH & Co., the largest manufacturer of
automotive exhaust systems in Europe, that was acquired by Tenneco in November
1994, (ii) the Manufacturas Fonos, S.L., Spain's largest participant in the
exhaust systems aftermarket, that was acquired by Tenneco in the third quarter
of 1995, (iii) The Pullman Company and its Clevite products division, a leading
manufacturer of elastomeric vibration control components, that was acquired by
Tenneco in July 1996, (iv) Mobil Plastics, a specialty packaging business with
several leading brand-name products that was acquired by Tenneco in November
1995, and (v) Amoco Foam Products, a leading manufacturer of foam polystyrene
tableware, that was acquired in August 1996.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
 
  In the fourth quarter of 1995, Tenneco management began an intensive review
of structural alternatives for increasing stockholder value. Fundamental to
this review was Tenneco's objective of clarifying its corporate focus in favor
of its automotive and packaging businesses and away from its energy and
shipbuilding business. The strategic review gradually became focused on two
alternatives. The first alternative focused upon the creation of three
independent publicly-traded companies through tax-free spin-offs of both New
Tenneco and Newport News. The second alternative assumed that the Energy
Business would be acquired by a strategic buyer in a tax-free merger
transaction immediately following the spin-offs of New Tenneco and Newport
News.
 
  Tenneco management, together with its financial advisor Lazard Freres & Co.
LLC ("Lazard"), analyzed these alternatives with a view towards maximizing
stockholder value and ensuring adequate financial flexibility for future
automotive and packaging acquisitions. After a thorough review of these
alternatives, both Tenneco management and its financial advisor concluded that
the alternative involving the merger of the Energy Business had the greatest
potential for maximizing shareholder value as Tenneco's stockholders would
receive common stock in a new company (i.e., the Energy Business combined with
the strategic buyer's existing business) that should have a stronger market
position and stronger earnings growth than the Energy Business as a stand-
alone company, providing stockholders with an increased opportunity for
enhanced stockholder value in the future. Tenneco management, together with
its financial advisor, also concluded that a merger of the Energy Business
would allow Tenneco to spin-off New Tenneco with less debt and thus greater
opportunity to take advantage of value enhancing transactions in the future.
 
  In the first quarter of 1996, Lazard was asked to conduct a formal
divestiture process for the Energy Business. After an Offering Memorandum was
prepared describing the Energy Business, its prospects and the proposed merger
transaction, Lazard contacted possible logical strategic buyers with respect
to the proposed transaction. In addition, as a result of a Tenneco press
release indicating its development of strategic options to separate the Energy
Business from New Tenneco through a tax-free spinoff, a merger, a strategic
alliance or other action, Lazard was contacted directly by several interested
potential strategic buyers.
 
  First round bidders were asked to indicate preliminary values for the Energy
Business based solely upon the information contained in the Offering
Memorandum and other publicly available information. In mid-April 1996,
several bidders submitted preliminary non-binding indications of interest for
an acquisition of the Energy Business. Given the relatively tight range of
preliminary indications of interest, each of the first round bidders was
invited to participate in second round due diligence. During second round due
diligence, prospective buyers were given complete access to the senior
management of the Energy Business, a comprehensive data room and visits to key
sites.
 
  During the last week of May 1996, Lazard distributed a final bid package to
prospective buyers including: (i) detailed operating projections for the
Energy Business, (ii) guidelines with respect to the acquisition process, and
(iii) a summary of the terms of the agreement and plan of merger and drafts of
the related transaction documentation prepared by Tenneco. In an effort to
expedite the sales process in order to complete a transaction before the
anticipated enactment of legislation that could potentially affect adversely
the tax-free treatment of the proposed merger, a final bid date was not
formally communicated to potential bidders. Instead, bidders were encouraged
to set forth final proposals as quickly as possible with Tenneco reacting to
final proposals on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the final bid
package did make clear Tenneco's intention to fully negotiate a definitive
proposal and file an IRS ruling request prior to June 30, 1996.
 
  Tenneco received three final proposals for an acquisition of the Energy
Business. These proposals reflected varying structures, types and amounts of
consideration to be delivered, liabilities to be assumed (particularly with
respect to liabilities associated with discontinued operations) and conditions
to closing (including further due diligence and negotiation of transaction
documentation). In addition, the potential acquirors responded in different
ways to Tenneco's request to provide definitive comments on documentation for
the transaction. At the June 19, 1996 meeting of the Tenneco Board of
Directors, Lazard reviewed the process by which the bids were solicited and
reviewed the three definitive proposals. In reviewing the three proposals,
Tenneco management,
 
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together with Lazard, reached the judgment that two of the proposals (one of
which was El Paso's) were substantially more favorable than the third.
 
  In reviewing the valuations of the two most favorable proposals, it was the
judgment of Tenneco management, together with Lazard, that although the bidder
other than El Paso assigned a nominally higher value to its proposal than the
terms set forth in the Merger Agreement, the adjusted value of that proposal
was, considered as a whole, slightly less than the terms set forth in the
Merger Agreement (primarily as a result of assigning a lower adjusted value to
the common equity consideration thereof which did not have an established
public market valuation). In addition, it was the judgment of Tenneco
management, together with Lazard, that such proposal was substantially less
certain of consummation in the time frame set by the Tenneco Board of Directors
for execution of definitive documentation than the El Paso proposal. Tenneco
management, together with Lazard, reached its judgment as to the appropriate
valuation of this other bidder's equity consideration after taking into account
the full benefit of a post-closing equity ownership adjustment mechanism
contained in such proposal.
 
  On June 19, 1996, the Board of Directors of both Tenneco and El Paso approved
the transaction, and the Merger Agreement was executed and delivered. The
transaction was publicly announced after the financial markets in New York
closed on June 19, 1996.
 
REASONS FOR THE TRANSACTION; RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
 
  Tenneco. The Board of Directors of Tenneco has approved the Distribution
Agreement, the Merger Agreement and Charter Amendment and the transactions
contemplated thereby and recommends that the stockholders of Tenneco vote FOR
approval and adoption of the Transaction.
 
  The Board of Directors of Tenneco believes the Transaction is in the best
interests of Tenneco and its stockholders. In reaching its decision to approve
the Transaction, the Tenneco Board of Directors consulted with Tenneco's
management, legal advisors and financial advisors, and considered a number of
factors, including, but not limited to, the following:
 
    (i) Information regarding the financial condition, results of operations,
  business and prospects of El Paso and Tenneco, as well as current industry
  conditions and trends as they relate to the Energy, Industrial and
  Shipbuilding Businesses.
 
    (ii) That the holders of Tenneco Stock will receive in the Merger fair
  value, in the form of El Paso Common Stock and, under certain
  circumstances, El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, for the businesses and
  assets of the Energy Business being combined in the Merger with those of El
  Paso and will retain a continuing interest in the future prospects of the
  Energy Business as well as acquire an interest in the businesses and assets
  of El Paso.
 
    (iii) That the holders of Tenneco Stock will have investment liquidity,
  since shares of El Paso Common Stock, New Tenneco Common Stock, Newport
  News Common Stock and, if issued in the Merger, El Paso Preferred
  Depositary Shares will be listed on the NYSE.
 
    (iv) The potential for increased value believed to result from the
  acquisition of the Energy Business by El Paso because of complementary
  geographic and operating fit and in the possibility of efficiencies in,
  costs savings to and the achievement of critical mass in non-regulated
  operations of the combined Tenneco Energy-El Paso operations after the
  Merger.
 
    (v) The fact that the separation of Tenneco's Energy, Industrial and
  Shipbuilding Businesses will allow each of Tenneco Energy, New Tenneco and
  Newport News to concentrate exclusively on its own business objectives,
  which the Board of Directors of Tenneco believes will enhance each
  company's profitability.
 
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<PAGE>
 
    (vi) The opportunity that the Transaction offers for each of Tenneco
  Energy, New Tenneco and Newport News to attract, motivate and retain key
  personnel through the provision of more effective incentive compensation
  programs (including, in the case of Newport News, an employee stock
  ownership plan) that are based on the performance of the respective
  businesses in which such individuals are employed without being influenced
  by the results of the businesses in which they have no involvement.
 
    (vii) The strategic and financial alternatives available to Tenneco,
  including the spinoff of all three of the Industrial Business, Shipbuilding
  Business and Energy Business or the sale of one or more of the Energy
  Business and the Shipbuilding Business, and the discussions with and
  indications of interest from other potential acquirors of the Energy
  Business and the Shipbuilding Business.
 
    (viii) Its and its financial advisor's analyses and judgements regarding
  the three definitive proposals received from potential acquirors of the
  Energy Business, as described under "--Background of The Transaction."
 
    (ix) The opinion of Lazard to the effect that the consideration to be
  received by the holders of Tenneco Stock pursuant to the Transaction was,
  as of the date of such opinion, fair, from a financial point of view, to
  such holders (see "--Opinions of Financial Advisors--Tenneco").
 
    (x) The fact that the Transaction is expected to maximize stockholder
  value by allowing for the value of the non-core businesses to be realized
  and for the growth of core business revenues.
 
    (xi) The flexibility the Transaction is expected to afford to each of New
  Tenneco and Newport News to pursue business opportunities, including
  acquisitions, joint ventures and business combinations, in certain
  circumstances using their own common stock as consideration.
 
    (xii) The expected enhancement of the ability of each of Tenneco, New
  Tenneco and Newport News to raise additional equity and debt financing by
  better comprehension on the part of potential investors and lenders of the
  nature and strength of the business and assets of each individual company
  with a long-term reduction in the cost of capital.
 
    (xiii) That the Distributions will facilitate the acquisition of the
  Energy Business by El Paso in a tax-free transaction.
 
    (xiv) The fact that both the Distributions and the Merger are expected to
  be tax-free to Tenneco Stockholders for federal income tax purposes (other
  than with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares and
  fractional El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any, or in connection
  with a proper demand for appraisal of shares).
 
    (xv) The formulas for determining the number of shares of El Paso Common
  Stock and any El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares to be received by holders
  of Tenneco Stock in the Merger, as well as recent trading prices for El
  Paso Common Stock, Tenneco Common Stock and $7.40 Preferred Stock.
 
    (xvi) The terms of the Merger Agreement, Distribution Agreement,
  Ancillary Agreements, Charter Amendment and other related agreements.
 
  The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered and given
weight by the Tenneco Board of Directors is not intended to be exhaustive but
is believed to include all material factors considered by the Board of
Directors of Tenneco. In addition, in reaching the determination to approve
and recommend the Transaction, in view of the wide variety of factors
considered in connection with its evaluation of the proposed Transaction, the
Board of Directors of Tenneco did not assign any relative or specific weights
to the foregoing factors, and individual directors may have given differing
weights to the different factors.
 
  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TENNECO RECOMMENDS THAT THE HOLDERS OF TENNECO
STOCK VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE TRANSACTION.
 
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<PAGE>
 
  El Paso. At a meeting on June 19, 1996, the El Paso Board of Directors, by a
unanimous vote of the directors present, approved the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby and resolved to recommend that the El Paso
stockholders approve the Stock Issuance. The Board of Directors of El Paso
believes that the Merger is in the best interests of El Paso and its
stockholders and recommends that El Paso's stockholders vote FOR approval of
the Stock Issuance.
 
  In reaching its determination, El Paso's Board of Directors consulted with
El Paso's management, as well as its financial and legal advisors, and
considered the following material factors:
 
    (i) Information concerning the financial condition, cash flows, business
  operations, assets, liabilities and prospects of El Paso and Tenneco
  Energy, both on an historical and on a pro forma combined basis.
 
    (ii) The Merger would significantly expand the scope of El Paso's energy
  business, resulting in a combined company which would be one of the
  nation's three largest natural gas companies, transporting 4.5 Tcf of gas
  annually through approximately 33,000 miles of pipeline.
 
    (iii) The projected strategic fit and geographic compatibility of the
  combined companies which are expected to result in an integrated pipeline
  system stretching across the United States with a substantial presence in
  all major markets and production regions, which would enable El Paso to
  diversify its transportation operations and reduce its dependence upon the
  California natural gas market.
 
    (iv) The Merger would add critical mass to, and significant expansion
  opportunities for, El Paso's non-regulated gas gathering, processing and
  marketing operations, and provide El Paso with access to the Houston Ship
  Channel industrial area and the Henry gas trading hub, which will permit El
  Paso to take advantage of favorable price differentials between Henry and
  trading hubs to which El Paso's pipeline system currently has access,
  increased flexibility to transport gas east through Tenneco Energy's 30%-
  owned Oasis pipeline, and opportunities to participate in the emerging
  deregulation of the United States electric industry.
 
    (v) The Merger would expand the scope of El Paso's international
  operations, complementing El Paso's existing Latin American operations and
  adding projects in Europe, Indonesia and Australia, and providing
  opportunities for further diversification and international expansion.
 
    (vi) Potential synergies which may be realized by combining El Paso's and
  Tenneco Energy's operations, including synergies resulting from
  consolidation of operations and facilities, economies of scale and
  reengineering of Tenneco Energy's operations.
 
    (vii) The El Paso Board of Directors' evaluation of the legal and
  regulatory issues faced by Tenneco Energy and the Board's belief, based
  upon El Paso's familiarity with Tenneco Energy's customers and the
  comprehensive settlement negotiated by El Paso with its customers in 1996,
  that a combination of El Paso and Tenneco Energy should enhance Tenneco's
  ability to resolve those issues. See "RISK FACTORS--Rates and Regulation."
 
    (viii) The El Paso Board of Directors' assessment of the liabilities of
  Tenneco's discontinued businesses being assumed by Tenneco Energy,
  including liabilities relating to retiree medical and other retiree costs
  of former employees of Tenneco and its subsidiaries, litigation,
  environmental and other matters the amount of which El Paso management
  estimated to be approximately $600 million. See "RISK FACTORS--Liabilities
  of Tenneco Energy for Discontinued Operations."
 
    (ix) The terms of the Merger Agreement, including the fact that the
  Merger is not conditioned on approval of the Stock Issuance. El Paso's
  Board of Directors believed that certainty of consummation would be an
  important consideration for Tenneco's Board of Directors and that El Paso's
  proposal would be more attractive to Tenneco's Board of Directors if the
  proposal were not conditioned on El Paso stockholder approval. While the
  Board of Directors believed that providing the alternative of offering El
  Paso Preferred Stock to Tenneco stockholders was in the best interests of
  El Paso (because this alternative made El Paso's proposal less
  conditional), the Board of Directors noted that the alternative preferred
  stock structure would
 
                                      65
<PAGE>
 
  significantly decrease El Paso's free cash flow, reduce its fixed charge
  coverage ratio and increase its leverage ratio. The Board of Directors also
  noted that the issuance of El Paso Preferred Stock would be viewed less
  favorably by its rating agencies.
 
    (x) The Merger is expected to be accretive to El Paso's pro forma
  earnings per share and cash flow (although if the Stock Issuance is not
  approved, the Merger would be less accretive to El Paso's earnings per
  share and cash flow). See "PRO FORMA UNAUDITED FINANCIAL INFORMATION--
  Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements of El Paso and Tenneco
  Energy."
 
    (xi) The analyses of its financial advisor, including the opinion of
  Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette ("DLJ") described below as to the fairness to
  El Paso and the El Paso stockholders of the consideration to be paid by El
  Paso pursuant to the Merger Agreement from a financial point of view.
 
  The foregoing discussion sets forth the material information and factors
considered and given weight by the El Paso Board of Directors. In view of the
variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the Merger,
the El Paso Board of Directors did not find it practicable or necessary to and
did not quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors
considered in reaching its determination. In addition, individual members of
the El Paso Board of Directors may have given different weights to different
factors.
 
  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF EL PASO RECOMMENDS THAT THE HOLDERS OF EL PASO
COMMON STOCK VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE STOCK ISSUANCE.
 
OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS
 
  Tenneco. At the meeting of the Board of Directors of Tenneco held on June
19, 1996 to approve the Transaction, Lazard delivered its opinion to the Board
of Directors of Tenneco that, as of that date, the consideration to be
received by the Tenneco Stockholders pursuant to the Transaction was fair to
the Tenneco Stockholders from a financial point of view. The Lazard opinion
was prepared for the Tenneco Board of Directors and is directed only to the
fairness of the consideration to be received by the Tenneco Stockholders from
a financial point of view pursuant to the Transaction. The Lazard opinion does
not constitute a recommendation to any Tenneco Stockholder as to how such
stockholder should vote at the Tenneco Special Meeting.
 
  In connection with rendering its opinion to the Tenneco Board of Directors
on June 19, 1996, Lazard, among other things: (i) reviewed the financial terms
and conditions of the forms of Distribution Agreement, Merger Agreement and
Ancillary Agreements; (ii) analyzed certain historical business and financial
information relating to Tenneco and El Paso; (iii) reviewed various financial
forecasts and other data provided to it by Tenneco and El Paso relating to
their respective businesses; (iv) held discussions with members of the senior
management of Tenneco and El Paso with respect to the past and current
operations and financial condition of Tenneco and El Paso and the business,
prospects and strategic objectives of Tenneco and El Paso and possible
benefits which might be realized after the Transaction; (v) reviewed public
information with respect to certain other companies in lines of business
Lazard believed to be generally comparable to the businesses of Tenneco and El
Paso; (vi) reviewed the financial terms of certain business combinations
involving companies in lines of business that Lazard believed to be generally
comparable to those of the Energy Business, and in other industries generally;
(vii) reviewed historical stock prices and trading volumes of the Tenneco
Common Stock and El Paso Common Stock; and (viii) conducted such other
financial studies, analyses, and investigations as it deemed appropriate.
 
  Additionally, Lazard assumed and relied upon the accuracy and the
completeness of the financial and other information provided to it by Tenneco
and El Paso and did not assume responsibility for any independent verification
of such information or any independent valuation or appraisal of the assets or
liabilities of Tenneco and El Paso. With respect to financial forecasts,
Lazard assumed that such forecasts were reasonably prepared on a basis
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of management
of Tenneco and El Paso,
 
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<PAGE>
 
and Lazard assumed no responsibility for, and expressed no view as to, such
forecasts or the assumptions on which they were based.
 
  Lazard also assumed that the Transaction would be consummated on the terms
contained in the forms of Distribution Agreement and Merger Agreement, without
any waiver of any material terms or conditions by Tenneco, and that obtaining
the necessary regulatory and governmental and other approvals for the
Transaction would not have an adverse effect on Tenneco's Energy Business,
Industrial Business or Shipbuilding Business. Further, Lazard's opinion was
necessarily based on economic, monetary, market and other conditions as in
effect on, and the other information made available to it as of, the date of
such opinion. In rendering its opinion, Lazard also specifically assumed that
the terms of any El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares representing interests in
El Paso Preferred Stock issued in connection with the Merger would be as
contemplated in the Merger Agreement, including that 25 El Paso Preferred
Depositary Shares would trade at an aggregate market price of $1,000 upon
issuance and that the El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary
Shares would have the same value in the aggregate as the El Paso Common Stock
would have had if the consideration in connection with the Merger consisted
solely of El Paso Common Stock. Lazard expressed no opinion as to the prices
at which the shares of New Tenneco Common Stock, Newport News Common Stock, El
Paso Common Stock or El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares will trade when
issued to the holders of Tenneco Stock. Lazard also assumed that for federal
income tax purposes (i) the Distributions will be tax-free distributions under
Section 355 of the Code, (ii) the Merger will qualify as a reorganization
under Section 368(a)(1)(B) of the Code, and (iii) certain inter-company
transfers included in the Corporate Restructuring Transactions will qualify as
tax-free transfers.
 
  In connection with rendering its opinion to the Tenneco Board of Directors
on June 19, 1996, Lazard undertook the financial analysis summarized below.
 
  Analysis of Certain Other Publicly Traded Energy Companies. Lazard reviewed
and analyzed certain publicly available information for a group of six
selected companies (Coastal Corporation, El Paso, NorAm Energy Corporation,
PanEnergy Corporation, Sonat, Inc. and The Williams Companies, Inc.
(collectively the "Comparable Companies")) that, in Lazard's judgment and
based in part on conversations with the management of Tenneco, were generally
comparable to the Energy Business for purposes of this analysis. The
Comparable Companies were divided into two groups: those deemed to be more
operationally comparable based on size, asset base, growth profile and
business mix (El Paso, PanEnergy Corporation and The Williams Companies, Inc.)
and those deemed to be less operationally comparable (Coastal Corporation,
NorAm Energy Corporation and Sonat, Inc.). Such information included (i)
market capitalization and market value; (ii) operating performance;
(iii) capitalization; (iv) profitability; (v) market capitalization as a
multiple of net sales; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization ("EBITDA"); and earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT") for
the latest twelve months, the last fiscal year and projected for the next two
fiscal years; (vi) common stock price as a multiple of earnings per share for
the latest twelve months, the last fiscal year and projected for the next two
fiscal years; and (vii) leverage ratios pertaining to total debt/total book
capitalization, net debt/market capitalization and total debt/EBITDA for the
latest twelve months. Lazard's analysis indicated, among other things, that
(i) the capitalization of the companies deemed to be more operationally
comparable as a multiple of latest twelve months EBITDA ranged from 6.9x to
11.6x, as a multiple of projected 1996 EBITDA ranged from 6.6x to 8.1x, as a
multiple of projected 1997 EBITDA ranged from 6.1x to 7.2x, as a multiple of
latest twelve months EBIT ranged from 9.6x to 18.8x, as a multiple of
projected 1996 EBIT ranged from 8.9x to 12.3x and as a multiple of projected
1997 EBIT ranged from 8.2x to 10.6x and (ii) the market price of these
companies as a multiple of latest twelve months earnings per share ranged from
14.9x to 41.3x, as a multiple of projected 1996 earnings per share ranged from
12.8x to 15.6x and as a multiple of projected 1997 earnings per share ranged
from 11.6x to 13.4x. The earnings estimates and growth rates for the
Comparable Companies were derived from published research reports of certain
analysts covering the Comparable Companies. Lazard then applied these
multiples to the corresponding financial information and forecasts of future
performance for the Energy Business provided by Tenneco management.
 
  Analysis of Selected Transactions. Lazard reviewed the financial terms, to
the extent publicly available, of eighteen selected pending and completed
change of control transactions in the energy industry commenced since
 
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<PAGE>
 
March 1, 1985 (the "Precedent Transactions") which, in Lazard's judgment, were
generally comparable to the Energy Business for purposes of this analysis. The
eighteen transactions, in reverse chronological order of public announcement,
were the following: (i) Tejas Gas Corporation's acquisition of Transok Inc.
(1996); (ii) El Paso Energy Corporation's acquisition of Cornerstone Natural
Gas Inc. (1996); (iii) Pacific Gas & Electric Co.'s acquisition of State Gas
Pipeline-Queensland, Australia (1996); (iv) Texas Utilities Co.'s acquisition
of Enserch Corp. (1996); (v) IPL Energy Inc.'s acquisition of Consumers Gas
Company (1996); (vi) Forest Oil Corp.'s acquisition of Atcor Resources Ltd.
(1995); (vii) Tejas Gas Corporation's acquisition of a gas processing plant
from Seagull Energy Corp., Enron Corp., Panhandle Eastern Corp. and Amoco
Corp. (1995); (viii) Crystal Oil Company's acquisition of First Reserve Gas
Company (1995); (ix) The Williams Companies, Inc.'s acquisition of Transco
Energy Co. (1994); (x) Tejas Gas Corporation's acquisition of natural gas
pipeline systems from Exxon (1993); (xi) TransCanada Pipelines Ltd.'s
acquisition of Alberta Natural Gas Co. Ltd. from Pacific Gas Transmission Co.
(1992); (xii) the acquisition by a group of investors of TransCanada Pipelines
Ltd. from BCE Inc. (1990); (xiii) American Oil and Gas Corporation's
acquisition of Cabot Gas Pipeline Companies from Cabot Corporation (1989);
(xiv) Panhandle Eastern Corporation's acquisition of Texas Eastern Corporation
(1989); (xv) Pacific Gas & Electric Co.'s acquisition of Pacific Gas
Transmission Company (1985); (xvi) MidCon Corp.'s acquisition of United Energy
Resources, Inc. (1985); (xvii) InterNorth Inc.'s acquisition of Houston
Natural Gas Corporation (1985); and (xviii) Coastal Corporation's acquisition
of American Natural Resources Company (1985). Lazard reviewed the prices paid
in such transactions in terms of (i) aggregate transaction value as a multiple
of latest twelve month sales, EBITDA and EBIT; (ii) equity value as a multiple
of latest twelve months net income; and (iii) the premium paid to the closing
stock price one month prior to announcement. Lazard noted that the reasons
for, and circumstances surrounding, each of the Precedent Transactions were
diverse and the characteristics of the companies involved were not directly
comparable to the Energy Business and El Paso. Nonetheless, the transactions
deemed to be most comparable for the purposes of this analysis were The
Williams Companies Inc.'s acquisition of Transco Energy Co. in 1994 and IPL
Energy Inc.'s acquisition of Consumers Gas Company in 1996 (the "Comparable
Transactions"). Lazard's analysis indicated, among other things, that (i) the
aggregate transaction value of the Comparable Transactions as a multiple of
latest twelve months EBITDA ranged from 7.0x to 7.1x and as a multiple of
latest twelve months EBIT ranged from 9.4x to 14.4x and (ii) the equity value
of the Comparable Transactions as a multiple of latest twelve months net
income ranged from 11.5x to 47.4x. Lazard then applied these multiples to the
corresponding financial information and forecasts of future performance for
the Energy Business provided by Tenneco management. Lazard is of the view that
no transaction reviewed was identical to the Merger and that, accordingly, an
analysis of the foregoing necessarily involves complex considerations and
judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of
the Energy Business that could affect the acquisition value of the companies
to which it was being compared.
 
  Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. Lazard conducted a discounted cash flow
analysis to estimate the present value of the stand-alone unleveraged free
cash flow that the Energy Business was expected to generate based on
management's long-range plan prior to the Merger. This plan assumed compound
annual revenue growth of 19%, compound annual EBIT growth of 3% and average
EBIT, as a percentage of revenues, of 9% over a projected five year period
ending December 31, 2001. Lazard calculated a range of enterprise values for
the Energy Business by applying a range of terminal exit multiples of 6.5x to
7.5x to estimated EBITDA and a range of discount rates of 8.75% to 9.25%.
 
  Other. In connection with rendering its opinion to the Tenneco Board of
Directors, Lazard also conducted an analysis of the total value that would be
realized by a common stockholder of Tenneco in each of two scenarios
considered by the Tenneco Board of Directors; one, the spin-offs of the
Industrial Business and Shipbuilding Business and the continuation of the
Energy Business as an independent, publicly held company; and two, the
Distributions and the Merger.
 
  The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete description of
analyses performed by Lazard. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a
complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to a partial analysis or
summary description. Lazard believes that its analyses must be considered as a
whole and that
 
                                      68
<PAGE>
 
selecting portions of its analyses, without considering all analyses, would
create an incomplete view of the process underlying its opinion. In addition,
Lazard may have given various analyses more or less weight than other
analyses, and may have deemed various assumptions more or less probable than
other assumptions, so that the ranges of valuations resulting from any
particular analysis described above should not be taken to be Lazard's view of
the actual value of the Energy Business.
 
  As described above, Lazard's opinion and presentation to the Tenneco Board
of Directors was one of the factors taken into consideration by the Tenneco
Board of Directors in making its determination to approve and recommend the
Transaction. Consequently, Lazard's analyses described above should not be
viewed as determinative of the Tenneco Board of Directors' or Tenneco
management's opinion with respect to the value of Tenneco or of whether the
Tenneco Board of Directors or Tenneco management would have been willing to
agree to different financial terms than those that are set forth in the Merger
Agreement.
 
  A copy of the full text of the Lazard opinion, dated as of June 19, 1996,
which sets forth the assumptions made, matters considered and limitations of
the review undertaken, is attached as Appendix F hereto. HOLDERS OF TENNECO
STOCK ARE URGED TO READ THE TEXT OF THE LAZARD OPINION IN ITS ENTIRETY. THE
SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF THE OPINION OF LAZARD SET FORTH IN THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT--PROSPECTUS IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FULL
TEXT OF SUCH OPINION. LAZARD'S OPINION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION TO
ANY STOCKHOLDER AS TO HOW SUCH STOCKHOLDER SHOULD VOTE AT THE TENNECO SPECIAL
MEETING OR EL PASO SPECIAL MEETING.
 
  The Tenneco Board of Directors retained Lazard based upon its experience and
expertise and did not impose any limitations on Lazard with respect to the
procedures followed or factors considered by Lazard in issuing its opinions.
Lazard is an internationally recognized investment banking firm and is
continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in
connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, secondary
distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements, leveraged
buyouts, and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes.
 
  Lazard has in the past provided investment banking and financial advisory
services to Tenneco and during the past two years has received customary
investment banking and financial advisory fees for rendering such services.
Lazard, certain of its managing directors and affiliates, and certain related
entities may have direct or indirect interests in the stock of Tenneco. Mr.
Michael Blumenthal, a senior advisor to Lazard, is a member of Tenneco's Board
of Directors.
 
  Pursuant to the letter agreement dated as of February 1, 1996 between
Tenneco and Lazard, it was agreed that Lazard would be paid a fee of either
(i) $6,500,000 in the event of the spin-offs of the Shipbuilding Business and
the Industrial Business (the "Spin-Off Fee"), or (ii) $9,500,000 plus .50% of
the amount by which the aggregate consideration (as defined therein) to be
paid in connection with a sale exceeds $3,500,000,000 (the "Sale Fee") in the
event of a sale of Tenneco Energy. As a result of the Distributions and the
Merger, Lazard will be paid $12,100,000 (based on a projected aggregate
consideration of $4,020,000,000). Tenneco also agreed to use its best efforts,
subject to Lazard's agreement, to include Lazard as at least a co-manager with
respect to any securities offerings relating to these transactions.
Accordingly, Lazard will be a co-manager with respect to any offering of the
Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock for which it will be paid customary investment
banking fees. See "NPS ISSUANCE."
 
  In addition, Tenneco has agreed, among other things, to reimburse Lazard for
all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the services
provided by Lazard, and to indemnify and hold harmless Lazard and certain
related parties to the full extent lawful from and against certain liabilities
and expenses, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws,
in connection with its engagement.
 
  El Paso. In its role as financial advisor to El Paso, DLJ was asked by El
Paso to render an opinion to the Board of Directors of El Paso as to the
fairness to El Paso and its common stockholders, from a financial point
 
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<PAGE>
 
of view, of the consideration to be paid by El Paso pursuant to the terms of
the Merger Agreement. On June 19, 1996, DLJ delivered its oral opinion to the
Board of Directors of El Paso (subsequently confirmed in a written opinion to
the Board of Directors of El Paso, dated June 27, 1996 (the "DLJ Opinion"))
that, as of the date of the DLJ Opinion, and based upon and subject to the
assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth in such opinion, the
consideration to be paid by El Paso pursuant to the Merger Agreement is fair
to El Paso and its common stockholders from a financial point of view.
 
  THE FULL TEXT OF THE DLJ OPINION IS ATTACHED HERETO AS APPENDIX G. THE DLJ
OPINION SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY IN ITS ENTIRETY FOR ASSUMPTIONS MADE, MATTERS
CONSIDERED AND LIMITS OF THE REVIEW AND PROCEDURES FOLLOWED BY DLJ IN
CONNECTION WITH SUCH OPINION.
 
  The Board of Directors of El Paso selected DLJ as its financial advisor
because it is a nationally recognized investment banking firm that has
substantial experience in the natural gas industry and is familiar with El
Paso and its businesses. As part of its investment banking business, DLJ is
regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in
connection with mergers, acquisitions, underwritings, sales and distributions
of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for
assets, corporate and other purposes.
 
  The DLJ Opinion was prepared for the Board of Directors of El Paso and is
directed only to the fairness to El Paso and its common stockholders from a
financial point of view of the consideration to be paid by El Paso pursuant to
the Merger Agreement. The DLJ Opinion does not constitute a recommendation to
any El Paso stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote at the El Paso
Special Meeting. DLJ did not, and was not requested by the Board of Directors
of El Paso to, make any recommendation as to the form or amount of
consideration to be paid by El Paso in the Merger, which issues were
determined by arm's-length negotiations between El Paso and Tenneco, in which
negotiations DLJ advised El Paso. DLJ's opinion does not constitute an opinion
as to the price at which the El Paso Common Stock or, if issued, the El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares representing interests in El Paso Preferred Stock
will actually trade at any time. No restrictions or limitations were imposed
by El Paso upon DLJ with respect to the investigations made or the procedures
followed by DLJ in rendering the DLJ Opinion.
 
  In arriving at the DLJ Opinion, DLJ reviewed the form of Merger Agreement
and the exhibits thereto and financial and other information that was publicly
available or furnished to it by El Paso and Tenneco, including information
provided during discussions with their respective managements and certain
financial forecasts of Tenneco Energy and El Paso prepared by the management
of Tenneco or El Paso, as the case may be. In addition, DLJ compared certain
financial and securities data of El Paso with various other companies whose
securities are traded in public markets; reviewed the historical stock prices
and trading volumes of El Paso Common Stock; reviewed prices paid in certain
other business combinations; and conducted such other financial studies,
analyses and investigations as DLJ deemed appropriate for purposes of
rendering the DLJ Opinion.
 
  In rendering the DLJ Opinion, DLJ relied upon and assumed the accuracy,
completeness and fairness of all of the financial and other information that
was available to it from public sources, that was provided to it by El Paso
and Tenneco or their respective representatives, or that was otherwise
reviewed by it. In particular, DLJ relied upon the views and judgments of the
management of El Paso as to (i) the impact of regulatory matters and customer
relationships on the business of Tenneco Energy, (ii) the amount of
liabilities associated with Tenneco's previously discontinued operations
included in the Energy Business, and (iii) the amount and timing of synergies
achievable as a result of the Merger. DLJ assumed that each of (i) the
Distributions, (ii) the Debt Realignment, and (iii) the NPS Issuance was
consummated prior to consummation of the Merger. With respect to the financial
forecasts supplied to it, DLJ assumed that they were reasonably prepared on a
basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
management of El Paso and Tenneco as to the future operating and financial
performance of El Paso and Tenneco. DLJ did not assume any responsibility for
making any independent evaluation of the assets or liabilities of the Energy
Business or for making any independent verification of any of the information
reviewed by it. DLJ relied as to all legal matters on the advice of counsel to
El Paso.
 
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<PAGE>
 
  The DLJ Opinion is necessarily based on economic, market, financial and
other conditions as they existed on, and on the information made available to
DLJ as of, the date of such opinion. It should be understood that, although
subsequent developments may affect the DLJ Opinion, DLJ does not have any
obligation to update, revise or reaffirm the DLJ Opinion. DLJ expressed no
opinion as to the recoverability of gas supply realignment costs of Tenneco or
the amount of liabilities to be assumed by El Paso related to the discontinued
operations of Tenneco. DLJ was not requested to and did not express any
opinion regarding the financial impact of the amounts recovered or assumed, as
the case may be, on Tenneco Energy or El Paso and the effect, if any, of such
actual amounts on the fairness to El Paso from a financial point of view of
the consideration to be paid in the proposed Merger.
 
  The following is a summary of certain factors considered and financial
analyses performed by DLJ in connection with the DLJ Opinion that were
included in a presentation to the Board of Directors of El Paso on June 19,
1996.
 
  Unless otherwise stated, the financial analyses assume, among other things,
(i) the number of shares of El Paso Common Stock to be issued in the Merger is
based upon an Average El Paso Common Price of $34.875, the midpoint of the
Collar; (ii) post-closing asset sales and off balance sheet financings of
approximately $500 million (the "Asset Sales"); and (iii) a post-closing
common equity offering of approximately $200 million (the "New Common Equity
Offering").
 
  Pro Forma Merger Analysis. DLJ analyzed certain pro forma effects resulting
from the Merger. DLJ reviewed, without independent verification, the operating
synergies contemplated to result from the Merger in 1997 by combining the
operations of the Energy Business and El Paso as forecasted by the managements
of Tenneco and El Paso. DLJ analyzed the pro forma effect of such operating
synergies on earnings per share and cash flow per share for El Paso. The
analysis indicated that the pro forma earnings per share of El Paso, assuming
the forecasted annual net operating synergies contemplated to result from the
Merger, would be higher in the fiscal year 1997 when compared to forecasts for
El Paso as a stand-alone company during the same period. The analysis also
indicated that the pro forma cash flow per share of El Paso, assuming the
forecasted annual net operating synergies contemplated to result from the
Merger would be higher in the fiscal year 1997 when compared to forecasts for
El Paso as a stand-alone company during the same period.
 
  Contribution Analysis. DLJ analyzed El Paso's and the Energy Business'
relative contribution to the combined company with respect to earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), earnings before
interest and taxes ("EBIT"), and total assets. Such analysis was considered in
both absolute dollar terms and on a percentage basis and was made for the
historical fiscal year 1995 and for forecasted fiscal years 1996 and 1997. As
a result of the Merger, El Paso stockholders will own approximately 62% of the
common equity of the combined company. This compares with El Paso's
contribution to the combined company's pro forma results (before taking into
account any forecasted net operating synergies, asset sales and expenses from
discontinued operations which may result from the Merger) for (i) historical
fiscal year 1995 of 37% of EBITDA, and 42% of EBIT; (ii) forecasted fiscal
year 1996 of 40% EBITDA and 42% of EBIT, and (iii) forecasted fiscal year 1997
of 40% of EBITDA and 41% of EBIT. El Paso's contributions to the combined
company's pro forma total assets at forecasted fiscal year end 1996 was 36%.
 
  Analysis of Certain Other Publicly Traded Companies. To provide contextual
data and comparative market information, DLJ reviewed selected historical
operating and financial ratios for Tenneco Energy and compared them to the
corresponding data and ratios of certain other companies whose securities are
publicly traded (collectively, the "Public Companies"). The Public Companies
were chosen because they possess general business, operating and financial
characteristics representative of companies in the industry in which El Paso
and Tenneco Energy operate. The Public Companies consisted of Coastal
Corporation, Enron Corp., NorAm Energy Corporation, PanEnergy Corporation,
Sonat, Inc. and The Williams Companies, Inc. Such data and ratios included
"Adjusted Price," defined as equity value plus net debt (i.e. total debt plus
nonoperating liabilities
 
                                      71
<PAGE>
 
assumed plus preferred stock less cash and cash equivalents) as a multiple of
EBITDA and EBIT for the latest reported twelve months, such period being the
twelve months ending March 31, 1996. The average multiple of Adjusted Price to
EBITDA for the Public Companies was 7.6 times and the average multiple of
Adjusted Price to EBIT for the Public Companies was 11.9 times. DLJ then
compared these multiples to the Adjusted Price to EBITDA and Adjusted Price to
EBIT multiples for the Merger and such multiples for the Merger compared
favorably to the multiples for the Public Companies.
 
  Transaction Analysis. DLJ reviewed publicly available information for eight
selected transactions involving the combination of selected natural gas
companies. The eight transactions reviewed (the "Comparative Transactions")
were (i) Texas Eastern Corporation/Panhandle Eastern Corporation; (ii)
Arcadian Gas Group/Tejas Gas Corporation; (iii) Exxon's Texas and Louisiana
Interstate Natural Gas Pipeline Systems/Tejas Gas Corporation; (iv) Grand
Valley Gas Company/Associated Natural Gas Corp.; (v) American Oil and Gas
Co./KN Energy, Inc.; (vi) Associated Natural Gas Corp./Panhandle Eastern
Corporation; (vii) Transco Energy Company/The Williams Companies, Inc.; and
(viii) ENSERCH Corporation/Texas Utilities Company. The eight transactions
selected are not intended to represent the complete list of natural gas
industry transactions which have occurred during the last several years;
instead they include only transactions involving combinations of companies
with operating characteristics, size or financial performance characteristics
believed to be comparable to such characteristics of Tenneco Energy and El
Paso. DLJ determined that (i) Texas Eastern Corporation/Panhandle Eastern
Corporation; (ii) Transco Energy Company/The Williams Companies, Inc.; and
(iii) ENSERCH Corporation/Texas Utilities Company were the most representative
of the Comparative Transactions because those transactions involved
combinations of companies with operating characteristics, size or financial
performance characteristics believed to be most similar to such
characteristics of the Energy Business and El Paso. DLJ reviewed the
consideration paid in such transactions in terms of the Adjusted Price as a
multiple of EBITDA and EBIT for the latest reported twelve months prior to the
announcement of such transaction. The ratio of Adjusted Price to EBITDA,
computed for the (i) Comparative Transactions, had a mean of 9.3 times;
(ii) Texas Eastern Corporation/Panhandle Eastern Corporation transaction was
9.7 times; and (iii) Transco Energy Company/The Williams Companies, Inc.
transaction was 6.8 times. The  ENSERCH Corporation/Texas Utilities Company
transaction multiple of Adjusted Price to EBITDA was not available. The ratio
of Adjusted Prices to EBIT, computed for the (i) Comparative Transactions, had
a mean of 15.4 times; (ii) Texas Eastern Corporation/Panhandle Eastern
Corporation transaction was 18.3 times; (iii) Transco Energy Company/The
Williams Companies, Inc. transaction was 13.5 times; and (iv) ENSERCH
Corporation/Texas Utilities Company transaction was 15.6 times. DLJ then
compared these multiples to the Adjusted Price to EBITDA and Adjusted Price to
EBIT multiples for the Merger and such multiples for the Merger compared
favorably to the multiples for the other transactions.
 
  Discounted Cash Flow Analysis. DLJ also performed a discounted cash flow
analysis to evaluate the consideration being paid in the Merger. Using the
information provided by the management of Tenneco and El Paso, DLJ performed a
stand-alone discounted cash flow analysis for the Energy Business. DLJ
calculated the estimated "Free Cash Flow" for the Energy Business stand-alone
based on forecasted unleveraged operating income adjusted for: (i) forecasted
annual net operating synergies; (ii) taxes; (iii) certain forecasted non-cash
items (i.e., depreciation, amortization and deferred taxes); (iv) forecasted
capital expenditures; (v) forecasted restructuring costs associated with the
Merger; (vi) forecasted cash flows relating to regulatory matters and customer
relationships; and (vii) the cost of liabilities associated with Tenneco's
previously discontinued operations. DLJ analyzed the Energy Business stand-
alone forecasts as adjusted by El Paso management and discounted the stream of
free cash flows from fiscal 1997 to fiscal 2001, provided in such forecasts,
back to December 31, 1996 using discount rates ranging from 9% to 13%. To
estimate the residual value of the Energy Business stand-alone at the end of
the forecast period, DLJ applied terminal multiples of 6.5 times to 8.5 times
to the forecasted fiscal 2001 EBITDA and discounted such value estimates back
to December 31, 1996 using discount rates ranging from 9% to 13%. DLJ then
summed the present values of the cash flows, the present values of the
residual values and the after-tax cash flows related to the Assets Sales to
derive a range of implied enterprise values for the Energy Business stand-
alone. The range of implied Adjusted Prices for the Energy
 
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<PAGE>
 
Business stand-alone, based on discount rates of 9% to 13% and the range of
terminal multiples of 6.5 times to 8.5 times, was $3,662 million to $5,075
million.
 
  The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete description of
the analyses performed by DLJ. The preparation of a fairness opinion involves
various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of
financial analysis and the application of these methods to the particular
circumstances and, therefore, such an opinion is not readily susceptible to
summary description. Accordingly, notwithstanding the separate factors
summarized above, DLJ believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole
and that selecting portions of its analyses and the factors considered by it,
without considering all analyses and factors, could create an incomplete view
of the evaluation process underlying its opinions. Furthermore, in arriving at
the DLJ Opinion, DLJ did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis,
or factor considered by it, but rather made subjective and qualitative
judgments as to the significance and relevance of each analysis and factor. In
performing its analyses, DLJ made numerous assumptions with respect to
industry performance, business and economic conditions and other matters. The
analyses performed by DLJ are not necessarily indicative of actual values or
future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than
aggregated by such analyses.
 
  Pursuant to the terms of an engagement letter dated May 14, 1996, El Paso
has paid to DLJ: (i) a retainer fee of $150,000; (ii) an additional fee of
$1,000,000 upon execution of the Merger Agreement; and (iii) a fee of
$1,000,000 at the time DLJ notified the El Paso Board that it was prepared to
deliver the DLJ Opinion. El Paso has also agreed to pay DLJ an additional fee
of $50,000 for each additional or updated opinion delivered by DLJ with
respect to the Merger and additional cash compensation of an amount equal to
0.2% of the purchase price upon consummation of the Merger, less the amount
paid by El Paso pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above. In addition, El
Paso has agreed to pay DLJ a fee equal to 5% of any "termination fee," "break-
up fee," "topping fee" or other form of consideration payable to El Paso if El
Paso and Tenneco fail to consummate the Merger and El Paso receives or is
entitled to receive any such compensation.
 
  El Paso has also agreed to reimburse DLJ promptly for all out-of-pocket
expenses (including the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel)
incurred by DLJ in connection with its engagement, and to indemnify DLJ and
certain related persons against certain liabilities in connection with its
engagement, including liabilities under the federal securities laws. The terms
of the fee arrangement with DLJ, which DLJ and El Paso believe are customary
in transactions of this nature, were negotiated at arm's length between El
Paso and DLJ and the Board of Directors of El Paso was aware of such
arrangement, including the fact that a significant portion of the aggregate
fee payable to DLJ is contingent upon consummation of the Merger.
 
  In the ordinary course of its business, DLJ actively trades the securities
of both El Paso and Tenneco for its own account and for the accounts of its
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities.
 
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE TRANSACTION
 
  In considering the Transaction, stockholders should be aware of, and should
carefully consider that, certain members of Tenneco's management and the
Tenneco Board of Directors may be deemed to have interests in the Transaction
that are in addition to their interests as holders of Tenneco Stock generally
and which may create potential conflicts of interest. The Tenneco Board of
Directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other
matters, in approving the Transaction.
 
  Certain executive officers and members of the Board of Directors of Tenneco
will be, after consummation of the Distributions, executive officers and/or
members of the boards of directors of New Tenneco and/or Newport News. Each of
New Tenneco and Newport News plans to adopt various employee benefit plans in
connection with the Transaction. For a discussion of certain matters relating
to such plans see "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--Relationship Among Tenneco, New Tenneco
and Newport News After the Distributions" and the New Tenneco Information
Statement and Newport News Information Statement attached hereto as Appendices
C and D, respectively.
 
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<PAGE>
 
  As of     , 1996, there were outstanding options to purchase      shares of
Tenneco Common Stock granted pursuant to various Tenneco employee stock option
plans, of which    are currently exercisable and    of which were held by
executive officers of Tenneco. The Merger Agreement requires that, in
connection with the Transaction, Tenneco accelerate the vesting of all of
these stock options held by employees of the Energy Business so that they
become fully exercisable prior to the Merger Effective Time. If not exercised
prior to the Merger Effective Time, such options will be canceled upon
consummation of the Merger. All stock options held by employees of the
Industrial Business and Shipbuilding Business will be redenominated into
options to acquire New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock,
respectively, with terms and conditions set to preserve the aggregate "spread"
of the redenominated stock options.
 
  As of     , 1996, Tenneco had outstanding     restricted shares of Tenneco
Common Stock held by various directors and employees which vest according to
the length of service to Tenneco of the person holding such shares. As of    ,
1996, Tenneco had outstanding     performance share equivalent unit awards
held by various employees, each entitling the holder thereof to receive one
share of Tenneco Common Stock upon the achievement of specified Tenneco
performance goals,      of which were vested. In connection with the
Transaction, prior to the Distributions all of the restricted shares held by
Tenneco directors and employees will become fully vested and non-forfeitable
and the conditions to issuance of all shares underlying the performance share
equivalent unit awards will be waived and the maximum number of shares of
Tenneco Common Stock subject thereto will be issued. Directors and executive
officers of Tenneco hold, in the aggregate,    of such restricted shares and
   of such performance unit awards.
 
  In addition, Tenneco, El Paso and El Paso Subsidiary have agreed to
insurance and indemnification for directors and executive officers of Tenneco
after the Merger Effective Time and certain employees of the Energy Business
will receive retention bonuses and severance benefits in connection with the
Transaction. See "THE MERGER--Certain Covenants" and "THE MERGER--Employee
Benefits."
 
  Stockholders should also be aware that the El Paso Stock Plan provides for
the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, limited stock
appreciation rights and restricted stock to officers and key management
employees of El Paso and the Energy Business in order to provide incentive to
encourage the successful acquisition and integration of the Energy Business
with El Paso. A grant of restricted stock and nonqualified stock options has
been made to officers of El Paso, contingent upon the consummation of the
Merger and other factors. It is anticipated that after the Merger Effective
Time, certain officers and key management employees of Tenneco who remain
employed by the Energy Business may receive grants under the El Paso Stock
Plan.
 
EXPENSES
 
  In connection with the Transaction, all costs and expenses of El Paso will
be paid by El Paso. In general, Tenneco is responsible for all fees and
expenses incurred by Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News in connection with
the Transaction for periods prior to the Distribution Date (except for certain
environmental costs and expenses and except for costs and expenses that are
incurred separately and directly by either New Tenneco or Newport News in
connection with the Transaction, which shall be such party's sole
responsibility and liability). Any such fees and expenses which are unpaid as
of the Merger Effective Time will be allocated to and remain the
responsibility of Tenneco but will be included in the Actual Energy Debt
Amount. See "DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT." Each party has also generally agreed
to bear its own respective fees and expenses incurred after the Distribution
Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to the Distribution Agreement,
costs and expenses incurred at any time in connection with compliance with
environmental laws shall be paid by the party that will own the assets or
operate the business subject to such laws after the Distribution Date.
 
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<PAGE>
 
  The following sections entitled "THE NPS ISSUANCE," "DEBT AND CASH
REALIGNMENT," "CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS," "THE DISTRIBUTIONS" and
"THE MERGER" contain descriptions of certain provisions of the Distribution
Agreement and Merger Agreement. These descriptions are only summaries and do
not purport to be complete. These descriptions are qualified in their entirety
by reference to the complete text of the Distribution Agreement and Merger
Agreement. Copies of the Distribution Agreement and Merger Agreement as
currently in effect are attached hereto as Appendix A and Appendix B,
respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
 
                               THE NPS ISSUANCE
 
  Prior to the Merger, Tenneco will issue new shares of Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock pursuant to the NPS Issuance. Pursuant to the NPS Issuance,
shares of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will be issued in an amount
calculated, to the extent possible, so that the value of the shares of Tenneco
Junior Preferred Stock outstanding immediately after the NPS Issuance is equal
to approximately 25% (but in any event more than 20%) of the total value of
all shares of Tenneco capital stock outstanding upon consummation of the
Merger. Holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the
NPS Issuance will possess the right to elect, voting separately as a class, a
number of directors of Tenneco (rounded up to the nearest whole number)
representing one-sixth of the members of the Board of Directors of Tenneco.
The NPS Issuance Proceeds are estimated to be approximately $250 million.
Tenneco expects to use the net NPS Issuance Proceeds to repay a portion of the
outstanding Tenneco Energy Consolidated Debt pursuant to the Debt Realignment.
The Base Debt Amount (which, as described more fully below under "DEBT AND
CASH REALIGNMENT," is the total amount of indebtedness for borrowed money,
accrued and unpaid dividends and Transaction expenses and certain other
obligations of Tenneco and its remaining consolidated subsidiaries outstanding
as of the Merger Effective Time) will be reduced by the amount of the NPS
Issuance Proceeds.
 
  Under the existing terms of the Tenneco Charter, the approval of a majority
of the outstanding Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will be required to effect
the Distributions and the approval of two-thirds of the outstanding Tenneco
Junior Preferred Stock will be required to effect the Charter Amendment if the
Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock is issued prior to approval of the Transaction
at the Tenneco Special Meeting. Accordingly, if the NPS Issuance occurs prior
to approval of the Transaction at the Tenneco Special Meeting, as part of the
NPS Issuance, Tenneco intends to obtain such approvals from the initial record
holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock (which, in the case of an
underwritten public offering of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, will be
the underwriters for the public offering) pursuant to a written consent to be
signed and delivered by such initial record holders. Notwithstanding such
approval, persons who become record holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred
Stock on or prior to the date of the Tenneco Special Meeting will have the
right to demand appraisal of their shares of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock at
or prior to the Tenneco Special Meeting. See "THE MERGER--Appraisal Rights."
 
  Holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will receive no consideration
in respect of such shares in the Merger. The shares of Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the NPS Issuance will not be converted or
otherwise exchanged in the Merger and will remain outstanding immediately
following consummation thereof (held by the persons who were the holders of
such shares prior to the Merger), and the holders thereof will receive no
additional consideration in respect thereof, in connection with the Merger.
See "THE CHARTER AMENDMENT."
 
  The Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock is currently expected to have the
following rights and preferences. The shares of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock
are expected to pay dividends at a rate of $  per annum. The Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock will rank on a parity with each other series of junior
preferred stock of Tenneco as to dividends, except to the extent the terms of
such other series provide. In the event of any dissolution, liquidation
 
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<PAGE>
 
or winding up of the affairs of Tenneco, holders of the Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive $1,000 per share, plus an amount
equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends to the date of dissolution,
liquidation or winding up.
 
  Except as otherwise provided in the Tenneco Charter, or as required by law,
the holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will not have voting rights.
Holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will be entitled, voting
separately as a class, to elect a number of directors of Tenneco which,
rounded up to the nearest whole number, represents one-sixth of the members of
the Board of Directors of Tenneco. It is anticipated that the Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock will have certain rights to elect additional directors in the
event of certain failures to pay dividends on the Tenneco Junior Preferred
Stock. The Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock is expected to be redeemable in
whole or in part, at the option of Tenneco, at the liquidation value at any
time or from time to time after the fifth anniversary of the date of issuance.
The Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock is expected to have no maturity date.
 
  For a more complete description of the anticipated terms of the Tenneco
Junior Preferred Stock, see "DESCRIPTION OF THE TENNECO JUNIOR PREFERRED
STOCK."
 
                           DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT
 
  In general, from and after the Distributions each of Tenneco, New Tenneco
and Newport News will be responsible for the debts, liabilities and
obligations related to the business or businesses that it owns and operates
following consummation of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions. See
"CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS" and "THE DISTRIBUTIONS." Tenneco's
historical practice, however, has been to incur indebtedness for its
consolidated group at the parent company level or at a limited number of
subsidiaries, rather than at the operating company level, and to centrally
manage various cash functions. Accordingly, the Merger Agreement, Distribution
Agreement, and Ancillary Agreements provide for (i) the pre-Distribution
restructuring of the Tenneco Energy Consolidated Debt pursuant to the Debt
Realignment, (ii) the allocation among each of Tenneco, New Tenneco and
Newport News of the total amount of cash and cash equivalents on hand as of
the Merger Effective Time pursuant to the Cash Realignment and (iii) the
allocation of responsibility for certain capital expenditures related to the
Energy Business.
 
DEBT REALIGNMENT
 
  The Merger Agreement requires Tenneco to, or to cause its relevant
subsidiaries to, obtain the requisite consents of the various lenders to
permit consummation of the Transaction and tender for, exchange, redeem,
prepay, defease or let mature the Tenneco Energy Consolidated Debt prior to
the Distributions.
 
  The Debt Realignment is intended to reduce the total amount of the Tenneco
Energy Consolidated Debt to an amount that, when added to the total amount of
certain other obligations of Tenneco Energy, as of the Merger Effective Time
is equal to the Base Debt Amount. As of June 30, 1996, the total book value of
Tenneco Energy Consolidated Debt was $4,443 million, including $624 million of
short-term debt (excluding the current portion of long-term debt), $85 million
of non-public debt and $3,734 million book value ($3,955 million principal
amount) of Public Debt. The short-term debt consists primarily of commercial
paper and bank borrowings under Tenneco's current credit facilities. The
publicly traded debt includes an aggregate of $2,619 million, $436 million and
$679 million book value ($2,625 million, $650 million and $680 million
principal amount) of Public Debt issued by Tenneco, TGP and TCC, respectively.
The Public Debt was issued in various series under several different trust
indentures.
 
  The short-term debt will be retired with cash and some of the non-public
debt is expected to remain in place subject to the consent of the lenders. The
exact action to be taken with regard to each specific series of Public Debt
has not yet been determined. Nonetheless, Tenneco expects that as part of the
Debt Realignment, Tenneco and/or TCC will make Debt Tender Offers for certain
of the Public Debt issues. In addition, to the extent allowable under the
existing indentures, Tenneco and its relevant subsidiaries may call for
redemption, prepay,
 
                                      76
<PAGE>
 
defease or let mature those Public Debt issues where such options are
available. The Debt Tender Offers and related extinguishments above, as well
as the retirement of existing short-term and non-public debt, will be
refinanced by internally generated cash, borrowings by Tenneco under the
Tenneco Credit Facility (the "Tenneco Revolving Debt"), the net proceeds from
the securities to be sold by Tenneco pursuant to the NPS Issuance and a cash
dividend of $600 million to be paid by Newport News to Tenneco or one of its
subsidiaries using borrowings under the Newport News Credit Facility. The
balance of the funding will be financed by a cash dividend to be paid by New
Tenneco to Tenneco using borrowings under the New Tenneco Credit Facility. The
Public Debt which is not either tendered for, redeemed, or otherwise
extinguished pursuant to the above will be subject to the Debt Exchange Offer
whereby New Tenneco will offer to exchange, for issues of Public Debt, New
Tenneco Debt with similar maturity and marginally higher coupon notes. Tenneco
will then purchase for cash (and subsequently extinguish) the Public Debt held
by New Tenneco upon consummation of the Debt Exchange Offer (which cash will
then be distributed back to Tenneco as a dividend).
 
  Accordingly, after giving effect to the Debt Realignment, Tenneco will
remain responsible for all of the Tenneco Energy Consolidated Debt which
remains outstanding and any Tenneco Revolving Debt, Newport News will be
responsible for all borrowings under the Newport News Credit Facility and New
Tenneco will be responsible for the New Tenneco Debt and all borrowings under
the New Tenneco Credit Facility.
 
  The Debt and Cash Allocation Agreement to be entered into among Tenneco, New
Tenneco and Newport News in connection with the Distributions (the "Debt and
Cash Allocation Agreement") contemplates that, as of the Merger Effective
Time, the Actual Energy Debt Amount be limited to the Base Debt Amount. The
Base Debt Amount will equal $2.65 billion less the NPS Issuance Proceeds, (i)
plus the sum of the: (a) the amount of all cash payments made by Tenneco and
its subsidiaries during the period from June 19, 1996 to the Merger Effective
Time (the "Merger Interim Period") in respect of gas purchase contracts as a
result or in respect of any settlement, judgment or satisfaction of a bond in
excess of the market price for gas received under such contracts by Tenneco
and its subsidiaries reduced by the amount of any cash payments received by
Tenneco and its subsidiaries from customers, insurers or other third parties
in respect of any such settlement, judgment or satisfaction of a bond (other
than ones refunded prior to the Merger Effective Time) or with respect to any
GSR costs recovered (and not refunded) on or prior to the Merger Effective
Time, (b) the amount of any purchase price paid by Tenneco or its subsidiaries
during the Merger Interim Period to acquire an additional interest in certain
existing pipeline operations, and (c) the amount of all cash payments made by
Tenneco and any of the Energy Subsidiaries during the Merger Interim Period in
settlement of any significant claim, action, suit or proceeding to the extent
such matter would be an Energy Liability and with the consent of El Paso,
which shall not be arbitrarily withheld, reduced by the amount of any payments
by or recoveries from third parties received by Tenneco or its subsidiaries
during the Merger Interim Period relating to any such settlement, and (ii)
less the amount, calculated as of the Merger Effective Time, of any rate
refunds, including interest, which become payable to customers pursuant to the
finally approved settlement at FERC Docket RP95-112 and which have not been
paid as of the Merger Effective Time, whether such amounts are to be paid to
customers or credited against GSR costs pursuant to such settlement. The
Actual Energy Debt Amount will include the following amounts, as of the Merger
Effective Time: (i) outstanding amounts under the Tenneco Revolving Debt (plus
accrued and accreted interest and fees), (ii) the value of any remaining
Public Debt, (iii) the outstanding amount of other Tenneco Energy Consolidated
Debt (plus accrued and accreted interest and fees), (iv) the unpaid amount of
Transaction expenses incurred by Tenneco and its subsidiaries, (v) any sales
and use, gross receipt or other transfer taxes applicable to the Transaction,
(vi) certain income taxes resulting from the Transaction, (vii) the
outstanding amount of any off balance sheet indebtedness incurred after the
date of the Merger Agreement to finance the acquisition by Tenneco of an
additional interest in the pipeline operations referred to above, and (viii)
unpaid dividends on Tenneco Stock which have a record date before the Merger
Effective Time.
 
  Pursuant to the Debt Cash Adjustment, if the post-Transaction audit
conducted by the parties determines that the Actual Energy Debt Amount as of
the Merger Effective Time exceeds the Base Debt Amount, New Tenneco will be
required to pay the excess to Tenneco in cash. Likewise, Tenneco will be
required to pay to New Tenneco in cash the amount, if any, by which such
Actual Energy Debt Amount is less than the Base Amount.
 
                                      77
<PAGE>
 
  Also in connection with the Debt Realignment, Tenneco has agreed that, (i)
the indebtedness for borrowed money of Tenneco and its direct and indirect
subsidiaries after giving effect to the Distributions (the "Energy
Subsidiaries") as of the Merger Effective Time (other than the Tenneco
Revolving Debt) will contain only specified financial and operational
covenants, and (ii) with respect to the Public Debt for which Tenneco and the
Energy Subsidiaries will remain liable after the Merger, there shall be no
extension of maturity or average life, increase in interest rates or adverse
change in defeasance or redemption provisions.
 
  As part of the Debt Tender Offers and the Debt Exchange Offer, Tenneco or
New Tenneco, as the case may be, will solicit the consent of the holders of
certain of the Public Debt to amend the indentures of Tenneco and TGP
governing such Public Debt to (i) permit the Corporate Restructuring
Transactions, the Distributions and the other components of the Transaction,
and (ii) make certain other modifications to the indentures requested by El
Paso. The approval of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all series
of Public Debt of Tenneco taken together as a single class is necessary to
amend the Public Debt issued by Tenneco. The approval of 66 2/3% in aggregate
principal amount of the series of Public Debt of TGP that is subject to a Debt
Tender Offer is necessary to amend such Public Debt.
 
  The obligation of Tenneco to consummate the Debt Tender Offers and the
obligation of New Tenneco to consummate the Debt Exchange Offer, are
conditioned upon sufficient Public Debt being tendered and/or exchanged such
that the necessary amendments to the relevant indentures have been approved
and such tenders have not been withdrawn. If the conditions to the Debt Tender
Offers and the Debt Exchange Offer are satisfied, the Debt Tender Offers and
the Debt Exchange Offer will be consummated immediately prior to the Corporate
Restructuring Transactions. Completion of the Debt Realignment is a condition
to the obligation of Tenneco and El Paso to consummate the Merger and failure
to consummate the Debt Realignment could result in Tenneco's abandonment of
the Transaction or El Paso's abandonment of the Merger.
 
  The offering of the New Tenneco Debt in the Debt Exchange Offer will be made
by means of a separate prospectus that constitutes a part of New Tenneco's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No.    ), which will be filed with
the SEC. The Debt Tender Offers will be made only by means of an offer to
purchase made by Tenneco.
 
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ADJUSTMENT
 
  Also as part of the Debt Realignment, Tenneco has agreed to make certain
minimum capital expenditures with respect to the Energy Business pending
consummation of the Transaction. If the actual amount of such capital
expenditures exceeds the required amount, after consummation of the
Transaction Tenneco will be required to pay the excess to New Tenneco in cash.
Likewise, New Tenneco will be required to pay to Tenneco in cash the amount,
if any, by which such actual capital expenditures are less than the required
amount. The required amount of Energy Business capital expenditures is equal
to $333,200,000 for 1996, plus $27,750,000 per month for each month (or pro
rata portion) from January 1, 1997 to the Merger Effective Time.
 
CASH REALIGNMENT
 
  Pursuant to the Cash Realignment, as of the Merger Effective Time Tenneco
will be allocated $25.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, Newport News
will be allocated $5.0 million of cash and cash equivalents and New Tenneco
will be allocated all remaining cash and cash equivalents on hand. Following
the post-Transaction audit described above, New Tenneco will be required to
pay to Tenneco or Newport News, as the case may be, the amount of any
shortfall as of the Merger Effective Time from the above-reflected allocation.
Likewise, Tenneco and Newport News will each be required to pay to New Tenneco
any excess cash and cash equivalents as of the Merger Effective Time
determined pursuant to such audit.
 
                                      78
<PAGE>
 
                     CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS
 
  Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, prior to consummation of the
Distributions, Tenneco will effect the Corporate Restructuring Transactions
through a series of intercompany transfers and distributions. Upon completion
of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions, Tenneco's existing businesses and
assets will be restructured, divided and separated so that, upon consummation
of the Distributions, all of the assets, liabilities and operations of (i) the
Industrial Business will be owned and operated, directly and indirectly, by
New Tenneco, and (ii) the Shipbuilding Business will be owned and operated,
directly and indirectly, by Newport News. As a result of the Corporate
Restructuring Transactions, upon consummation of the Distributions the
remaining assets, liabilities and operations of Tenneco and its remaining
subsidiaries will consist solely of those related to the Energy Business,
which includes liabilities and limited assets relating to discontinued Tenneco
operations not related to the Industrial or Shipbuilding Businesses.
 
  The assets which will be owned by New Tenneco upon consummation of the
Corporate Restructuring Transactions (the "Industrial Assets") are generally
those related to the past and current conduct of the Industrial Business, as
reflected on the New Tenneco June 30, 1996 pro forma balance sheet attached as
an exhibit to the Distribution Agreement and included elsewhere herein (plus
any subsequently acquired asset which is of a nature or type that would have
resulted in such asset being included thereon had it been acquired prior to
the date thereof), plus all rights expressly allocated to New Tenneco and its
subsidiaries under the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. As
part of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions, New Tenneco will acquire
various corporate assets of Tenneco such as the "Tenneco" trademark and
associated rights, other intellectual property and certain office space and
related equipment. The assets which will be owned by Newport News (the
"Shipbuilding Assets") upon consummation of the Corporate Restructuring
Transactions are generally those related to the past and current conduct of
the Shipbuilding Business, as reflected on the Newport News June 30, 1996 pro
forma balance sheet attached as an exhibit to the Distribution Agreement and
included elsewhere herein (plus any subsequently acquired asset which is of a
nature or type that would have resulted in such asset being included thereon
had it been acquired prior to the date thereof), plus all rights expressly
allocated to Newport News and its subsidiaries under the Distribution
Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. See the New Tenneco Information
Statement and the Newport News Information Statement for a description of the
assets to be owned by New Tenneco and Newport News following consummation of
the Transaction. The remaining assets of Tenneco (the "Energy Assets") will
continue to be owned and operated by Tenneco following the Transaction. See
"DESCRIPTION OF THE ENERGY BUSINESS TO BE MERGED."
 
  The liabilities to be retained or assumed by New Tenneco pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement (the "Industrial Liabilities") generally include (i)
those liabilities related to the Industrial Assets and the current and past
conduct of the Industrial Business, including liabilities reflected on the New
Tenneco June 30, 1996 pro forma balance sheet which remain outstanding as of
the Distribution Date (plus subsequently incurred or accrued liabilities
determined on a basis consistent with the determination of liabilities
thereon), (ii) liabilities for violations of securities laws arising out of
information regarding the Industrial Business included in this Joint Proxy
Statement-Prospectus or any information statement or registration statement
relating to New Tenneco or Newport News distributed in connection with the
Transaction, and (iii) those liabilities expressly allocated to New Tenneco or
its subsidiaries under the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
 
  The liabilities to be retained or assumed by Newport News pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement (the "Shipbuilding Liabilities") generally include (i)
those liabilities related to the Shipbuilding Assets and the current and past
conduct of the Shipbuilding Business, including liabilities reflected on the
aforementioned Newport News June 30, 1996 pro forma balance sheet which remain
outstanding as of the Distribution Date (plus subsequently incurred or accrued
liabilities determined on a basis consistent with the determination of
liabilities thereon), (ii) liabilities for violations of securities laws
arising out of information regarding the Shipbuilding Business included in
this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus or any information statement or
registration statement relating to New Tenneco or Newport News distributed in
connection with the Transaction, and (iii) those liabilities expressly
allocated to Newport News or its subsidiaries under the Distribution Agreement
or any Ancillary Agreement.
 
                                      79
<PAGE>
 
  The liabilities to be retained or assumed by Tenneco pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement (the "Energy Liabilities") generally include (i) those
liabilities related to the Energy Assets and the current and past conduct of
the Energy Business, including liabilities reflected on the Energy Business
June 30, 1996 pro forma balance sheet attached as an exhibit to the
Distribution Agreement and included elsewhere herein which remain outstanding
as of the Distribution Date (plus subsequently incurred or accrued liabilities
determined on a basis consistent with the determination of liabilities
thereon), (ii) those liabilities expressly allocated to Tenneco or its
subsidiaries under the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and
(iii) all other liabilities of Tenneco or any other member of the Energy Group
which do not constitute Industrial Liabilities or Shipbuilding Liabilities.
 
  For a description of certain liabilities that will be expressly allocated
among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News by the Distribution Agreement and
Ancillary Agreements, including liabilities for the Tenneco Energy
Consolidated Debt, taxes and certain employee benefits, see "DEBT AND CASH
REALIGNMENT," "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--Certain Other Pre-Distribution Transactions"
and "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--Relationship Among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport
News After the Distributions."
 
                               THE DISTRIBUTIONS
 
MANNER OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Tenneco Board of Directors will
declare the special distribution to effect the Distributions and will set the
Distribution Record Date and Distribution Date (which should be immediately
prior to the Merger Effective Time). Subject to the conditions summarized
below, on the Distribution Date Tenneco will distribute pro rata to all
holders of record of Tenneco Common Stock as of the Distribution Record Date,
(i) one share of New Tenneco Common Stock for every share of Tenneco Common
Stock so held, and (ii) one share of Newport News Common Stock for every five
shares of Tenneco Common Stock so held. Pursuant to the Distribution
Agreement, as soon as practicable on or after the Distribution Date, Tenneco
will deliver to First Chicago Trust Company of New York (the "Distribution
Agent"), as distribution agent for holders of Tenneco Common Stock as of the
Distribution Record Date, certificates representing such shares of New Tenneco
Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock as are required for the
Distributions.
 
  Beneficial holders of Tenneco Common Stock who would be entitled to receive
fractional shares of Newport News Common Stock will receive cash in the
Distributions, in lieu of such fractional shares (because the New Tenneco
Common Stock is being distributed on the basis of one share for each share of
Tenneco Common Stock, no fractional interests will arise). To accomplish this,
the Distribution Agreement requires that the Distribution Agent determine the
number of whole and fractional shares of Newport News Common Stock to which
each beneficial holder of Tenneco Common Stock as of the Distribution Record
Date is entitled immediately following the Distributions. Next, the
Distribution Agent will aggregate these fractional share interests and sell
them on the open market at then-prevailing prices. The Distribution Agent will
distribute to each Tenneco Stockholder its ratable share of such proceeds
after deducting appropriate amounts for federal income tax withholding
purposes and any applicable transfer taxes. All brokers' fees and commissions
incurred in connection with such sales shall be paid by Tenneco.
 
  If any shares of New Tenneco Common Stock or Newport News Common Stock are
returned to the Distribution Agent as unclaimed or cannot be distributed by
the Distribution Agent, any post-Distribution dividends or distributions
thereon will be paid to the Distribution Agent (or set aside and retained by
the applicable company). On the 180th day following the Distribution Date, the
Distribution Agent will return to Tenneco all unclaimed shares of New Tenneco
Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock, cash in lieu of fractional shares
and dividends or other distributions with respect thereto. Thereafter, holders
of Tenneco Common Stock as of the Distribution Record Date will be entitled to
look only to Tenneco for such amounts to which they are entitled, subject to
applicable escheat or other abandoned property laws.
 
                                      80
<PAGE>
 
  NO HOLDER OF TENNECO COMMON STOCK WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY CASH OR OTHER
CONSIDERATION FOR THE SHARES OF NEW TENNECO COMMON STOCK AND NEWPORT NEWS
COMMON STOCK (OR THE CASH IN LIEU OF FRACTIONAL SHARES) TO BE RECEIVED IN THE
DISTRIBUTIONS, OR TO SURRENDER OR EXCHANGE SHARES OF TENNECO COMMON STOCK IN
ORDER TO RECEIVE EITHER NEW TENNECO COMMON STOCK OR NEWPORT NEWS COMMON STOCK
(OR THE CASH IN LIEU OF FRACTIONAL SHARES).
 
CERTAIN OTHER PRE-DISTRIBUTION TRANSACTIONS
 
  Settlement of Intercompany Accounts. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement,
all intercompany receivables, payables and loans (unless specifically provided
for in any Ancillary Agreement) between entities which will be the members of
separate business groups following consummation of the Distributions must be
settled, capitalized or converted into ordinary trade accounts as of the close
of business on the Distribution Date. Further, all intercompany agreements
(other than those contemplated by the Transaction) will be terminated.
 
  Regulatory Approvals. Under the HSR Act, the Distributions of New Tenneco
Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock to certain persons may require
Tenneco and any such persons to file a Premerger Notification and Report Form
(a "Report Form") with the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice
(the "DOJ") and the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and be subject to the
expiration or early termination of a specified waiting period. The waiting
period under the HSR Act will expire 30 days after such filings are made,
subject to extension if additional information is requested by the government
agencies.
 
  In general, if (i) a person receiving shares of New Tenneco Common Stock and
Newport News Common Stock pursuant to the Distributions would own, upon
consummation of the Distributions, either New Tenneco Common Stock that
exceeds $15 million in value or Newport News Common Stock that exceeds $15
million in value, (ii) certain jurisdictional requirements are met, and (iii)
no exemption applies, then the HSR Act would require that such person and
Tenneco file a Report Form and observe the applicable waiting period. If such
waiting period has not expired or been terminated by the Distribution Date
with respect to any such recipient, Tenneco may be required to deliver such
recipient's shares of New Tenneco Common Stock and/or Newport News Common
Stock, as applicable, into an escrow facility pending the expiration or
termination of such waiting period. Holders of Tenneco Common Stock are urged
to consult their legal counsel to determine whether the requirements of the
HSR Act will apply to their receipt of New Tenneco Common Stock and/or Newport
News Common Stock pursuant to the Distributions, and the availability of any
exemptions from the filing requirements of the HSR Act. Any person who
determines that a filing under the HSR Act is required should inform Tenneco
as promptly as practicable.
 
  Certain Consent Requirements. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, each
party has agreed to use its best efforts to obtain any third-party consents or
approvals that are required to consummate the transactions contemplated
thereby. Consent of the holders of certain of the Tenneco Energy Consolidated
Debt will be required and sought in connection with the Distributions. See
"DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT." Tenneco presently believes that it will be able
to obtain in a timely manner all required third-party consents with respect to
its material contractual obligations in connection with the Distributions.
 
  Other. The Distribution Agreement also requires that a variety of other
actions be taken by Tenneco and/or its subsidiaries prior to consummation of
the Distributions including, without limitation, (i) certain corporate
organizational actions with respect to New Tenneco and Newport News, (ii) the
transfer and assignment of certain licenses and permits among the Energy
Group, Industrial Group and Shipbuilding Group, (iii) assignment and
assumption of agreements that relate exclusively to the Energy Business,
Industrial Business or Shipbuilding Business to the Energy Group, Industrial
Group or Shipbuilding Group, as appropriate (with joint agreements to be
assigned and assumed in part), and (iv) the preparation and filing of NYSE
listing applications and necessary federal and state securities laws filings.
 
                                      81
<PAGE>
 
RELATIONSHIP AMONG TENNECO, NEW TENNECO AND NEWPORT NEWS AFTER THE
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News have entered into the Distribution
Agreement, which governs certain aspects of their relationships both prior to
and following the Distributions. See "--Certain Other Pre-Distribution
Transactions." In addition, prior to the Distributions, Tenneco, New Tenneco
and/or Newport News (and their appropriate subsidiaries) will enter into the
Ancillary Agreements which are intended to further effect the disaffiliation
of Tenneco's Energy, Industrial and Shipbuilding Businesses and to govern
certain additional aspects of their ongoing relationships.
 
  Terms of the Distribution Agreement. In addition to providing for the terms
of the Distributions and the various actions to be taken prior to the
Distributions, the Distribution Agreement contains other agreements governing
the relationship among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News prior to and
following the Distributions.
 
  The Distribution Agreement provides that, from and after the Distribution
Date, (i) Tenneco shall (and shall cause the other members of the Energy Group
to) assume, pay, perform and discharge all Energy Liabilities in accordance
with their terms, (ii) New Tenneco shall (and shall cause the other members of
the Industrial Group to) assume, pay, perform and discharge all Industrial
Liabilities in accordance with their terms, and (iii) Newport News shall (and
shall cause the other members of the Shipbuilding Group to) assume, pay,
perform and discharge all Shipbuilding Liabilities in accordance with their
terms.
 
  In addition, the Distribution Agreement provides for cross-indemnities that
require (i) Tenneco to indemnify New Tenneco and Newport News (and their
respective subsidiaries and certain other related parties) against all losses
arising out of or in connection with the Energy Liabilities or the breach of
the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by Tenneco, (ii) New
Tenneco to indemnify Tenneco and Newport News (and their respective
subsidiaries and certain other related parties) against all losses arising out
of or in connection with the Industrial Liabilities or the breach of the
Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by New Tenneco, and (iii)
Newport News to indemnify Tenneco and New Tenneco (and their respective
subsidiaries and certain other related parties) against all losses arising out
of or in connection with the Shipbuilding Liabilities or the breach of the
Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by Newport News.
 
  Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, each of the parties has agreed to
use all reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all action, and do or
cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to
consummate the transactions contemplated by and carry out the purposes of the
Distribution Agreement. As such, the Distribution Agreement provides that if
any contemplated pre-Transaction transfers and assignments have not been
effected on or prior to the Distribution Date, the parties will cooperate to
effect such transfers as quickly thereafter as practicable. The entity
retaining any asset or liability which should have been transferred prior to
the Distribution Date will continue to hold that asset for the benefit of the
party entitled thereto or that liability for the account of the party required
to assume it, and must take such other action as may be reasonably requested
by the party to whom such asset was to be transferred or by whom such
liability was to be assumed in order to place such party, insofar as
reasonably possible, in the same position as would have existed had such asset
or liability been transferred or assumed as contemplated by the Distribution
Agreement.
 
  The Distribution Agreement provides for the transfer of books and records
among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News and their respective subsidiaries
and grants to each party access to certain information in the possession of
the others (subject to certain confidentiality requirements). In addition, the
Distribution Agreement provides for the allocation of shared privileges with
respect to certain information and requires each party to obtain the consent
of the others prior to waiving any shared privilege.
 
  Terms of the Ancillary Agreements. Below are descriptions of the principal
Ancillary Agreements to be entered into by Tenneco, New Tenneco and/or Newport
News (and their appropriate subsidiaries) prior to consummation of the
Distributions.
 
                                      82
<PAGE>
 
  Benefits Agreement
 
   The Benefits Agreement to be entered into by and among Tenneco, New Tenneco
 and Newport News (the "Benefits Agreement") will define certain labor,
 employment, compensation and benefit matters in connection with the
 Distributions and the transactions contemplated thereby. Pursuant to the
 Benefits Agreement, from and after the Distribution Date each of Tenneco, New
 Tenneco and Newport News will continue employment of each of their respective
 retained employees (subject to their rights to terminate said employees) with
 the same compensation as prior to the Distribution Date, continue to honor
 all related existing collective bargaining agreements, recognize related
 incumbent labor organizations and continue sponsorship of hourly employee
 benefit plans. New Tenneco will become the sole sponsor of the Tenneco Inc.
 Retirement Plan ("TRP") and of the Tenneco Inc. Thrift Plan ("Tenneco Thrift
 Plan") from and after the Distribution Date, and Tenneco and Newport News
 will establish defined contribution plans for the benefit of each of their
 respective employees to which the account balances of retained and former
 employees of Tenneco and Newport News in the Tenneco Thrift Plan will be
 transferred. The benefits accrued by Tenneco and Newport News employees in
 the TRP will be frozen as of the last day of the calendar month including the
 Distribution Date, and New Tenneco will amend the TRP to provide that all
 benefits accrued through that day are fully vested and non-forfeitable.
 Tenneco will retain and assume employment contracts with certain individuals.
 All liabilities under the Tenneco Inc. Benefit Equalization Plan and the
 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan will be assumed by New Tenneco
 pursuant to the Benefits Agreement; however, New Tenneco is entitled to
 reimbursement for certain payments thereunder from Tenneco and Newport News.
 Generally, each of Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News will retain
 liabilities with respect to the welfare benefits of its current and former
 employees and their dependents, but Tenneco will assume all liabilities for
 retiree medical benefits of the employees of discontinued operations and
 their dependents. In addition, as of the Distribution Date, participation by
 retained and former employees of Tenneco and Newport News in the Tenneco Inc.
 Deferred Compensation Plan and the 1993 Deferred Compensation Plan will be
 discontinued. For a discussion of how Tenneco stock options, restricted stock
 and performance share equivalent unit awards will be treated as of the Merger
 Effective Time, see "THE TRANSACTION--Interests of Certain Persons in the
 Transaction."
 
  Debt and Cash Allocation Agreement
 
   The Debt and Cash Allocation Agreement will govern the allocation among the
 parties of the cash and cash equivalents of Tenneco and its consolidated
 subsidiaries on hand as of the Merger Effective Time and responsibility for
 certain capital expenditures related to the Energy Business, as described
 above under "DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT." The Debt and Cash Allocation
 Agreement will also (i) require Newport News to make a $600 million dividend
 to Tenneco or one of its subsidiaries to be used in connection with the Debt
 Tender Offers, (ii) govern certain terms of the Tenneco Revolving Debt, (iii)
 govern the conduct of the post-Transaction audit to be undertaken to
 ascertain the Actual Energy Debt Amount and the amount of cash and cash
 equivalents held by each of Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News upon
 consummation of the Transaction, and (iv) require New Tenneco to pay in cash
 to Tenneco the amount, if any, by which the Actual Energy Debt Amount exceeds
 the Base Debt Amount (and require Tenneco to pay in cash to New Tenneco the
 amount, if any, by which the Actual Energy Debt Amount is less than the Base
 Debt Amount). See "DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT."
 
  Insurance Agreement
 
   Tenneco has historically maintained at the parent-company level various
 insurance policies for the benefit or protection of itself and its
 subsidiaries. The Insurance Agreement to be entered into among Tenneco,
 Newport News and New Tenneco (the "Insurance Agreement") in connection with
 the Distributions will provide for the respective continuing rights and
 obligations from and after the Distribution Date of the parties with respect
 to these insurance policies (other than directors' and officers' liability
 insurance policies, which are addressed by the Merger Agreement). See "THE
 MERGER--Certain Covenants."
 
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<PAGE>
 
   In general, following consummation of the Transaction policies which relate
 exclusively to the Energy Business or a member of the Energy Group will be
 retained by Tenneco, policies which relate exclusively to the Industrial
 Business or a member of the Industrial Group will be retained by New Tenneco
 and policies which relate exclusively to the Shipbuilding Business or a
 member of the Shipbuilding Group will be retained by Newport News.
 
   Any non-exclusive Tenneco policies which are in effect as of the
 Distribution Date (other than those which are cost plus, fronting, high
 deductible or retrospective premium programs, as described below) will either
 be transferred into the name of New Tenneco or cancelled, at New Tenneco's
 option. In general, "go-forward" coverage under these policies for the Energy
 Group and Shipbuilding Group (and certain related persons) will be terminated
 as follows: (i) coverage under "claims-made" policies (i.e., those policies
 which provide coverage for claims made during a specified period) will be
 terminated on the Distribution Date for any claims not made prior thereto,
 and (ii) coverage under "occurrence-based" policies (i.e., those policies
 which provide coverage for acts or omissions occurring during a specified
 period) will be terminated on the Distribution Date for acts or omissions
 occurring thereafter. However, the Energy Group, Industrial Group and
 Shipbuilding Group (and certain related persons) will all continue to have
 access to these policies ("go-backward" coverage) for claims made prior to
 the Distribution Date, in the case of claims-made policies, and for acts or
 omissions which occurred prior to the Distribution Date, in the case of
 occurrence-based policies (subject to certain obligations to replace
 exhausted policy limits). Each respective group will be liable for and get
 the benefit of premiums, costs and charges under these policies that relate
 to its coverage thereunder.
 
   Policies which are cost plus, fronting, high deductible or retrospective
 premium programs will be retained by the Energy Group following the
 Distributions and shall provide no go-forward coverage to the Industrial
 Group or Shipbuilding Group. However, go-backward coverage will continue to
 be available to these groups, subject to an obligation to reimburse Tenneco
 for premiums, costs and charges under these policies related to their
 respective coverages following the Distributions. Following the
 Distributions, Tenneco will be required to maintain in place certain letters
 of credit and surety bonds securing obligations under these policies.
 
  Tax Sharing Agreement
 
   The Tax Sharing Agreement to be entered into among Tenneco, Newport News,
 New Tenneco and El Paso (the "Tax Sharing Agreement") will provide for the
 allocation among the parties of tax liabilities arising prior to, as a result
 of, and subsequent to the Distributions. As a general rule, Tenneco will be
 liable for all taxes not specifically allocated to New Tenneco or Newport
 News under the specific terms of the Tax Sharing Agreement. Generally, New
 Tenneco will be liable for taxes imposed exclusively on the Industrial Group,
 and Newport News will be liable for taxes imposed exclusively on the
 Shipbuilding Group (including for pre-Distribution periods, taxes imposed on
 Tenneco InterAmerica Inc.). Federal income taxes imposed on the combined
 activities of Tenneco, the Industrial Group, and the Shipbuilding Group will
 be allocated among the business groups according to their respective shares
 of consolidated taxable income, except that (i) tax benefits attributable to
 the Debt Realignment ("Debt Discharge Items"), presently anticipated to total
 approximately $120 million, will be specifically allocated to the Industrial
 Group, and (ii) tax benefits attributable to certain items included in the
 computation of the Base Debt Amount ("Base Debt Amount Adjustment Items")
 will be specifically allocated to Tenneco. In the case of state income taxes
 imposed on the combined activities of the business groups, Tenneco will be
 responsible for payment of the combined tax to the state tax authority, and
 New Tenneco and Newport News will pay Tenneco a deemed tax equal to the tax
 that would be imposed if the Industrial Group and the Shipbuilding Group had
 filed combined returns for their respective groups, except that Debt
 Discharge Items and Base Debt Amount Adjustment Items will be specifically
 allocated to New Tenneco and Tenneco, respectively.
 
   In general, Tenneco will be responsible for any taxes imposed on or
 resulting from the Transaction ("Transaction Taxes"). New Tenneco will be
 responsible for any Transaction Taxes resulting from any inaccuracy in
 factual statements or representations in connection with the IRS Ruling
 Letter or the Tax Opinion to the extent attributable to facts in existence
 prior to the Merger, but excluding facts relating to the
 
                                      84
<PAGE>
 
 Shipbuilding Group or El Paso. Newport News and El Paso will each be
 responsible for the accuracy of any factual statements or representations
 relating to them or their respective affiliates. Each of New Tenneco, Newport
 News, and El Paso will be responsible for any Transaction Tax to the extent
 such tax is attributable to action taken by that entity which is inconsistent
 with tax treatment contemplated in the IRS Ruling Letter or Tax Opinion.
 Certain Transaction Taxes (i.e., transfer taxes, and federal and state income
 taxes imposed on those Corporate Restructuring Transactions which are known
 to be taxable) are included in the determination of the Actual Energy Debt
 Amount and consequently may be economically borne by New Tenneco (because New
 Tenneco must pay to Tenneco in cash the amount, if any, by which the Actual
 Energy Debt Amount exceeds the Base Debt Amount). If between the date of the
 Merger Agreement and the Merger Effective Time, there is a change in law (as
 defined in the Tax Sharing Agreement) and as a result of such change in law
 Tenneco is required to restore certain deferred gains to income, then any
 resulting tax shall be shared equally between New Tenneco and Tenneco.
 
  Transition Services Agreement
 
   Tenneco Business Services Inc. ("TBS") currently provides certain
 administrative services to Tenneco, including mainframe computing services,
 backup, recovery and related operations, consulting services and payroll
 services. Under the Transition Services Agreement entered into among Tenneco,
 TBS and El Paso (the "Transition Services Agreement"), at the request of El
 Paso at least 45 days prior to the Merger Effective Time TBS (which will,
 following the Distributions, be a subsidiary of New Tenneco) will continue to
 provide the services specified in El Paso's request for a period of 12 months
 from the Merger Effective Time at a price to be negotiated among the parties
 and based on the market rate for comparable services. If elected, any or all
 of the services may be terminated by Tenneco on 45 days notice to TBS.
 
  TBS Services Agreements
 
   TBS will enter into a series of separate services agreements (the "Service
 Agreements"), as described below, with Newport News and New Tenneco (and its
 subsidiaries other than TBS), which, together, will constitute the "TBS
 Services Agreement" which is to be delivered as an "Ancillary Agreement"
 under the Distribution Agreement.
 
   One of the Service Agreements between TBS and Newport News will be for
 mainframe data processing services (the "NNS Processing Services Agreement").
 Under the NNS Processing Services Agreement, TBS will supply, as a vendor,
 mainframe data processing services to Newport News for a period from the
 Merger Effective Time through December 31, 1998, and thereafter only by
 mutual agreement. The rate of compensation to TBS for services will be $9.1
 million in 1997 and $9.6 million in 1998, payable in monthly installments,
 subject to adjustment if Newport News requests a change in the scope of
 services. TBS will lease the space currently used by it at the Newport News
 headquarters for the period from the Merger Effective Time through December
 31, 1998, with TBS' option to extend for one month periods for up to 12
 months, for continued use by TBS as its mainframe data processing facility.
 The rent under such lease will be approximately $1.2 million per year plus
 pass throughs of certain occupancy-related costs.
 
   TBS also will enter into a supplier participation agreement ("NNS Supplier
 Participation Agreement") with Newport News to govern the procedures under
 which Newport News will continue to participate with New Tenneco in vendor
 purchase agreements between TBS and various suppliers of goods and services.
 The NNS Supplier Participation Agreement will provide for continued
 participation of Newport News in various purchase programs, absent a
 termination for cause, for the full existing terms of the agreements with
 each such vendor. Under this Agreement, as is the case currently, purchases
 of goods and services will be made directly by Newport News at prices
 negotiated by TBS which are applicable to all participating purchasers. TBS
 will charge Newport News a fixed fee of $5,000 per month for TBS contract
 administration services including data collection, negotiations, progress
 reporting, benefits reporting, follow-up and consulting in connection with
 the vendor agreements.
 
                                      85
<PAGE>
 
   Additionally, separate a Service Agreement also will be entered into with
 Tenneco for transition services to be supplied by TBS to Tenneco and its
 subsidiaries. The services covered and compensation for such services will
 depend on the services elected by Tenneco, and the right to be negotiated,
 pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement.
 
  Trademark Transition License Agreements
 
   Upon consummation of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions, New Tenneco
 will hold the rights to various trademarks, servicemarks, tradenames and
 similar intellectual property, including rights in the marks "Tenneco" "Ten"
 and "Tenn" (but not "Tennessee"), alone and in combination with other terms
 and/or symbols and variations thereof (collectively, the "Trademarks"), in
 the United States and elsewhere throughout the world. In connection with the
 Distributions, Trademark Transition License Agreements will be entered into
 as of the Distribution Date between both (i) New Tenneco and Tenneco, and
 (ii) New Tenneco and Newport News. Pursuant to these agreements, New Tenneco
 will grant to each of Tenneco and Newport News a limited, non-exclusive,
 royalty-free license to use the Trademarks, with respect to specified goods
 and services as follows: (a) Tenneco and Newport News will be permitted to
 use the Trademarks in their corporate names for 30 days after the date of the
 agreements (and, pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, each have agreed to
 remove the Trademarks from such corporate names within 30 days after the
 Distribution Date), (b) Tenneco and Newport News will be permitted to use
 their existing supplies and documents which have the Trademarks imprinted on
 them for 6 months after the date of the agreements, and (c) Tenneco and
 Newport News will be permitted to use the Trademarks on existing signs,
 displays or other identifications for a period of 2 years (in the case of
 Tenneco) and one year (in the case of Newport News). However, so long as
 Tenneco or Newport News continues to use the Trademarks, it must maintain
 certain quality standards prescribed by New Tenneco in the conduct of
 business operations in which the Trademarks are used. In addition, under
 these agreements each of Tenneco and Newport News will agree to indemnify New
 Tenneco from any claims that arise as a result of its use of the Trademarks
 or any breach of its agreement and neither Tenneco nor Newport News may adopt
 or use at any time a word or mark likely to be similar to or confused with
 the Trademarks. Each Transition Trademark License Agreement shall be
 immediately terminable by New Tenneco upon a material breach of the agreement
 by Tenneco or Newport News, as the case may be.
 
   Directors. After the Distribution Date, there will be one director of New
 Tenneco who also serves on the board of directors of Newport News.
 
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  The Distributions are conditioned on, among other things, approval of the
Distributions by the holders of Tenneco Stock at the Tenneco Special Meeting
and by the holders of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, if issued prior to
approval of the Transaction at the Tenneco Special Meeting, and formal
declaration of the Distributions by the Tenneco Board of Directors. Other
conditions to the Distributions include (i) execution and delivery of certain
of the Ancillary Agreements and consummation of the various pre-Distribution
transactions (such as the Corporate Restructuring Transactions and the Debt
Realignment), (ii) receipt of the IRS Ruling Letter to the effect that for
federal income tax purposes the Distributions will be tax-free to Tenneco and
its stockholders under Section 355 of the Code and that certain internal spin-
off transactions involving Tenneco or its subsidiaries to be effected pursuant
to the Corporate Restructuring Transactions will also be tax-free,
(iii) approval of the New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock
to be distributed for listing on the NYSE, (iv) registration of the New
Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock under the Exchange Act, (v)
receipt of all material consents to the Corporate Restructuring Transactions,
the Distributions and transactions contemplated in the Distribution Agreement,
(vi) performance of the various covenants required to be performed prior to
the Distribution Date (see "--Certain Other Pre-Distribution Transactions" and
"--Relationship Among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News After the
Distributions,") and (vii) lack of prohibition of the Distributions by any law
or governmental authority. Even if all the conditions to the Distributions are
satisfied, Tenneco has reserved the right to, under certain circumstances,
amend or terminate the Distribution
 
                                      86
<PAGE>
 
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. The Tenneco Board of
Directors has not attempted to identify or establish objective criteria for
evaluating the particular types of events or conditions that would cause the
Tenneco Board of Directors to consider amending or terminating the
Distributions. See "-- Amendment or Termination of the Distributions."
Although the foregoing conditions may be waived by Tenneco to the extent
permitted by law, the Board of Directors of Tenneco presently has no intention
to proceed with the Distributions unless each of these conditions is
satisfied.
 
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  At any time prior to the Distributions, the Distribution Agreement may be
terminated and the Distributions may be amended, modified or abandoned by and
in the sole discretion of Tenneco without the approval of New Tenneco or
Newport News or the stockholders of Tenneco. However, if any amendment or
modification prior to the termination of the Merger Agreement or consummation
of the Merger adversely affects the Energy Business (other than to a de
minimis extent) or materially delays or prevents the consummation of the
Merger, such amendment can only be effectuated with prior consent of El Paso.
Termination prior to the termination of the Merger Agreement or consummation
of the Merger can only be effectuated with prior written consent of El Paso.
 
  After the Distributions, the Distribution Agreement may only be amended or
terminated by a written agreement signed by Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport
News. Certain amendments or terminations after the Distributions also require
the consent of third party beneficiaries to the extent that the Distribution
Agreement has expressly guaranteed them such rights.
 
TRADING OF NEW TENNECO COMMON STOCK AND NEWPORT NEWS COMMON STOCK
 
  See "CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION--No Current Market
for New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock" and "CERTAIN
CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION--Trading Prices of and Markets for
Stock Following the Transaction" for a discussion of certain considerations
relating to the market for and trading prices of New Tenneco Common Stock and
Newport News Common Stock following the Distributions.
 
  Shares of New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock received by
stockholders of Tenneco pursuant to the Distributions will be freely
transferable, except for shares received by persons who may be deemed to be
"affiliates" of either New Tenneco or Newport News under the Securities Act.
Persons who are affiliates of either New Tenneco or Newport News will be
permitted to sell their shares of New Tenneco Common Stock or Newport News
Common Stock, respectively, only pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act. There would not, however, be any 90-day
waiting period before sales could be made by affiliates under Rule 144 of the
Securities Act, as long as the other provisions of Rule 144 are met.
 
                                      87
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE MERGER
 
CLOSING OF THE MERGER
 
  On June 19, 1996 the respective boards of directors of El Paso, El Paso
Subsidiary and Tenneco each approved, and El Paso, El Paso Subsidiary and
Tenneco each executed and delivered, the Merger Agreement. The Merger
Agreement provides that, at the Merger Effective Time, El Paso Subsidiary will
be merged with and into Tenneco, with Tenneco continuing as the surviving
corporation of the Merger and as a subsidiary of El Paso, and the separate
existence of El Paso Subsidiary will cease.
 
  Pursuant to the provisions of the Merger Agreement (unless the parties
otherwise agree), as soon as practicable (and in any event within two business
days) after the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions summarized
herein, the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement
will take place (the "Closing") and a Certificate of Merger will be prepared,
executed and acknowledged and thereafter delivered to the Secretary of State
of Delaware for filing pursuant to the DGCL. The Merger shall become effective
at the Merger Effective Time, which shall be the time of the filing of the
Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware (or such later
date or time set forth therein). As used herein, the term "Closing Date"
refers to the date on which the Closing occurs.
 
  Where an event or series of events occurs during the Average Period or the
20 business days prior thereto which could reasonably be expected to have a
temporary effect on the price of El Paso Common Stock which would cause the
Average El Paso Common Price to be outside the Collar then Tenneco (if the
Average El Paso Common Price would be greater than the Maximum El Paso Price
of $38.3625) or El Paso (if the Average El Paso Common Price would be less
than the Minimum El Paso Price of $31.3875) has the right to delay or restart
the commencement of the Average Period (and thereby delay the Merger) until
such temporary effect has ended. In no event, however, may the Closing be
delayed by more than 15 days or beyond the Termination Date.
 
CONVERSION OF SHARES
 
  AS DESCRIBED BELOW, THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF SHARES OF EL PASO COMMON STOCK AND
EL PASO PREFERRED DEPOSITARY SHARES (IF ANY) TO BE ISSUED TO TENNECO
STOCKHOLDERS IN THE MERGER WILL DEPEND ON THE AVERAGE EL PASO COMMON PRICE. IN
ADDITION, THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF SHARES OF EL PASO COMMON STOCK AND EL PASO
PREFERRED DEPOSITARY SHARES (IF ANY) TO BE RECEIVED BY HOLDERS OF TENNECO
COMMON STOCK WILL DEPEND ON THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL FACTORS THAT WILL OR MAY
NOT BE KNOWN PRIOR TO THE TENNECO SPECIAL MEETING: (I) THE OUTCOME OF THE VOTE
BY EL PASO STOCKHOLDERS ON THE STOCK ISSUANCE, (II) WHETHER THE AVERAGE EL
PASO COMMON PRICE IS OUTSIDE THE COLLAR, AND (III) WHETHER THE ACQUISITION IS
CONSUMMATED PRIOR TO THE MERGER EFFECTIVE TIME.
 
  If the Stock Issuance is approved by El Paso's stockholders, then pursuant
to the Merger Agreement, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the
part of the holder of any shares of capital stock at the Merger Effective
Time:
 
    (1) each share of $4.50 Preferred Stock issued and outstanding
  immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (other than shares owned
  directly or indirectly by Tenneco, El Paso or their respective wholly owned
  subsidiaries and shares held by stockholders who perfect their appraisal
  rights) shall be converted into the right to receive that number of fully
  paid and nonassessable shares of El Paso Common Stock (rounded to the
  nearest one-thousandth of a share) equal to (i) $      divided by (ii) the
  Average El Paso Common Price;
 
    (2) each share of $7.40 Preferred Stock issued and outstanding
  immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (other than shares owned
  directly or indirectly by Tenneco, El Paso or their respective wholly owned
  subsidiaries) shall be converted into the right to receive that number of
  fully paid and
 
                                      88
<PAGE>
 
  nonassessable shares of El Paso Common Stock (rounded to the nearest one-
  thousandth of a share) equal to (i) $   divided by (ii) the Average El Paso
  Common Price;
 
    (3) each share of Tenneco Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately
  prior to the Merger Effective Time (other than shares owned directly or
  indirectly by Tenneco, El Paso or their respective wholly owned
  subsidiaries) shall be converted into the right to receive that number of
  fully paid and nonassessable shares of El Paso Common Stock (rounded to the
  nearest one-thousandth of a share) equal to (i) an amount equal to (A) the
  Equity Consideration of $750 million (subject to downward adjustment if
  Tenneco is unable to complete the Acquisition prior to the Merger Effective
  Time) less the value (based on the Average El Paso Common Price) of the El
  Paso Common Stock issuable to holders of Tenneco Preferred Stock in the
  Merger, divided by (B) the Average El Paso Common Price after giving effect
  to the Collar, divided by (ii) the number of Tenneco Common Conversion
  Shares;
 
    (4) each share of the capital stock of Tenneco issued and outstanding
  immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time after giving effect to the
  Distributions owned directly or indirectly by Tenneco, El Paso or their
  respective wholly owned subsidiaries shall be canceled, and no
  consideration shall be delivered therefor;
 
    (5) each share of El Paso Subsidiary's capital stock issued and
  outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall be
  converted into and become one fully paid and nonassessable share of Tenneco
  Common Stock; and
 
    (6) each share of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock issued and outstanding
  immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall not be converted or
  exchanged pursuant to the Merger and shall remain outstanding immediately
  after the Merger, held by the persons who were the holders of such Junior
  Preferred Stock immediately prior to the Merger. See "THE NPS ISSUANCE."
 
  The "Average El Paso Common Price" will be the average of the closing prices
of El Paso Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Transactions Reporting System,
as reported in The Wall Street Journal, for the 20 trading days on the NYSE
immediately preceding the second trading day prior to the Merger Effective
Time (but subject to correction for typographical or other manifest errors in
such reporting), rounded to four decimal places.
 
  The Collar has the following effects on the shares of El Paso Common Stock
to be issued to holders of Tenneco Common Stock as described above: (i) if the
Average El Paso Common Price falls within the Collar (i.e., between $31.3875
and $38.3625, inclusive), the number of shares of El Paso Common Stock issued
to holders of Tenneco Common Stock will be based on that price, (ii) if the
Average El Paso Common Price is less than the Minimum El Paso Price of
$31.3875, the number of shares of El Paso Common Stock issued to holders of
Tenneco Common Stock will nonetheless be based on a per share price of
$31.3875, and (iii) if the Average El Paso Common Price is more than the
Maximum El Paso Price of $38.3625, the number of shares of El Paso Common
Stock issued to holders of Tenneco Common Stock will nonetheless be based on a
per share price of $38.3625. The Maximum El Paso Price and Minimum El Paso
Price are subject to appropriate adjustments, reasonably satisfactory to
Tenneco and El Paso in all respects, to reflect any recapitalization,
reclassification, stock split, combination of shares, issuance of equity
(other than issuances of shares pursuant to the exercise of employee stock
options) or options for less than full market value or the like of or
involving El Paso.
 
  Alternatively, if the El Paso stockholders do not approve the Stock
Issuance, El Paso will issue to the Tenneco Stockholders 7,000,000 shares of
El Paso Common Stock, with the balance of the equity consideration to consist
of El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares representing interests in El Paso
Preferred Stock. In such case, the holders of Tenneco Preferred Stock will
receive shares of El Paso Common Stock as described above, and each share of
Tenneco Common Stock will be converted into the right to receive (i) the
number of shares of El Paso Common Stock obtained by subtracting from
7,000,000 the number of such shares issued to the holders of Tenneco Preferred
Stock and dividing that number by the number of Tenneco Common Conversion
Shares, and (ii) El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares representing interests in
that number of shares of El Paso Preferred Stock which has an aggregate
liquidation preference equal to the value (based on the Average El Paso Common
Price)
 
                                      89
<PAGE>
 
of the additional shares of El Paso Common Stock that would have been issued
to the holders of a single share of Tenneco Common Stock if the Stock Issuance
had been approved.
 
  Because the formula for determining the number of shares of El Paso Common
Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares issuable to holders of Tenneco
Common Stock if the Stock Issuance is not approved is designed to provide such
holders with the same aggregate dollar value of consideration that they would
have received had the Stock Issuance been approved, under this alternative
scenario holders of Tenneco Common Stock will also likely receive stock worth
more than [$638 million] if the Average El Paso Common Price is above the
Collar and less than [$638 million] if the Average El Paso Common Price is
below the Collar.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders of Tenneco Stock will not receive
fractional shares of El Paso Common Stock or fractional El Paso Preferred
Depositary Shares. Instead, a holder's fractional share interest will be
retained by El Paso and will be aggregated with the fractional share interests
of all other holders into whole shares of El Paso Common Stock or El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares, as applicable. The Exchange Agent (as defined
below) will sell these whole shares at then-prevailing prices on the NYSE as
soon as practicable after the Merger Effective Time. The Exchange Agent will
then determine and remit the portion of the proceeds from the sale of the
whole shares to which each holder is entitled provided that such holder has
properly surrendered such holder's certificate formerly representing Tenneco
Stock.
 
  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as soon as practicable after the Effective
Time, a letter of transmittal will be mailed by First Chicago Trust Company of
New York, as exchange agent for the holders of Tenneco Stock (the "Exchange
Agent"), to each holder of record of a certificate or certificates
representing shares of Tenneco Stock which were converted pursuant to the
Merger (the "Certificates") to be used in effecting the surrender of the
Certificates in exchange for certificates and depositary receipts representing
shares of El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares (the
"New Certificates") to which such holder has become entitled and, if
applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares as described above. After
receipt of the letter of transmittal, each holder of Certificates formerly
representing shares of Tenneco Stock should surrender such Certificates
together with the letter of transmittal duly executed, and any other required
documents as set forth in the letter of transmittal, to the Exchange Agent,
and each such holder will receive in exchange New Certificates evidencing the
whole shares of El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares,
if any, that such holder has the right to receive, any dividend or
distribution with respect thereto made with a record date after the Merger
Effective Time and any cash paid in lieu of fractional shares. The letter of
transmittal will be accompanied by instructions specifying the other details
of the exchange. STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND IN THEIR CERTIFICATES UNTIL THEY
RECEIVE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
  After the Merger Effective Time, each Certificate formerly representing
Tenneco Stock, until surrendered and exchanged, will be deemed for all
purposes to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the number
of whole shares of El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary
Shares, if any, into which the shares of Tenneco Stock shall have been so
converted, plus any dividends or other distributions in respect of such shares
of El Paso Common Stock and/or El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares and any
cash in lieu of fractional shares. The holder of such unexchanged Certificate
will not be entitled to receive in respect thereof any dividend or other
distribution with a record date after the Merger Effective Time payable by El
Paso to its stockholders until such Certificate is surrendered. Instead, all
such dividends and other distributions will be paid to the Exchange Agent
(until December 31, 1998, after which time such amounts will be set aside by
El Paso), who will hold such amounts for the benefit of the former Tenneco
Stockholder entitled thereto until such stockholder's Certificates are
surrendered for exchange.
 
  After December 31, 1998, the Exchange Agent will return to El Paso all New
Certificates, dividends and distributions and cash in lieu of fractional
shares (and any fractional El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares) and thereafter
former Tenneco Stockholders will be entitled to look only to El Paso for
distribution of such amounts.
 
                                      90
<PAGE>
 
  The Merger Agreement provides that all shares of El Paso Common Stock and
any El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares issued upon the surrender for exchange
of shares of Tenneco Stock pursuant thereto (plus cash in lieu of fractional
shares and any fractional El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares) shall be deemed
to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such
shares of Tenneco Stock and that none of El Paso, El Paso Subsidiary, Tenneco,
New Tenneco or Newport News shall be liable to any holders of shares of
Tenneco Stock, or El Paso Common Stock or El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares,
for such shares or cash in lieu of fractional shares and any fractional El
Paso Preferred Depositary Shares delivered to a public official pursuant to
any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
 
EFFECTS OF THE MERGER
 
  The Merger will have the effects specified in the DGCL. In addition, the
Merger Agreement provides that the Tenneco Charter will be amended as of the
Merger Effective Time, altering the authorized capital stock of Tenneco,
eliminating certain restrictions on business combinations with interested
stockholders and modifying the number of members of and the structure of the
Tenneco Board of Directors. The Merger Agreement also provides that the bylaws
of El Paso Subsidiary, as in effect immediately prior to the Merger Effective
Time and amended to include specified provisions regarding the indemnification
of and advancement of expenses to directors and officers, shall become the
bylaws of Tenneco. In addition, the Merger Agreement provides that the
directors of El Paso Subsidiary at the Merger Effective Time will be the
initial directors of Tenneco after the Merger.
 
CERTAIN OTHER PRE-MERGER TRANSACTIONS
 
 Distributions and Related Transactions. The Merger Agreement requires that
the Distributions be consummated before the Merger Effective Time with only
such changes or modifications as do not adversely affect, other than to a de
minimis extent, the Energy Business. Accordingly, the pre-Distribution
transactions and conditions must generally be consummated or satisfied, as the
case may be, substantially as described herein prior to the Merger. See "THE
DISTRIBUTIONS."
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Merger Agreement contemplates that under
certain circumstances Tenneco may enter into negotiations and/or an agreement
regarding a sale, merger or other disposition transaction involving either or
both of the Shipbuilding Business and Industrial Business, or any portion
thereof (an "S/I Transaction"), and thereby abandon one or both of the
Distributions. With prior notice to El Paso, Tenneco may enter into an S/I
Transaction so long as such transaction is not adverse, other than to a de
minimis extent, to El Paso or the Energy Business and would not render the
Merger impossible or impracticable or materially delay the consummation
thereof. If the S/I Transaction would have any of the foregoing effects, the
transaction may nonetheless be pursued prior to approval of the Merger by
Tenneco Stockholders if the Tenneco Board of Directors determines in good
faith after consultation with counsel that there is a substantial risk that
failure to do so would constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties under
applicable law.
 
  Rights Agreement and Dividend Reinvestment Program. In preparation for the
Merger, Tenneco has amended its stockholder rights plan to exempt El Paso and
El Paso Subsidiary from becoming an "acquiring person" thereunder, or
otherwise triggering the rights issued in connection therewith, solely by
reason of the execution of the Merger Agreement and consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby, and to cause such rights to expire at the
Merger Effective Time. Furthermore, the Tenneco Dividend Reinvestment Program
will be terminated after reinvestment of Tenneco's third quarter 1996
dividends.
 
NO SOLICITATION
 
  The Merger Agreement required Tenneco to immediately cease any then-existing
discussions or negotiations with any third parties with respect to any merger,
consolidation, business combination, sale of the
 
                                      91
<PAGE>
 
Energy Business, sale of certain major subsidiaries of Tenneco, tender or
exchange or similar transaction involving the Energy Business as a whole or
certain major subsidiaries as a whole other than the transactions contemplated
in the Merger Agreement (an "Acquisition Transaction"). The Merger Agreement
further provides that neither Tenneco, any of its subsidiaries nor any of
their respective directors and officers shall, and Tenneco shall use its best
efforts to ensure that none of its or its subsidiaries' affiliates,
representatives or agents shall, directly or indirectly, solicit any person,
entity or group concerning any Acquisition Transaction. Prior to the approval
of the Transaction by Tenneco's stockholders, however, Tenneco may furnish
information or enter into negotiations regarding, or enter into an agreement
for, an Acquisition Transaction if Tenneco provides prior notice to El Paso
and Tenneco's Board of Directors determines in good faith, after consultation
with independent legal counsel, that there is a substantial risk that the
failure to do so would be found to constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties
under applicable law, but only in response to a proposal for an Acquisition
Transaction received by Tenneco which the Board of Directors of Tenneco
determines in good faith after consultation with its financial advisors is
reasonably likely to result in consummation of an Acquisition Transaction more
favorable, from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of Tenneco than
the Transaction, taking into account the financial responsibility of the party
making such proposal, as then reasonably determinable by Tenneco, and such
party's ability, as then reasonably determinable by Tenneco, to obtain
regulatory approvals for such Acquisition Transaction (a "Higher Proposal").
 
  The Merger Agreement provides that Tenneco shall advise El Paso immediately
if any proposal for or other indication of interest in a Higher Proposal is
received by Tenneco and the terms and conditions thereof and keep El Paso
promptly informed of the status thereof. As of the date of this Joint Proxy
Statement-Prospectus, Tenneco has not received any such inquiries or
proposals.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
  Interim Operations of Tenneco. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Tenneco has
agreed, among other things, that from the date thereof to the Closing Date,
unless El Paso has consented in writing and except for actions (i) affecting
solely the Industrial Business or Shipbuilding Business, (ii) which only
adversely affect the Energy Business to a de minimis extent and do not
materially delay or prevent consummation of the Transaction, (iii) specified
therein involving the Energy Group, or (iv) taken by Tenneco and its
affiliates in order to consummate the Transaction as contemplated by the
Merger Agreement, Tenneco shall and shall cause the Energy Subsidiaries to:
 
    (i) use its reasonable best efforts to operate the Energy Business in the
  ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, preserve
  substantially intact the business organization thereof, preserve customer,
  supplier and other business relationships in respect thereof and keep
  available the services of employees and consultants thereto;
 
    (ii) not amend the Tenneco Charter or its Bylaws;
 
    (iii) not issue or authorize the issuance of (except, with respect to
  Tenneco, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices)
  any of its capital stock, options, warrants or other rights to acquire such
  capital stock or any other ownership interest (subject to limited
  exceptions for certain existing rights, dividend reinvestment and benefits
  plans);
 
    (iv) not declare, set aside or pay any dividends or other distributions
  in respect of the capital stock of Tenneco or any of the Energy
  Subsidiaries except for (A) dividends declared and paid by Tenneco
  consistent with its past practice, (B) the Distributions, (C) cash
  dividends declared by any of the Energy Subsidiaries and (D) the issuance
  of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock;
 
    (v) not reclassify, combine, split, subdivide or redeem, purchase, or
  otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any class of the capital stock
  of Tenneco or any of the Energy Subsidiaries, subject to exceptions
  relating to employee benefit and dividend reinvestment plans;
 
    (vi) generally not increase the compensation of persons who will be
  employees of the Energy Business after the Merger Effective Time (except as
  contemplated by the Merger Agreement);
 
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    (vii) except in the ordinary course of business, not transfer, sell or
  otherwise dispose of any of the Energy Assets;
 
    (viii) cooperate with El Paso with respect to any opportunity to acquire
  additional interests in certain pipeline operations; or
 
    (ix) not take any action that would (a) be reasonably likely to result in
  any of the conditions to the Merger not being satisfied or (b) impair the
  ability of Tenneco to consummate the Distributions or the Merger pursuant
  to the terms of the Distribution Agreement and the Merger Agreement,
  respectively.
 
   Interim Operations of El Paso. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, during the
 period from the date thereof to the Closing Date, neither El Paso nor any of
 its affiliates may:
 
    (i) amend its charter, by-laws or other governing documents;
 
    (ii) acquire (directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record) any
  shares of Tenneco Stock;
 
    (iii) take any action that would be reasonably likely to result in any of
  the conditions to the Merger not being satisfied or that would either
  impair the ability of El Paso or El Paso Subsidiary to consummate the
  Merger or would delay the Merger; or
 
    (iv) take or cause to be taken any action that would disqualify either of
  the Distributions as a tax-free distribution within the meaning of Section
  355 of the Code.
 
  Furthermore, the Merger Agreement provides that El Paso Subsidiary may not
engage in any activities except in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement and that, prior to the Merger Effective
Time, El Paso may not undertake any internal corporate restructuring or any
action which is primarily for the purpose of reducing the value of the
Transaction to Tenneco stockholders.
 
  Additionally, during the 20 trading days prior to commencement of the
Average Period the Merger Agreement provides that El Paso and its subsidiaries
(i) will carry on their businesses in the ordinary course and use all
reasonable efforts to preserve intact their present business organizations and
relationships with customers, suppliers and others, (ii) will not declare or
pay any dividends or other distributions in respect of their capital stock
(other than regular quarterly dividends on El Paso Common Stock and certain
intercompany dividends), (iii) will not take certain actions involving the
issuance, repurchase or exchange of their capital stock (including any rights
to acquire said capital stock), and (iv) will not enter into certain business
combination or disposition transactions, in each case except as contemplated
by the Merger Agreement.
 
 Certain Other Covenants and Agreements
 
  Indemnification and Insurance of Directors and Officers
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, El Paso has agreed not to cause or
  permit amendments to certain charter and bylaw provisions of Tenneco
  relating to indemnification of directors and officers for a period of six
  years after the Merger.
 
    The Merger Agreement also provides that prior to the Merger Effective
  Time Tenneco shall, and from and after the Merger Effective Time El Paso
  and Tenneco jointly and severally shall, indemnify, defend and hold
  harmless each person who is now, has been at any time prior to the date of
  the Merger Agreement or who becomes prior to the Merger Effective Time an
  officer, director or employee of Tenneco or any of its subsidiaries
  (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") against all losses, expenses,
  claims, damages, liabilities or amounts that are paid in settlement of,
  with the approval of the indemnifying party (which approval shall not
  unreasonably be withheld), or otherwise in connection with any claim,
  action, suit, proceeding or investigation (a "Claim"), based in whole or in
  part on the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee
  of Tenneco or any of its subsidiaries and arising out of actions or
  omissions
 
                                      93
<PAGE>
 
  occurring at or prior to the Merger Effective Time (including, without
  limitation, the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the
  Distribution Agreement), whether or not such Claim was asserted prior to,
  at or after the Merger Effective Time, in each case to the fullest extent
  permitted under the DGCL (and shall pay expenses in advance of the final
  disposition of any such Claim to each Indemnified Party to the fullest
  extent permitted under the DGCL, upon receipt from the Indemnified Party to
  whom expenses are advanced of an undertaking to repay such advances if
  required by Section 145(e) of the DGCL). However, these obligations to
  indemnify do not affect the allocation of liability among the Energy Group,
  the Industrial Group and Shipbuilding Group pursuant to the Distribution
  Agreement and any corresponding indemnification rights thereunder.
 
    The Merger Agreement provides that any Indemnified Party wishing to claim
  indemnification under the Merger Agreement, upon learning of any Claim,
  will promptly notify Tenneco (or, after the Merger Effective Time, Tenneco
  and El Paso) thereof, but the failure to so notify will not relieve Tenneco
  or El Paso of any liability it may have if such failure does not materially
  prejudice such party.
 
    In the event any Claim is brought against an Indemnified Party, the
  Indemnified Party may retain counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party
  (with the consent of Tenneco and, after the Merger Effective Time, El Paso)
  and Tenneco (or, after the Merger Effective Time, Tenneco and El Paso)
  shall pay all reasonable fees and expense of such counsel and use all
  reasonable efforts to assist in the vigorous defense of the matter.
 
    Furthermore, under the Merger Agreement El Paso and Tenneco have agreed
  to maintain certain policies of directors' and officers' liability
  insurance for a period of seven years following the Merger and be
  responsible for all costs and expenses associated therewith.
 
  El Paso Guaranty of Tenneco Performance
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and certain instruments to be executed
  in connection therewith, from and after the Merger Effective Time El Paso
  has guaranteed the full and timely payment and performance by Tenneco and
  the other members of the Energy Group of their obligations under the Merger
  Agreement, Distribution Agreement and each and every other agreement to be
  entered into pursuant thereto.
 
  Other
 
    The Merger Agreement also contains other agreements of the parties
  including, without limitation, agreements to cooperate with respect to
  certain regulatory requests, filings, approvals and proceedings (including
  with respect to the GSR Proceeding), to not take actions that would cause a
  breach of the Merger Agreement, to not take actions which might cause
  certain adverse tax consequences (such as a failure of the Merger or
  Distributions to qualify as tax-free for federal income tax purposes), and
  to use reasonable best efforts to make effective the transactions
  contemplated thereby and by the Distribution Agreement.
 
    Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, El Paso will cause Tenneco to
  pay any New York State Real Estate Transfer Tax and the New York City Real
  Property Transfer Tax (and similar taxes in any other jurisdiction)
  incurred in connection with the Merger. Tenneco and El Paso will cooperate
  in the preparation and filing of returns with respect to such transfer
  taxes (including returns on behalf of Tenneco Stockholders) and in the
  determination of the portion of the consideration allocable to the real
  property of Tenneco and its subsidiaries in New York State and City (and
  any other jurisdiction, if applicable). The Tenneco Stockholders will be
  bound by the allocation of consideration determined by Tenneco and El Paso
  in the preparation of any return relating to the foregoing transfer taxes.
  See "CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES--The Merger."
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
 
  The Merger Agreement requires Tenneco to enter into the Benefits Agreement
and to perform its obligations thereunder. See "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--
Relationship Among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News
 
                                      94
<PAGE>
 
After the Distributions." In addition, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, El
Paso has agreed to provide (or cause Tenneco to provide) certain benefits to
certain employees and former employees of Tenneco and their dependents from
and after the Merger Effective Time.
 
  El Paso has agreed to provide severance benefits, vacation pay, outplacement
services and other benefits to certain employees of the Energy Business who
are terminated within one year of the Merger Effective Time (other than for
death, disability or cause). Pursuant to this agreement, approximately 50
high-level employees of the Energy Business would be eligible to receive
severance benefits ranging from 12 to 24 months base pay and approximately
3,200 other employees of the Energy Business would be eligible to receive
severance benefits ranging from 6 to 52 weeks' base pay. Additionally, El Paso
has agreed to provide health care coverage to these employees on an optional
basis (with the costs being shared by the employee as are shared by similarly
situated active El Paso employees) for a period equal to the months of pay
received as severance, up to 12 months.
 
  El Paso has also agreed to provide retiree medical and life benefits for at
least ten years from the Merger Effective Time to former employees of Tenneco
and their dependents and to current employees who are eligible to retire as of
the Merger Effective Time and retire within a window period after the Merger
Effective Time to be selected by El Paso, which will be not less than six
months. However, El Paso may institute changes (including termination) to the
retiree medical plan to implement appropriate cost containment features and
other methods of providing comparable benefits.
 
  El Paso has further agreed to provide retention payments to key and other
Energy Business employees. Under the executive retention program, certain key
employees will be paid an aggregate of $9 million if they cooperate with the
effort to sell the Energy Business and remain full-time active employees until
the Merger Effective Time. Additionally, a separate retention program will be
implemented for approximately 200 lower management and staff level employees
with similar conditions and an aggregate of $4 million in payments.
 
  Employees of the Energy Business will also receive credit for past service
with Tenneco in determining entitlements under certain El Paso benefit
programs. El Paso has also agreed to satisfy certain obligations owed by
Tenneco to specific individuals.
 
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
  The Merger Agreement contains various representations and warranties of El
Paso, El Paso Subsidiary and Tenneco, none of which will survive the Merger
Effective Time.
 
  The representations and warranties of Tenneco in the Merger Agreement
include, among other things, representations and warranties as to: corporate
organization, existence and good standing; capitalization; corporate and other
authority to enter into the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;
the financial statements of Tenneco and the Energy Business; confirmation that
the Transaction will not violate certain duties, provisions and laws; the
absence of certain litigation, changes or events; the accuracy of Tenneco SEC
documents and other reports; the absence of any undisclosed material adverse
change; the receipt by Tenneco of an opinion of Lazard that the consideration
to be received in the Merger by Tenneco's stockholders is fair from a
financial point of view; the absence of any arrangements made by or on behalf
of Tenneco with any broker, investment banker or similar person other than
Lazard, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and J.P. Morgan Securities
Incorporated; and certain amendments to the stockholder rights plan of
Tenneco.
 
  The representations and warranties of El Paso and El Paso Subsidiary in the
Merger Agreement include, among other things, representations and warranties
as to: corporate organization, existence and good standing; capitalization;
corporate and other authority to enter into the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement; the accuracy of El Paso SEC documents and other reports;
the financial statements of El Paso; confirmation that the Transaction will
not violate certain duties, provisions and laws; the absence of certain
litigation, changes or events; the receipt by El Paso of an opinion from DLJ
that the Merger is fair to El Paso's stockholders from a financial point of
view; the absence of any undisclosed material adverse change; due
authorization of the shares of El Paso Stock to be issued in the Merger; El
Paso Subsidiary's lack of contractual liabilities, commitments, obligations or
assets; and the absence of arrangements made by or on behalf of El Paso with
any broker, investment banker or similar person other than DLJ.
 
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<PAGE>
 
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
 
 Conditions to Obligations of the Parties
 
  The respective obligations of each of Tenneco, El Paso and El Paso
Subsidiary to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement
are subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of the following
conditions, any or all of which may be waived, in whole or in part, to the
extent permitted by applicable law:
 
    (i) the Registration Statement (of which this Joint Proxy Statement-
  Prospectus forms a part) shall have been declared effective under the
  Securities Act and no stop orders with respect thereto shall have been
  issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or,
  to the parties' knowledge, be threatened;
 
    (ii) the Transaction shall have been approved and adopted by the
  requisite vote of the stockholders of Tenneco, in accordance with the DGCL
  and the Tenneco Charter;
 
    (iii) any waiting period applicable to the consummation of the
  transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement under the HSR Act shall
  have expired or been terminated;
 
    (iv) all authorizations, consents, orders and approvals of, and
  declarations or filings with, and expiration of waiting periods imposed by,
  any governmental authority or other person shall have been obtained or
  filed and shall be in full force and effect (although this shall not apply
  with respect to the GSR Ruling), other than those which if not obtained or
  filed would not have a material adverse effect on El Paso and its
  consolidated subsidiaries, the Energy Business or the ability of any party
  to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement prior
  to the Termination Date;
 
    (v) no governmental authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated,
  enforced or entered any statute or rule, regulation, injunction or other
  order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which materially
  restricts, prevents or prohibits consummation of the Merger or the other
  transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;
 
    (vi) the El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares (if
  any) shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official
  notice of issuance;
 
    (vii) Tenneco shall have received (a) the IRS Ruling Letter as described
  under "THE DISTRIBUTIONS--Conditions to Consummation of the Distributions,"
  above, and (b) to the extent not covered by the IRS Ruling Letter, the Tax
  Opinion from the law firm of Jenner & Block (counsel to Tenneco) that,
  among other things, the Merger will qualify as a tax-free reorganization
  under Section 368(a)(1)(B) of the Code;
 
    (viii) the Distributions, the Debt Realignment and the other transactions
  contemplated by the Distribution Agreement (including any S/I Transaction)
  shall have been effected; and
 
    (ix) the NPS Issuance shall have been consummated.
 
 Conditions to Obligations of Tenneco
 
  The obligations of Tenneco to consummate the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement are also subject to the satisfaction, at the Closing, of
the following conditions, any or all of which may be waived, in whole or in
part, by Tenneco:
 
    (i) the representations and warranties of El Paso and El Paso Subsidiary
  in the Merger Agreement shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date
  with the same effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date (except for
  changes permitted by the Merger Agreement and failures to remain true and
  correct which do not have a material adverse effect on El Paso and its
  consolidated subsidiaries and will not prevent consummation of the
  transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement by El Paso or El Paso
  Subsidiary prior to the Termination Date);
 
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<PAGE>
 
    (ii) each of El Paso and El Paso Subsidiary shall have performed in all
  material respects their respective obligations under the Merger Agreement
  to be performed at or prior to the Closing; and
 
    (iii) delivery to Tenneco by El Paso and El Paso Subsidiary of officers'
  certificates with respect to the matters identified in clauses (i) and (ii)
  and certain other corporate proceedings.
 
 Conditions to Obligations of El Paso and El Paso Subsidiary
 
  The obligations of El Paso and El Paso Subsidiary to effect the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement are also subject to the satisfaction, at
the Closing, of the following conditions any or all of which may be waived, in
whole or in part, by El Paso and El Paso Subsidiary:
 
    (i) the representations and warranties of Tenneco contained in the Merger
  Agreement shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date with the same
  effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date (except for changes
  permitted by the Merger Agreement and failures to remain true and correct
  which do not have a material adverse effect on the Energy Business and will
  not prevent consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
  Agreement by Tenneco prior to the Termination Date);
 
    (ii) Tenneco shall have performed in all material respects its
  obligations under the terms of the Merger Agreement to be performed at or
  prior to the Closing;
 
    (iii) El Paso shall not have reasonably determined, in good faith after
  consultation with Tenneco and its advisors, that as a result of an
  announcement or introduction of legislation by certain U.S. government
  officials identified in the Merger Agreement there exists a reasonable
  likelihood that the Distributions or the Merger would not be tax-free for
  federal income tax purposes to Tenneco and El Paso; and
 
    (iv) delivery to El Paso by Tenneco of officers' certificates with
  respect to the matters identified in clauses (i) and (ii) and certain other
  corporate proceedings.
 
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
 
  The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Merger
Effective Time, whether before or after the approval of the Merger Agreement
or the Merger by the stockholders of Tenneco and the approval of the Stock
Issuance by the stockholders of El Paso, by (i) the mutual written consent of
El Paso and Tenneco authorized by their respective boards of directors; (ii)
El Paso or Tenneco, if the Merger is not consummated by the Termination Date
(other than for the terminating party's failure to observe any of the
covenants, agreements and conditions of the Merger Agreement to be performed
or observed by such party prior to the Closing Date), (iii) El Paso or
Tenneco, if there has been a material breach on the part of the other party of
any covenant, representation or warranty set forth in the Merger Agreement, or
any failure on the part of the other party to comply with its obligations
under the Merger Agreement, or any other circumstances have occurred such that
the conditions to El Paso's or Tenneco's consummation of the Merger,
respectively, could not be satisfied on or prior to the Termination Date; (iv)
El Paso or Tenneco, if the stockholders of Tenneco at the Tenneco Special
Meeting do not approve the Transaction; (v) El Paso, if the Board of Directors
of Tenneco withdraws, amends or modifies in a manner adverse to El Paso its
favorable recommendation to its stockholders of the Transaction or promulgates
any favorable recommendation with respect to an Acquisition Transaction (other
than in response to a situation described in clause (iii) above);
(vi) Tenneco, if the Board of Directors of El Paso withdraws, amends or
modifies in a manner adverse to Tenneco its favorable recommendation to its
stockholders or approves an agreement for or recommends to its stockholders a
business combination transaction not involving Tenneco (other than in response
to a situation described in clause (iii) above); (vii) El Paso or Tenneco,
under certain circumstances where, prior to approval of the Transaction by
Tenneco stockholders, Tenneco enters into an S/I Transaction which would
adversely impact El Paso or the Energy Business, or render the Merger
impossible or impracticable or prevent or materially delay consummation of the
Merger; (viii) El Paso, if there has occurred any event, change or effect
which, in the aggregate with all other events, changes or effects, reduces the
value of the Energy Business by more than $75 million (excluding negative
events, changes or effects which result from (A) any action by El Paso or
certain affiliated parties, (B) changes in general economic, financial markets
or industrial conditions, or (C) matters related to the GSR Ruling); (ix)
Tenneco if there has occurred any event,
 
                                      97
<PAGE>
 
change or effect which, in the aggregate with all other events, changes or
effects, reduces the value of El Paso by more than $75 million (excluding
negative events, changes or effects which result from (A) any action by Tenneco
or certain affiliated parties, or (B) changes in general economic, financial
markets or industrial conditions); (x) El Paso, if the GSR Ruling has a
specified adverse effect on the Energy Business, so long as El Paso has not
materially breached its obligations under the Merger Agreement to cooperate
with Tenneco in working towards a favorable resolution thereof; or (xi) Tenneco
or El Paso (but only prior to approval of the Transaction by Tenneco's
stockholders) if Tenneco receives a Higher Proposal that it advises El Paso in
writing that it wishes to accept and El Paso does not make, within five
business days of receipt of such written notice, an offer that the Board of
Directors of Tenneco believes, in good faith after consultation with its
financial advisors, is at least as favorable, from a financial point of view,
to the stockholders of Tenneco as the Higher Proposal.
 
  If the Merger Agreement is terminated as permitted above, the Merger
Agreement will become void and there will be no liability or obligation on the
part of the terminating party, or the directors, officers, stockholders,
employees, agents, consultants or representatives of such party, except that
(a) such termination shall not relieve any other party of any damages or other
amounts for which it would otherwise be liable, and (b) such termination shall
not relieve Tenneco of its obligation to pay to El Paso the Termination Fee
under certain circumstances. See "--Termination Fee and Consulting
Arrangement."
 
  Prior to the Merger Effective Time, whether before or after approval and
adoption of the Transaction by the stockholders of Tenneco, the provisions of
the Merger Agreement may be amended by a written agreement executed and
delivered by the parties thereto, subject to applicable law. After the Merger
Effective Time, the provisions of the Merger Agreement may be amended only by a
written agreement executed and delivered by El Paso, Tenneco (as the surviving
corporation of the Merger) and New Tenneco.
 
WAIVER
 
  Any time prior to the Merger Effective Time any party to the Merger Agreement
may, by action of its board of directors set forth in writing, to the extent
legally permissible, extend the time for performance of any of the obligations
or other acts of the other parties thereto, waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties of the other parties contained therein or in any
document delivered pursuant thereto, and waive compliance by any of the other
parties thereto with any of the agreement or conditions contained therein.
 
TERMINATION FEE
 
  The Merger Agreement requires Tenneco to pay to El Paso the Termination Fee
of $25.0 million, plus up to $10.0 million in actual out of pocket expenses
incurred and payable to third parties by El Paso, if the Merger Agreement is
terminated (i) by El Paso or Tenneco, if prior to approval of the Transaction
by Tenneco stockholders Tenneco enters into an S/I Transaction which would
adversely impact El Paso or the Energy Business or would prevent or materially
delay consummation of the Merger upon a good faith determination (after
consultation with and based upon advice of independent counsel) by Tenneco's
Board of Directors that there is a substantial risk that the failure to do so
would result in a breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable law; (ii) by
El Paso or Tenneco if the holders of Tenneco Stock do not adopt and approve the
Transaction; or (iii) by Tenneco or El Paso (but only prior to approval of the
Transaction by Tenneco's stockholders), if Tenneco receives a Higher Proposal
that it advises El Paso in writing that it wishes to accept and El Paso does
not make, within five business days of receipt of such written notice, an offer
that the Board of Directors of Tenneco believes, in good faith after
consultation with its financial advisors, is at least as favorable, from a
financial point of view, to the stockholders of Tenneco as the Higher Proposal.
The Termination Fee shall be payable by Tenneco in exchange for a complete
release of any liabilities from El Paso.
 
CONSULTING ARRANGEMENT
 
  Tenneco and El Paso have entered into the Consulting Agreement pursuant to
which El Paso is providing certain consulting services to Tenneco for the six-
month term of the Consulting Agreement with respect to enhancing the Energy
Business' relationships with customers, plaintiffs in material litigation and
regulatory
 
                                       98
<PAGE>
 
authorities. As consideration for these services, El Paso is entitled to an
aggregate consulting fee of $60.0 million. Under the terms of the Consulting
Agreement, however, this fee is only due and payable by Tenneco if the Merger
Agreement is terminated by El Paso or Tenneco in the manner described in
either (i) or (iii) above, or the manner described in (ii) above if Tenneco's
Board of Directors withdraws, amends or modifies its recommendation of the
Transaction.
 
REGULATORY APPROVALS
 
  Under the HSR Act certain transactions, including the Merger, may not be
consummated unless certain filing and waiting period requirements have been
satisfied. On July 9, 1996, Tenneco and El Paso each filed Premerger
Notification and Reports Forms pursuant to the HSR Act with the DOJ and FTC.
Early termination of the waiting period applicable to the Merger was granted
on July 30, 1996. The early termination of the waiting period does not
preclude the DOJ, FTC or others from challenging the Merger on antitrust
grounds. El Paso and Tenneco have also filed Premerger Notification and Report
Forms pursuant to the HSR Act with the DOJ and FTC relating to the indirect
acquisition by El Paso (through the Merger) of a 30% interest in the Oasis
Pipeline. The waiting period applicable to such acquisition will expire on
August  , 1996, unless terminated earlier or extended.
 
APPRAISAL RIGHTS
 
  Holders of shares of $4.50 Preferred Stock and, in the event the NPS
Issuance is consummated prior to approval of the Transaction at the Tenneco
Special Meeting, Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock (hereinafter together referred
to as "Eligible Stock") will be entitled to appraisal rights in connection
with the Merger under Section 262 of the DGCL. No other stockholders of
Tenneco are entitled to such appraisal rights.
 
  THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS NOT A COMPLETE STATEMENT OF THE LAW PERTAINING
TO APPRAISAL RIGHTS UNDER THE DGCL AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE
FULL TEXT OF SECTION 262 WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AS APPENDIX E. ALL REFERENCES IN SECTION 262 AND IN THIS
SUMMARY TO A "STOCKHOLDER" ARE TO THE RECORD HOLDER OF THE SHARES OF ELIGIBLE
STOCK AS TO WHICH APPRAISAL RIGHTS ARE ASSERTED. A PERSON HAVING A BENEFICIAL
INTEREST IN SHARES OF ELIGIBLE STOCK HELD OF RECORD IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER
PERSON, SUCH AS A BROKER OR NOMINEE, MUST ACT PROMPTLY TO CAUSE THE RECORD
HOLDER TO FOLLOW THE STEPS SUMMARIZED BELOW PROPERLY AND IN A TIMELY MANNER TO
PERFECT APPRAISAL RIGHTS.
 
  Under the DGCL, holders of shares of Eligible Stock who follow the
procedures set forth in Section 262 will be entitled to have their shares of
Eligible Stock appraised by the Delaware Court of Chancery and to receive
payment of the "fair value" of such shares, exclusive of any element of value
arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the Merger, together with a
fair rate of interest, as determined by such court.
 
  Under Section 262, where a merger is to be submitted for approval at a
meeting of stockholders, as in the case of the Tenneco Special Meeting, the
corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, must notify each of
its stockholders entitled to appraisal rights that such appraisal rights are
available and include in such notice a copy of Section 262. This Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus shall constitute such notice, and the applicable
statutory provisions are attached to this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus as
Appendix E. Any holder of Eligible Stock who wishes to exercise such appraisal
rights or who wishes to preserve his, her or its right to do so, should review
the following discussion and Appendix E carefully because failure to timely
and properly comply with the procedures specified will result in the loss of
appraisal rights under the DGCL.
 
  A holder of shares of Eligible Stock wishing to exercise his, her or its
appraisal rights must deliver to Tenneco, before the vote on the Transaction
(which includes the Merger) at the Tenneco Special Meeting, a written demand
for appraisal of his, her or its shares of Eligible Stock and must not vote in
favor of the Merger (which is being submitted as a part of the Transaction).
Because a duly executed proxy which does not contain voting instructions will,
unless revoked, be voted for the Transaction, a holder of shares of $4.50
Preferred Stock who votes by proxy and who wishes to exercise his, her or its
appraisal rights must (i) vote against the Transaction, or (ii) abstain from
voting on the Transaction. A vote against the Transaction, in person or by
proxy, will not in and of itself constitute a written demand for appraisal
satisfying the requirements of Section 262. In addition, a holder of shares of
Eligible Stock wishing to exercise his, her or its appraisal rights must hold
of
 
                                      99
<PAGE>
 
record such shares on the date the written demand for appraisal is made and
must continue to hold such shares until the Merger Effective Time. If any
holder of shares of Eligible Stock fails to comply with any of these
conditions and the Merger becomes effective, the holder of shares of Eligible
Stock will be entitled to receive the consideration (if any) receivable with
respect to such shares in the absence of a valid assertion of appraisal rights
in accordance with the Merger Agreement.
 
  Only a holder of record of shares of Eligible Stock is entitled to assert
appraisal rights for the shares of Eligible Stock registered in that holder's
name. A demand for appraisal should be executed by or on behalf of the holder
of record, fully and correctly, as his, her or its name appears on his, her or
its stock certificates, and must state that the stockholder intends thereby to
demand appraisal of his, her or its shares in connection with the Merger. If
the shares of Eligible Stock are owned of record in a fiduciary capacity, such
as by a trustee, guardian or custodian, execution of the demand should be made
in that capacity, and if the shares of Eligible Stock are owned of record by
more than one person, as in a joint tenancy and tenancy in common, the demand
should be executed by or on behalf of all joint owners. An authorized agent,
including two or more joint owners, may execute a demand for appraisal on
behalf of a holder of record; however, the agent must identify the record
owner or owners and expressly disclose the fact that, in executing the demand,
the agent is agent for such owner or owners. A record holder such as a broker
who holds shares of Eligible Stock as nominee for several beneficial owners
may exercise appraisal rights with respect to the shares of Eligible Stock
held for one or more beneficial owners while not exercising such rights with
respect to the shares of Eligible Stock held for other beneficial owners; in
such case, however, the written demand should set forth the number of shares
of Eligible Stock as to which appraisal is sought and where no number of
shares of Eligible Stock is expressly mentioned the demand will be presumed to
cover all shares of Eligible Stock held in the name of the record owner.
Stockholders who hold their shares of Eligible Stock in brokerage accounts or
other nominee forms and who wish to exercise appraisal rights are urged to
consult with their brokers to determine the appropriate procedures for the
making of a demand for appraisal by such a nominee.
 
  All written demands for appraisal pursuant to Section 262 should be sent or
delivered to Tenneco at 1275 King Street, Greenwich, Connecticut, 06831,
Attention: Corporate Secretary.
 
  Within 10 days after the Merger Effective Time, Tenneco, as the surviving
corporation of the Merger, must notify each holder of Eligible Stock who has
complied with Section 262 and has not voted in favor of or consented to the
Merger of the date that the Merger has become effective. Within 120 days after
the Merger Effective Time, but not thereafter, Tenneco or any holder of
Eligible Stock who is entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 may file
a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the
fair value of his, her or its shares of $4.50 Preferred Stock or Tenneco
Junior Preferred Stock, as the case may be. Tenneco is under no obligation to
and has no present intention to file such a petition. Accordingly, it is the
obligation of the holders of $4.50 Preferred Stock and Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock, respectively, to initiate all necessary action to perfect
their appraisal rights within the time prescribed in Section 262.
 
  Within 120 days after the Merger Effective Time, any holder of Eligible
Stock who has complied with the requirements for exercise of appraisal rights
will be entitled, upon written request, to receive from Tenneco a statement
setting forth the aggregate number of shares of $4.50 Preferred Stock or
Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, as the case may be, not voted in favor of the
Merger and with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and
the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such statement must be mailed
within ten days after a written request therefor has been received by Tenneco
or within ten days after the expiration of the period for delivery of demands
for appraisal, whichever is later.
 
  If a petition for an appraisal is timely filed by a holder of shares of
$4.50 Preferred Stock or Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, as the case may be,
and a copy thereof is served upon Tenneco, Tenneco will then be obligated
within 20 days to file with the Delaware Register in Chancery a duly verified
list containing the names and addresses of all holders of $4.50 Preferred
Stock or Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, as the case may be, who have demanded
an appraisal of their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their
shares have not been reached. After notice to such stockholders as required by
the Court, the Delaware Court of Chancery is empowered to conduct a hearing on
such petition to determine those holders of $4.50 Preferred Stock or Tenneco
 
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<PAGE>
 
Junior Preferred Stock, as the case may be, who have complied with Section 262
and who have become entitled to appraisal rights thereunder. The Delaware
Court of Chancery may require the holders of shares of Eligible Stock who
demanded payment for their shares to submit their stock certificates to the
Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal
proceeding; and if any stockholder fails to comply with such direction, the
Court of Chancery may dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder.
 
  After determining the holders of Eligible Stock entitled to appraisal, the
Delaware Court of Chancery will appraise the "fair value" of their shares of
$4.50 Preferred Stock or Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, as the case may be,
exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or
expectation of the Merger, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to
be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. Holders of Eligible
Stock considering seeking appraisal should be aware that the fair value of
their shares of Eligible Stock as determined in an appraisal proceeding under
Section 262 could be more than, the same as or less than the shares they would
receive or continue to hold, as the case may be, pursuant to the Merger if
they did not seek appraisal of their shares of Eligible Stock and that
investment banking opinions as to fairness from a financial point of view are
not necessarily opinions as to fair value under Section 262. The Delaware
Supreme Court has stated that "proof of value by any techniques or methods
which are generally considered acceptable in the financial community and
otherwise admissible in court" should be considered in the appraisal
proceedings. In addition, Delaware courts have decided that the statutory
appraisal remedy, depending on factual circumstances, may or may not be a
dissenter's exclusive remedy. The Court of Chancery will also determine the
amount of interest, if any, to be paid upon the amounts to be received by
persons whose shares of Eligible Stock have been appraised. The costs of the
action may be determined by the Court and taxed upon the parties as the Court
deems equitable. The Court may also order that all or a portion of the
expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with an appraisal,
including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and the fees and
expenses of experts utilized in the appraisal proceeding, be charged against
the value of all the shares of Eligible Stock entitled to be appraised.
 
  Any holder of shares of Eligible Stock who has duly demanded an appraisal in
compliance with Section 262 will not, after the Merger Effective Time, be
entitled to vote the shares of Eligible Stock subject to such demand for any
purpose or be entitled to the payment of dividends or other distributions on
those shares of Eligible Stock (except dividends or other distributions
payable to holders of record of Eligible Stock as of a date prior to the
Merger Effective Time).
 
  If any stockholder who demands appraisal of his, her or its shares of
Eligible Stock under Section 262 fails to perfect, or effectively withdraws or
loses, his, her or its right to appraisal, as provided in the DGCL, the shares
of $4.50 Preferred Stock or Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, as the case may
be, of such stockholder will be converted into the right to receive shares of
El Paso Common Stock or remain outstanding as shares of Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock, respectively, pursuant to the Merger Agreement as described
herein (without interest). A stockholder will fail to perfect, or effectively
loses or withdraws, his, her or its right to appraisal if no petition for
appraisal is filed within 120 days after the Merger Effective Time, or if the
stockholder delivers to Tenneco a written withdrawal of his, her, or its
demand for appraisal and an acceptance of the Merger, except that any such
attempt to withdraw made more than 60 days after the Merger Effective Time
will require the written approval of Tenneco and, once a petition for
appraisal is filed, the appraisal proceeding may not be dismissed as to any
holder absent court approval.
 
  FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE STEPS REQUIRED BY SECTION 262 OF THE DGCL FOR
PERFECTING APPRAISAL RIGHTS MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SUCH RIGHTS.
 
  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, from and after the Merger Effective Time
Tenneco will be solely responsible for (and shall indemnify New Tenneco and
Newport News against) the payment of any and all consideration that may be
determined pursuant to Section 262 to be due to the holders of Eligible Stock
who have perfected their rights to appraisal as described herein. El Paso has
agreed to establish an escrow consisting of $      million to fund any such
payments.
 
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<PAGE>
 
DEPOSITARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR EL PASO PREFERRED STOCK
 
  If the Stock Issuance is not approved at the El Paso Special Meeting and the
Merger is consummated, each share of Tenneco Common Stock will be converted
into the right to receive El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, in addition to
El Paso Common Stock, and El Paso will enter into the Depositary Agreement so
that Tenneco stockholders are issued El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares (each
representing one twenty-fifth of a whole share of El Paso Preferred Stock).
Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement, holders of El Paso Preferred Depositary
Shares will have rights equivalent to those of holders of whole shares of El
Paso Preferred Stock (to the extent of their fractional interests therein).
The El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares will be traded on the NYSE.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OF EL PASO STOCK
 
  The shares of El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares,
if any, to be issued to stockholders of Tenneco pursuant to the Merger
Agreement will be registered under the Securities Act, thereby allowing such
shares to be freely traded without restrictions by persons who will not be
"affiliates" of El Paso or who were not affiliates of Tenneco prior to the
Merger. Directors and executive officers of Tenneco may be deemed to have been
affiliates of Tenneco prior to the Merger and, pursuant to Rule 145 under the
Securities Act, will not be able to resell the shares of El Paso Common Stock
and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any, received by them in the
Merger unless such sale is registered or an exemption from registration under
the Securities Act is available. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Tenneco has
agreed to identify all persons who may be considered affiliates of Tenneco
under Rule 145, advise them of the resale restrictions described above and use
its best efforts to obtain from each a written agreement not to sell, transfer
or otherwise dispose of any shares of El Paso Common Stock and any El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares received in the Merger except pursuant to an
effective registration statement or in compliance with Rule 145.
 
                             THE CHARTER AMENDMENT
 
  If the Transaction is approved at the Tenneco Special Meeting, the Tenneco
Charter will be amended to eliminate certain rights and preferences of the
authorized class of junior preferred stock of Tenneco ("Tenneco Junior
Preferred Shares"). As of the date of this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus,
there are no shares of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares outstanding.
However, prior to the Merger, Tenneco will issue the new series of Tenneco
Junior Preferred Stock pursuant to the NPS Issuance.
 
  The Charter Amendment would eliminate from the Tenneco Charter certain
existing provisions which, if there are shares of the Tenneco Junior Preferred
Shares outstanding, require the consent of the holders of a majority of such
shares for the taking of any of the following actions by Tenneco: (i) creating
additional classes of stock ranking prior to the Tenneco Junior Preferred
Shares, or increasing the amount of preferred stock or any additional class of
stock ranking prior to the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares in respect of
dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation; (ii) creating any
obligation or security convertible into shares of preferred stock ranking
prior to or on parity with the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares in respect of
dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation; (iii) creating any class
of stock ranking on a parity with the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares or
increasing the authorized amount of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares or of
any class of stock ranking on a parity with the Tenneco Junior Preferred
Shares in respect of dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation; (iv)
the purchase, redemption or other acquisition for value any shares of the
Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares or of any other stock ranking on a parity with
the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares in respect of dividends or distribution of
assets on liquidation during the continuance of any default in the payment of
dividends on the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares; or (v) selling, leasing,
transferring or conveying all, or substantially all, of Tenneco's property or
business, or consolidating with or merging into any other corporation or
corporations (except for mergers of another corporation into Tenneco or
mortgages, pledges or other hypothecations of Tenneco property).
 
  The Charter Amendment would allow the Board of Directors of Tenneco
additional flexibility in establishing the powers, preferences and relative
and other special rights, including voting rights, of any series of the
Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares issued in the future, and to take any of the
foregoing actions without first
 
                                      102
<PAGE>
 
obtaining the consent of holders of any outstanding shares of the Tenneco
Junior Preferred Shares, unless otherwise required by law and unless the Board
of Directors elected to provide voting rights with respect to any of the
foregoing actions pursuant to the terms of any series of the Tenneco Junior
Preferred Shares issued in the future.
 
  The full text of the provisions of the Tenneco Charter relating to the
Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares, as such provisions will be amended pursuant
to the Charter Amendment if the Transaction is approved, is set forth as
Appendix H.
 
  A vote by a Tenneco Stockholder in favor of the Transaction constitutes a
vote in favor of, among other things, the Charter Amendment.
 
               DESCRIPTION OF THE TENNECO JUNIOR PREFERRED STOCK
 
  Prior to the Merger, Tenneco will issue shares of the Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock. The Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock is currently expected to
have the rights and preferences described below.
 
  Shares of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will pay dividends at a rate of
$    per annum ($   per quarter-year). Dividends on the Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock will accrue daily from the date of issuance, whether or not
earned or declared, and will be cumulative (but will not bear interest) and
will be payable when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of Tenneco
out of funds legally available therefor, quarter-yearly on the last days of
March, June, September and December in each year (each, a "Dividend Payment
Date"), with the first dividend payment date being the next Dividend Payment
Date following the date of issuance. Dividends payable on the Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock for any period shorter than a quarter-yearly dividend period
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The
Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will rank on a parity with each other series of
the Tenneco Junior Preferred Class as to dividends, except to the extent the
terms of such other series provide.
 
  In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of
Tenneco, whether voluntary or involuntary (collectively, a "Liquidation"),
holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive $25
per share, plus an amount equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends to the
date of Liquidation (the "Liquidation Value"), and no more. After such amount
is paid in full, no further distributions or payments will be made in respect
of shares of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock.
 
  Except as otherwise provided in the Tenneco Charter, the terms of the
Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock or as required by law, the holders of the
Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote on any matter on
which the holders of any voting securities of Tenneco are entitled to vote.
Holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will be entitled, voting
separately as a class, to elect a number of directors of Tenneco which,
rounded up to the nearest whole number, represents one-sixth of the number of
members of the Board of Directors of Tenneco if there were no vacancies.
Whenever dividends payable on the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock are in
arrears in an aggregate amount equivalent to six or more full quarter-yearly
dividends, the holders of outstanding Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will have
the exclusive right, voting separately as a class, to elect two directors of
Tenneco, until all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock have been paid in full, at which time the right of the holders
of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock to elect two members of the Tenneco
Board will terminate, and the term of office of the directors so elected by
the holders of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will terminate.
 
  The Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock will be redeemable in whole or in part,
at the option of Tenneco at the Liquidation Value, plus accrued and unpaid
dividends, at any time or from time to time after the fifth anniversary of the
date of issuance. The Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock is not subject to any
mandatory redemption or sinking fund provisions will have no maturity date.
 
  The number of shares of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock may, to the extent of
Tenneco's authorized and unissued shares of the Tenneco Junior Preferred
Class, be increased, and may be decreased (but not below the number of shares
thereof then outstanding), by the Board of Directors.
 
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<PAGE>
 
                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
  The following is a summary description of the material federal income tax
consequences of the Transaction. This summary is for general informational
purposes only and is not intended as a complete description of all of the tax
consequences of the Transaction and does not discuss tax consequences under
the laws of state or local governments or of any other jurisdiction. Moreover,
the tax treatment of a stockholder may vary depending upon his, her or its
particular situation. In this regard, certain stockholders (including (i)
insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions or
broker-dealers, and persons who are not citizens or residents of the United
States or who are foreign corporations, foreign partnerships or foreign trusts
or estates as defined for United States federal income tax purposes, and (ii)
stockholders that hold shares as part of a position in a "straddle" or as part
of a "hedging" or "conversion" transaction for United States federal income
tax purposes and stockholders with a "functional currency" other than the
United States dollar) may be subject to special rules not discussed below. In
addition, this summary applies only to shares which are held as capital
assets. The following discussion may not be applicable to a stockholder who
acquired his or her shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options or
otherwise as compensation.
 
  THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS BASED ON CURRENTLY EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE
CODE, EXISTING, PROPOSED AND TEMPORARY TREASURY REGULATIONS THEREUNDER AND
CURRENT ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS AND COURT DECISIONS. ALL OF THE FOREGOING ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE RETROACTIVE, AND ANY SUCH CHANGES
COULD AFFECT THE VALIDITY OF THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION. SEE "POSSIBLE FUTURE
LEGISLATION" BELOW.
 
  EACH STOCKHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS, HER OR ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO
THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM, HER OR IT OF THE TRANSACTION DESCRIBED
HEREIN, INCLUDING, THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN
TAX LAWS, AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES OF APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
 
TAX RULINGS AND OPINIONS
 
  Consummation of the Distributions is conditioned upon Tenneco's receipt of
the IRS Ruling Letter, reasonably acceptable to Tenneco and El Paso, to the
effect that:
 
    (a) the New Tenneco Distribution will be tax-free for federal income tax
  purposes to Tenneco under Section 355(c)(1) of the Code and to the Tenneco
  Stockholders under Section 355(a) of the Code;
 
    (b) the Newport News Distribution will be tax-free for federal income tax
  purposes to Tenneco under Section 355(c)(1) of the Code and to the Tenneco
  Stockholders under Section 355(a) of the Code; and
 
    (c) the following distributions to be effected as part of the Corporate
  Restructuring Transactions will be tax-free for federal income tax purposes
  to the respective transferor corporations under Section 355(c)(1) or 361(a)
  of the Code and to the respective stockholders of the transferor
  corporations under Section 355(a) of the Code: (i) the distribution by
  Newport News of the capital stock of Tenneco Packaging Inc. to Tenneco
  Corporation; (ii) the distribution by Tenneco Corporation of the capital
  stock of Newport News and New Tenneco to TGP; and (iii) the distribution by
  TGP of the capital stock of Newport News and New Tenneco to Tenneco.
 
  A ruling from the IRS, while generally binding on the IRS, may under certain
circumstances be retroactively revoked or modified by the IRS. The rulings
obtained from the IRS will be based on certain facts and representations, some
of which will have been made by El Paso. Generally, the IRS Ruling Letter
would not be revoked or modified retroactively provided that (i) there has
been no misstatement or omission of material facts, (ii) the facts at the time
of the Transaction are not materially different from the facts upon which the
IRS Ruling Letter was based, and (iii) there has been no change in the
applicable law.
 
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<PAGE>
 
  Consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon receipt of the foregoing
rulings and, to the extent not covered by the IRS Ruling Letter, receipt of
the Tax Opinion of Jenner & Block, as counsel to Tenneco, to the effect that:
 
    (a) the Merger will qualify as a tax-free reorganization within the
  meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(B) of the Code, and Tenneco, El Paso and El
  Paso Subsidiary will each be a "party to a reorganization" within the
  meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;
 
    (b) El Paso will not recognize any gain or loss upon receipt of Tenneco
  Stock, solely in exchange for El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred
  Depositary Shares (if any), as set forth in the Merger Agreement;
 
    (c) El Paso's basis in the Tenneco Common Stock, $7.40 Preferred Stock
  and $4.50 Preferred Stock, will, in each case, be equal to the basis of
  such stock in the hands of Tenneco Stockholders immediately prior to the
  Merger;
 
    (d) El Paso's holding period for the Tenneco Common Stock, $7.40
  Preferred Stock and $4.50 Preferred Stock will, in each case, include the
  period during which such stock was held by the Tenneco Stockholders;
 
    (e) the holders of the Tenneco Common Stock, $7.40 Preferred Stock and
  $4.50 Preferred Stock will not recognize any gain or loss upon the exchange
  of such stock for El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary
  Shares (if any);
 
    (f) the basis of the El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred
  Depositary Shares (if any) to be received by the holders of the Tenneco
  Common Stock, $7.40 Preferred Stock and $4.50 Preferred Stock will be the
  same as the basis of the Tenneco Stock surrendered in exchange therefor;
  and
 
    (g) the holding period for the El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred
  Depositary Shares (if any) to be received by the holders of the Tenneco
  Common Stock, $7.40 Preferred Stock and $4.50 Preferred Stock will include
  the holding period for the Tenneco Stock surrendered in exchange therefor,
  provided that the Tenneco Stock surrendered is held as a capital asset on
  the closing date of the Merger.
 
  The Tax Opinion also is to cover certain other federal tax matters addressed
below in this section of the Joint Proxy Statement--Prospectus (including
treatment of holders of Tenneco Stock receiving cash in lieu of fractional
share interests of El Paso Common Stock or fractional El Paso Preferred
Depositary Shares and treatment of holders of $4.50 Preferred Stock, if any,
who demand appraisal rights in connection with the Merger and receive cash in
accordance with the DGCL).
 
  An opinion of counsel is not binding on the IRS or the courts. Moreover, the
Tax Opinion of Jenner & Block will be based upon, among other things, current
law and certain representations as to factual matters made by Tenneco and El
Paso, which representations if incorrect or incomplete in certain material
respects, would jeopardize the conclusions reached in the opinion. With
respect to both the IRS Ruling Letter and the Tax Opinion, representations as
to factual matters will include a representation that there is no stockholder
of Tenneco who beneficially owns five percent or more of Tenneco's capital
stock, and to the best knowledge of Tenneco management, there is no plan or
intention on the part of the remaining Tenneco stockholders to sell, exchange
or otherwise dispose of a number of shares of El Paso Common Stock or El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares received in the Merger that would reduce the
Tenneco Stockholders' ownership of El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred
Depositary Shares to a number of shares having a value, as of the Merger
Effective Time, of less than 50 percent of the value of all of the shares of
Tenneco Stock formerly outstanding as of the Merger Effective Time. For
purposes of the foregoing representation, shares of Tenneco Stock surrendered
by holders who demand appraisal rights or exchanged for cash in lieu of
fractional shares of El Paso Common Stock or El Paso Preferred Depositary
Shares will be treated as outstanding Tenneco Stock as of the Merger Effective
Time. Moreover, shares of Tenneco Stock, El Paso Common Stock and El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares held by Tenneco Stockholders and otherwise sold,
redeemed or disposed of prior to or subsequent to the Merger Effective Time
will be considered in making the foregoing representation.
 
                                      105
<PAGE>
 
  Representations as to factual matters will also include, among other things,
that (i) El Paso has no plan or intention to liquidate Tenneco, to merge
Tenneco into another corporation, to cause Tenneco to sell or otherwise
dispose of its assets, other than certain assets unrelated to (or immaterial
in relation to) Tenneco's interstate pipeline or natural gas marketing
businesses, or to sell or otherwise dispose of Tenneco Stock acquired in the
Merger (except as described in Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the Code), (ii)
immediately following the Merger, El Paso will continue the Energy Business or
use a significant portion of the assets of the Energy Business in a business,
(iii) El Paso has no plan or intention to reacquire any El Paso Common Stock
or El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares issued to Tenneco stockholders in the
Merger, (iv) immediately following the Merger, El Paso will be in control of
Tenneco within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code, and (v) except as
set forth in the Merger Agreement, Tenneco, El Paso, El Paso Subsidiary and
the Tenneco stockholders will pay their own expenses, if any, incurred in
connection with the Merger.
 
  The receipt of the Tax Opinion will not be a condition to consummation of
the Merger to the extent the matters referred to in the opinion are covered by
rulings obtained by Tenneco from the IRS. In this regard, Tenneco has
requested rulings from the IRS on certain tax matters to be covered in the Tax
Opinion.
 
THE DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  It is expected that the Distributions will qualify as tax-free distributions
under Section 355 of the Code. Assuming that the Distributions so qualify, (i)
the holders of Tenneco Common Stock will not recognize gain or loss upon
receipt of shares of Newport News Common Stock or shares of New Tenneco Common
Stock, (ii) each Tenneco Common stockholder will allocate his, her or its
aggregate tax basis in the Tenneco Common Stock immediately before the
Distributions among the Tenneco Common Stock, Newport News Common Stock and
New Tenneco Common Stock in proportion to their respective fair market values,
(iii) the holding period of each holder of Tenneco Common Stock for the
Newport News Common Stock and the New Tenneco Common Stock will include the
holding period for his, her or its Tenneco Common Stock, provided that the
Tenneco Common Stock is held as a capital asset at the time of the
Distributions, and (iv) Tenneco will not recognize any gain or loss on its
distribution of the New Tenneco Common Stock or Newport News Common Stock to
its stockholders.
 
  No fractional shares of New Tenneco Common Stock or Newport News Common
Stock will be distributed in the Distributions. A holder of Tenneco Common
Stock who, pursuant to the Distributions, receives cash in lieu of fractional
shares of Newport News Common Stock will be treated as having received such
fractional shares of Newport News Common Stock pursuant to the Distributions
and then as having received such cash in a sale of such fractional shares of
Newport News Common Stock. Such holders will generally recognize capital gain
or loss pursuant to such deemed sale equal to the difference between the
amount of cash received and such holders' adjusted tax basis in the fractional
share of Newport News Common Stock received. Such gain or loss will be capital
(provided the Tenneco Common Stock is held as a capital asset at the time of
the Distributions) and will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if
the holding period for the fractional shares of Newport News Common Stock
deemed to be received and then sold is more than one year.
 
  If the Distributions do not qualify as tax-free distributions under Section
355 of the Code, then each holder of Tenneco Common Stock who receives shares
of New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock in the Distributions
will be treated as if such stockholder received taxable distributions in an
amount equal to the fair market value of the New Tenneco Common Stock and
Newport News Common Stock received. Such distributions will be treated as (i)
a dividend to the extent paid out of Tenneco's current and accumulated
earnings and profits, then (ii) a reduction in such stockholder's basis in
Tenneco Common Stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the amount
referenced in clause (i), and then (iii) gain from the sale or exchange of
Tenneco Common Stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the sum of the
amounts referenced in clauses (i) and (ii). Each stockholder's basis in his,
her or its Newport News Common Stock and New Tenneco Common Stock would be
equal to the fair market value of such stock at the time of the Distributions.
In addition, if the Distributions were not to qualify as tax-free
distributions under Section 355 of the Code, then, in general, a corporate
level federal income tax would be payable by the consolidated group of which
Tenneco is the common
 
                                      106
<PAGE>
 
parent, which tax (assuming the internal spin-off transactions included in the
Corporate Restructuring Transactions also failed to qualify under Code Section
355) would be based upon the gain (computed as the difference between the fair
market value of the stock distributed and the distributing corporation's
adjusted basis in such stock) realized by each of the distributing corporations
upon its distribution of the stock of one or more controlled corporations to
its stockholders in the Transaction. Under the terms of the Tax Sharing
Agreement, neither New Tenneco nor Newport News will be liable to indemnify
Tenneco for any additional taxes incurred by reason of the Distributions being
taxable, unless the Distributions fail to qualify for tax-free treatment under
Section 355 of Code as a result of the inaccuracy of certain factual statements
or representations made in connection with the request for the IRS Ruling
Letter or Tax Opinion or New Tenneco or Newport News take any action which is
inconsistent with any factual statements or representations or the tax
treatment of the Transaction as contemplated in the IRS Ruling Letter request
or the Tax Opinion. See the discussion of the Tax Sharing Agreement under "THE
DISTRIBUTIONS--Relationship among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News After
the Distributions."
 
  Various of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions are intended to be tax-
free for federal income tax purposes, although Tenneco has sought an IRS ruling
to that effect only with respect to certain of such transactions. Except as
otherwise provided in the Tax Sharing Agreement, Tenneco will be liable for any
unintended gain recognized in connection with the Corporate Restructuring
Transactions, other than such gains which are the result of the failure of New
Tenneco or Newport News to comply with certain tax-related representations and
covenants to refrain from taking action which is inconsistent with certain
factual statements or representations or the tax treatment of the Transaction
as contemplated in the IRS Ruling Letter request or in the Tax Opinion. See
"THE DISTRIBUTIONS--Relationship Among Tenneco, New Tenneco and Newport News
After the Distributions."
 
THE MERGER
 
  It is expected that the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(B) of the Code. If the Merger so qualifies, (i)
Tenneco Stockholders will not recognize gain or loss upon the receipt of El
Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares (if any) in exchange
for their Tenneco Stock, (ii) each Tenneco Stockholder's tax basis in the
Tenneco Stock (as determined immediately following the Distributions) will
carry over to the El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares
(if any), (iii) each Tenneco Stockholder's holding period for Tenneco Stock
will carry over to the El Paso Common Stock and/or El Paso Preferred Depositary
Shares (if any), provided that the Tenneco Stock is held as a capital asset
immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, and (iv) any Tenneco
Stockholder receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares or any fractional El
Paso Preferred Depositary Shares will recognize capital gain or loss (provided
the shares of Tenneco surrendered are held as capital assets immediately prior
to the Merger Effective Time) equal to the difference between the amount of
cash received and the portion of such stockholder's basis in the shares of
Tenneco Stock allocable to such fractional share interests and such capital
gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period for
such shares is more than one year.
 
  In addition, holders of $4.50 Preferred Stock and Tenneco Junior Preferred
Stock who properly demand appraisal in accordance with the terms of Delaware
law and receive cash in an appraisal proceeding, will be treated as having
received that cash as a distribution in redemption of such stock subject to the
provisions and limitations of Section 302 of the Code. Any such holder who
holds no El Paso stock, directly or by reason of attribution under Section 318
of the Code, will be treated as having a complete termination of their
interests within the meaning of Section 302(b)(3) of the Code, the cash
received will be treated as a distribution in full payment in exchange for
their $4.50 Preferred Stock or Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, as the case may
be, under Section 302(a) of the Code, and such stockholders will recognize
capital gain or loss, provided such stock is held as a capital asset at the
Merger Effective Time, in an amount equal to the difference between the amount
of the cash received and the stockholder's basis in the shares surrendered and
such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holding
period for such shares is more than one year. Any such holder who holds El Paso
stock, directly or indirectly by reason of attribution under Section 318 of the
Code, will also be
 
                                      107
<PAGE>
 
entitled to capital gain treatment unless the receipt of the cash is
considered to have the effect of a dividend distribution under Section 302 of
the Code. In this event, the cash such stockholder receives is treated as a
dividend to the extent of the stockholder's ratable share of applicable
current and/or accumulated earnings and profits. For a stockholder taxed as a
domestic corporation (other than an S corporation), if the cash received is
treated as a dividend, the corporate stockholder may, subject to the
conditions set forth in Section 243 and 246 of the Code, be entitled to deduct
an amount equal to 70 percent of the amount taxed as a dividend. In general,
the receipt of cash or other property will not be considered to have the
effect of a dividend distribution if (a) it is "substantially
disproportionate" with respect to such stockholder, or (b) it is "not
essentially equivalent to a dividend" with respect to such stockholder.
Stockholders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the issue
of constructive ownership and the possibility of satisfying the "substantially
disproportionate" or "not essentially equivalent to a dividend" tests.
 
  If the Merger does not qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a)(1)(B) of the Code, the Tenneco Stockholders will recognize gain
or loss upon the receipt of the El Paso Common Stock and El Paso Preferred
Depositary Shares (if any) in exchange for their Tenneco Stock equal to the
difference between the fair market value of the El Paso Common Stock and El
Paso Preferred Depositary Shares (if any) received and their basis in their
Tenneco Stock. In this regard, the failure of the Merger to qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of Code Section 368(a)(1)(B) of the Code may
also cause the Distributions to not qualify as tax-free distributions under
Section 355 of the Code, in which case (as described in the third paragraph
under "--The Distributions" above) each holder of Tenneco Common Stock who
receives shares of New Tenneco Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock in
the Distributions, will be treated as if such stockholder received taxable
distributions in an amount equal to the fair market value of the New Tenneco
Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock received. Such distributions would
be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent paid out of Tenneco's current and
accumulated earnings and profits, then (ii) a reduction in such stockholder's
basis in Tenneco Common Stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the
amount referenced in cause (i), and then (iii) gain from the sale or exchange
of Tenneco Common Stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the sum of
the amounts referenced in clauses (i) and (ii). Each stockholder's basis in
the Newport News Common Stock and New Tenneco Common Stock would be equal to
the fair market value of such stock at the time of the Distributions.
 
  It is possible that, as a result of the Merger, certain New York state and
local real property transfer taxes (the "NY Transfer Taxes") will be imposed
on Tenneco Stockholders. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Tenneco will
pay all such NY Transfer Taxes, if any, directly to state and local tax
authorities on behalf of all Tenneco Stockholders. Any such payments by
Tenneco on behalf of the Tenneco Stockholders would likely result in dividend
income to the Tenneco Stockholders, to the extent of Tenneco's current and
accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for federal income tax
purposes. The amount of such dividend income attributable to each share of
Tenneco Stock cannot be calculated at this time but it is not expected to be
material. Tenneco will be required to report any such dividend income to the
IRS if the aggregate amount of all dividends received by a Tenneco Stockholder
in the relevant year (including dividends attributable to Tenneco's payment of
the NY Transfer Taxes) is $10.00 or more. Tenneco will notify each Tenneco
Stockholder of the amount of all dividends attributable to such stockholder on
a Form 1099-DIV which will be mailed to such stockholder at a later date.
 
POSSIBLE FUTURE LEGISLATION
 
  The Administration's Budget Proposal issued March 19, 1996 contains several
revenue proposals, including a proposal (the "Anti-Morris Trust Proposal")
which would require a distributing corporation in a transaction otherwise
qualifying as a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the Code to
recognize gain on the distribution of the stock of the controlled corporation
unless the direct and indirect stockholders of the distributing corporation
own more than 50 percent of the distributing corporation and controlled
corporations at all times during the four year period commencing two years
prior to the distribution. The Anti-Morris Trust Proposal would apply to any
distributions occurring after March 19, 1996, unless such distribution was (i)
pursuant to a
 
                                      108
<PAGE>
 
binding contract on such date, (ii) described in a ruling request submitted to
the IRS on or before such date, or (iii) described in a public announcement or
SEC filing on or before such date.
 
  On March 29, 1996, Senator William V. Roth, Chairman of the Senate Finance
Committee and Congressman Bill Archer, Chairman of the House Ways & Means
Committee, issued a joint statement (the "Roth-Archer Statement") to the
effect that should certain of the revenue proposals included in the
Administration's Budget including the Anti-Morris Trust Proposal, be enacted,
that its effective date will be no earlier than the date of "appropriate
Congressional action." As of the date of this Joint Proxy Statement--
Prospectus, no legislation has been introduced relating to the Anti-Morris
Trust Proposal. On June 27, 1996, Tenneco submitted its request for rulings
(including rulings on the tax-free treatment of the Distributions) to the IRS.
Accordingly, in view of the Roth-Archer Statement, any future Anti-Morris
Trust legislation should not apply to the Distributions assuming that the
effective date of such legislation contains a grandfather clause for
transactions for which a ruling request has been filed with the IRS prior to
the date of "appropriate Congressional action." Nevertheless, there can be no
assurances that Congress will not adopt Anti-Morris Trust legislation which
would apply retroactively to the Distributions. In the event such legislation
is announced or introduced prior to the consummation of the Transaction, under
the terms of the Merger Agreement El Paso may elect not to proceed with the
Merger if it reasonably determines that there exists a reasonable likelihood
that the Distributions or the Merger would not be tax-free for federal income
tax purposes. If El Paso elects to proceed with the Merger notwithstanding the
announcement or introduction of Anti-Morris Trust legislation, the
Distributions, if ultimately subject to such legislation, may result in
significant taxable gain to Tenneco under Section 355(c) of the Code. Although
Tenneco Stockholders would not recognize taxable gain or loss on the receipt
of the stock of New Tenneco and Newport News under the current Anti-Morris
Trust Proposal, the taxable gain required to be recognized by Tenneco under
Code Section 355(c) would significantly reduce the value of the El Paso Common
Stock and El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares (if any) received by the Tenneco
Stockholders in the Merger.
 
BACK-UP WITHHOLDING REQUIREMENTS
 
  United States information reporting requirements and backup withholding at
the rate of 31% may apply with respect to dividends paid on, and proceeds from
the taxable sale, exchange or other disposition of Tenneco Stock, unless the
stockholder (i) is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt
categories, and, when required, demonstrates these facts, or (ii) provides a
correct taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption
from backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of
the backup withholding rules. A stockholder who does not supply Tenneco with
his, her or its correct taxpayer identification number may be subject to
penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount withheld under these rules will be
refunded or credited against the stockholder's federal income tax liability.
Stockholders should consult their tax advisers as to their qualification for
exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an
exemption. If information reporting requirements apply to a stockholder, the
amount of dividends paid with respect to such shares will be reported annually
to the IRS and to such stockholder.
 
  These backup withholding tax and information reporting rules currently are
under review by the United States Treasury Department and proposed Treasury
Regulations issued on April 15, 1996 would modify certain of such rules
generally with respect to payments made after December 31, 1997. Accordingly,
the application of such rules could be changed.
 
                                      109
<PAGE>
 
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
                  TENNECO INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
 
                  SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  The following consolidated selected financial data as of and for each of the
fiscal years in the five-year period ended December 31, 1995 were derived from
audited financial statements of Tenneco and its consolidated subsidiaries. The
financial statements as of and for each of the fiscal years in the five-year
period ended December 31, 1995 have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants. The consolidated selected financial data as of
and for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 were
derived from the unaudited condensed financial statements of Tenneco and its
consolidated subsidiaries. The results of operations for the six-months ended
June 30, 1996 and 1995 should not be regarded as indicative of the results
that may be expected for the full year. This information should be read in
conjunction with Tenneco's financial statements, and the notes thereto,
contained in the Tenneco Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year
ended December 31, 1995 and the Tenneco Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended June 30, 1996, which are incorporated by reference
herein. See "AVAILABLE INFORMATION" and "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
BY REFERENCE."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              SIX MONTHS
                            ENDED JUNE 30,                         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                        ------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(MILLIONS EXCEPT SHARE    1996(a)      1995(a)      1995(a)      1994(a)         1993(a)          1992            1991
AMOUNTS)                -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                     <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 (LOSS) DATA(b):
 Net sales and
  operating revenues
  from continuing
  operations--
  Automotive..........  $     1,463  $     1,263  $     2,479  $     1,989     $     1,785     $     1,763     $     1,668
  Energy..............        1,366          937        1,916        2,378           2,862           2,183           2,183
  Packaging...........        1,775        1,318        2,752        2,184           2,042           2,078           1,934
  Shipbuilding........          915          845        1,756        1,753           1,861           2,265           2,216
  Other...............           (2)          (2)          (4)          (6)             (5)             31              26
                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
   Total..............  $     5,517  $     4,361  $     8,899  $     8,298     $     8,545     $     8,320     $     8,027
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
 Income from
  continuing
  operations before
  interest expense,
  income taxes and
  minority interest--
  Automotive..........  $       163  $       134  $       240  $       223     $       222     $       237     $       188
  Energy..............          185          148          333          415             411             360             561 (c)
  Packaging...........          256          244          430          209             139             221             139 (c)
  Shipbuilding........           81           90          160          200             225             249             225
  Other...............           (4)         (11)         (67)         (25)             18             (32)            (98)
                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
   Total..............          681          605        1,096        1,022           1,015           1,035           1,015
 Interest expense (net
  of interest
  capitalized)........          179          152          306          263             254             221             237
 Income tax expense...          175          185          279          249             298             282             258
 Minority interest....           10           11           22            7              --              --              --
                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
 Income from
  continuing
  operations..........          317          257          489          503             463             532             520
 Income (loss) from
  discontinued
  operations, net of
  income tax(d).......          339           81          246          (51)(e)         (12)(e)      (1,144)(e)      (1,252)(e)
 Extraordinary loss,
  net of income tax...           --           --           --           (5)            (25)            (12)             --
 Cumulative effect of
  changes in
  accounting
  principles, net of
  income tax..........           --           --           --          (39)(f)          --            (699)(f)          --
                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
 Net income (loss)....          656          338          735          408             426          (1,323)           (732)
 Preferred stock divi-
  dends...............            5            6           12           12              14              16              16
                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
 Net income (loss) to
  common stock........  $       651  $       332  $       723  $       396     $       412     $    (1,339)    $      (748)
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
 Average number of
  shares of common
  stock outstanding...  170,351,740  175,829,883  173,995,941  180,084,909     168,772,852     144,110,151     122,777,910
 Earnings (loss) per
  average share of
  common stock--
  Continuing
   operations.........  $      1.83  $      1.43  $      2.75  $      2.72     $      2.66     $      3.58     $      4.10
  Discontinued
   operations.........         1.99          .46         1.41         (.27)           (.07)          (7.93)         (10.19)
  Extraordinary loss..           --           --           --         (.03)           (.15)           (.08)             --
  Cumulative effect of
   changes in
   accounting
   principles.........           --           --           --         (.22)             --           (4.86)             --
                        -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
  Net earnings (loss).  $      3.82  $      1.89  $      4.16  $      2.20 (g) $      2.44 (g) $     (9.29)(g) $     (6.09)
                        ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
 Cash dividends paid
  per common share....  $       .90  $       .80  $      1.60  $      1.60     $      1.60     $      1.60     $      2.80
</TABLE>
                                                 (Table continued on next page)
 
                                      110
<PAGE>
 
(Continued from previous page)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,                   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                         -------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
                             1996          1995        1995        1994        1993        1992       1991
                         ------------  ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- -----------
(MILLIONS)
<S>                      <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA(b):
 Total assets........... $     13,262  $     12,090 $    13,451 $    12,251 $    11,105 $   11,320 $    12,985
 Short-term debt........        1,146           635         908         536         431        669       1,132
 Long-term debt.........        3,374         3,309       3,751       3,568       3,620      4,718       4,593
 Minority interest......          320           315         320         320         150        160         171
 Preferred stock with
  mandatory redemption
  provisions............          112           129         130         147         163        191         194
 Shareowners' equity....        3,569         2,911       3,148       2,900       2,601      1,330       2,774
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 DATA(b):
 Net cash provided
  (used) by operating
  activities............ $       (215) $        255 $     1,443 $       450 $     1,615 $      929 $       950
 Capital expenditures
  for continuing
  operations............          464           322         976         653         424        447         564
</TABLE>
- -------
(a) For a discussion of significant items affecting comparability of the
    financial information for 1995, 1994 and 1993, and for the six months
    ended June 30, 1996 and 1995, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for Tenneco Inc. and
    Consolidated Subsidiaries included in the Tenneco Annual Report on Form
    10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 1995 and the Tenneco
    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996, which
    are incorporated by reference herein.
(b) During 1995 and 1994, Tenneco completed several acquisitions at its
    various operating segments, the most significant of which was Tenneco
    Packaging's acquisition of Mobil Plastics for $1.3 billion by Tenneco
    Packaging in late 1995. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements of Tenneco
    Inc. and Consolidated Subsidiaries included in the Tenneco Annual Report
    on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 1995, which are
    incorporated by reference herein, for further information on the Tenneco
    acquisitions.
(c) For Tenneco Energy, includes a gain of $265 million related to the sale of
    its natural gas liquids business, including its interest in an MTBE plant
    then under construction. Also, Tenneco Packaging recorded a gain of $42
    million related to the sale of three short-line railroads.
(d) Discontinued operations reflected in the above periods include Tenneco's
    farm and construction equipment operations, which were discontinued in
    March 1996, its chemicals and brakes operations, which were discontinued
    during 1994, and its minerals and pulp chemicals operations, which were
    discontinued in 1992. In addition, certain additional costs related to
    Tenneco's discontinued oil and gas operations were reflected in the 1991
    results.
(e) Includes restructuring charge of $920 million recorded in 1992 relating to
    the discontinued farm and construction equipment business. This
    restructuring charge was reduced by $20 million in 1993 and $16 million in
    1994. Additionally, a $473 million restructuring charge was recorded in
    1991, of which $461 million related to the discontinued farm and
    construction equipment business.
(f) In 1994, Tenneco adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for
    Postemployment Benefits". In 1992, Tenneco adopted FAS No. 106,
    "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,"
    and FAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
(g) For purposes of computing earnings per share, Series A preferred stock was
    included in average common shares outstanding until its conversion into
    common stock in December 1994; therefore, the preferred dividends paid
    were not deducted from net income (loss) to determine net income (loss) to
    common stock. The inclusion of Series A preferred stock in the computation
    of earnings per share was antidilutive for the years and certain quarters
    in 1994, 1993 and 1992. Other convertible securities and common stock
    equivalents outstanding during each of the five years ended December 31,
    1995, 1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991 were not materially dilutive.
 
                                      111
<PAGE>
 
                                    EL PASO
 
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The selected consolidated financial data set forth below have been derived
from the financial statements of El Paso for each of the five fiscal years for
the period ended December 31, 1995 and the unaudited six month periods ended
June 30, 1996 and June 30, 1995. The financial statements for each of the five
fiscal years for the period ended December 31, 1995 have been audited by
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants. This information should be
read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and notes thereto
contained in the El Paso Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995 and the El Paso Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six
months ended June 30, 1996, which are incorporated by reference herein. See
"AVAILABLE INFORMATION," and "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY
REFERENCE."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             FOR THE SIX
                             MONTHS ENDED
                               JUNE 30,           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                            --------------- ------------------------------------
                            1996(e)   1995  1995(e)  1994  1993(f)  1992   1991
                            -------  ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ------
                              (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                         <C>      <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>
OPERATING RESULTS
 Operating revenues........ $1,193   $  389 $1,038  $  870 $  910  $  803 $  735
 Depreciation, depletion,
  and amortization.........     43       34     72      65     54      73     61
 Litigation special charge.     --       --     --      15     --      --     --
 Employee separation and
  asset impairment
  charge(a)................     99       --     --      --     --      --     --
 Operating income..........     29      109    212     222    229     185    185
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  before income taxes......    (18)      70    133     148    151     123    141
 Income taxes (benefit)....     (7)      28     48      58     59      47     52
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations....    (11)      42     85      90     92      76     89
 Earnings (loss) per common
  share from continuing
  operations...............  (0.31)    1.21   2.47    2.45   2.46    2.12   2.82
 Cash dividends declared
  per common share(b)......   0.70     0.66   1.32    1.21   1.10    0.75     --
 Average common shares
  outstanding.............. 35,264   34,976 34,495  36,632 37,212  36,049 31,422
<CAPTION>
                               JUNE 30,                 DECEMBER 31,
                            --------------- ------------------------------------
                            1996(f)   1995  1995(e)  1994  1993(f)  1992   1991
                            -------  ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ------
                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                         <C>      <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>
FINANCIAL POSITION
 Total assets.............. $2,764   $2,266 $2,535  $2,332 $2,270  $2,051 $2,302
 Payable to Burlington
  Resources Inc., including
  current portion..........     --       --     --      --     --      --    625
 Long-term debt(c).........    670      775    772     779    796     637    250
 Stockholders' equity(d)...    688      691    712     710    708     669    815
</TABLE>
- -------
(a) Charge of $99 million pre-tax ($60 million after tax) to reflect costs
    associated with the implementation of a workforce reduction plan and the
    impairment of certain long-lived assets. Earnings per common share for the
    six months ended June 30, 1996 before this giving effect to this charge
    would have been $1.40 compared to $(0.31).
(b) Represents dividends declared subsequent to El Paso's March 1992 initial
    public offering.
(c) Excludes current maturities.
(d) In May 1991, El Paso declared and paid a dividend of $175 million to The
    El Paso Company (formerly the parent company of El Paso). In September
    1991, El Paso declared a dividend of all its Oil and Gas Operations
    Segment to The El Paso Company. The total amount of that dividend was $925
    million. In addition, El Paso declared and paid dividends to Burlington
    Resources Inc. totaling $55 million in 1991 and $274 million prior to El
    Paso's March 1992 initial public offering.
(e) Reflects the consolidation in September 1995 of Eastex Energy Inc., in
    December 1995 of Premier Gas Company, and in June 1996 of Cornerstone
    Natural Gas Company.
(f) Mojave Pipeline Company was consolidated beginning May 1993.
 
                                      112
<PAGE>
 
                                 TENNECO ENERGY
 
                        COMBINED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The combined selected financial data as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for
the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were derived from the audited
Combined Financial Statements of Tenneco Energy. The combined selected
financial data as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended
December 31, 1992 and 1991 are unaudited and were derived from the accounting
records of Tenneco. The combined selected financial data as of and for each of
the six-month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 were derived from the
unaudited Combined Financial Statements of Tenneco Energy. In the opinion of
Tenneco Energy's management, the combined selected financial data of Tenneco
Energy as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December
31, 1992 and 1991 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 include
all adjusting entries (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments)
necessary to present fairly the information set forth therein. The results of
operations for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 should not be
regarded as indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
This information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of the Energy
Business and Tenneco Energy's Combined Financial Statements, and notes thereto,
included elsewhere in this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           SIX MONTHS
                         ENDED JUNE 30,         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                         ---------------- ----------------------------------------------
                         1996(a)  1995(a) 1995(a) 1994(a)  1993(a)      1992       1991
(MILLIONS)               -------  ------- ------- -------  -------     ------     ------
<S>                      <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>         <C>        <C>
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 DATA(b):
 Net sales and operating
  revenues.............. $1,370   $  939  $1,921  $2,381   $2,866      $2,221     $2,216
                         ======   ======  ======  ======   ======      ======     ======
 Income before interest
  expense and income
  taxes ................ $  188   $  140  $  268  $  367   $  419      $  337     $  475(c)
                         ======   ======  ======  ======   ======      ======     ======
 Income before
  extraordinary loss and
  cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principles, net of
  income tax............ $  103   $   47  $  157  $  153   $  188      $  180     $  251
 Extraordinary loss, net
  of income tax.........     --       --      --      --      (25)(d)      (9)(e)     --
 Cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principles, net of in-
  come tax..............     --       --      --      --       --        (332)(f)     --
                         ------   ------  ------  ------   ------      ------     ------
 Net income (loss)...... $  103   $   47  $  157  $  153   $  163      $ (161)    $  251
                         ======   ======  ======  ======   ======      ======     ======
BALANCE SHEET DATA(b):
 Total assets........... $5,539   $5,799  $5,792  $5,730   $4,290      $4,054     $4,464
 Short-term debt(g).....    521      376     456     399      304         392        338
 Long-term debt(g)......  1,519    1,737   1,811   2,242    2,019       2,282      2,674
 Combined equity........  1,054      899     687     382     (652)     (1,503)    (1,120)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 DATA(b):
 Net cash provided
  (used) by operating
  activities............ $ (185)  $  174  $  765  $ (278)  $  209      $  561     $  (92)
 Capital expenditures...    164      113     337     345      171         253        298
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) For a discussion of the significant items affecting comparability of the
    financial information for 1995, 1994 and 1993 and for the six months ended
    June 30, 1996 and 1995, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of Tenneco Energy included
    elsewhere in this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus.
(b) During 1995, 1994 and 1993, Tenneco Energy completed several acquisitions
    and dispositions, the most significant of which was the acquisition of the
    natural gas pipeline assets of the Pipeline Authority of South Australia in
    1995 and the disposition of its 50% interest in Kern River Gas Transmission
    Company in 1995. See Notes 4 and 5 to the Combined Financial Statements of
    Tenneco Energy, included elsewhere in this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus
    for further information on the Tenneco Energy acquisitions and
    dispositions.
(c) Includes a gain of $265 million related to the sale of Tenneco Energy's
    natural gas liquids business, including its interest in an MTBE plant then
    under construction.
(d) During 1993, Tenneco Energy recorded an extraordinary loss as a result of
    the prepayment of long-term debt. See Note 5 to the Combined Financial
    Statements of Tenneco Energy, included elsewhere in this Joint Proxy
    Statement-Prospectus for further information on the Tenneco Energy
    extraordinary loss.
(e) During 1992, Tenneco Energy recorded an extraordinary loss as a result of
    the defeasance of $310 million of its high interest bearing long-term debt.
(f) In 1992, Tenneco Energy adopted FAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for
    Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions," and FAS No. 109, "Accounting
    for Income Taxes."
(g) Amounts are net of allocations from Tenneco to New Tenneco and Newport
    News. The allocation is based on the portion of Tenneco's investment in New
    Tenneco and Newport News which is deemed to be debt, generally based on the
    ratio of New Tenneco's and Newport News' net assets to Tenneco consolidated
    net assets plus debt. Tenneco's historical practice has been to incur
    indebtedness for its consolidated group at the parent company level or at a
    limited number of subsidiaries, rather than at the operating company level,
    and to centrally manage various cash functions. See Note 6 to the Combined
    Financial Statements of Tenneco Energy, included elsewhere in this Joint
    Proxy Statement-Prospectus.
 
                                      113
<PAGE>
 
                                  NEW TENNECO
 
                       COMBINED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The combined selected financial data as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and
for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were derived from the
audited Combined Financial Statements of New Tenneco. The combined selected
financial data as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended
December 31, 1992 and 1991 are unaudited and were derived from the accounting
records of Tenneco. The combined selected financial data as of and for each of
the six-month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 were derived from the
unaudited Combined Financial Statements of New Tenneco. In the opinion of New
Tenneco's management, the combined selected financial data of New Tenneco as
of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December 31, 1992
and 1991 and as of and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 include
all adjusting entries (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments)
necessary to present fairly the information set forth therein. The results of
operations for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 should not be
regarded as indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
This information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of New Tenneco
and New Tenneco's Combined Financial Statements, and notes thereto, included
in the New Tenneco Information Statement attached hereto as Appendix C.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            SIX MONTHS
                          ENDED JUNE 30,          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                          ----------------  -----------------------------------------------
                          1996(a)  1995(a)  1995(a)  1994(a)     1993(a)   1992       1991
(MILLIONS)                -------  -------  -------  -------     -------  ------     ------
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>        <C>
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 DATA(b):
 Net sales and operating revenues
  from continuing operations--
  Automotive............  $1,463   $1,263   $2,479   $1,989      $1,785   $1,763     $1,668
  Packaging.............   1,775    1,318    2,752    2,184       2,042    2,078      1,934
  Intergroup sales and
   other................      (5)      (4)     (10)      (7)         (7)      (5)        (5)
                          ------   ------   ------   ------      ------   ------     ------
   Total................  $3,233   $2,577   $5,221   $4,166      $3,820   $3,836     $3,597
                          ======   ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
 Income from continuing
  operations before in-
  terest expense, income
  taxes and minority in-
  terest--
  Automotive............  $  163   $  134   $  240     $223      $  222   $  237     $  188
  Packaging.............     256      244      430      209         139      221        139
  Other.................      (5)      --        2       24          20        7          3
                          ------   ------   ------   ------      ------   ------     ------
   Total................     414      378      672      456         381      465        330
                          ======   ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
 Income from continuing
  operations............  $  178   $  168   $  258   $  238      $  165   $  209     $  139
 Loss from discontinued
  operations, net of
  income tax............      --       --       --      (31)         (7)      (7)       (12)
 Cumulative effects of
  changes in accounting
  principles, net of in-
  come tax..............      --       --       --       (7)(c)      --      (99)(c)     --
                          ------   ------   ------   ------      ------   ------     ------
 Net income.............  $  178   $  168   $  258   $  200      $  158   $  103     $  127
                          ======   ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
EBITDA(e)...............  $  551   $  458   $  845   $  598      $  518   $  595     $  463
                          ======   ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
BALANCE SHEET DATA(b):
 Total Assets...........  $6,523   $4,430   $6,117   $3,940      $3,029   $2,812     $2,792
 Short-term debt(d).....     530      205      384      108          94      182        758
 Long-term debt(d)......   1,573    1,246    1,648    1,039       1,178    1,675      1,555
 Minority Interest......     301      297      301      301           1        1          2
 Combined equity........   2,168    1,163    1,852      987         533      (87)      (553)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 DATA(b):
 Net cash provided by
  operating activities..  $  199   $   (9)  $  489   $  571      $  324   $  121     $  503
 Capital expenditures
  for continuing
  operations............     263      179      562      280         217      159        202
</TABLE>
- -------
(a) For a discussion of the significant items affecting comparability of the
    financial information for 1995, 1994 and 1993 and for the six months ended
    June 30, 1996 and 1995, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of New Tenneco included in
    the New Tenneco Information Statement attached hereto as Appendix C.
(b) During 1995 and 1994 the Automotive and Packaging operating segments of
    New Tenneco each completed several acquisitions, the most significant of
    which was the Packaging segment's acquisition of Mobil Plastics for $1.3
    billion by Tenneco Packaging in late 1995. See Note 4 to the Combined
    Financial Statements of New Tenneco, included in the New Tenneco
    Information Statement attached hereto as Appendix C, for further
    information on New Tenneco's acquisitions.
(c) In 1994, New Tenneco adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for
    Postemployment Benefits". In 1992, New Tenneco adopted FAS No. 106,
    "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,"
    and FAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
(d) Historical amounts include debt allocated to New Tenneco from Tenneco
    based on the portion of Tenneco's investment in New Tenneco which is
    deemed to be debt, generally based upon the ratio of New Tenneco's net
    assets to Tenneco consolidated net assets plus debt. Tenneco's historical
    practice has been to incur indebtedness for its consolidated group at the
    parent company level or at a limited number of subsidiaries, rather than
    at the operating company level, and to centrally manage various cash
    functions. See the Combined Financial Statements of New Tenneco, and notes
    thereto, included in the New Tenneco Information Statement attached hereto
    as Appendix C.
(e) EBITDA represents income from continuing operations before interest
    expense, income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. EBITDA
    should not be considered as an alternative to net income or operating
    income, as an indicator of the operating performance of New Tenneco or as
    an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
 
                                      114
<PAGE>
 
                                 NEWPORT NEWS
 
                       COMBINED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The combined selected financial data as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and
for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were derived from the
audited Combined Financial Statements of Newport News. The combined selected
financial data as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended
December 31, 1992 and 1991 are unaudited and were derived from the accounting
records of Tenneco. The combined selected financial data as of and for each of
the six-month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 were derived from the
unaudited Combined Financial Statements of Newport News. In the opinion of
Newport News' management, the combined selected financial data of Newport News
as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December 31,
1992 and 1991 and as of and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995
include all adjusting entries (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments) necessary to present fairly the information set forth therein.
The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995
should not be regarded as indicative of the results that may be expected for
the full year. This information should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" of Newport News and the Newport News Combined Financial
Statements, and notes thereto, which are included in the Newport News
Information Statement attached hereto as Appendix D.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            SIX MONTHS
                          ENDED JUNE 30,          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                          ----------------  --------------------------------------------------
                          1996(a)  1995(a)  1995(a)  1994(a)     1993(a)      1992       1991
                          -------  -------  -------  -------     -------     ------     ------
(MILLIONS)
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
EARNINGS STATEMENT DATA:
 Net sales..............  $  915   $  845   $1,756   $1,753      $1,861      $2,265     $2,216
                          ======   ======   ======   ======      ======      ======     ======
 Operating earnings.....  $   81   $   90   $  157   $  201      $  210      $  249     $  224
 Interest expense (net
  of interest
  capitalized)..........     (17)     (20)     (29)     (30)        (36)        (42)       (23)
 Other..................      --       --        3       (1)         15 (b)      --          2
 Provision for income
  taxes.................     (27)     (29)     (58)     (75)        (78)        (64)       (68)
                          ------   ------   ------   ------      ------      ------     ------
 Earnings before
  cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principle.............      37       41       73       95         111         143        135
 Cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principle, net of tax.      --       --       --       (4)(c)      --         (93)(c)     --
                          ------   ------   ------   ------      ------      ------     ------
 Net earnings...........  $   37   $   41   $   73   $   91      $  111      $   50     $  135
                          ======   ======   ======   ======      ======      ======     ======
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Working capital........  $   41   $    4   $  (19)  $  (75)     $ (121)     $  (89)    $ (470)
 Total assets...........   1,452    1,337    1,380    1,263       1,235       1,450      1,412
 Short-term debt (d)....      95       54       68       30          34          83         36
 Long-term debt (d).....     282      326      292      287         423         761        364
 Combined equity........     349      236      272      199         105        (173)       (30)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 DATA:
 Net cash provided
  (used) by operating
  activities............  $   (1)  $  (18)  $   63   $  182      $  215      $ (174)    $  352
 Capital expenditures...      36       29       77       29          35          35         64
</TABLE>
- -------
(a) For a discussion of significant items affecting comparability of the
    financial information for 1995, 1994 and 1993, and for the six months
    ended June 30, 1996 and 1995, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of Newport News, included
    in the Newport News Information Statement attached hereto as Appendix D.
(b) Includes a gain of $15 million related to the sale of Sperry Marine
    businesses.
(c) In 1994, Newport News adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for
    Postemployment Benefits." In 1992, Newport News adopted FAS No. 106,
    "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,"
    and FAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
(d) Historical amounts represent debt allocated to Newport News from Tenneco
    based on the portion of Tenneco's investment in Newport News which is
    deemed to be debt, generally based upon the ratio of Newport News' net
    assets to Tenneco consolidated net assets plus debt. Tenneco's historical
    practice has been to incur indebtedness for its consolidated group at the
    parent company level or at a limited number of subsidiaries, rather than
    at the operating company level, and to centrally manage various cash
    functions. See the Combined Financial Statements of Newport News, and
    notes thereto, included in the Newport News Information Statement attached
    hereto as Appendix D.
 
                                      115
<PAGE>
 
                        INFORMATION CONCERNING TENNECO
 
  Tenneco is a diversified industrial company conducting all of its operations
through its subsidiaries. The major businesses of Tenneco are (a) the Energy
Business--consisting primarily of the interstate and intrastate transportation
and marketing of natural gas and all of the discontinued operations of Tenneco
not involving the Industrial and Shipbuilding Business, (b) the Industrial
Business--consisting primarily of Tenneco's administrative services business
and the manufacture and sale of automotive exhaust system parts and ride
control products and packaging materials, cartons, containers and specialty
packaging products for consumer and commercial markets, and (c) the
Shipbuilding Business--consisting primarily of the design, construction,
repair and overhauling of ships, such as nuclear powered aircraft carriers and
submarines for the United States Navy.
 
  Prior to the consummation of the Distributions, Tenneco and certain of its
consolidated subsidiaries will complete the Corporate Restructuring
Transactions, which are designed to facilitate the Distributions and the
Merger by separating and dividing the Industrial Business and Shipbuilding
Business from the Energy Business (including the assets and liabilities
included therein that relate to the discontinued operations of Tenneco not
involving the Industrial or Shipbuilding Businesses). Accordingly, upon
consummation of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions, New Tenneco and
Newport News will each be a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Tenneco and will
own and operate, directly and through its direct and indirect subsidiaries,
the Industrial Business and Shipbuilding Business, respectively.
 
            INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ENERGY BUSINESS TO BE MERGED
 
GENERAL
 
  As described elsewhere herein, immediately following the consummation of the
Distributions, the operations of Tenneco and its remaining combined
subsidiaries (the "Energy Group") will consist solely of the Energy Business.
The Energy Business consists principally of the interstate transportation of
natural gas, as well as certain other related business operations not
generally subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
("FERC"), such as gas marketing, intrastate pipeline operations, international
pipelines and power generation, domestic power generation operations and oil
and gas ventures. After the Transaction, the Energy Group will also continue
to hold limited assets and be responsible for the liabilities of Tenneco and
its subsidiaries that do not relate to the Industrial Business or Shipbuilding
Business, including those business operations that have been discontinued or
sold. See "--Discontinued and Other Operations." The information under the
heading "INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ENERGY BUSINESS TO BE MERGED" includes
forward looking statements, which should be read in conjunction with the
factors identified under "RISK FACTORS."
 
INTERSTATE PIPELINE OPERATIONS
 
  The Energy Group's interstate pipeline operations include the pipeline
systems of wholly owned subsidiaries TGP, Midwestern Gas Transmission Company
("Midwestern") and East Tennessee Natural Gas Company ("East Tennessee"), as
well as certain joint ventures, which are primarily engaged in the
transportation and storage of natural gas for producers, marketers, end-users
and other gas transmission and distribution companies. TGP's multiple-line
system begins in gas-producing regions of Texas and Louisiana, including the
continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico, and extends into the northeastern
section of the United States, including the New York City and Boston
metropolitan areas. Midwestern's pipeline system extends from Portland,
Tennessee, to Chicago, and principally serves the Chicago metropolitan area.
East Tennessee's pipeline system serves the states of Tennessee, Virginia and
Georgia. Revenues from Tenneco Energy's interstate gas sales and
transportation operations accounted for approximately 45%, 39% and 40% of
Tenneco Energy's total revenues for 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
  The Energy Group's interstate gas transmission systems include approximately
16,300 miles of pipeline (with 14,800 miles operated by TGP, 400 miles
operated by Midwestern and 1,100 miles operated by East
 
                                      116
<PAGE>
 
Tennessee), gathering lines and sales laterals, together with related
facilities that include 90 compressor stations with an aggregate of
approximately 1.5 million horsepower. The Energy Group also has interests in
or contractual rights to six underground and above-ground gas storage
facilities to permit increased deliveries of gas during peak demand periods.
The total design delivery capacity of the Energy Group's interstate systems as
of December 31, 1995 was approximately 4,800 million cubic feet ("MMCF") of
gas per day, and approximately 5,600 MMCF on peak demand days, which includes
gas withdrawn from storage.
 
 Gas Sales and Transportation
 
  The following table sets forth the volumes of gas, stated in billions of
British thermal units ("BBtu"), sold and transported by the Energy Group's
interstate pipeline systems for the periods shown.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1995      1994      1993
                                                   --------- --------- ---------
      <S>                                          <C>       <C>       <C>
      Sales*......................................    95,397   131,097   213,210
      Transportation*............................. 2,139,169 2,183,944 2,118,936
                                                   --------- --------- ---------
        Total..................................... 2,234,566 2,315,041 2,332,146
                                                   ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
- --------
* These sales and transportation volumes include all natural gas sold or
  transported by the Energy Group's interstate pipeline companies (including
  the Energy Group's proportionate share of transportation volumes of the
  joint ventures in which it had interests) and have not been adjusted to
  reflect the sale of the Energy Group's (i) 50% interest in Kern River Gas
  Transmission Company ("Kern River") in December 1995, (ii) 13.2% general
  partnership interest in Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P. ("Iroquois")
  in June 1996, and (iii) 100% interest in Viking Gas Transmission Company
  ("Viking") in 1993. Kern River owns a 904-mile pipeline system extending
  from Wyoming to California, Iroquois owns a 370-mile pipeline extending from
  the Canadian border at Waddington, New York to Long Island, New York and
  Viking owns a 549-mile pipeline extending from the Canadian border near
  Emerson, Manitoba to Marshfield, Wisconsin. See "--Management's Discussion
  and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Energy
  Business." Of the total transportation volumes shown, Kern River transported
  approximately 135,827 BBtu, 129,964 BBtu and 127,624 BBtu during 1995, 1994
  and 1993, respectively, Iroquois transported approximately 45,272 BBtu,
  32,489 BBtu and 32,721 BBtu during 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively, and
  Viking transported approximately 58,579 BBtu during 1993.
 
  Customers of Tenneco Energy's interstate pipeline operations include natural
gas producers, marketers and end-users, as well as other gas transmission and
distribution companies. Substantially all of the revenues of these operations
are generated under long-term gas transmission contracts entered into between
Tenneco Energy and its customers. Contracts representing approximately 70% of
the firm transportation capacity of Tenneco Energy's interstate pipeline
operations will be expiring over the next five years, principally in the year
2000. Although Tenneco Energy presently intends to pursue the renegotiation,
extension and/or replacement of these contracts, there can be no assurance as
to whether Tenneco Energy will be able to obtain extended or replacement
contracts.
 
 Federal Regulation
 
  The Energy Group's interstate natural gas pipeline companies are "natural
gas companies" as defined in the Natural Gas Act of 1938, as amended (the
"Natural Gas Act"). As such, these companies are subject to the jurisdiction
of the FERC. The Energy Group's interstate pipeline operations are operated
pursuant to certificates of public convenience and necessity issued under the
Natural Gas Act and pursuant to the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978. The FERC
regulates the interstate transportation and certain sales of natural gas,
including, among other things, rates and charges allowed natural gas
companies, extensions and abandonments of facilities and service, rates of
depreciation and amortization and the accounting system utilized by the
companies.
 
  Prior to the FERC's industry restructuring initiatives in the 1980's, the
Energy Group's interstate pipeline companies operated primarily as merchants,
purchasing natural gas under long-term contracts and reselling the
 
                                      117
<PAGE>
 
gas to customers, also under long-term contracts. On April 8, 1992, the FERC
issued Order 636 which restructured the natural gas industry by requiring
mandatory unbundling of pipeline sales and transportation services. Numerous
parties appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit the
legality of Order 636 generally, as well as the legality of specific
provisions of Order 636. On July 16, 1996, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
D.C. Circuit issued its decision upholding, in large part, Order 636. The
court remanded to the FERC several issues for further explanation, including
further explanation of the FERC's decision to allow pipelines to recover 100%
of their gas supply realignment ("GSR") costs.
 
  TGP implemented revisions to its tariff, effective on September 1, 1993,
which restructured its transportation, storage and sales services to convert
TGP from primarily a merchant to primarily a transporter of gas as required by
Order 636. As a result of this restructuring, TGP's gas sales declined while
certain obligations to producers under long-term gas supply contracts
continued, causing TGP to incur significant restructuring transition costs.
Pursuant to the provisions of Order 636 allowing for the recovery of
transition costs related to the restructuring, TGP has made filings to recover
GSR costs resulting from remaining gas purchase obligations, costs related to
its Bastian Bay facilities, the remaining unrecovered balance of purchased gas
("PGA") costs and the "stranded" cost of TGP's continuing contractual
obligation to pay for capacity on other pipeline systems ("TBO costs").
 
  TGP's filings to recover costs related to its Bastian Bay facilities have
been rejected by the FERC based on the continued use of the gas production
from the field; however, the FERC recognized the ability of TGP to file for
the recovery of losses upon disposition of these assets. TGP has filed for
appellate review of the FERC actions and believes that certain Bastian Bay
costs will ultimately be recovered as transition costs under Order 636; the
FERC has not contested the ultimate recoverability of these costs.
 
  The filings implementing TGP's recovery mechanisms for the following
transition costs were accepted by the FERC effective September 1, 1993;
recovery was made subject to refund pending FERC review and approval for
eligibility and prudence: (i) direct-billing of unrecovered PGA costs to its
former sales customers over a twelve-month period; (ii) recovery of TBO costs,
which TGP is obligated to pay under existing contracts, through a surcharge
from firm transportation customers, adjusted annually; and (iii) GSR cost
recovery of 90% of such costs over a period of up to 36 months from firm
transportation customers and recovery of 10% of such costs from interruptible
transportation customers over a period of up to 60 months.
 
  Following negotiations with its customers, TGP filed in July 1994 with the
FERC a Stipulation and Agreement (the "PGA Stipulation"), which provides for
the recovery of approximately $100 million and the recovery of PGA costs
associated with the transfer of storage gas inventory to new storage customers
in TGP's restructuring proceeding. The PGA Stipulation eliminates all
challenges to the PGA costs, but establishes a cap on the charges that may be
imposed upon former sales customers. On November 15, 1994, the FERC issued an
order approving the PGA Stipulation and resolving all outstanding issues. On
April 5, 1995, the FERC issued its order on rehearing affirming its initial
approval of the PGA Stipulation. TGP implemented the terms of the PGA
Stipulation and made refunds in May 1995. The refunds had no material effect
on Tenneco Energy's reported net income. The orders approving the PGA
Stipulation have been appealed to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals by certain
customers. TGP believes the FERC orders approving the PGA Stipulation will be
upheld on appeal.
 
  TGP is recovering through a surcharge, subject to refund, TBO costs formerly
incurred to perform its sales function. The FERC subsequently issued an order
requiring TGP to refund certain costs from this surcharge and refunds were
made in May 1996. TGP is appealing this decision and believes such appeal will
likely be successful.
 
  With regard to TGP's GSR costs, TGP, along with three other pipelines,
executed four separate settlement agreements with Dakota Gasification Company
and the U.S. Department of Energy and initiated four separate proceedings at
the FERC seeking approval to implement the settlement agreements. The
settlement resolved litigation concerning purchases made by TGP of synthetic
gas produced from the Great Plains Coal Gasification plant ("Great Plains").
The FERC previously ruled that the costs related to the Great Plains project
are eligible
 
                                      118
<PAGE>
 
for recovery through GSR and other special recovery mechanisms and that the
costs are eligible for recovery for the duration of the term of the original
gas purchase agreements. On October 18, 1994, the FERC consolidated the four
proceedings and set them for hearing before an administrative law judge
("ALJ"). The hearing, which concluded in July 1995, was limited to the issue
of whether the settlement agreements are prudent. The ALJ concluded, in his
initial decision issued in December 1995, that the settlement was imprudent.
TGP has filed exceptions to this initial decision. While Tenneco Energy will
not impair TGP's recovery of the costs resulting from this contract, there can
be no assurance that the outcome of this proceeding will not be adverse to
Tenneco Energy. On July 17, 1996, the FERC ordered oral arguments to be heard
in September 1996.
 
  Also related to TGP's GSR costs, on October 14, 1993, TGP was sued in the
State District Court of Ector County, Texas, by ICA Energy, Inc. ("ICA") and
TransTexas Gas Corporation ("TransTexas"). In that suit, ICA and TransTexas
contended that TGP had an obligation to purchase gas production which
TransTexas thereafter attempted to add unilaterally to the reserves originally
dedicated to a 1979 gas contract. An amendment to the pleading sought $1.5
billion from TGP for alleged damages caused by TGP's refusal to purchase gas
produced from the TransTexas leases covering the new production and lands. In
June 1996, TGP reached a settlement with ICA and TransTexas for $125 million
wherein ICA and TransTexas agreed to terminate their contract rights, released
TGP from liability under the contract, and indemnified TGP against future
claims, including royalty owner claims.
 
  TGP has been engaged in other settlement and contract reformation
discussions with other holders of certain gas purchase contracts who have sued
TGP. On August 1, 1995, the Texas Supreme Court affirmed a ruling of the Court
of Appeals favorable to TGP in one of these matters and indicated that it
would remand the case to the trial court. On April 18, 1996, however, the
Texas Supreme Court withdrew its initial opinion and issued an opinion
reversing the Court of Appeals opinion on the matter which was favorable to
TGP. In June 1996, TGP filed a motion for rehearing with the Texas Supreme
Court which was denied in August 1996. The Supreme Court's April 1996 ruling
explicitly preserves TGP's defenses based on bad faith conduct of the
producers. Nothing in the Supreme Court's decision affects TGP's ability to
seek recovery of its above-market costs of purchasing gas under the contract
from its customers as GSR costs in proceedings currently pending before the
FERC. In addition, TGP has initiated two lawsuits against the holders of this
gas purchase contract, seeking damages related to their conduct in connection
with that contract. TGP has accrued amounts which it believes are appropriate
to cover the resolution of the litigation associated with its contract
reformation efforts. See "RISK FACTORS--Rates and Regulation."
 
  As of June 30, 1996, TGP has deferred GSR costs yet to be recovered from its
customers of approximately $551 million, net of $380 million previously
recovered from its customers, subject to refund. The GSR Proceeding is
underway at the FERC with respect to the recovery of TGP's GSR costs.
Testimony has been completed in connection with Phase I of that proceeding
relating to the eligibility of GSR cost recovery; oral argument on eligibility
issues has been set by a FERC ALJ for late October 1996. Phase II of the
proceeding on the prudency of the costs to be recovered and on certain
contract specific eligibility issues has not yet been scheduled, but will
likely occur sometimes after the ALJ's decision in Phase I is issued. The FERC
has generally encouraged pipelines to settle such issues through negotiations
with customers. Although the Order 636 transition cost recovery mechanism
provides for complete recovery by pipelines of eligible and prudently incurred
transition costs, certain customers have challenged the prudence and
eligibility of TGP's GSR costs and TGP has engaged in settlement discussions
with its customers concerning the amount of such costs in response to the FERC
statements acknowledging the desirability of such settlements. See "RISK
FACTORS--Rates and Regulation."
 
  Given the uncertainty over the results of ongoing discussions between TGP
and its customers related to the recovery of GSR costs and the uncertainty
related to predicting the outcome of its gas purchase contract reformation
efforts and the associated litigation, Tenneco Energy is unable to predict the
timing or the ultimate impact that the resolution of these issues will have on
Tenneco Energy's combined financial position or results of operations.
 
  On December 30, 1994, TGP filed for a general rate increase (the "1995 Rate
Case"). On January 25, 1995, the FERC accepted the filing, suspended its
effectiveness for the maximum period of five months pursuant to
 
                                      119
<PAGE>
 
normal regulatory process, and set the matter for hearing. On July 1, 1995,
TGP began collecting rates, subject to refund, reflecting an $87 million
increase in TGP's annual revenue requirement. A Stipulation and Agreement was
filed with an ALJ in this proceeding on April 5, 1996. This Stipulation, which
is currently pending before the FERC, proposed to resolve the rates subject to
the 1995 Rate Case, including structural rate design and increased revenue
requirements, and TGP is reserving revenues it believes adequate to cover the
income impact from any refunds that may be required upon final settlement of
this proceeding. While Tenneco Energy believes that the Stipulation for the
settlement of the 1995 Rate Case is likely to be approved substantially in its
current form, there can be no assurance that there will not be changes which
are adverse to Tenneco Energy.
 
  For a discussion of recent FERC proceedings relating to the recovery by
Tenneco Energy of certain environmental costs as a component of the rates
charged by its interstate pipeline operations see "--Environmental Matters."
 
  TGP, as with all interstate pipelines, is subject to FERC audit review of
its books and records. TGP currently has an open audit covering the years
1991-1994. The FERC audit staff is expected to issue an audit report by year
end.
 
 Competition
 
  The regulated natural gas pipeline industry is experiencing increasing
competition, which results from actions taken by the FERC to strengthen market
forces throughout the industry. In a number of key markets, Tenneco Energy's
interstate pipelines face competitive pressure from other major pipeline
systems, enabling local distribution companies and end users to choose a
supplier or switch suppliers based on the short term price of gas and the cost
of transportation. Competition between pipelines is particularly intense in
Midwestern's Chicago and Northern Indiana markets, in East Tennessee's
Roanoke, Chattanooga and Atlanta markets, and in TGP's supply area, Louisiana
and Texas. In some instances, Tenneco Energy's pipelines have been required to
discount their transportation rates in order to maintain their market share.
As noted above, transportation contracts representing approximately 70% of
firm transportation capacity will be expiring over the next five years,
principally in the year 2000. The renegotiation of these contracts may be
impacted by these competitive factors.
 
 Gas Supply
 
  With full implementation of Order 636, TGP's firm sales obligations
requiring maintenance of long-term gas purchase contracts have declined from
over a 1.4 billion dekatherm maximum daily delivery obligation to less than a
200 million dekatherm maximum daily delivery obligation. TGP has substantially
reduced its natural gas purchase portfolio in line with these requirements
through termination and assignment to third parties. Although TGP's
requirements for purchased gas are substantially less than prior to its
implementation of Order 636, Tenneco Energy is pursuing the attachment of gas
supplies to TGP's pipeline system for transportation by others. Current gas
supply activities include development of offshore and onshore pipeline
gathering projects and utilization of production financing programs to spur
exploration and development drilling in areas adjacent to TGP's system. Major
gathering systems in the Gulf of Mexico were completed during the fourth
quarter of 1994.
 
GAS MARKETING, INTRASTATE PIPELINES AND RELATED SERVICES
 
  Tenneco Energy Resources Corporation, an 80% owned subsidiary of Tenneco,
and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Tenneco Resources"), are engaged
primarily in the businesses of marketing natural gas and owning and operating
approximately 1,300 miles of pipelines that serve the Texas Gulf Coast and
West Texas markets.
 
  Tenneco Resources' interstate marketing operations buy, sell and contract
for the transportation of up to 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day
from approximately 200 suppliers, through 40 pipelines to about 400 customers,
marketers and end-users. Tenneco Resources offers a portfolio of products and
services which are intended to help distributors, end-users and producers
manage their entire gas sales and purchasing processes,
 
                                      120
<PAGE>
 
from budget control and risk management to flexible takes and daily balances.
Tenneco Resources also owns and manages gas gathering systems and natural gas
processing plants in Pennsylvania, Texas and Louisiana. Additionally, Tenneco
Resources owns and operates, either directly or through joint ventures,
approximately 1,300 miles of intrastate pipelines in the Texas Gulf Coast and
West Texas markets. In addition to offering transportation capacity, these
intrastate pipeline operations manage buying, selling and transportation
services for almost one billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, serving
approximately 150 suppliers and 50 customers and shippers. The intrastate
pipeline operations also provide swing storage services and access to major
intrastate and interstate pipelines in Texas. Revenues from the operations of
Tenneco Resources accounted for approximately 55%, 61% and 57% of Tenneco
Energy's total revenue for 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
  The following table sets forth the volumes of gas, stated in BBtu, sold and
transported by Tenneco Resources for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1995     1994     1993
                                                       ------- --------- -------
      <S>                                              <C>     <C>       <C>
      Sales........................................... 642,096   739,432 741,800
      Transportation.................................. 229,415   273,587 235,940
                                                       ------- --------- -------
        Total......................................... 871,511 1,013,019 977,740
                                                       ======= ========= =======
</TABLE>
 
  In February 1994, Tenneco Energy sold a 20% interest in Tenneco Resources to
Ruhrgas AG, Germany's largest natural gas company. As part of the sale, Tenneco
agreed that neither it nor any of its affiliates would engage in gas marketing
activities in North America and certain gas processing and gathering activities
except through Tenneco Resources.
 
INTERNATIONAL, POWER GENERATION AND VENTURES
 
  Tenneco Energy is presently engaged in various other energy-related
businesses that are consistent with Tenneco Energy's overall goal of
diversifying its operations into businesses that are not regulated by the FERC.
 
  International Operations. Tenneco Energy has recently undertaken various
activities to extend TGP's traditional activities in North American pipelines
to international pipeline, power, and energy-related projects, with a current
focus on activities in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe.
 
  In 1995, Tenneco Energy was selected to construct, own and operate a 470 mile
natural gas pipeline in Queensland, Australia at a total cost of $170 million.
Construction of the pipeline commenced in late 1995 and completion is scheduled
for December 1996. At June 30, 1996, Tenneco Energy estimated that completion
of the Queensland pipeline will require an additional $56 million of capital
expenditures. Additionally, in June 1995 Tenneco acquired the natural gas
pipeline assets of the Pipeline Authority of South Australia, which includes a
488 mile pipeline, for $225 million. Tenneco Energy also has interests in a
consortium pursuing the development of a natural gas pipeline from Bolivia to
Brazil and related gas-fired electric generation plants. In December 1995,
Tenneco Energy was selected by the Beijing Natural Gas Transportation Company
("BGTC") to serve as a paid technical advisor for the construction of China's
first major onshore natural gas pipeline. BGTC, a joint venture between the
Chinese National Petroleum Corporation and the city of Beijing, will build a
600 mile line linking the Jingbian gas field in central China's Eerdous Basin
with Beijing. Construction commenced in March 1996, with an in-service date
scheduled for October 1997.
 
  Power Generation Operations. Tenneco Energy's power unit is involved in
developing, building, owning, operating and acquiring energy-related
infrastructure domestically and internationally, by capitalizing on Tenneco
Energy's experience in major project development and gas technologies,
transportation and supply. Areas targeted for development include Australia,
Southeast Asia, central and eastern Europe and Latin America.
 
  Tenneco Power Generation Company ("Tenneco Power") has a 17.5% interest in a
240 megawatt power plant in Springfield, Massachusetts, and 50% interests in
two additional cogeneration projects in Florida which have a combined capacity
of 220 megawatts. In May 1996, Tenneco Power acquired from Energy Equity Corp.,
 
                                      121
<PAGE>
 
Ltd., an Australian company, a 50% interest in two of its subsidiaries which
participate in a joint venture to construct a 135 megawatt gas fired power
plant in Indonesia.
 
  Tenneco Ventures. Tenneco Gas Production Corporation ("Tenneco Production")
and Tenneco Ventures Corporation ("Tenneco Ventures"), subsidiaries of
Tenneco, together with institutional investors and partners, invest in oil and
gas properties and finance independent producers engaged in exploration and
development projects. Tenneco Ventures and Tenneco Production hold various
ownership interests in oil and gas fields located primarily in the Gulf of
Mexico, Texas and Louisiana. Tenneco Ventures is also involved in Tenneco
Energy's international projects through exploration and development of gas
reserves in Indonesia, Poland and Bolivia.
 
DISCONTINUED AND OTHER OPERATIONS
 
  In addition to the operating assets and liabilities of the Energy Business,
upon consummation of the Merger and the other components of the Transaction,
including the Distributions, Tenneco (which will then be a subsidiary of El
Paso) will continue to hold certain limited assets and be responsible for the
liabilities of the existing and discontinued operations and businesses of
Tenneco and its subsidiaries other than those relating to the Industrial
Business or the Shipbuilding Business. These assets and liabilities consist
primarily of Tenneco's remaining interests in various discontinued operations
which were engaged in (i) natural gas pipeline transmission, gathering and
processing, (ii) chemicals production, (iii) the manufacture of farm and
construction equipment through Case Corporation and related companies, (iv)
the extraction of minerals and other natural resources, (v) oil and gas
exploration, production and marketing through Tenneco Oil Company and other
companies, (vi) agricultural and urban development, and (vii) insurance.
Tenneco Energy has established reserves which it believes are adequate to
cover these liabilities related to the various discontinued operations of
Tenneco for which Tenneco Energy will remain liable following consummation of
the Transaction. See Note 13 to the Tenneco Energy Combined Financial
Statements included elsewhere herein and "--Environmental Matters."
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  As of June 30, 1996, the Energy Business had approximately 3,200 full-time
employees.
 
PROPERTIES
 
  Tenneco Energy believes that substantially all of its plants and equipment
are, in general, well maintained and in good operating condition. They are
considered adequate for present needs and as supplemented by planned
construction are expected to remain adequate for the near future. Tenneco
Energy also believes that it has generally satisfactory title to the
properties owned and used in its businesses, subject to liens for current
taxes and easements, restrictions and other liens which do not materially
detract from the value of such property or the interests therein or the use of
such properties in its businesses.
 
OPERATION OF THE ENERGY BUSINESS AFTER THE MERGER
 
  El Paso is currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the business and
operations of Tenneco Energy. Following the completion of such review and the
Merger, El Paso plans to integrate the operations of Tenneco Energy with those
of El Paso in order to increase operating and administrative efficiency
through consolidation and reengineering of facilities, workforce reductions
and coordination of purchasing, sales and marketing activities. El Paso
anticipates that the complementary interstate and intrastate pipeline
operations and gas marketing activities of El Paso and Tenneco Energy should
provide the combined company with increased operating flexibility and access
to additional customers and markets.
 
  El Paso also currently intends to sell or monetize certain assets of Tenneco
Energy in order to reduce outstanding debt, including the sale of Tenneco
Ventures, the monetization of Tenneco Energy's Australian assets, and the sale
of interests in certain domestic pipeline assets, which El Paso believes, in
the aggregate, should generate net proceeds of approximately $500 million.
 
 
                                      122
<PAGE>
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  Since 1988, TGP has been engaged in an internal project to identify and deal
with the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs") and other substances
of concern, including substances on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
("EPA") List of Hazardous Substances ("HS List") at compressor stations and
other facilities operated by both its interstate and intrastate natural gas
pipeline systems. While conducting this project, TGP has been in frequent
contact with federal and state regulatory agencies, both through informal
negotiation and formal entry of consent orders, in order to assure that its
efforts meet regulatory requirements.
 
  Tenneco Energy has established a reserve for TGP's environmental expenses,
which includes: (i) expected remediation expense and associated onsite,
offsite and groundwater technical studies; (ii) legal fees; and (iii)
settlement of third party and governmental litigation, including civil
penalties. Through June 30, 1996, Tenneco Energy has charged approximately
$156 million against the environmental reserve, excluding recoveries related
to TGP's environmental settlement as discussed below. Of the remaining
reserve, $24 million has been recorded on the combined balance sheet under
"Payables-trade" and $132 million under "Deferred credits and other
liabilities."
 
  Due to the current uncertainty regarding the further activity necessary for
TGP to address the presence of the PCBs, the substances on the HS List and
other substances of concern on its sites, including the requirements for
additional site characterization, the actual amount of such substances at the
sites, and the final, site-specific cleanup decisions to be made with respect
to cleanup levels and remediation technologies, Tenneco cannot at this time
accurately project what additional costs, if any, may arise from future
characterization and remediation activities. While there are still many
uncertainties relating to the ultimate costs which may be incurred, based upon
TGP's evaluation and experience to date, Tenneco Energy continues to believe
that the recorded estimate for the reserve is adequate.
 
  Following negotiations with its customers, TGP in May 1995 filed with the
FERC a separate Stipulation and Agreement (the "Environmental Stipulation")
that establishes a mechanism for recovering a substantial portion of the
environmental costs. In November 1995, the FERC issued an order approving the
Environmental Stipulation. Although one shipper filed for rehearing, the FERC
denied rehearing of its order on February 20, 1996. This shipper filed a
Petition for Review on April 22, 1996 in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals;
TGP believes the FERC order approving the Environmental Stipulation will be
upheld on appeal. The effects of the Environmental Stipulation, which was
effective as of July 1, 1995, have been recorded with no material effect on
the combined financial position or results of operations of the Energy
Business. As of June 30, 1996, the balance of the regulatory asset is $61
million.
 
  Tenneco Energy has completed settlements with and has received payments from
the majority of its liability insurance policy carriers for remediation costs
and related claims. Tenneco Energy believes that the likelihood of recovery of
a portion of these remediation costs and claims against the remaining carriers
in its pending litigation is reasonably possible. In addition, TGP has settled
its pending litigation against and received payment from the manufacturer of
the PCB-containing lubricant. These recoveries have been considered in TGP's
recording of its environmental settlement with its customers.
 
  TGP is a party in proceedings involving federal and state authorities
regarding the past use by TGP of a lubricant containing PCBs in its starting
air systems. TGP has executed a consent order with the EPA governing the
remediation of certain of its compressor stations and is working with the
Pennsylvania and New York environmental agencies to specify the remediation
requirements at the Pennsylvania and New York stations. Remediation activities
in Pennsylvania are essentially complete; in addition, pursuant to the Consent
Order dated August 1, 1995, between Tenneco and the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection, Tenneco funded an environmentally beneficial project
for $450,000 in April 1996. Remediation and characterization work at the
compressor stations under its consent order with the EPA and the jurisdiction
of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation is ongoing. Tenneco
Energy believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a
material adverse effect on the combined financial position or results of
operations of the Energy Business.
 
                                      123
<PAGE>
 
  TGP sold its subsidiary which owns a 13.2% general partnership interest in
Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P. ("Iroquois") to ANR Iroquois Inc., a
subsidiary of The Coastal Corporation. Iroquois owns an interstate gas
pipeline from the Canadian border through the states of New York and
Connecticut to Long Island. TGP is still under contract to provide gas
dispatching as well as post-construction field operation and maintenance
services for the operator of Iroquois, but TGP is not the operator and is not
an affiliate of the operator of Iroquois' pipeline system. A global settlement
was entered into during the second quarter of 1996 by Iroquois and the
operator of Iroquois' pipeline system with the Federal and New York State
authorities resolving all criminal, civil and administrative enforcement
actions contemplated by such authorities as a result of their investigation of
alleged environmental violations which occurred during the construction of the
pipeline. Due to the sale of Tenneco's interest in Iroquois, Tenneco Energy
believes that any environmental matters relating to the construction and
operation of the pipeline system by Iroquois will not have a material adverse
effect on the combined financial position or results of operations of the
Energy Business.
 
  Tenneco has identified other sites in its various operating divisions
included within the Energy Business where environmental remediation expense
may be required should there be a change in ownership, operations or
applicable regulations. These possibilities cannot be predicted or quantified
at this time and accordingly, no provision has been recorded. However,
provisions have been made for all instances where it has been determined that
the incurrence of any material remedial expense is reasonably possible.
Tenneco Energy believes that the provisions recorded for environmental
exposures are adequate based on current estimates.
 
  In Commonwealth of Kentucky, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection
Cabinet v. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (Franklin County Circuit Court,
Docket No. 88-C1-1531, November 16, 1988), the Kentucky environmental agency
alleged that TGP discharged pollutants into the waters of the state without a
permit and disposed of PCBs without a permit. The agency sought an injunction
against future discharges, sought an order to remediate or remove PCBs, and
sought a civil penalty. TGP has entered into agreed orders with the agency to
resolve many of the issues raised in the original allegations, has received
water discharge permits for its Kentucky stations from the agency, and
continues to work to resolve the remaining issues. Counsel for Tenneco are
unable to express an opinion as to the ultimate outcome. Tenneco Energy
believes that the resolution of this issue will not have a material adverse
effect on the combined financial position or results of operations of the
Energy Business.
 
  Members of the Energy Group and/or the Energy Business have been designated,
have received notice that they could be designated or have been asked for
information to determine whether they could be designated as potentially
responsible parties with respect to 35 "Superfund" sites (of which 33 are
related to discontinued operations included within the Energy Business).
Tenneco Energy has sought to resolve its liability with respect to these sites
through indemnification by third parties and/or settlements which provide for
payment of Tenneco Energy's allocable share of remediation costs. Tenneco
Energy has estimated its share of the remediation costs at these sites to be
between $7 million and $41 million and has provided reserves that it believes
are adequate for such costs. Because the clean-up costs are estimates and are
subject to revision as more information becomes available about the extent of
remediation required, Tenneco Energy's estimate of its share of remediation
costs could change. Moreover, liability under the federal Superfund statute
(the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act), is
joint and several, meaning that Tenneco Energy could be required to pay in
excess of its pro rata share of remediation costs. Tenneco Energy's
understanding of the financial strength of other potentially responsible
parties has been considered, where appropriate, in its determination of
Tenneco Energy's estimated liability as described herein. Tenneco Energy
presently believes that the costs associated with the current status of
members of the Energy Group and/or the Energy Business as potentially
responsible parties at the Superfund sites referenced above will not have a
material adverse effect on the combined financial position or results of
operations of the Energy Business.
 
  In addition, the Energy Business includes liabilities to remediate a number
of formerly owned or leased sites, and certain other sites associated with the
discontinued operations included in the Energy Business, pursuant to state and
federal laws enacted for the protection of the environment. Often, these are
contractual
 
                                      124
<PAGE>
 
liabilities to third party purchasers of former Tenneco operations. Tenneco
Energy estimates its share of the remediation costs at these sites to be
between $22 million and $44 million and has provided reserves that it believes
are adequate for such costs. Because the clean-up costs are estimates and are
subject to revision as more information becomes available about the extent of
remediation required, Tenneco Energy's estimate of Tenneco Energy's share of
remediation costs could change. Tenneco presently believes that the costs to
remediate these sites will not have a material adverse effect on the combined
financial position or results of operations of the Energy Business.
 
  For additional information concerning environmental matters, see the caption
"Environmental Matters" under Note 15 in the notes to the Tenneco Energy
Combined Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.
 
  For a discussion of various regulatory proceedings involving cost recovery
and contract reformation in connection with Tenneco Energy's interstate
pipeline operations, see "--Interstate Pipeline Operations--Federal
Regulation."
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
  In addition to the proceedings described herein under "--Environmental
Matters" and "--Interstate Pipeline Operations--Federal Regulation," Tenneco
and its subsidiaries are parties to numerous other legal proceedings relating
to the Energy Business and arising from their present and former operations.
Tenneco Energy believes that the outcome of these other proceedings,
individually and in the aggregate, will have no material adverse effect on the
combined financial condition or results of operations of the Energy Business.
 
                                      125
<PAGE>
 
  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
                       OPERATIONS OF THE ENERGY BUSINESS
 
  The following review of the financial condition and results of operations of
the Energy Business should be read in conjunction with the Tenneco Energy
Combined Financial Statements and the notes thereto presented on pages F-3 to
F-28 of this Joint Proxy Statement--Prospectus. Such review includes certain
forward-looking statements, which should be read in conjunction with the
factors identified in "RISK FACTORS" herein.
 
PROPOSED MERGER WITH EL PASO
 
  In the first quarter of 1996, Tenneco announced its intention to focus
Tenneco on its automotive parts and packaging businesses. This strategic
action included the spinoff of Newport News to the holders of Tenneco Common
Stock and the development of options to separate Tenneco Energy from the
packaging and automotive parts divisions. On June 19, 1996, Tenneco announced
that it has signed the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which the El Paso
Subsidiary will be merged with and into Tenneco, with Tenneco surviving the
Merger as a subsidiary of El Paso. Prior to the Merger, Tenneco will spin off
New Tenneco and Newport News to the holders of Tenneco Common Stock as
separate public companies.
 
  The Merger represents a total value for Tenneco stockholders of
approximately $4 billion which includes:
 
  .  New shares of El Paso equity to be issued to Tenneco stockholders valued
     at approximately $750 million (subject to a downward adjustment if
     Tenneco is unable to consummate the Acquisition prior to the Merger
     Effective Time and the effect of the Collar on the Average El Paso
     Common Price, as more fully described herein under "THE MERGER--
     Conversion of Shares").
 
  .  Retention by Tenneco after the Distributions and the Merger of
     approximately $2.65 billion (subject to adjustment as more fully
     described herein under "DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT") of Tenneco Energy
     Consolidated Debt and the Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock to be issued in
     the NPS Issuance.
 
  .  Other payments and certain liability retentions by El Paso which have
     been estimated at an aggregate of approximately $600 million.
 
  Upon consummation of the Transaction, holders of Tenneco Common Stock will
own equity securities of three separate, publicly held companies--New Tenneco,
Newport News and El Paso (which will include Tenneco Energy as a subsidiary)--
and holders of Tenneco Preferred Stock will hold El Paso Common Stock.
 
  The consummation of the Transaction is subject to certain conditions,
including receipt of a favorable ruling from the IRS that the spin-offs of
Newport News and New Tenneco will be tax-free for federal income tax purposes
to Tenneco and its stockholders and approval of the Transaction by Tenneco
Stockholders. See "THE DISTRIBUTION--Conditions to Consummation of the
Distribution" and "THE MERGER--Conditions Precedent."
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1995
 
  Tenneco Energy's net income for the 1996 first half of $103 million
increased significantly compared with $47 million in the first half of 1995.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     SIX MONTHS
                                                                     ENDED JUNE
                                                                         30,
                                                                     -----------
                                                                      1996  1995
                                                                     ------ ----
                                                                     (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                            <C>    <C>
      Revenues...................................................... $1,370 $939
      Operating income..............................................    188  140
</TABLE>
 
NET SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES
 
  Tenneco Energy's revenues for the 1996 first half were $1.37 billion, an
increase of 46 percent compared with $939 million for the year ago period.
 
                                      126
<PAGE>
 
  Revenues from Tenneco Energy's operations which are subject to regulation by
the FERC (generally referred to herein as its "regulated" operations)
increased to $423 million, or 21 percent, primarily due to a new rate
structure implemented by TGP in July 1995, an increase in transportation
volumes, and non-recurring regulatory settlements that had no operating income
impact. Revenues from Tenneco Energy's energy-related operations which are not
generally subject to regulation by the FERC (generally referred to herein as
its "non-regulated" operations) increased 61 percent to $943 million,
primarily the result of higher gas prices, a 17 percent increase in gas
volumes due to acquisitions and new processing and gathering projects.
Revenues from other operations were $4 million compared with $2 million in the
prior year period.
 
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST EXPENSE AND INCOME TAXES (OPERATING INCOME)
 
  Operating income from regulated operations in the U.S. rose $32 million to
$166 million. The increase included $15 million for a favorable legal
settlement in addition to a gain on the sale of TGP's interest in Iroquois Gas
Transmission System L.P. Higher transportation rates and volumes more than
compensated for the absence of earnings contributed by the Kern River Gas
Transmission Company ("Kern River"), which contributed $16 million in the
year-ago period. Tenneco Energy's 50 percent interest in Kern River was sold
in late 1995.
 
  Nonregulated operating income increased to $19 million in the first half of
1996 from $14 million in the 1995 first half due to higher operating income
from Tenneco Ventures' oil and gas production and the South Australia Pipeline
acquired in June 1995. Partially offsetting the nonregulated earnings increase
was lower operating income due to depressed margins on marketing activities
resulting from increased competition and unfavorable legal settlements.
 
  Tenneco Energy's other operations reported operating income of $3 million
during the first half of 1996 compared with an operating loss of $8 million in
the 1995 first half. The increase is due to the recognition of a $32 million
deferred gain on the sale of Tenneco Energy's investment in Cummins Engine
Company stock offset by lower interest income from the rolloff of Case retail
receivables.
 
INTEREST EXPENSE (NET OF INTEREST ALLOCATED TO AFFILIATES)
 
  Tenneco's historical practice has been to incur indebtedness for its
consolidated group at the parent company level or at a limited number of
subsidiaries, rather than at an operating company level and to centrally
manage various cash functions. Consequently, the corporate debt of Tenneco and
its related interest expense has been allocated to New Tenneco and Newport
News based upon the portion of Tenneco's investment in New Tenneco and Newport
News which is deemed to be debt, generally based upon the ratio of New
Tenneco's and Newport News' net assets to Tenneco consolidated net assets plus
debt. Interest expense was allocated at a rate equivalent to the weighted
average cost of all corporate debt, which was 7.7 percent, 8.3 percent and 7.4
percent for 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. Total pre-tax interest expense
allocated to New Tenneco and Newport News in 1995, 1994 and 1993 was $180
million, $120 million and $124 million, respectively. New Tenneco and Newport
News have also been allocated tax benefits approximating 35 percent of the
allocated pre-tax interest expense. Although interest expense and the related
tax effects have been allocated to New Tenneco and Newport News for financial
reporting on a historical basis, New Tenneco and Newport News have not been
billed for these amounts. The changes in allocated corporate debt and the
after-tax allocated interest expense have been included as a component of
Tenneco Energy's combined equity. Although management believes that the
historical allocation of corporate debt and interest is reasonable, it is not
necessarily indicative of what Tenneco Energy's debt and interest expense will
be upon completion of the Debt Realignment and the other components of the
Transaction. For additional information, see "DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT".
 
  Interest expense increased from $61 million in the 1995 first half to $63
million in the 1996 first half. The increase was primarily attributable to
higher levels of debt.
 
                                      127
<PAGE>
 
INCOME TAXES
 
  Income tax expense for the first half of 1996 was $22 million compared with
$32 million for the 1995 first half. The effective tax rate for the first half
of 1996 was 18 percent compared with 41 percent in the prior year first half.
 
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
 
  In June 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("FAS") No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and
Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities," which
establishes new accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing
of financial assets and extinguishment of liabilities. The statement is
effective for transactions occurring after December 31, 1996. The impact of
the new standard has not been determined.
 
  Tenneco Energy adopted FAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-
Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of," in the first
quarter of 1996. FAS No. 121 establishes new accounting standards for
measuring the impairment of long-lived assets. The adoption of the new
standard did not have a material effect on Tenneco Energy's combined financial
position or results of operations.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
CASH FLOW
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                               JUNE 30,
                                                           ------------------
      CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY:                               1996      1995
      ------------------------                             --------  --------
                                                              (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                  <C>       <C>
      Operating activities................................ $   (185) $    174
      Investing activities................................      117      (266)
      Financing activities................................      (81)      (63)
</TABLE>
 
  Tenneco Energy's operating results, combined with proceeds from sales of
assets and businesses, supplemented by net contributions from affiliates and
borrowings, have provided funds for acquisitions and capital investments in
existing businesses, to repurchase Tenneco Common Stock and to retire long-
term debt. Operating cash flow for the first six months of 1996 declined due
to lower sales of customer receivables compared with the first half of 1995.
This decrease was due primarily to trade receivables sold to Asset
Securitization Cooperative Corporation, which were $140 million lower in the
first half of 1996 compared with the first half of 1995. Operating cash flow
in the first half of 1996 also declined as a result of higher tax payments
compared with the first half of 1995 due to the settlement of 1987 through
1989 federal tax liabilities and TGP's gas contract settlement with ICA and
TransTexas for $125 million. The sale of other businesses and assets,
primarily Tenneco Energy's 50 percent interest in Kern River, generated an
additional $278 million of cash during the first half of 1996. The acquisition
of assets, primarily the South Australia Pipeline, required $225 million of
cash during the first half of 1995.
 
  Tenneco Energy invested $164 million in capital expenditures in its existing
businesses during the first half of 1996. Capital expenditures were $113
million during the first half of 1995.
 
CAPITALIZATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
                                                             1996       1995
                                                           -------- ------------
                                                                (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                  <C>      <C>
      Short-term debt and current maturities..............  $  521     $  456
      Long-term debt......................................   1,519      1,811
      Minority interest...................................      18         19
      Preferred stock.....................................     112        130
      Combined equity.....................................   1,054        687
                                                            ------     ------
      Total capitalization................................  $3,224     $3,103
                                                            ======     ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      128
<PAGE>
 
  Debt decreased $227 million at June 30, 1996 compared with December 31,
1995. For additional information on corporate debt allocation, see "Interest
Expense (net of interest allocated to affiliates)" above.
 
LIQUIDITY
 
  Historically, Tenneco Energy's excess net cash flows from operating and
investing activities have been used to meet consolidated debt and other
obligations. Conversely, when Tenneco Energy's cash requirements have been in
excess of cash flows from operations, Tenneco has utilized its consolidated
credit facilities to fund Tenneco Energy's obligations. Also, depending on
market and other conditions, Tenneco Energy has utilized external sources of
capital to meet specific funding requirements. However, during 1995, Tenneco
made cash distributions of approximately $1.3 billion to its Tenneco
Automotive, Tenneco Packaging and Newport News Shipbuilding subsidiaries to
fund strategic acquisitions and capital spending. The disposition of the
Albright and Wilson chemicals operations and the sales of Case Corporation
common stock and other assets provided approximately $1.6 billion for these
cash distributions.
 
  Prior to the Transaction, Tenneco will restructure its consolidated
indebtedness for money borrowed pursuant to the Debt Realignment through a
series of tender offers, exchange offers, payments, defeasances, and
prepayments. In connection with the Debt Realignment, Tenneco will enter into
the Tenneco Credit Facility, which will consist of a one-year committed
revolving credit facility. Initial borrowings under the Tenneco Credit
Facility will be used to finance certain aspects of the Debt Realignment. For
additional information, see "DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT".
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS 1995 AND 1994
 
1995 STRATEGIC ACTIONS
 
  In December 1995, Tenneco Energy sold its 50 percent interest in Kern River
Gas Transmission Company ("Kern River"), a joint venture that owns a 904-mile
pipeline extending from Wyoming to California. The sales price was $206
million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $30 million.
 
  Tenneco Energy acquired the natural gas pipeline assets of the Pipeline
Authority of South Australia ("PASA"), which includes a 488-mile pipeline, in
June 1995 for approximately $225 million and a 50 percent interest in two gas-
fired cogeneration plants from ARK Energy in November 1995 for approximately
$65 million in cash and Tenneco Common Stock.
 
  During 1995, Tenneco completed the $500 million common stock repurchase
program announced in December 1994. Also, in 1995, Tenneco announced two
additional share buyback programs, one for up to 3 million shares and another
for 2.5 million shares. These programs were designed to offset the growth in
common shares resulting from shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans.
The 3 million share repurchase program was completed in 1995. Since December
1994, Tenneco has repurchased a total of 14.3 million common shares at a cost
of $646 million.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--YEARS 1995 AND 1994
 
  Tenneco Energy's net income for 1995 of $157 million increased by three
percent compared with $153 million in 1994. The increased results occurred in
both the regulated and nonregulated businesses, all of which are discussed
below.
 
  Significant transactions affecting the comparability of operating income
between 1995 and 1994 are:
 
  . Pre-tax gains on sales of assets and businesses of $11 million in 1995
    (primarily Tenneco Energy's interest in Kern River) compared with gains
    of $24 million in 1994 (primarily from the sale of a 20 percent interest
    in Tenneco Energy Resources Corporation ("Tenneco Resources")).
 
                                      129
<PAGE>
 
  . Reserves established in 1995 of $25 million for the liquidation of
    surplus real estate holdings and notes and $30 million for estimated
    regulatory and legal settlement costs at Tenneco Energy.
 
  . A gain from a 1994 contract settlement between Tenneco Energy and
    Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation ("Columbia Gas") of $11 million.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1995   1994
                                                                   ------ ------
                                                                    (MILLIONS)
   <S>                                                             <C>    <C>
   Revenues....................................................... $1,921 $2,381
   Operating income...............................................    268    367
</TABLE>
 
NET SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES
 
  The regulated portion of Tenneco Energy's business experienced a decline in
revenues from $918 million in 1994 to $761 million in 1995. Lower regulated
merchant gas sales along with a small decrease in transportation revenues
caused the decline. Under FERC Order 636, customers assume the responsibility
for acquiring their gas supplies, reducing sales by the pipeline. The contract
settlement reached with Columbia Gas in 1994 as part of its bankruptcy
proceedings reduced its contract volume, contributing to the transportation
revenue decline in 1995.
 
  Revenues in Tenneco Energy's nonregulated operations were $1,155 million,
down $305 million compared with 1994. Average natural gas prices were lower in
1995 compared with 1994, contributing approximately $175 million to the
revenue decrease. Natural gas volumes declined also, contributing $148 million
to the revenue decrease. Warmer weather in early 1995 resulted in lower levels
of storage activity during the year, decreasing demand for natural gas and
forcing prices lower. These effects were offset somewhat by $18 million in
revenues earned by the PASA assets which were acquired by Tenneco Energy in
June 1995.
 
  Revenues from Tenneco Energy's other operations were $5 million compared
with $3 million in 1994.
 
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST EXPENSE AND INCOME TAXES (OPERATING INCOME)
 
  Operating income in the regulated portion of Tenneco Energy's business was
down by $27 million in 1995 as compared with 1994. The 1995 results included
the $30 million pre-tax gain on the sale of Tenneco's interest in Kern River
and a $21 million reserve for estimated regulatory and legal settlement costs
while 1994 included the $11 million benefit from the Columbia Gas contract
settlement. Excluding these transactions, Tenneco Energy's regulated business
operating income decrease was primarily due to the reduction of revenues
related to the termination or expiration of transportation contracts and lower
returns earned on regulated assets due to the operating environment created by
Order 636. This decrease was partially offset by the benefit TGP realized
through the implementation of a new rate structure in July 1995.
 
  The 1995 operating income for the nonregulated business decreased $55
million compared with 1994. Operating income in 1994 included a $23 million
gain from the sale of a 20 percent interest in Tenneco Resources to Ruhrgas
AG. The remainder of the operating income decline was due to increased startup
and development costs on international programs, a $9 million reserve for
estimated legal settlement costs and lower margins and volumes due to lower
demand in gas marketing. Tenneco Energy operating results included $9 million
in income from operating the PASA assets during the last half of 1995.
 
  Tenneco Energy's other operations reported an operating loss of $65 million
during 1995. This included a $25 million charge to establish a reserve for
liquidation of surplus real estate holdings and notes. During 1994, other
operations reported $48 million in operating loss.
 
OUTLOOK
 
  During 1995, Tenneco Energy sold its interest in Kern River and purchased
the PASA assets in Australia. Tenneco Energy also began construction during
1995 of a 470-mile pipeline in Queensland, Australia, has been
 
                                      130
<PAGE>
 
chosen to participate in constructing a pipeline from Bolivia to Brazil, is
participating in feasibility studies for the construction of a pipeline in
Taiwan and was selected as a technical advisor for the construction of China's
first major onshore natural gas pipeline. Also, Tenneco Energy has acquired a
stake in GreyStar Corp., a Houston-based offshore services company that serves
production and pipeline facilities in the Gulf of Mexico. These actions are
intended to reduce Tenneco Energy's reliance on the regulated operations,
increasing the opportunity to earn higher returns.
 
INTEREST EXPENSE (NET OF INTEREST ALLOCATED TO AFFILIATES)
 
  Tenneco Energy's interest expense in 1995 was $122 million compared with
$142 million in 1994. For a discussion of the historical allocation of
indebtedness of Tenneco and its subsidiaries, see "--Six Months Ended June 30,
1996 and 1995 -- Interest Expense (net of interest allocated to affiliates)".
 
INCOME TAXES
 
  Income tax benefit for 1995 was $11 million compared with income tax expense
of $72 million in 1994.
 
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE
 
  Effective January 1, 1994, Tenneco Energy adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers'
Accounting for Postemployment Benefits," using the cumulative catch-up method.
It requires employers to account for postemployment benefits for former or
inactive employees after employment but before retirement on the accrual basis
rather than the "pay-as-you-go" basis. The adoption of this new standard had
no material impact on Tenneco Energy's financial position or results of
operations.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
CASH FLOW
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY:                                   1995   1994
      ------------------------                                   -----  -----
                                                                 (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                        <C>    <C>
      Operating activities...................................... $ 765  $(278)
      Investing activities......................................  (537)  (229)
      Financing activities......................................   (27)   426
</TABLE>
 
  Tenneco Energy's operating results, combined with proceeds from sales of
assets and businesses, and supplemented by contributions from affiliates and
short-term and long-term borrowings, have provided funds for acquisitions and
capital investments in existing businesses and to repurchase Tenneco Common
Stock. Operating cash flow for 1995 improved as Tenneco Energy generated $783
million from the collection and sale of customer receivables compared with
$245 million in 1994. This increase was due primarily to trade receivables
sold to Asset Securitization Cooperative Corporation, which were $783 million
higher in 1995 compared with 1994. The increase in collections of receivables
was also due in part to the collection of approximately $300 million of Case
retail receivables in 1995. In addition, rate refund payments of approximately
$250 million were made to pipeline customers in 1994. The working capital
increase of $652 million in 1994 resulted primarily from the reduction of the
pipeline rate refund liability of approximately $250 million and lower tax
accruals of $252 million. The lower tax accruals resulted from the utilization
of capital losses related to the sale of assets. Sales of assets provided an
additional $17 million of cash during the year.
 
  Cash used for business acquisitions during 1995 totaled $241 million. This
included the acquisition of PASA for approximately $225 million and ARK
Energy. Further, Tenneco Energy invested $337 million in capital expenditures
in its existing businesses during the year.
 
  Besides business expansion, Tenneco Energy used its cash flow during the
year for the scheduled retirement of $497 million in long-term debt, to
reacquire Tenneco Common Stock for $655 million and to pay $286 million in
dividends on Tenneco Stock.
 
                                      131
<PAGE>
 
  During 1994, Tenneco Energy's other cash sources included net contributions
from affiliates of $1,367 million and $68 million in proceeds from the sale of
assets. Capital expenditures were $345 million for continuing operations.
Tenneco Energy had a net reduction of $605 million in debt and paid dividends
on Tenneco Stock of $318 million.
 
CAPITALIZATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1995   1994
                                                                  ------ ------
                                                                   (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                         <C>    <C>
      Short-term debt and current maturities..................... $  456 $  399
      Long-term debt.............................................  1,811  2,242
      Minority interest..........................................     19     19
      Preferred stock............................................    130    147
      Combined equity............................................    687    382
                                                                  ------ ------
      Total capitalization....................................... $3,103 $3,189
                                                                  ====== ======
</TABLE>
 
  Debt decreased $374 million at December 31, 1995 compared with December 31,
1994. For additional information on corporate debt allocation, see "--Results
of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995--Interest
Expense (net of interest allocated to affiliates)".
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS 1994 AND 1993
 
NET SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES
 
  Revenues for 1994 were $2.38 billion, down from $2.87 billion in 1993.
Tenneco Energy revenues were down $485 million or 17 percent as customers
shifted from sales to transportation service in the regulated business and gas
prices decreased in the nonregulated gas marketing business.
 
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST EXPENSE AND INCOME TAXES (OPERATING INCOME)
 
  Tenneco Energy reported operating income of $367 million in 1994 compared
with $419 million in 1993.
 
  The energy operations reported operating income for 1994 of $415 million,
compared with $411 million in 1993. Special items, including gains on asset
sales along with regulatory and litigation settlements, amounted to $34
million in 1994 and $28 million in 1993. Special items in 1994 included a $23
million gain on the sale of a 20 percent interest in Tenneco Resources to
Ruhrgas AG. When non-recurring items in both years are excluded, operating
income in 1994 declined slightly, compared with 1993. Significant growth in
the nonregulated businesses, including an increase in Tenneco Ventures'
operating income, was offset by declines in the regulated business caused by
implementing Order 636.
 
  Tenneco Energy's other operations reported an operating loss of $48 million
in 1994, compared with operating income of $8 million for 1993. The 1993
operating income included a gain of $39 million from contributing Tenneco
Energy's investment in Cummins Engine Company to the Case Corporation Pension
Plan for Hourly Paid Employees.
 
INTEREST EXPENSE (NET OF INTEREST ALLOCATED TO AFFILIATES)
 
  Net interest expense increased $15 million from $127 million in 1993 to $142
million in 1994. For additional information on corporate debt allocation, see
"--Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995--
Interest Expense (net of interest allocated to affiliates)".
 
INCOME TAXES
 
  Income tax expense for 1994 was $72 million compared with $104 million
reported for 1993. The lower tax expense in 1994 was primarily the result of
lower pre-tax earnings.
 
                                      132
<PAGE>
 
EXTRAORDINARY LOSS
 
  Extraordinary loss for 1993 was $25 million, net of income tax benefit of
$13 million. This was the result of redemption premiums from prepaying high
interest-bearing long-term debt.
 
LIQUIDITY & CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
  Net cash used by operating activities was $278 million for the year 1994,
compared with net cash provided of $209 million for 1993, a decrease of $487
million. This decrease was due in part to lower sales of receivables in 1994.
Trade receivables sold to Asset Securitization Cooperative Corporation were
$313 million less in 1994 compared with 1993. In addition, rate refund
payments of approximately $250 million were made to pipeline customers in
1994. The working capital increase of $652 million for 1994 resulted primarily
from the reduction of the pipeline rate refund liability of approximately $250
million and lower tax accruals of $252 million. The lower tax accruals
resulted from the utilization of capital losses related to the sale of assets.
 
  Net cash used by investing activities in 1994 was $229 million, compared
with net cash used of $35 million in 1993. Net proceeds from the sale of
businesses and assets were $68 million in 1994. Net proceeds from the sale of
businesses in 1993 of $114 million resulted from the sales of Dean Pipeline
Company and Viking Gas Transmission Company.
 
  Expenditures for plant, property and equipment from continuing operations
for 1994 were $345 million, compared with $171 million for 1993.
 
FERC MATTERS
 
  TGP has deferred certain costs it has incurred associated with renegotiating
gas supply realignment ("GSR") costs as a result of FERC Order 636. For a
discussion of TGP's ongoing settlement and contract reformation discussions
with holders of long-term gas purchase contracts, ongoing discussions between
TGP and its customers related to the recovery of GSR costs and various FERC
proceedings relating to TGP cost recovery of transition costs incurred
pursuant to implementation of Order 636, see "INFORMATION CONCERNING THE
ENERGY BUSINESS TO BE MERGED--Interstate Pipeline Operations--Federal
Regulation" contained herein.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  Tenneco Energy and certain of its subsidiaries are subject to various
environmental claims and proceedings relating to its current businesses and
discontinued operations. See "INFORMATION CONCERNING THE ENERGY BUSINESS TO BE
MERGED--Environmental Matters."
 
                                      133
<PAGE>
 
                   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EL PASO AND TENNECO
                                    ENERGY
                    ASSUMING THE STOCK ISSUANCE IS APPROVED
 
  The following Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements of El Paso
and Tenneco Energy ("the Pro Forma Financial Statements") illustrate the
effect of (i) certain Tenneco Energy restructuring and realignment
transactions (see the Transaction included elsewhere, herein), (ii) the
Merger, and (iii) other financing transactions, proceeds of which will be used
to pay off debt assumed in the Merger. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Balance Sheet has been prepared as if such transactions occurred on June 30,
1996; the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statements of Income have been prepared
as if such transactions occurred as of January 1, 1995.
 
  The Pro Forma Financial Statements reflect El Paso having acquired 100% of
the outstanding Tenneco Common Stock, the $7.40 Preferred Stock and the $4.50
Preferred Stock, pursuant to the Merger Agreement. El Paso's acquisition of
Tenneco Energy will be accounted for under the purchase method. Pursuant to
the Merger Agreement, El Paso will assume $2.4 billion of debt (subject to the
effect of Base Debt Amount adjustments), issue El Paso equity securities
valued at approximately $750 million to Tenneco Stockholders (subject to the
effect of the Collar), assume $250 million of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock,
and assume approximately $600 million of other Tenneco liabilities for a total
purchase price of approximately $4 billion.
 
   The Pro Forma Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the
historical financial statements of El Paso and Tenneco Energy, which are
incorporated by reference and included herein, respectively, and the Notes to
the Pro Forma Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document. The
pro forma adjustments do not reflect any potential operating efficiencies or
cost savings which El Paso believes are achievable with respect to the
combined companies.
 
  A final determination of required purchase accounting adjustments, including
the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed based on their respective fair values, has not yet been made.
Accordingly, the purchase accounting adjustments made in connection with the
development of the Pro Forma Financial Statements are preliminary and have
been made solely for purposes of developing such pro forma combined financial
information. However, management believes that the pro forma adjustments and
the underlying assumptions reasonably present the significant effects of the
Merger. El Paso will undertake a study to determine the fair value of Tenneco
Energy's assets and liabilities and will revise purchase accounting
adjustments upon completion of that study. Upon consummation of the Merger,
the actual financial position and results of operations of the combined entity
will differ, perhaps significantly, from the pro forma amounts reflected
herein because of a variety of factors, including access to additional
information, changes in value and changes in operating results between the
dates of the pro forma financial information and the date on which the Merger
takes place. The Pro Forma Financial Statements are not necessarily indicative
of actual operating results or financial position had the transactions
occurred as of the dates indicated above, nor do they purport to indicate
operating results or financial position which may be attained in the future.
 
                                      134
<PAGE>
 
                          EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
                   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
                    ASSUMING THE STOCK ISSUANCE IS APPROVED
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1996
 
                                   (MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                TENNECO ENERGY
                                             PRE-MERGER PRO FORMA                    PRO FORMA MERGER
                                     ------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------
                                                RESTRUCTURING
                                      TENNECO        AND        TENNECO                                 EL PASO/
                           EL PASO     ENERGY    REALIGNMENT    ENERGY      MERGER       FINANCING   TENNECO ENERGY
                          HISTORICAL HISTORICAL TRANSACTIONS  AS ADJUSTED ADJUSTMENTS   ADJUSTMENTS     COMBINED
                          ---------- ---------- ------------- ----------- -----------   -----------  --------------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
 Cash and temporary
  investments...........    $   50     $  100       $ (36)(d)   $   25      $              $             $   75
                                                      250 (e)
                                                     (289)(g)
 Receivables............       367      1,190        (116)(a)      760                                    1,127
                                                     (357)(b)
                                                       48 (c)
                                                       (5)(d)
 Other current assets...        78        138         (23)(c)      118                                      196
                                                        3 (d)
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
 Total current assets...       495      1,428        (525)         903                                    1,398
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
Net property, plant and
 equipment..............     1,989      2,924         (39)(c)    2,885       2,007 (k)      (580)(n)      6,301
Other assets and
 deferred charges.......       280      1,187        (172)(b)    1,014        (530)(j)        80 (n)        844
                                                       (1)(c)
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
 Total assets               $2,764     $5,539       $(737)      $4,802      $1,477         $(500)        $8,543
                            ======     ======       =====       ======      ======         =====         ======
LIABILITIES AND STOCK-
 HOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 Short-term debt........    $  421     $  521       $(521)(f)   $           $              $ 330 (o)     $  751
 Payables...............       426        532        (111)(a)      222          20 (h)                      668
                                                       (2)(b)
                                                     (197)(f)
 Other current
  liabilities...........       173        718         (11)(c)      687         120 (j)                      980
                                                      (20)(b)
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
 Total current
  liabilities...........     1,020      1,771        (862)         909         140           330          2,399
Long-term debt..........       670      1,519       1,050 (f)    2,569                      (500)(n)      2,209
                                                                                            (200)(m)
                                                                                            (330)(o)
Other liabilities and
 deferred credits.......        82        652         (17)(b)      594         151 (j)                      827
                                                      (41)(d)
Deferred income taxes...       264        413         (13)(b)      401         470 (l)                    1,135
                                                        1 (c)
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
                             2,036      4,355         118        4,473         761          (700)         6,570
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
Minority interest.......        40         18                       18                                       58
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
Preferred stock with
 mandatory
 redemption provisions..                  112                      112        (112)(i)
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
Stockholders' equity:
 Preferred stock........                              250 (e)      250                                      250
 Combined common equity.       688      1,054          (5)(a)      (51)         51 (k)       200 (m)      1,665
                                                     (477)(b)                  777 (i)
                                                       (5)(c)
                                                        3 (d)
                                                     (332)(f)
                                                     (289)(g)
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
 Total stockholders'
  equity................       688      1,054        (855)         199         828           200          1,915
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
 Total liabilities and
  stockholders' equity..    $2,764     $5,539       $(737)      $4,802      $1,477         $(500)        $8,543
                            ======     ======       =====       ======      ======         =====         ======
</TABLE>
 
     See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet.
 
                                      135
<PAGE>
 
                          EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
              NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
                    ASSUMING THE STOCK ISSUANCE IS APPROVED
 
RESTRUCTURING AND REALIGNMENT TRANSACTIONS:
 
(a) To reflect the settlement of intercompany trade accounts receivable and
    intercompany trade accounts payable with Tenneco Energy affiliates.
 
(b) To reflect the distribution to New Tenneco of receivables previously sold
    to Tenneco Credit Corporation, a Tenneco Energy affiliate.
 
(c) To reflect the transfer from Tenneco Energy to New Tenneco and affiliates
    of certain assets and liabilities held at the corporate level.
 
(d) To reflect the transfer to New Tenneco of insurance liabilities and the
    related portfolio of investments previously held by Eastern Insurance
    Company, Ltd.
 
(e) To reflect issuance of $250 million of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock,
    with an assumed 8% dividend yield.
 
(f) To reflect the assumed untendered Tenneco debt of $200 million, included
    in the Base Debt Amount, and assumption of additional debt under the
    Tenneco Credit Facility up to $2.569 billion after the Debt Realignment
    determined as follows (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                   <C>
   Base Amount per Merger agreement..................................... $2,650
   Less: Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock assumed.........................   (250)
                                                                         ------
                                                                          2,400
   Plus: Cash settlement payments.......................................    409
   Less: Estimated collections subject to refund........................   (240)
                                                                         ------
                                                                         $2,569
                                                                         ======
</TABLE>
 
(g) To reflect distribution from Tenneco Energy of cash in excess of $25
    million pursuant to the Cash Realignment provisions of the Merger
    Agreement.
 
MERGER ADJUSTMENTS:
 
(h) To reflect the liability for the estimated legal, investment banking and
    stock issuance costs of $20 million to be incurred by El Paso in
    connection with the Merger.
 
(i) To reflect the issuance of approximately 19.4 million shares of El Paso
    Common Stock valued at $777 million based on an assumed price of $40.00
    per share. (If the common stock offering is not approved by the
    stockholders of El Paso, the transaction will be consummated by issuing
    preferred stock, with an assumed 8% dividend yield, and common stock of El
    Paso. See Pro Forma Financial Information Assuming the Stock Issuance is
    Not Approved which follows herein.) The El Paso Equity Consideration will
    be issued in exchange for the $112 million of $7.40 Preferred Stock and
    $4.50 Preferred Stock at book value with the remainder exchanged for
    Tenneco common stock.
 
(j) To reflect the preliminary estimated acquisition adjustments under the
    purchase method of accounting to record assets acquired and liabilities
    assumed at fair value for (i) reduction of certain other assets, deferred
    charges and regulatory assets, (ii) revision of benefit plan assumptions
    relating to the retiree medical plan obligation, other employee benefit
    costs and environmental costs, and (iii) to reflect the accrual for an
    obligation to New Tenneco which is expected to result in the next business
    operating year as a result of the utilization of certain tax benefits. The
    following adjustments reflect El Paso management's intended business
    strategies which may differ from the business strategies employed by
    Tenneco management prior to the Merger (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                     <C>
   Other assets and deferred charges...................................... $530
   Other liabilities and deferred credits.................................  151
   Other current liabilities..............................................  120
                                                                           ----
                                                                           $801
                                                                           ====
</TABLE>
 
                                      136
<PAGE>
 
(Continued)
 
(k) To reflect the allocation to property, plant and equipment of the excess
    purchase price of Tenneco Energy and the elimination of the combined
    Tenneco Energy equity as follows (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                    <C>
   Issuance of El Paso Common Stock...................................... $ 777
   Adjustment to fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed...   488
   Repayment of the $112 million Tenneco preferred stock.................  (112)
   Excess over Tenneco Energy's net book value...........................    51
   Transaction fees payable..............................................    20
   Deferred income taxes.................................................   783
                                                                          -----
                                                                         $2,007
                                                                          =====
</TABLE>
 
(l) To reflect the increase in deferred income taxes of $470 million which
    have been provided for temporary differences after the allocation of the
    pro forma purchase price. The following pro forma adjustments were
    required for estimated book and tax basis differences caused by the
    allocation of the pro forma purchase price, at an assumed tax rate of 39%
    (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                    <C>
   Property, plant and equipment......................................... $ 783
   Other assets..........................................................  (207)
   Other liabilities.....................................................  (106)
                                                                          -----
                                                                          $ 470
                                                                          =====
</TABLE>
 
FINANCING ADJUSTMENTS:
 
(m) To reflect the assumed issuance of $200 million El Paso Common Stock to
    pay down $200 million of long-term debt assumed pursuant to the Merger.
 
(n) To reflect the assumed monetization of $500 million of assets through
    sales or project financings, at book value and to reflect El Paso's
    remaining $80 million investment in certain Australian projects on the
    equity method. These proceeds are used to pay down long-term debt assumed
    pursuant to the Merger.
 
(o) To reflect the replacement of the Tenneco Credit Facility with short-term
    and long-term financing at interest rates of 6% and 8%, respectively.
 
                                      137
<PAGE>
 
                          EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
                 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
 
                    ASSUMING THE STOCK ISSUANCE IS APPROVED
 
                    FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
 
                     (MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  TENNECO ENERGY
                                               PRE-MERGER PRO FORMA                 PRO FORMA MERGER
                                       ------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
                                                  RESTRUCTURING                                        EL PASO/
                                        TENNECO        AND        TENNECO                              TENNECO
                           EL PASO       ENERGY    REALIGNMENT    ENERGY      MERGER       FINANCING    ENERGY
                          HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL TRANSACTIONS  AS ADJUSTED ADJUSTMENTS   ADJUSTMENTS  COMBINED
                          ----------   ---------- ------------- ----------- -----------   -----------  --------
<S>                       <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
Revenues................    $1,193       $1,370        $          $1,370      $              $ (46)(h)  $2,517
Operating costs and
 expenses...............     1,065        1,279                    1,279          25 (d)       (26)(h)   2,347
                                                                                   4 (f)
Employee separation and
 asset impairment
 charge.................        99 (2)                                                                      99
                            ------       ------        ---        ------      ------         -----      ------
 Operating income.......        29           91                       91         (29)          (20)         71
Other (income) expense,
 net....................        (1)         (97)        (5)(a)      (102)                                 (103)
Interest expenses.......        48           63                       63          43 (e)       (28)(g)     121
                                                                                                (3)(i)
                                                                                                (2)(h)
                            ------       ------        ---        ------      ------         -----      ------
 Income (loss) before
  income taxes..........       (18)         125          5           130         (72)           13          53
Provision for income
 taxes (benefit)(1).....        (7)          22          2 (a)        24         (28)(c)        11 (j)      (4)
                                                                                                (4)(h)
                            ------       ------        ---        ------      ------         -----      ------
 Net income (loss)......       (11)         103          3           106         (44)            6          59
Preferred stock
 dividend...............                                10 (b)        10                                    10
                            ------       ------        ---        ------      ------         -----      ------
 Earnings available to
  common stock..........    $  (11)      $  103        $(7)       $   96      $  (44)        $   6      $   47
                            ======       ======        ===        ======      ======         =====      ======
Earnings (loss) per
 average share of common
 stock(2)...............    $ (.31)                                                                     $  .79
                            ======                                                                      ======
Number of shares used in
 computation of earnings
 per common shares
 (in thousands).........    35,264                                            19,430         5,000      59,694
                            ======                                            ======         =====      ======
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The provision for income taxes for Tenneco Energy reflects the realization
    of unrecognized deferred tax assets; therefore, the overall effective tax
    rate is significantly lower than the assumed statutory rate of 39%. If the
    statutory rate had been used, the combined provision for income taxes
    would have increased by $25 million and the Pro Forma combined amounts for
    earnings available to common stock and earnings per average share of
    common stock would have been $22 million and $0.37, respectively.
(2) Per share data is calculated using the income applicable to common shares
    divided by the pro forma shares outstanding. The pro forma weighted
    average common shares outstanding includes the following assumptions: (i)
    the issuance of 19.4 million shares of El Paso Common Stock to holders of
    Tenneco Common Stock, the $7.40 Preferred Stock and the $4.50 Preferred
    Stock under the terms of the Merger, and (ii) the assumed issuance of 5
    million shares of El Paso Common Stock at $40.00 per share, the proceeds
    of which will be used to pay down long term debt. Earnings per average
    share of common stock excluding the special charge ($60 million after tax)
    would be $1.40 and $1.79 per common share for the El Paso Historical and
    El Paso/Tenneco Energy Combined presentations, respectively.
 
   See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Income Statements.
 
                                      138
<PAGE>
 
                          EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
                 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
 
                    ASSUMING THE STOCK ISSUANCE IS APPROVED
 
                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
                     (MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                TENNECO ENERGY
                                             PRE-MERGER PRO FORMA                 PRO FORMA MERGER
                                     ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
                                                RESTRUCTURING                                         EL PASO/
                                      TENNECO        AND        TENNECO                               TENNECO
                           EL PASO     ENERGY    REALIGNMENT    ENERGY      MERGER       FINANCING     ENERGY
                          HISTORICAL HISTORICAL TRANSACTIONS  AS ADJUSTED ADJUSTMENTS   ADJUSTMENTS   COMBINED
                          ---------- ---------- ------------- ----------- -----------   -----------   --------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenues................   $ 1,038     $1,921        $          $1,921      $             $  (52)(h)  $ 2,907
Operating costs and
 expenses...............       826      1,843                    1,843           50 (d)      (43)(h)    2,684
                                                                                  8 (f)
                           -------     ------       ----        ------      -------       ------      -------
 Operating income.......       212         78                       78          (58)          (9)         223
Other (income) expense,
 net....................        (5)      (190)        (9)(a)      (199)                                  (204)
Interest expense........        84        122                      122           97 (e)      (56)(g)      235
                                                                                              (6)(i)
                                                                                              (6)(h)
                           -------     ------       ----        ------      -------       ------      -------
 Income before income
  taxes.................       133        146          9           155         (155)          59          192
Provision for income
 taxes (benefit)(1).....        48        (11)         4 (a)        (7)         (60)(c)       22 (j)        4
                                                                                               1 (h)
                           -------     ------       ----        ------      -------       ------      -------
 Net income (loss)......        85        157          5           162          (95)          36          188
Preferred stock
 dividend...............                              20 (b)        20                                     20
                           -------     ------       ----        ------      -------       ------      -------
 Earnings available to
  common stock..........   $    85     $  157       $(15)       $  142      $   (95)      $   36      $   168
                           =======     ======       ====        ======      =======       ======      =======
Earnings (loss) per
 average share of common
 stock(2)...............   $  2.47                                                                    $  2.85
                           =======                                                                    =======
Number of shares used in
 computation of earnings
 per common share
 (in thousands).........    34,495                                           19,430        5,000       58,925
                           =======                                          =======       ======      =======
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The provision for income taxes for Tenneco Energy reflects the realization
    of unrecognized deferred tax assets; therefore, the overall effective tax
    rate is significantly lower than the assumed statutory rate of 39%. If
    this statutory rate had been used, the combined provision for income taxes
    would have increased by $71 million and the pro forma combined amounts for
    earnings available to common stock and earnings per average share of
    common stock would have been $97 million and $1.65, respectively.
(2) Per share data is calculated using the income applicable to common shares
    divided by the pro forma shares outstanding. The pro forma weighted
    average common shares outstanding includes the following assumptions: (i)
    the issuance of 19.4 million shares of El Paso Common Stock to holders of
    Tenneco Common Stock, the $7.40 Preferred Stock and the $4.50 Preferred
    Stock under the terms of the Merger, and (ii) the assumed issuance of 5
    million shares of El Paso Common Stock at $40.00 per share, the proceeds
    of which will be used to pay down long term debt.
 
   See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Income Statements.
 
                                      139
<PAGE>
 
                          EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
            NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
 
                    ASSUMING THE STOCK ISSUANCE IS APPROVED
 
RESTRUCTURING AND REALIGNMENT TRANSACTIONS:
 
(a) To reflect the earnings impact of the distribution to New Tenneco of
    receivables previously sold to Tenneco Credit Corporation, a Tenneco
    Energy affiliate and the related income tax expense effect at an estimated
    39%.
 
(b) To reflect Preferred dividends in the Combined Pro Forma Income Statement
    at an assumed dividend yield of 8%.
 
MERGER ADJUSTMENTS:
 
(c) To reflect the income tax expense effects of pro forma adjustments at an
    estimated rate of 39%.
 
(d) To reflect depreciation expense related to the increase in fair value of
    plant, depreciated over a 40 year period which approximates the FERC
    approved depreciation rate for the regulated property, plant and equipment
    of Tenneco Energy prospectively.
 
(e) To reflect interest expense on additional debt issued under the Tenneco
    Credit Facility. For purposes of the pro forma calculations, an assumed
    interest rate of 8% has been used.
 
(f) To reflect the assumed pro forma post retirement cost for Tenneco Energy
    employees.
 
FINANCING ADJUSTMENTS:
 
(g) To reflect an interest expense reduction relating to debt repaid from
    proceeds from the $200 million equity offering and monetization of $500
    million of asset sales or project financings at book value.
 
(h) To reflect the sale of certain 100% owned investments of Tenneco Energy.
 
(i) To reflect the interest expense reduction relating to the replacement of
    the Tenneco Credit Facility with short-term and long-term financing at
    interest rates of 6% and 8%, respectively. A 1/8% change in interest rates
    would have the impact of increasing pro forma interest expense by $1
    million and $2 million for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and the year
    ended December 31, 1995, respectively.
 
(j) To reflect the income tax expense effects of pro forma adjustments at an
    estimated rate of 39%.
 
                                      140
<PAGE>
 
 
   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF EL PASO AND TENNECO
                                    ENERGY
                  ASSUMING THE STOCK ISSUANCE IS NOT APPROVED
 
  The following Pro Forma Financial Statements illustrate the effect of (i)
certain Tenneco Energy restructuring and realignment transactions (see the
Transaction included elsewhere, herein), (ii) the Merger, and (iii) other
financing transactions, proceeds of which will be used to pay off debt assumed
in the Merger. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet has been
prepared as if such transactions occurred on June 30, 1996; the Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Statements of Income have been prepared as if such transactions
occurred as of January 1, 1995.
 
  The Pro Forma Financial Statements reflect El Paso having acquired 100% of
the outstanding Tenneco Common Stock, the $7.40 Preferred Stock and the $4.50
Preferred Stock, pursuant to the Merger Agreement. El Paso's acquisition of
Tenneco Energy will be accounted for under the purchase method. Pursuant to
the Merger Agreement, El Paso will assume $2.4 billion of debt (subject to the
effect of Base Debt Amount adjustments), issue El Paso equity securities
valued at approximately $750 million to Tenneco Stockholders (subject to the
effect of the Collar), assume $250 million of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock,
and assume approximately $600 million of other Tenneco liabilities for a total
purchase price of approximately $4 billion. The Equity Consideration issued
will consist of a combination of 7 million shares of El Paso Common Stock plus
shares of a new series of El Paso Preferred Stock in accordance with the
Merger Agreement.
 
   The Pro Forma Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the
historical financial statements of El Paso and Tenneco Energy, which are
incorporated by reference and included herein, respectively, and the Notes to
the Pro Forma Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document. The
pro forma adjustments do not reflect any potential operating efficiencies or
cost savings which El Paso believes are achievable with respect to the
combined companies.
 
  A final determination of required purchase accounting adjustments, including
the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities
assumed based on their respective fair values, has not yet been made.
Accordingly, the purchase accounting adjustments made in connection with the
development of the Pro Forma Financial Statements are preliminary and have
been made solely for purposes of developing such pro forma combined financial
information. However, management believes that the pro forma adjustments and
the underlying assumptions reasonably present the significant effects of the
Merger. El Paso will undertake a study to determine the fair value of Tenneco
Energy's assets and liabilities and will revise purchase accounting
adjustments upon completion of that study. Upon consummation of the Merger,
the actual financial position and results of operations of the combined entity
will differ, perhaps significantly, from the pro forma amounts reflected
herein because of a variety of factors, including access to additional
information, changes in value and changes in operating results between the
dates of the pro forma financial information and the date on which the Merger
takes place. The Pro Forma Financial Statements are not necessarily indicative
of actual operating results or financial position had the transactions
occurred as of the dates indicated above, nor do they purport to indicate
operating results or financial position which may be attained in the future.
 
                                      141
<PAGE>
 
                          EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
                   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
                  ASSUMING THE STOCK ISSUANCE IS NOT APPROVED
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1996
 
                                   (MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                TENNECO ENERGY
                                             PRE-MERGER PRO FORMA                    PRO FORMA MERGER
                                     ------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------
                                                RESTRUCTURING
                                      TENNECO        AND        TENNECO                                 EL PASO/
                           EL PASO     ENERGY    REALIGNMENT    ENERGY      MERGER       FINANCING   TENNECO ENERGY
                          HISTORICAL HISTORICAL TRANSACTIONS  AS ADJUSTED ADJUSTMENTS   ADJUSTMENTS     COMBINED
                          ---------- ---------- ------------- ----------- -----------   -----------  --------------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
 Cash and temporary
  investments...........    $   50     $  100       $ (36)(d)   $   25      $              $             $   75
                                                      250 (e)
                                                     (289)(g)
 Receivables............       367      1,190        (116)(a)      760                                    1,127
                                                     (357)(b)
                                                       48 (c)
                                                       (5)(d)
 Other current assets...        78        138         (23)(c)      118                                      196
                                                        3 (d)
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
 Total current assets...       495      1,428        (525)         903                                    1,398
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
Net property, plant and
 equipment..............     1,989      2,924         (39)(c)    2,885       2,007 (k)      (580)(n)      6,301
Other assets and
 deferred charges.......       280      1,187        (172)(b)    1,014        (530)(j)        80 (n)        844
                                                       (1)(c)
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
 Total assets               $2,764     $5,539       $(737)      $4,802      $1,477         $(500)        $8,543
                            ======     ======       =====       ======      ======         =====         ======
LIABILITIES AND STOCK-
 HOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 Short-term debt........    $  421     $  521       $(521)(f)   $           $              $ 330 (o)     $  751
 Payables...............       426        532        (111)(a)      222          20 (h)                      668
                                                       (2)(b)
                                                     (197)(f)
 Other current
  liabilities...........       173        718         (11)(c)      687         120 (j)                      980
                                                      (20)(b)
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
 Total current
  liabilities...........     1,020      1,771        (862)         909         140           330          2,399
Long-term debt..........       670      1,519       1,050 (f)    2,569                      (500)(n)      2,209
                                                                                            (200)(m)
                                                                                            (330)(o)
Other liabilities and
 deferred credits.......        82        652         (17)(b)      594         151 (j)                      827
                                                      (41)(d)
Deferred income taxes...       264        413         (13)(b)      401         470 (l)                    1,135
                                                        1 (c)
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
                             2,036      4,355         118        4,473         761          (700)         6,570
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
Minority interest.......        40         18                       18                                       58
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
Preferred stock with
 mandatory
 redemption provisions..                  112                      112        (112)(i)
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
Stockholders' equity:
 Preferred stock........                              250 (e)      250         497 (i)                      747
 Combined common equity.       688      1,054          (5)(a)      (51)         51 (k)       200 (m)      1,168
                                                     (477)(b)                  280 (i)
                                                       (5)(c)
                                                        3 (d)
                                                     (332)(f)
                                                     (289)(g)
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
 Total stockholders'
  equity................       688      1,054        (885)         199         828           200          1,915
                            ------     ------       -----       ------      ------         -----         ------
 Total liabilities and
  stockholders' equity..    $2,764     $5,539       $(737)      $4,802      $1,477         $(500)        $8,543
                            ======     ======       =====       ======      ======         =====         ======
</TABLE>
 
     See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet.
 
                                      142
<PAGE>
 
                          EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
              NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
                  ASSUMING THE STOCK ISSUANCE IS NOT APPROVED
 
RESTRUCTURING AND REALIGNMENT TRANSACTIONS:
 
(a) To reflect the settlement of intercompany trade accounts receivable and
    intercompany trade accounts payable with Tenneco Energy affiliates.
 
(b) To reflect the distribution to New Tenneco of receivables previously sold
    to Tenneco Credit Corporation, a Tenneco Energy affiliate.
 
(c) To reflect the transfer from Tenneco Energy to New Tenneco and affiliates
    of certain assets and liabilities held at the corporate level.
 
(d) To reflect the transfer to New Tenneco of insurance liabilities and the
    related portfolio of investments previously held by Eastern Insurance
    Company, Ltd.
 
(e) To reflect issuance of $250 million of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock,
    with an assumed 8% dividend yield.
 
(f) To reflect the assumed untendered Tenneco debt of $200 million, included
    in the Base Debt Amount, and assumption of additional debt under the
    Tenneco Credit Facility up to $2.569 billion after the Debt Realignment
    determined as follows (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                   <C>
   Base Debt Amount per Merger agreement................................ $2,650
   Less: Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock assumed.........................   (250)
                                                                         ------
                                                                          2,400
   Plus: Cash settlement payments.......................................    409
   Less: Estimated collections subject to refund........................   (240)
                                                                         ------
                                                                         $2,569
                                                                         ======
</TABLE>
 
(g) To reflect distribution from Tenneco Energy of cash in excess of $25
    million pursuant to the Cash Realignment provisions of the Merger
    Agreement.
 
MERGER ADJUSTMENTS:
 
(h) To reflect the liability for the estimated legal, investment banking and
    stock issuance costs of $20 million to be incurred by El Paso in
    connection with the Merger.
 
(i) To reflect the issuance of approximately 7 million shares of El Paso
    Common Stock valued at $280 million based on an assumed price of $40.00
    per share, plus shares of a new El Paso preferred stock valued at $497
    million, with an assumed 10% dividend yield. The El Paso Equity
    Consideration will be issued in exchange for the $112 million of $7.40
    Preferred Stock and $4.50 Preferred Stock at an assumed redemption amount
    equal to book value with the remainder exchanged for Tenneco common stock.
 
(j) To reflect the preliminary estimated acquisition adjustments under the
    purchase method of accounting to record assets acquired and liabilities
    assumed at fair value for (i) reduction of certain other assets, deferred
    charges and regulatory assets, (ii) revision of benefit plan assumptions
    relating to the retiree medical plan obligation, other employee benefit
    costs and environmental costs, and (iii) to reflect the accrual for an
    obligation to New Tenneco which is expected to result in the next business
    operating year as a result of the utilization of certain tax benefits. The
    following adjustments reflect El Paso management's intended business
    strategies which may differ from the business strategies employed by
    Tenneco management prior to the Merger (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                     <C>
   Other assets and deferred charges...................................... $530
   Other liabilities and deferred credits.................................  151
   Other current liabilities..............................................  120
                                                                           ----
                                                                           $801
                                                                           ====
</TABLE>
 
                                      143
<PAGE>
 
(Continued)
 
(k) To reflect the allocation to property, plant and equipment of the excess
    purchase price of Tenneco Energy and the elimination of the combined
    Tenneco Energy equity as follows (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                  <C>
   Issuance of El Paso Common Stock.....                                $  280
   Issuance of El Paso Preferred Stock.....                                497
   Adjustment to fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed...  488
   Repayment of the $112 million Tenneco preferred stock.....             (112)
   Excess over Tenneco Energy's net book value.....                         51
   Transaction fees payable...                                              20
   Deferred income taxes.....                                              783
                                                                        ------
                                                                        $2,007
                                                                        ======
</TABLE>
 
(l) To reflect the increase in deferred income taxes of $470 million which
    have been provided for temporary differences after the allocation of the
    pro forma purchase price. The following pro forma adjustments were
    required for estimated book and tax basis differences caused by the
    allocation of the pro forma purchase price, at an assumed tax rate of 39%
    (in millions):
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                    <C>
   Property, plant and equipment......................................... $ 783
   Other assets..........................................................  (207)
   Other liabilities.....................................................  (106)
                                                                          -----
                                                                          $ 470
                                                                          =====
</TABLE>
 
FINANCING ADJUSTMENTS:
 
(m) To reflect the assumed issuance of $200 million El Paso Common Stock to
    pay down $200 million of long-term debt assumed pursuant to the Merger.
 
(n) To reflect the assumed monetization of $500 million of assets through
    sales or project financings, at book value and to reflect El Paso's
    remaining $80 million investment in certain Australian projects on the
    equity method. These proceeds are used to pay down long-term debt assumed
    pursuant to the Merger.
 
(o) To reflect the replacement of the Tenneco Credit Facility with short-term
    and long-term financing at interest rates of 6% and 8%, respectively.
 
                                      144
<PAGE>
 
                          EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
                 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
                  ASSUMING THE STOCK ISSUANCE IS NOT APPROVED
 
                    FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
 
                     (MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  TENNECO ENERGY
                                               PRE-MERGER PRO FORMA                 PRO FORMA MERGER
                                       ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                                  RESTRUCTURING                                       EL PASO/
                                        TENNECO        AND        TENNECO                             TENNECO
                           EL PASO       ENERGY    REALIGNMENT    ENERGY      MERGER      FINANCING    ENERGY
                          HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL TRANSACTIONS  AS ADJUSTED ADJUSTMENTS  ADJUSTMENTS  COMBINED
                          ----------   ---------- ------------- ----------- -----------  -----------  --------
<S>                       <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenues................    $1,193       $1,370        $          $1,370       $            $ (46)(h)  $2,517
Operating costs and
 expenses...............     1,065        1,279                    1,279          25 (d)      (26)(h)   2,347
                                                                                   4 (f)
Employee separation and
 asset impairment
 charge.................        99 (2)                                                                     99
                            ------       ------        ---        ------       -----        -----      ------
 Operating income.......        29           91                       91         (29)         (20)         71
Other (income) expense,
 net....................        (1)         (97)        (5) (a)     (102)                                (103)
Interest expenses.......        48           63                       63          43 (e)      (28)(j)     121
                                                                                               (3)(i)
                                                                                               (2)(h)
                            ------       ------        ---        ------       -----        -----      ------
 Income (loss) before
  income taxes..........       (18)         125          5           130         (72)          13          53
Provision for income
 taxes (benefit)(1).....        (7)          22          2 (a)        24         (28)(c)       11 (k)      (4)
                                                                                               (4)(h)
                            ------       ------        ---        ------       -----        -----      ------
 Net income (loss)......       (11)         103          3           106         (44)           6          57
Preferred stock
 dividend...............                                10 (b)        10          25 (g)                   35
                            ------       ------        ---        ------       -----        -----      ------
 Earnings available to
  common stock..........    $  (11)      $  103        $(7)       $   96       $ (69)       $   6      $   22
                            ======       ======        ===        ======       =====        =====      ======
Earnings (loss) per
 average share of common
 stock(2)...............    $ (.31)                                                                    $  .47
                            ======                                                                     ======
Number of shares used in
 computation of earnings
 per common shares
 (in thousands).........    35,264                                             7,000        5,000      47,264
                            ======                                             =====        =====      ======
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The provision for income taxes for Tenneco Energy reflects the realization
    of unrecognized deferred tax assets; therefore, the overall effective tax
    rate is significantly lower than the assumed statutory rate of 39%. If the
    statutory rate had been used, the combined provision for income taxes
    would have increased by $25 million and the Pro Forma combined amounts for
    earnings available to common stock and earnings per average share of
    common stock would have been to $(3) million and $(0.06), respectively.
(2) Per share data is calculated using the income applicable to common shares
    divided by the pro forma shares outstanding. The pro forma weighted
    average common shares outstanding includes the following assumptions: (i)
    the issuance of 7 million shares of El Paso Common Stock to holders of
    Tenneco Common Stock, the $7.40 Preferred Stock and the $4.50 Preferred
    Stock under the terms of the Merger and (ii) the assumed issuance of 5
    million shares of El Paso Common Stock at $40.00 per share, the proceeds
    of which will be used to pay down long term debt. Earnings per average
    share of common stock excluding the special charge for employee separation
    and asset impairment ($60 million after tax) would be $1.40 and $1.73 per
    common share for the El Paso Historical and El Paso/Tenneco Energy
    Combined presentations, respectively.
 
   See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Income Statements.
 
                                      145
<PAGE>
 
                          EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
                 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
                  ASSUMING THE STOCK ISSUANCE IS NOT APPROVED
 
                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
                     (MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                TENNECO ENERGY
                                             PRE-MERGER PRO FORMA                 PRO FORMA MERGER
                                     ------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
                                                RESTRUCTURING                                       EL PASO/
                                      TENNECO        AND        TENNECO                             TENNECO
                           EL PASO     ENERGY    REALIGNMENT    ENERGY      MERGER      FINANCING    ENERGY
                          HISTORICAL HISTORICAL TRANSACTIONS  AS ADJUSTED ADJUSTMENTS  ADJUSTMENTS  COMBINED
                          ---------- ---------- ------------- ----------- -----------  -----------  --------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenues................    $1,038     $1,921        $          $1,921       $            $ (52)(h)  $2,907
Operating costs and
 expenses...............       826      1,843                    1,843          50 (c)      (43)(h)   2,684
                                                                                 8 (e)
                            ------     ------       ----        ------       -----        -----      ------
 Operating income.......       212         78                       78         (58)          (9)        223
Other (income) expense,
 net....................        (5)      (190)        (9)(a)      (199)                                (204)
Interest expense........        84        122                      122          97 (e)      (56)(j)     235
                                                                                             (6)(i)
                                                                                             (6)(h)
                            ------     ------       ----        ------       -----        -----      ------
 Income before income
  taxes.................       133        146          9           155        (155)          59         192
Provision for income
 taxes (benefit)(1).....        48        (11)         4 (a)        (7)        (60)(c)       22 (k)       4
                                                                                              1 (h)
                            ------     ------       ----        ------       -----        -----      ------
 Net income (loss)......        85        157          5           162         (95)          36         188
Preferred stock
 dividend...............                              20 (b)        20          50(g)                    70
                            ------     ------       ----        ------       -----        -----      ------
 Earnings available to
  common stock..........    $   85     $  157       $(15)       $  142       $(145)       $  36      $  118
                            ======     ======       ====        ======       =====        =====      ======
Earnings (loss) per
 average share of common
 stock(2)...............    $ 2.47                                                                   $ 2.54
                            ======                                                                   ======
Number of shares used in
 computation of earnings
 per common share (in
 thousands).............    34,495                                           7,000        5,000      46,495
                            ======                                           =====        =====      ======
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The provision for income taxes for Tenneco Energy reflects the realization
    of unrecognized deferred tax assets; therefore, the overall effective tax
    rate is significantly lower than the assumed statutory rate of 39%. If
    this statutory rate had been used, the combined provision for income taxes
    would have increased by $71 million and the Pro Forma combined amounts for
    earnings available to common stock and earnings per average share of
    common stock would have been $47 million and $1.01, respectively.
(2) Per share data is calculated using the income applicable to common shares
    divided by the pro forma shares outstanding. The pro forma weighted
    average common shares outstanding includes the following assumptions: (i)
    the issuance of 7 million shares of El Paso Common Stock to holders of
    Tenneco Common Stock, the $7.40 Preferred Stock and the $4.50 Preferred
    Stock under the terms of the Merger, and (ii) the assumed issuance of 5
    million shares of El Paso Common Stock at $40.00 per share, the proceeds
    of which will be used to pay down long term debt.
 
 
   See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Income Statements.
 
                                      146
<PAGE>
 
                          EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
 
            NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
                  ASSUMING THE STOCK ISSUANCE IS NOT APPROVED
 
RESTRUCTURING AND REALIGNMENT TRANSACTIONS:
 
(a) To reflect the earnings impact of the distribution to New Tenneco of
    receivables previously sold to Tenneco Credit Corporation, a Tenneco
    Energy affiliate and the related income tax expense effect at an estimated
    rate of 39%.
 
(b) To reflect preferred dividends in the Combined Pro Forma Income Statement
    at an assumed dividend yield of 8%.
 
MERGER ADJUSTMENTS:
 
(c) To reflect the income tax expense effects of pro forma adjustments at an
    estimated rate of 39%.
 
(d) To reflect depreciation expense related to the increase in fair value of
    plant, depreciated over a 40 year period which approximates the FERC
    approved depreciation rate for the regulated property, plant and equipment
    of Tenneco Energy prospectively.
 
(e) To reflect interest expense on additional debt issued under the Tenneco
    Credit Facility. For purposes of the pro forma calculations, an assumed
    interest rate of 8% has been used.
 
(f) To reflect the assumed pro forma post retirement cost for Tenneco Energy
    employees.
 
(g) To reflect preferred dividends included in the Combined Pro Forma Income
    Statement at an assumed dividend yield of 10%.
 
FINANCING ADJUSTMENTS:
 
(h) To reflect the sale of certain 100% owned investments of Tenneco Energy.
 
(i) To reflect the interest expense reduction relating to the replacement of
    the Tenneco Credit Facility with short-term and long-term financing at
    interest rates of 6% and 8%, respectively. A 1/8% change in interest rates
    would have the impact of increasing total pro forma interest expense by $1
    million and $2 million for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and the year
    ended December 31, 1995, respectively.
 
(j) To reflect an interest expense reduction relating to debt repaid from
    proceeds from the $200 million equity offering and monetization of $500
    million of asset sales or project financings at book value.
 
(k) To reflect the income tax expense effects of pro forma adjustments at an
    estimated rate of 39%.
 
                                      147
<PAGE>
 
       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NEW TENNECO
 
  The following Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet of New Tenneco as
of June 30, 1996 and the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statements of Income for
the six months ended June 30, 1996 and the year ended December 31, 1995 have
been prepared to reflect: (i) the acquisition of Clevite in July 1996 and the
acquisition of Amoco Foam Products in August 1996; (ii) the effect on New
Tenneco of the Debt Realignment; and (iii) the issuance of New Tenneco Common
Stock as part of the New Tenneco Distribution. The Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 1995 also
reflects the acquisition of Mobil Plastics in November 1995.
 
  The acquisitions of Mobil Plastics, Clevite and Amoco Foam Products have
been included in the accompanying Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements for the respective periods under the caption "Combined
Acquisitions." The Combined Acquisitions have been or will be accounted for
under the purchase method of accounting. As such, pro forma adjustments are
reflected in the accompanying Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements to reflect a preliminary allocation of New Tenneco's purchase cost
for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as well as additional
depreciation and amortization resulting from New Tenneco's purchase cost.
 
  The historical Combined Financial Statements of New Tenneco reflect the
financial position and results of operations for the Industrial Business whose
net assets will be transferred to New Tenneco and subsidiaries pursuant to the
Corporate Restructuring Transactions. The accounting for the transfer of
assets and liabilities pursuant to the Corporate Restructuring Transactions
represents a reorganization of companies under common control and,
accordingly, all assets and liabilities are reflected at their historical cost
basis in the Combined Financial Statements.
 
  The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet has been prepared as if such
transactions occurred on June 30, 1996; the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Statements of Income have been prepared as if such transactions occurred as of
January 1, 1995. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements set
forth on the following pages are unaudited and not necessarily indicative of
the results that would have actually occurred if the transactions had been
consummated as of June 30, 1996, or January 1, 1995, or results which may be
attained in the future.
 
  The pro forma adjustments, as described in the Notes to the Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Financial Statements, are based upon available information and
upon certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable. The
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements should be read in
conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements of New Tenneco, and notes
thereto, which appear in the New Tenneco Information Statement attached hereto
as Appendix C.
 
                                      148
<PAGE>
 
                                  NEW TENNECO
 
                   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1996
 
                                   (MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      COMBINED ACQUISITIONS
                                     -----------------------
                                                                   POST-
                                                                ACQUISITIONS TRANSACTION
                         NEW TENNECO              PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA    PRO FORMA    PRO FORMA
                         HISTORICAL  HISTORICAL* ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED   ADJUSTMENTS   COMBINED
                         ----------- ----------- -----------    ------------ -----------   ---------
ASSETS
<S>                      <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and temporary
   cash investments.....   $  129       $  2      $                $  131      $   36 (e)   $  201
                                                                                   34 (f)
  Receivables...........      829         74                          903        (113)(a)    1,044
                                                                                  182 (b)
                                                                                  (48)(c)
                                                                                  120 (d)
  Inventories...........      820         46             6 (i)        872                      872
  Deferred income taxes.       28                                      28                       28
  Other current assets..      196          8                          204          (5)(c)      204
                                                                                    5 (e)
                           ------       ----      --------         ------      ------       ------
   Total Current Assets.    2,002        130             6          2,138         211        2,349
                           ------       ----      --------         ------      ------       ------
Goodwill and
 intangibles............      965                      384 (i)      1,349                    1,349
Other Assets............      808          9                          817                      817
Plant, property and
 equipment, net.........    2,748        148           144 (i)      3,040          39 (c)    3,079
                           ------       ----      --------         ------      ------       ------
   Total Assets.........   $6,523       $287      $    534         $7,344      $  250       $7,594
                           ======       ====      ========         ======      ======       ======
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
<S>                      <C>         <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>
Current liabilities:
  Short-term debt.......   $  530       $         $    638 (i)     $1,168      $ (654)(g)   $  514
  Payables..............      622         28                          650         (23)(a)      629
                                                                                    2 (b)
  Other current
   liabilities..........      558         76                          634          17 (c)      651
                           ------       ----      --------         ------      ------       ------
   Total Current
    Liabilities.........    1,710        104           638          2,452        (658)       1,794
                           ------       ----      --------         ------      ------       ------
Long-term debt..........    1,573          1                        1,574         (31)(g)    1,543
Deferred income taxes...      451                       (5)(i)        446          13 (b)      459
Deferred credits and
 other liabilities......      320         53            30 (i)        403          41 (e)      444
Minority interest.......      301                                     301                      301
                           ------       ----      --------         ------      ------       ------
  Total Liabilities.....    4,355        158           663          5,176        (635)       4,541
                           ------       ----      --------         ------      ------       ------
Equity:
  Combined equity.......    2,168        129          (129)(i)      2,168         (90)(a)       --
                                                                                  167 (b)
                                                                                  (31)(c)
                                                                                  120 (d)
                                                                                   34 (f)
                                                                                  685 (g)
                                                                               (3,053)(h)
  Common Stock..........       --         --                           --           2 (h)        2
  Paid in Capital.......       --         --                           --       3,051 (h)    3,051
  Retained Earnings.....       --         --                           --          --           --
                           ------       ----      --------         ------      ------       ------
    Total Liabilities
     and Equity.........   $6,523       $287      $    534         $7,344      $  250       $7,594
                           ======       ====      ========         ======      ======       ======
</TABLE>
- --------
      See the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
                                  Statements.
  * Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to New Tenneco's
  Classification.
 
 
                                      149
<PAGE>
 
                                  NEW TENNECO
 
               UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
                      (MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      COMBINED ACQUISITIONS
                                     -----------------------
                                                                   POST-
                             NEW                                ACQUISITIONS TRANSACTION
                           TENNECO                PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA    PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA
                          HISTORICAL HISTORICAL* ADJUSTMENTS      COMBINED   ADJUSTMENTS     COMBINED
                          ---------- ----------- -----------    ------------ -----------    -----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>
Net Sales and Operating
 Revenues...............    $5,221     $2,035     $                $7,256     $             $     7,256
Other Income............        39          6                          45                            45
Costs and Expenses......     4,588      1,888           17(j)       6,493                         6,493
                            ------     ------     --------         ------     --------      -----------
Income Before Interest
 Expense, Income Taxes
 and Minority Interest..       672        153          (17)           808                           808
Interest Expense........       160        126            5 (j)        291         (140)(g)          151
Income Tax Expense......       231         19           (9)(j)        241           61 (g)          302
Minority Interest.......        23         --                          23                            23
                            ------     ------     --------         ------     --------      -----------
Income from continuing
 operations.............    $  258     $    8     $    (13)        $  253     $     79      $       332
                            ======     ======     ========         ======     ========      ===========
Average number of shares
 of common stock
 outstanding............                                                                    173,995,941
                                                                                            ===========
Income per average share
 of common stock from
 continuing operations..                                                                    $      1.91
                                                                                            ===========
</TABLE>
- --------
* Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to New Tenneco's
  classification.
 
 
     See the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
                                  Statements.
 
                                      150
<PAGE>
 
                                  NEW TENNECO
 
                UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                     FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
 
                      (MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       COMBINED ACQUISITIONS
                                      -----------------------
                                                                   POST-
                                                                ACQUISITIONS TRANSACTION
                          NEW TENNECO              PRO FORMA     PRO FORMA    PRO FORMA     PRO FORMA
                          HISTORICAL  HISTORICAL* ADJUSTMENTS     COMBINED   ADJUSTMENTS    COMBINED
                          ----------- ----------- -----------   ------------ -----------   -----------
<S>                       <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
Net Sales and Operating
 Revenues...............    $ 3,233      $272       $              $3,505      $           $     3,505
Other Income, Net.......         71        --                          71                           71
Costs and Expenses......      2,890       232             9 (j)     3,131                        3,131
                            -------      ----       -------        ------      -------     -----------
Income Before Interest
 Expense, Income Taxes
 and Minority Interest..        414        40            (9)          445                          445
Interest Expense........        100        12             7 (j)       119          (44)(g)          75
Income Tax Expense......        126         8            (1)(j)       133           30 (g)         163
Minority Interest.......         10                                    10                           10
                            -------      ----       -------        ------      -------     -----------
Income from continuing
 operations.............    $   178      $ 20       $   (15)       $  183      $    14     $       197
                            =======      ====       =======        ======      =======     ===========
Average number of shares
 of common stock
 outstanding............                                                                   170,351,740
                                                                                           ===========
Income per average share
 of common stock from
 continuing operations..                                                                   $      1.16
                                                                                           ===========
</TABLE>
- --------
* Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to New Tenneco's
  classification.
 
 
      See the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
                                  Statements.
 
                                      151
<PAGE>
 
                                  NEW TENNECO
 
          NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(a) To reflect the settlement or capitalization of intercompany trade accounts
    receivable and payable with Tenneco affiliates pursuant to the Corporate
    Restructuring Transactions.
 
(b) To reflect the acquisition by New Tenneco of certain receivables from
    Tenneco Credit Corporation, a Tenneco affiliate, in connection with the
    Merger.
 
(c) To reflect the allocation between New Tenneco, Newport News and Tenneco of
    certain corporate assets and liabilities in connection with the
    Distributions and the Merger.
 
(d) To reflect a $120 million receivable from El Paso pursuant to the Merger
    Agreement for certain tax benefits to be realized by El Paso as a result
    of the Debt Realignment.
 
(e) To reflect the transfer to New Tenneco of insurance liabilities and the
    related portfolio of investments previously held by Eastern Insurance
    Company, Limited, a Tenneco affiliate, in connection with the Merger.
 
(f) To reflect the cash contribution from Tenneco to New Tenneco pursuant to
    the Cash Realignment provisions in the Distribution Agreement.
 
(g) To reflect adjustments to the Company's indebtedness for the pre-
    Distribution restructuring and refinancing of the Tenneco Energy
    Consolidated Debt pursuant to the Debt Realignment. If the Debt
    Realignment had been consummated on June 30, 1996, on a pro forma basis,
    the Company would have had indebtedness for money borrowed of $2,057
    million, or $685 million less than the debt reflected in the Company's
    historical financial statements. Tenneco and Newport News would have had
    indebtedness of $2,569 million and $610 million, respectively. Borrowings
    of $514 million at an assumed interest rate of 5.90% has been reflected in
    the accompanying Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements as
    short-term debt with the balance of $1,543 million at an assumed interest
    rate of 7.80% reflected as long-term. A 1/8% change in these assumed
    interest rates would change annual pro forma interest expense by $2.5
    million, before the effect of income taxes.
 
(h) To reflect the distribution of New Tenneco Common Stock to the holders of
    Tenneco Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of New Tenneco
    Common Stock for every one share of Tenneco Common Stock.
 
(i) To reflect short term debt issued to complete the Combined Acquisition and
    the preliminary allocation of purchase price to the assets acquired and
    liabilities assumed related to the Combined Acquisitions. These purchase
    accounting adjustments for Clevite and Amoco Foam Products are based on
    preliminary estimates of fair values and will be adjusted when more
    complete evaluations of fair values are received. The preliminary
    allocations have been made solely for purposes of developing these
    Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements.
 
(j) To reflect additional depreciation and amortization related to the
    Combined Acquisitions resulting from New Tenneco's purchase accounting
    adjustments, interest expense at an assumed rate of 5.90% on the debt
    issued to complete the acquisition, and the related tax effects, at an
    assumed tax rate of 40%. The excess of New Tenneco's purchase cost over
    the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is amortized
    over 40 years for Mobil Plastics, 40 years for Clevite and 30 years for
    Amoco Foam Products.
 
                                      152
<PAGE>
 
       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
  The following Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet of Newport News as
of June 30, 1996 and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statements of Earnings for
the six months ended June 30, 1996 and the year ended December 31, 1995 have
been prepared to reflect: (i) borrowings of $610 million under the Newport
News Credit Facilities; (ii) the cash dividend of $600 million to be paid by
Newport News to Tenneco or one or more of its subsidiaries pursuant to the
Debt Realignment; (iii) the payment of $10 million of fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the Newport News Credit Facilities and (iv) the
issuance of NNS Common Stock pursuant to the Shipbuilding Distribution.
 
  The historical Combined Financial Statements of Newport News reflect the
financial position and results of operations of the Shipbuilding Business
whose net assets will be transferred to Newport News pursuant to the Corporate
Restructuring Transactions. The accounting for the transfer of assets and
liabilities pursuant to the Corporate Restructuring Transactions represents a
reorganization of companies under common control and, accordingly, all assets
and liabilities are reflected at their historical cost basis in the Combined
Financial Statements.
 
  The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet has been prepared as if the
Transaction occurred on June 30, 1996; the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Statements of Earnings have been prepared as if the Transaction occurred as of
January 1, 1995. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements do not
give effect to any transactions other than the Transaction. The Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Financial Statements set forth on the following pages are
unaudited and not necessarily indicative of the results that would have
actually occurred if the Transaction had been consummated as of June 30, 1996,
or January 1, 1995, or results which may be attained in the future.
 
  The pro forma adjustments, as described in the Notes to the Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Financial Statements, are based upon available information and
upon certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable. The
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements should be read in
conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements of Newport News and notes
thereto, which appear in the Newport News Information Statement attached
hereto as Appendix D.
 
                                      153
<PAGE>
 
                                  NEWPORT NEWS
 
                   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
                                 JUNE 30, 1996
                                   (MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             NEWPORT NEWS  PRO FORMA   PRO FORMA
                   ASSETS                     HISTORICAL  ADJUSTMENTS  COMBINED
                   ------                    ------------ -----------  ---------
<S>                                          <C>          <C>          <C>
CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents.................    $    1       $   4 (c)  $    5
                                                               610 (d)
                                                              (610)(e)
  Contracts in process......................       282                     282
  Other current assets......................       190                     190
                                                ------       -----      ------
    Total current assets....................       473           4         477
                                                ------       -----      ------
NONCURRENT ASSETS
  Property, plant and equipment, net........       824                     824
  Other assets..............................       155          10 (e)     165
                                                ------       -----      ------
    Total noncurrent assets.................       979          10         989
                                                ------       -----      ------
                                                $1,452       $  14      $1,466
                                                ======       =====      ======
<CAPTION>
           LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
           ----------------------
<S>                                          <C>          <C>          <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Accounts payable..........................    $  177       $ (73)(a)  $  104
  Short term debt...........................        95         (95)(b)     410
                                                               410 (d)
  Other accrued liabilities.................       160                     160
                                                ------       -----      ------
    Total current liabilities...............       432         242         674
                                                ------       -----      ------
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
  Long-term debt............................       282        (282)(b)     200
                                                              (200)(d)
  Deferred income taxes.....................       140                     140
  Other long-term liabilities...............       249                     249
                                                ------       -----      ------
    Total noncurrent liabilities............       671         (82)        589
                                                ------       -----      ------
EQUITY
  Common stock..............................                     1 (f)       1
  Paid in capital...........................                   202 (f)     202
  Retained earnings.........................                    -- (f)      --
  Combined equity...........................       349          73 (a)      --
                                                               377 (b)
                                                                 4 (c)
                                                              (600)(e)
                                                              (203)(f)
                                                ------       -----      ------
    Total equity............................       349        (146)        203
                                                ------       -----      ------
                                                $1,452       $  14      $1,466
                                                ======       =====      ======
</TABLE>
 
               See the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma
                         Combined Financial Statements.
 
                                      154
<PAGE>
 
                                  NEWPORT NEWS
 
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                      (MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995       SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                          ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------
                           NEWPORT                             NEWPORT
                             NEWS     PRO FORMA    PRO FORMA     NEWS     PRO FORMA     PRO FORMA
                          HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS   COMBINED   HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS    COMBINED
                          ---------- -----------  ----------- ---------- -----------   -----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>
Net Sales...............    $1,756      $         $     1,756    $915       $          $       915
Operating Costs and
 Expenses...............     1,599                      1,599     834                          834
                            ------      -----     -----------    ----       -----      -----------
Operating Earnings......       157                        157      81                           81
Interest Expense (net of
 interest capitalized)..        29        (29)(b)          58      17         (17)(b)           29
                                           58 (d)                              29 (d)
Other Income, Net.......         3                          3      --                           --
                            ------      -----     -----------    ----       -----      -----------
Earnings Before Income
 Taxes..................       131        (29)            102      64         (12)              52
Provision for Income
 Taxes..................        58         10 (b)          48      27           6 (b)           23
                                          (20)(d)                             (10) (d)
                            ------      -----     -----------    ----       -----      -----------
Net Earnings............    $   73      $(19)     $        54    $ 37       $  (8)     $        29
                            ======      =====     ===========    ====       =====      ===========
Average number of common
 shares outstanding.....                           34,799,188                           34,070,348
                                                  ===========                          ===========
Earnings per share......                          $      1.55                          $       .85
                                                  ===========                          ===========
</TABLE>
 
 
               See the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma
                         Combined Financial Statements.
 
                                      155
<PAGE>
 
                                 NEWPORT NEWS
 
          NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(a) To reflect the settlement or capitalization of intercompany accounts
    payable with Tenneco affiliates pursuant to the Corporate Restructuring
    Transactions.
 
(b) To reflect the elimination of corporate debt and related interest expense
    allocated by Tenneco to Newport News.
 
(c) To reflect a cash capital contribution from Tenneco to Newport News
    pursuant to the Cash Realignment provisions in the Distribution Agreement.
 
(d) To reflect $610 million in borrowings under the Newport News Credit
    Facilities which borrowings will consist of (i) a $200 million five-year
    revolving credit facility with estimated interest of 6 3/4%, (ii) a $400
    million subordinated bridge loan with estimated interest of 10 1/2%, and
    (iii) $10 million borrowing under the $100 million working capital
    facility for payment of certain fees and expenses described in (e) below.
    The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements do not reflect any
    borrowings under an additional credit facility to be used for working
    capital purposes. A 1/8% change in these assumed interest rates would
    change annual pro forma interest expense by $0.8 million, before the
    effect of income taxes.
 
(e) To reflect: (i) a cash dividend of $600 million to be paid by Newport News
    to Tenneco or one or more of its subsidiaries principally using borrowings
    under the Newport News Credit Facilities pursuant to the Debt Realignment
    and (ii) a payment of $10 million for certain fees and expenses in
    connection with the Newport News Credit Facilities.
 
(f) To reflect the distribution of NNS Common Stock to the holders of Tenneco
    Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of NNS Common Stock for
    five shares of Tenneco Common Stock.
 
                                      156
<PAGE>
 
                    COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
                     TENNECO, NEW TENNECO AND NEWPORT NEWS
 
  Descriptions herein of the provisions of the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of New Tenneco (the "New Tenneco Charter"),
Amended and Restated Bylaws of New Tenneco (the "New Tenneco Bylaws"), the
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Newport News (the
"Newport News Charter") and Amended and Restated Bylaws of Newport News (the
"Newport News Bylaws") (including the provisions thereof relating to the
classification of directors, the calling of special meetings of stockholders
and the advance notice requirements for stockholder nominations and proposals)
are descriptions of the provisions therein which will be in effect upon
consummation of the Distributions. Except as otherwise indicated herein, such
provisions will be substantially identical to the provisions of the Tenneco
Charter and the Tenneco Bylaws as presently in effect. Upon consummation of
the Transaction, the Tenneco Charter will be amended, and the bylaws of El
Paso Subsidiary will become the new bylaws of Tenneco (with certain
modifications regarding the indemnification of directors and officers), as
described herein under "THE MERGER--Effects of the Merger."
 
CAPITALIZATION
 
  Tenneco's authorized capital stock consists of 350,000,000 shares of Tenneco
Common Stock, 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value
("Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares"), and 50,000,000 shares of junior preferred
stock, without par value ("Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares"). New Tenneco's
authorized capital stock consists of        shares of New Tenneco Common
Stock, and        shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share ("New
Tenneco Preferred Stock"). Newport News' authorized capital stock consists of
       shares of Newport News Common Stock, and        shares of preferred
stock, par value $.01 per share ("Newport News Preferred Stock").
 
  The Tenneco Board of Directors is generally authorized to issue the Tenneco
Senior Preferred Shares and the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares in series and
to fix the terms of such series, but such authority is subject to numerous
requirements and/or limitations relating to, among other things, the voting
rights of such series and the ability of Tenneco to pay dividends and acquire
its capital stock. The Boards of Directors of New Tenneco and Newport News are
authorized to issue the New Tenneco Preferred Stock and Newport News Preferred
Stock, respectively, in series and to fix the terms of such series, without
limitation (other than as provided in the DGCL).
 
  All series of Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares (but not Tenneco Junior
Preferred Shares) must rank on a parity with respect to the payment of
dividends. Any of the terms of a series of the New Tenneco Preferred Stock or
the Newport News Preferred Stock may differ from those of any other series
thereof.
 
CLASS VOTING
 
  Under the Tenneco Charter, approval of two-thirds of the outstanding shares
of Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares or Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares, or of a
series thereof, is required for any charter amendment which adversely affects
the rights, powers or preferences of the Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares or
Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares, or of a series thereof, as the case may be.
Under both the New Tenneco Charter and the Newport News Charter, there is no
such two-thirds approval requirement; however, the DGCL generally requires any
charter amendment that so adversely affects a particular class or series of
stock be approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or
series, as the case may be.
 
  The Tenneco Charter requires separate class votes of the Tenneco Senior
Preferred Shares and of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares (i) to create a
class of stock ranking senior thereto, (ii) to sell, lease, transfer or convey
all or substantially all of Tenneco's assets or (iii) to merge with another
corporation (unless Tenneco survives). No such class votes are required under
either the New Tenneco Charter or the Newport News Charter.
 
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
 
  The Tenneco Charter prohibits certain "Business Combinations" with
"Interested Stockholders" (as defined therein) without supermajority
stockholder approval unless (i) approved by a majority of the "Continuing
 
                                      157
<PAGE>
 
Directors" (as defined therein), or (ii) certain detailed requirements as to,
among other things, the value and type of consideration to be paid to the
Tenneco stockholders, the maintenance of Tenneco's dividend policy, the public
disclosure of the Business Combination and the absence of any major change in
Tenneco's business or equity capital structure without the approval of a
majority of Continuing Directors, have been satisfied. The same restrictions
apply in the New Tenneco Charter. The Newport News Charter contains no such
restrictions on such Business Combinations.
 
CHARTER AMENDMENTS
 
  Under the Tenneco Charter and New Tenneco Charter, a majority in voting
power of the outstanding shares of voting stock is generally required to
effect a charter amendment, other than an amendment of the provisions relating
to Business Combinations. Each of the Tenneco Charter and the New Tenneco
Charter provides that, in addition to approval by the board of directors and
notwithstanding that a lesser percentage or separate class vote may be
specified by law, the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws, any proposal
to amend or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, the provisions
of the certificate of incorporation regarding Business Combinations proposed
by or on behalf of an Interested Stockholder or affiliate thereof requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of 66 2/3% in voting power of the outstanding
shares of voting stock, excluding voting stock beneficially owned by any
Interested Stockholder, unless the amendment or repeal of, or the adoption of
any provision inconsistent with, the provisions regarding Business
Combinations is unanimously recommended by the members of the board of
directors and if each of the members of the board of directors qualifies as a
Continuing Director.
 
  Under the Newport News Charter, a majority in voting power of the
outstanding shares of voting stock is generally required to effect a charter
amendment.
 
STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLANS
 
  Tenneco adopted a stockholder rights plan on May 24, 1988, which was amended
and restated on October 1, 1989 (the "Tenneco Rights Plan"). Pursuant to and
in accordance with such plan, one preferred share purchase right (a "Tenneco
Purchase Right") is attached to each share of Tenneco Common Stock. Each
Tenneco Purchase Right entitles the registered holder thereof to, among other
things, purchase, under certain circumstances, from Tenneco a unit consisting
of one one-hundredth of a share of Tenneco Series A Junior Preferred Stock.
Tenneco has amended the Tenneco Rights Plan to exempt El Paso and El Paso
Subsidiary from becoming an "acquiring person" thereunder, or otherwise
triggering the Tenneco Rights, solely by reason of the execution of the Merger
Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, and to
cause the Tenneco Purchase Rights to expire at the Merger Effective Time.
 
  In connection with the Transaction, New Tenneco will adopt a stockholder
rights plan (the "New Tenneco Rights Plan"). The New Tenneco Rights Plan is,
in all material respects, the same as the Tenneco Rights Plan except that the
Redemption Price (as defined therein), the Final Expiration Date (as defined
therein), the Purchase Price (as defined therein) and the number of one one-
hundredths of a share of New Tenneco preferred stock for which a right is
exercisable (which under the Tenneco Rights Plan may not be supplemented or
amended) may be supplemented or amended with stockholder approval. Newport
News will adopt a stockholder rights plan that is substantially identical to
the New Tenneco Rights Plan.
 
STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS
 
  The New Tenneco Bylaws and the Newport News Bylaws provide that the New
Tenneco Board of Directors and the Newport News Board of Directors,
respectively, and the chairman of a meeting may adopt rules for the conduct of
stockholder meetings and specify the types of rules that may be adopted
(including the establishment of an agenda, rules relating to presence at the
meeting of persons other than stockholders, restrictions on entry at
 
                                      158
<PAGE>
 
the meeting after commencement thereof and the imposition of time limitations
for questions by participants at the meeting). Such issues are not expressly
addressed by the Tenneco Bylaws.
 
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
 
  Under the Tenneco Charter, the number of directors constituting the whole
Tenneco Board of Directors is required to be not less than 8, nor more than
16, and determined from time to time, within such limits, by the Tenneco Board
of Directors. The New Tenneco Charter contains an identical provision with
respect to the New Tenneco Board.
 
  Under the Newport News Charter, the number of directors constituting the
entire Newport News Board of Directors is required to be not less than 3, nor
more than 16, and determined from time to time, within such limits, by the
Newport News Board of Directors.
 
INDEMNIFICATION
 
  The Tenneco Bylaws provide for mandatory indemnification for directors and
officers of Tenneco and for directors and officers of Tenneco serving as
directors and officers of other entities at the request of Tenneco to the
fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. The New Tenneco Bylaws and the Newport
News Bylaws provide similar mandatory indemnification except (i) such
indemnification includes directors and officers of New Tenneco and Newport
News, respectively, serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of
another entity at the request of New Tenneco and Newport News, respectively,
and (ii) suits (or parts thereof) instituted by any such indemnitee without
approval of the New Tenneco Board of Directors or the Newport News Board of
Directors, respectively, are excluded from such mandatory indemnification.
 
  Both the New Tenneco Bylaws and the Newport News Bylaws also provide for
mandatory advancement of expenses in defending any proceeding for which
mandatory indemnification may be available. The Tenneco Bylaws do not provide
for such mandatory advancement of expenses.
 
  Under the New Tenneco Bylaws and the Newport News Bylaws, persons claiming
indemnification or advancement may file suit in respect thereof if New Tenneco
or Newport News, respectively, do not pay such a claim within [60] days after
receipt of a written claim therefor and, if successful in whole or in part,
are entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. The New Tenneco
Bylaws and the Newport News Bylaws provide that in any such action New Tenneco
or Newport News, respectively, shall have the burden of proving that the
indemnitee is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement.
Such issues are not expressly addressed by the Tenneco Bylaws.
 
DIRECTOR EXCULPATION
 
  Pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, the Tenneco Charter provides that
a director thereof shall not be liable to Tenneco or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to Tenneco or
its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit.
 
  Each of the New Tenneco Charter and the Newport News Charter provides that a
director of New Tenneco or Newport News, respectively, shall not be liable to
New Tenneco or Newport News, respectively, or its respective stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the
extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted
under the DGCL as the same exists or may thereafter be amended. Each of the
New Tenneco Charter and the Newport News Charter, therefore, affords directors
of New Tenneco and Newport News, respectively, the benefit of any subsequent
broadening of director exculpation permitted by the DGCL without the need for
a further charter amendment.
 
 
                                      159
<PAGE>
 
                        INFORMATION CONCERNING EL PASO
 
  El Paso is a Delaware corporation which was incorporated in 1928. In
recognition of changes in the natural gas industry and the manner in which El
Paso manages its businesses, and in order to facilitate a more detailed
understanding of the various activities in which it engages, El Paso began
doing business under the name El Paso Energy Corporation (effective April 22,
1996) and has segregated its business activities into three business segments:
(i) natural gas transmission, (ii) field and merchant services, and (iii)
corporate and other.
 
  The natural gas transmission segment includes one of the nation's largest
mainline natural gas transmission systems, connecting natural gas supply
regions in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado to markets in California,
Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico. The transmission
system consists of approximately 10,000 miles of pipelines and is connected to
one of the most prolific supply basins in the nation, the San Juan Basin of
northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.
 
  The field and merchant services segment provides field services including
gathering, products extraction, dehydration, purification, and compression. In
addition, the segment purchases, markets, and trades natural gas, natural gas
liquids, power, and other energy commodities and provides risk management
activities associated with those commodities. The segment has approximately
7,900 miles of gathering lines and 64,000 horsepower of compression located in
the San Juan, Anadarko, and Permian Basins, and in East Texas and Louisiana.
 
  The corporate and other segment includes El Paso Energy International and
other corporate activities. El Paso conducts its international activities
through El Paso Energy International.
 
                    DESCRIPTION OF EL PASO PREFERRED STOCK
 
  If the stockholders of El Paso do not approve the Stock Issuance, El Paso's
Board of Directors will authorize the issuance of up to     shares of the El
Paso Preferred Stock (based on an Average El Paso Common Price of $   ), to be
known as the Adjustable Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, which will be issued
to the depositary under the Depositary Agreement. El Paso Preferred Depositary
Shares, each representing a one-twentyfifth interest in a whole share of El
Paso Preferred Stock, would then be issued to holders of Tenneco Common Stock
in the Merger. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement, holders of El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares will have rights equivalent to those of holders of
whole shares of El Paso Preferred Stock (to the extent of their fractional
interests therein).
 
  The El Paso Preferred Stock will mature 20 years from date of issuance. The
El Paso Preferred Stock will be redeemable by El Paso at its option at any
time after the fifth anniversary of the Merger in whole, or in part from time
to time, on at least 30 but not more than 60 days' notice, at a redemption
price of $1,000 per share (in all cases plus dividends accrued to but
excluding the date fixed for redemption). El Paso may, at any time by and at
its option, exchange the El Paso Preferred Stock by exchanging, for each share
of El Paso Preferred Stock, the number of shares of El Paso Common Stock
having an aggregate market value of $1,000 (in all cases plus dividends
accrued to but excluding the date fixed for redemption).
 
  Dividends on the El Paso Preferred Stock will accrue from the date of issue
and will be payable quarterly on the last days of March, June, September and
December in each year (each, a "Dividend Payment Date"). The first Dividend
Payment Date shall be the next Dividend Payment Date following the date of
issue. The holders of the El Paso Preferred Stock will be entitled to
cumulative cash dividends only when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors of El Paso and out of funds legally available therefor. Accrued but
unpaid dividends on the El Paso Preferred Stock will not bear interest. The
yield on and other terms of the El Paso Preferred Stock shall be fixed so as
to cause the market price of 25 El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares to equal
approximately $1,000. The applicable rate for each dividend period shall be
the average of quotations from at least two reference banks, one selected by
El Paso and one by Tenneco except that the applicable rate for the first
dividend period will be set by Morgan Stanley if the reference banks for
Tenneco and El Paso do not agree. The applicable dividend rate will not be
less than 6.0% per annum nor higher than 10.0% per annum.
 
 
                                      160
<PAGE>
 
  In the event of any liquidation (voluntary or involuntary), dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of El Paso and before any distribution of assets to
holders of stock ranking junior to the El Paso Preferred Stock, the holders of
shares of El Paso Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to
receive, out of the assets available for distribution to holders of El Paso
Preferred Stock, an amount per share equal to $1,000 plus accrued dividends,
if any, to the date of payment.
 
  Holders of the El Paso Preferred Stock will be entitled to 15 votes per
share on each matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of El Paso's
stockholders. Whenever dividends are in arrears for six or more dividend
periods, the occurrence of such contingency shall mark the beginning of a
default period which shall extend until such time as all accrued and unpaid
dividends on the El Paso Preferred Stock shall have been declared and paid in
full. During each such default period, all holders of El Paso Preferred Stock
with dividends in arrears in an amount equal to six quarterly dividends
thereon, voting as a class, irrespective of series, shall have the right to
elect two additional directors to El Paso's Board of Directors.
 
  Shares of El Paso Preferred Stock of additional series may be issued from
time to time subject to limitations set forth in the El Paso Charter and in
the resolutions of the El Paso Board of Directors providing for any such
series which shall be mutually fixed by Tenneco and El Paso.
 
 
  Request will be made for the El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares to be rated
by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings Group.
 
  El Paso will cause the El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares to be listed on
the NYSE.
 
          COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS OF TENNECO AND EL PASO
 
GENERAL
 
  As a result of the Merger, holders of Tenneco Common Stock and Tenneco
Preferred Stock will become holders of El Paso Common Stock and possibly, in
the case of the holders of Tenneco Common Stock, El Paso Preferred Depositary
Shares and the rights of all such former Tenneco Stockholders thereafter will
be governed by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of El Paso (the "El
Paso Charter"), the By-laws of El Paso (the "El Paso By-laws"), the DGCL and,
under certain circumstances, the Depositary Agreement. The rights of the
holders of Tenneco Common Stock and Tenneco Preferred Stock presently are
governed by the Tenneco Charter, the Tenneco Bylaws and the DGCL. The
following summary, which does not purport to be a complete statement of the
general differences among the rights of the stockholders of El Paso and
Tenneco, sets forth certain differences between the El Paso Charter and the
Tenneco Charter (as presently in effect) and between the El Paso By-laws and
Tenneco Bylaws (as presently in effect). This summary is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of each of such documents and the DGCL.
For information as to how such documents may be obtained, see "AVAILABLE
INFORMATION." Upon consummation of the Merger, the Tenneco Charter and Tenneco
Bylaws will be amended as described herein under "THE MERGER--Effects of the
Merger."
 
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK
 
  El Paso. The total authorized capital stock of El Paso consists of
100,000,000 shares of El Paso Common Stock, par value $3.00 per share, and
25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share. El Paso has
designated 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock as Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "El Paso Series A
Junior Preferred Stock"), for its stockholder rights plan, none of which is
outstanding. See "--Stockholder Rights Plan." In addition, if the El Paso
stockholders do not approve the Stock Issuance, El Paso will designate and
issue El Paso Preferred Stock in connection with the Merger. See "DESCRIPTION
OF EL PASO PREFERRED STOCK" for a description of the terms of El Paso
Preferred Stock which may be issued in connection with the Merger.
 
  Tenneco. The total number of authorized shares of capital stock of Tenneco
is 415,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 350,000,000 shares of Tenneco
Common Stock, 15,000,000 shares of the Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares, and
50,000,000 shares of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares. Tenneco has
designated 803,723 shares of Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares as $4.50
Preferred Stock and 1,957,607 shares of the Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares as
$7.40 Preferred Stock. Tenneco has also designated 3,500,000 shares of the
Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares as the Tenneco Series A Junior Preferred
Stock, for its stockholder rights plan, none of which
 
                                      161
<PAGE>
 
have been issued. See "--Stockholder Rights Plan." In addition, in connection
with the Merger Tenneco plans to issue shares of a new series of the Tenneco
Junior Preferred Shares pursuant to the NPS Issuance. See "THE NPS ISSUANCE,"
"THE CHARTER AMENDMENT" and "DESCRIPTION OF THE TENNECO JUNIOR PREFERRED
STOCK."
 
PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
 
  Under the DGCL, a stockholder does not have preemptive rights unless such
rights are specifically granted in the certificate of incorporation. Both the
El Paso Charter and the Tenneco Charter deny preemptive rights to their
respective stockholders.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
  Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation and subject to other qualifications of the DGCL, each
stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held.
 
  El Paso. Each holder of any class or series of El Paso stock is entitled to
one vote for each share having voting power with respect to each matter upon
which a vote is being taken, except as provided in the El Paso Charter. The El
Paso Charter provides that holders of El Paso Series A Junior Preferred Stock
are entitled to 100 votes per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the
stockholders of El Paso, subject to adjustment. Each share of El Paso
Preferred Stock would entitle the holder thereof to 15 votes per share on all
matters submitted to a vote at any meeting of El Paso's stockholders. In
addition, the El Paso Charter provides that holders of preferred stock of El
Paso, including holders of El Paso Series A Junior Preferred Stock and any El
Paso Preferred Stock issued in connection with the Merger, shall have the
right to vote together as a class to elect two directors of El Paso during any
period that dividends on such stock are in arrears in an amount equal to six
quarterly dividends.
 
  Tenneco. Generally, holders of Tenneco Common Stock are entitled to one vote
for each share held at all meetings of stockholders and holders of Tenneco
Senior Preferred Shares and Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares are not entitled
to voting rights, unless such rights are granted in the resolution designating
a series of such stock. Holders of $7.40 Preferred Stock are entitled to one
vote for each share held at all meetings of the stockholders of Tenneco and
holders of Tenneco Series A Junior Preferred Stock are entitled to 100 votes
per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, subject to
adjustment. Holders of $7.40 Preferred Stock and Tenneco Series A Junior
Preferred Stock also are each entitled to vote to elect two directors of
Tenneco during any period that dividends payable on $7.40 Preferred Stock or
Tenneco Series A Junior Preferred Stock, as the case may be, are in arrears in
an aggregate amount equivalent to six full quarter-yearly dividends. Except as
otherwise provided by the DGCL and except as set forth in the Tenneco Charter
with respect to the rights of holders of Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares to
vote on certain matters, holders of $4.50 Preferred Stock are not entitled to
vote.
 
  In addition, consent of the holders of the Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares
or a series of such stock, as the case may be, must be obtained in the
following circumstances: (i) to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the
Tenneco Charter in a manner which adversely affects the rights, powers or
preferences of the Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares or of a series of such
stock; (ii) to create or authorize any class of stock ranking prior to or on a
parity with the Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares in respect of dividends or
distribution of assets on liquidation; (iii) to increase the authorized amount
of any class of stock ranking prior to or on a parity with the Tenneco Senior
Preferred Shares in respect of dividends or distribution of assets on
liquidation; (iv) to create or authorize any obligation or security
convertible into Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares or shares of any class of
stock ranking prior to or on a parity with Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares;
(v) to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any Tenneco Senior
Preferred Shares or shares of any class of stock ranking on a parity with
Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares while there is any default in the payment of
dividends on the Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares; or (vi) to sell, lease,
transfer or convey all, or substantially all, of Tenneco's property or
businesses or to consolidate or merge with any other corporation, with certain
exceptions (including an exception for mergers in which Tenneco is the
surviving corporation).
 
                                      162
<PAGE>
 
  Also, consents of the holders of Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares or a series
of such stock, as the case may be, must be obtained in the following
circumstances: (i) to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Tenneco
Charter in a manner which adversely affects the rights, powers or preferences
of the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares or of a series of such stock; (ii) to
create or authorize any class of stock ranking prior to or on a parity with
the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares in respect of dividends or distribution of
assets on liquidation; (iii) to increase the authorized amount of any class of
stock ranking prior to or on a parity with the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares
in respect of dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation; (iv) to
create or authorize any obligation or security convertible into Tenneco Junior
Preferred Shares or shares of any class of stock ranking prior to or on a
parity with Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares; (v) to purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire for value any Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares while there is
any default in the payment of dividends on Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares; or
(vi) to sell, lease, transfer or convey all, or substantially all, of
Tenneco's property or businesses or to consolidate or merge with any other
corporation, with certain exceptions (including an exception for Mergers in
which Tenneco is the surviving corporation). After giving effect to the
Charter Amendment, the consent rights set forth above in this paragraph will
be eliminated (although the rights described in clause (i) are generally
provided for by the DGCL). See "THE CHARTER AMENDMENT."
 
DIVIDENDS
 
  The DGCL provides that the directors of a corporation, subject to
restrictions contained in its certificate of incorporation, may declare and
pay dividends on the shares of its capital stock either (i) out of surplus or
(ii) if there is no surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which
the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year, unless the
corporation's capital is less than the amount of capital represented by the
issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the
distribution of assets.
 
  El Paso. The El Paso By-laws provide that, except as otherwise provided by
statute or by the El Paso Charter, the El Paso Board of Directors may declare
dividends upon the shares of its capital stock either (i) out of its surplus
or (ii) if there is no surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year,
whenever, and in such amounts as, in its opinion it is advisable. The El Paso
Charter requires that dividends be paid on El Paso Series A Junior Preferred
Stock in preference to the holders of El Paso Common Stock or any other junior
stock of El Paso.
 
  The El Paso Charter provides that, whenever dividends or distributions
payable on El Paso Series A Junior Preferred Stock or El Paso Preferred Stock
are in arrears, and until such dividends and distributions are paid in full,
El Paso shall not (i) declare or pay dividends and distributions on, redeem,
purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of stock ranking junior to or on a
parity with El Paso Series A Junior Preferred Stock or El Paso Preferred
Stock, as the case may be, with certain exceptions, or (ii) purchase or
otherwise acquire shares of El Paso Series A Junior Preferred Stock, or El
Paso Preferred Stock, as the case may be, with certain exceptions. If issued
in connection with the Merger, the holders of the El Paso Preferred Stock will
be entitled to cumulative cash dividends only when, as and if declared by the
Board of Directors of El Paso and out of funds legally available therefor. The
applicable dividend rate will not be less than 6.0% per annum nor higher than
10.0% per annum, and will be fixed so as to cause 25 El Paso Preferred
Depositary Shares to have a market price of $1,000. See "DESCRIPTION OF EL
PASO PREFERRED STOCK."
 
  Tenneco. The Tenneco Charter provides that, subject to the rights of holders
of Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares and Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares, the
Tenneco Board may declare and pay dividends on Tenneco Common Stock from time
to time out of funds legally available therefor. The dividend rate on the
$7.40 Preferred Stock is $7.40 per annum and the dividend rate on the $4.50
Preferred Stock is $4.50 per share per annum. The Tenneco Charter further
provides that: (i) in no event shall any dividends be paid or distributions
made, (a) in the case of Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares, on any class of
stock ranking junior to the Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares, and (b) in the
case of Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares, on any shares of stock ranking junior
to the Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares; and (ii) no shares of such junior
stock shall be purchased, retired or otherwise acquired, in each case unless
all dividends on the Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares or Tenneco Junior
Preferred Shares, as the case may be, for past periods shall have been paid or
declared and sums for the payment thereof set apart and all such dividends for
current periods shall have been paid or declared.
 
 
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REDEMPTION
 
  The DGCL provides that the stock of any class or series may be made
redeemable by the corporation at its option or at the option of the holders of
such stock, subject to certain limitations imposed by the DGCL, including the
requirements that (i) the corporation have outstanding shares of at least one
class or series of stock with full voting power which shall not be subject to
redemption, (ii) redemption must be made in accordance with the certificate of
incorporation, and (iii) the redemption not occur when the capital of the
corporation is impaired and not cause an impairment to the capital of the
corporation, with certain exceptions.
 
  El Paso. The El Paso Charter states that shares of El Paso Series A Junior
Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable. Any El Paso Preferred Stock issued in
the Merger will be redeemable at El Paso's option at any time after the fifth
anniversary of the Merger in whole or in part for $1,000 per share, plus
accrued and unpaid dividends. Each share of El Paso Preferred Stock will also
be redeemable at El Paso's option at any time for shares of El Paso Common
Stock having an aggregate market value of $1,000, plus accrued and unpaid
dividends.
 
  Tenneco. The Tenneco Charter provides that Tenneco, at the option of the
Tenneco Board of Directors, may redeem any series of Tenneco Senior Preferred
Shares and Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares which, by its terms, is redeemable.
The Tenneco Charter further provides that shares of $7.40 Preferred Stock are
subject to (i) optional redemption by Tenneco on or after March 1, 1993 at a
price of $100 per share, and (ii) mandatory redemption by Tenneco (195,761
shares per year) at a price of $100 per share or by purchase thereof in such
manner as the Tenneco Board of Directors may determine from time to time at a
price not exceeding the mandatory redemption price, provided that all shares
outstanding on March 1, 1998 will be acquired by Tenneco on such date, in each
case, together with accrued and unpaid dividends. Shares of $4.50 Preferred
Stock are subject to (A) optional redemption by Tenneco at a price of $100 per
share, and (B) mandatory redemption by Tenneco for all shares outstanding on
or before the annual dividend payment date in 1999 at a price of $100 per
share or by purchase thereof in such manner as the Tenneco Board of Directors
may determine from time to time at a price not exceeding the mandatory
redemption price, in each case, together with accrued and unpaid dividends.
Shares of Tenneco Series A Junior Preferred Stock are subject to optional
redemption at a price per share equal to 100 times the "current per share
market price" (as defined in the Tenneco Charter) of Tenneco Common Stock on
the date notice of such redemption is mailed, subject to adjustment.
 
LIQUIDATION
 
  El Paso. The El Paso Charter provides that, upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the company, no distribution shall be made to the holders of
shares of stock ranking junior to El Paso Series A Junior Preferred Stock
until holders of El Paso Series A Junior Preferred Stock have received the
required liquidation preference. Additionally, before any distribution of
assets to holders of stock ranking junior to the El Paso Preferred Stock, the
holders of shares of El Paso Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be
entitled to receive an amount per share equal to $1,000 plus accrued and
unpaid dividends, if any, to the date of payment. Following a certain
liquidation payment to holders of El Paso Common Stock, holders of El Paso
Series A Junior Preferred Stock shall receive a pro rata portion of any
remaining assets to be distributed.
 
  Tenneco. The Tenneco Charter provides that, in the event of a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the company, (i) holders of
Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares are entitled to be paid in full the amounts
fixed for such stock before any distribution or payment shall be made to the
holders of any class of stock ranking junior to Tenneco Senior Preferred
Shares, and (ii) holders of Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares are entitled to be
paid in full the amounts fixed for such stock before any distribution or
payment shall be made to the holders of any class of stock ranking junior to
Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares. After payment has been made in full to
holders of Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares and Tenneco Junior Preferred
Shares, the remaining assets and funds of the corporation shall be distributed
among holders of Tenneco Common Stock.
 
 
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SIZE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  El Paso. The El Paso By-laws provide for the number of directors to be not
less than one and permit the El Paso Board of Directors to fix the number of
directors by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office. The El Paso
Board of Directors currently consists of seven directors.
 
  Tenneco. The Tenneco Bylaws provide for the number of directors to be not
less than eight nor more than sixteen and permit the Tenneco Board of
Directors by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board to fix the
number of directors. The Tenneco Board of Directors currently consists of
eleven directors.
 
ELECTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  El Paso. The entire El Paso Board of Directors is elected by the
stockholders of El Paso at each annual meeting of stockholders for a term of
one year. As discussed in "--Voting Rights," in certain circumstances holders
of preferred stock of El Paso are entitled to elect two directors to the El
Paso Board of Directors.
 
  Tenneco. The Tenneco Board of Directors is divided into three classes of
directors. At each annual meeting of stockholders, successors to the class of
directors whose term expires at such annual meeting are elected for a three-
year term. In addition, as discussed in "--Voting Rights," in certain
circumstances holders of $7.40 Preferred Stock and Tenneco Series A Junior
Preferred Stock are each entitled to elect two directors to the Tenneco Board
of Directors. The Tenneco Charter provides that, whenever the holders of any
class of stock or any series of Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares or Tenneco
Junior Preferred Shares have the right to vote separately by class or series
to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, such
directors are not to be divided into classes unless expressly provided in the
Tenneco Charter. The Tenneco Charter relating to the $7.40 Preferred Stock
does not require such directors to be divided into classes.
 
CUMULATIVE VOTING
 
  The DGCL permits a certificate of incorporation to provide for cumulative
voting in the election of directors. Neither the El Paso Charter nor the
Tenneco Charter permits cumulative voting.
 
REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS; FILLING VACANCIES
 
  The DGCL provides that any director or the entire board of directors may be
removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares
then entitled to vote at an election of directors, unless the corporation has
a classified board or has cumulative voting. Unless otherwise provided in the
certificate of incorporation or by-laws, vacancies and newly created
directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of
directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office,
although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
 
  El Paso. The El Paso By-laws provide that any director of El Paso may be
removed, with or without cause, at any special meeting of the stockholders
called for that purpose, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of shares of El Paso entitled to vote for the election of such director, and
the vacancy in the Board caused by any such removal may be filled by the
stockholders at such a meeting. The ability of the stockholders of El Paso to
remove directors, however, is limited because the stockholders cannot call a
special meeting and no action by stockholders of El Paso may be taken by
written consent. Vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled in
the manner set forth in the DGCL.
 
  Tenneco. As provided by the DGCL, because the Tenneco Board is classified,
stockholders may remove a director only for cause. In addition, the Tenneco
Bylaws provide that any vacancy on the Tenneco Board of Directors that results
from an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the
directors then in office, provided that a quorum is present, and any other
vacancy occurring in the Board may be filled by a majority of the directors
then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
The ability of stockholders of Tenneco to remove a director also is limited
because such stockholders cannot call a special meeting of stockholders.
 
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<PAGE>
 
SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
  Under the DGCL, special meetings of stockholders may be called by the board
of directors or by such persons authorized by the certificate of incorporation
or the by-laws.
 
  El Paso. The El Paso By-laws provide that special meetings of the
stockholders for any purpose may be called only by a majority of the El Paso
Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer,
the President or the Vice Chairman of the Board. The effect of this provision
is that a stockholder could not force stockholder consideration of a proposal
over the opposition of the El Paso Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer, the President or the Vice Chairman of the Board by calling
a special meeting of stockholders prior to the time the El Paso Board of
Directors, the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the
Vice Chairman believes such consideration to be appropriate.
 
  Tenneco. The Tenneco Bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders
may be called only by the Tenneco Board of Directors. This provision prevents
a stockholder from forcing stockholder consideration of a proposal at a
special meeting over the opposition of the Tenneco Board of Directors.
 
STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT
 
  The DGCL provides that, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation, any action of stockholders may be taken without a meeting,
without prior notice and without a vote, if consents in writing, setting forth
the action so taken, are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not
less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to take such
action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present
and voted.
 
  El Paso. The El Paso Charter provides that any action by the stockholders
will be taken at a meeting of stockholders and no action may be taken by
written consent of stockholders entitled to vote on such action. The
provisions of the El Paso Charter prohibiting stockholder action by written
consent may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder
proposal until the next annual meeting of stockholders. These provisions also
would prevent the holders of a majority of the voting power of the El Paso
Common Stock from unilaterally using the written consent procedure to take
stockholder action.
 
  Tenneco. Stockholders of Tenneco are not prohibited from taking action by
written consent.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS
 
  The DGCL permits a corporation to include a provision in its certificate of
incorporation eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to
the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of the
director's fiduciary duty, except for liability for (i) any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) acts
or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, (iii) violation of certain provisions of the DGCL
relating to payment of dividends and stock repurchases, (iv) any transaction
from which the director derived an improper personal benefit, or (v) any act
or omission prior to the adoption of such provision. Each of the El Paso
Charter and the Tenneco Charter includes such a provision.
 
  While these provisions provide directors with protection from awards of
monetary damages for breaches of their duty of care, they do not eliminate
such duty. Accordingly, these provisions will have no effect on the
availability of equitable remedies such as an injunction or rescission based
on a director's breach of his or her duty of care. The provisions described
above apply to an officer of the corporation only if he or she is a director
of the corporation and is acting in his or her capacity as director, and do
not apply to officers of the corporation who are not directors.
 
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  The DGCL permits a corporation to indemnify officers, directors, employees
and agents against amounts paid and expenses incurred in connection with an
action or proceeding to which such person is or is threatened
 
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to be made a party by reason of such position if such person acted in good
faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the
best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action
which such person had no reasonable cause to believe was unlawful. The DGCL
provides that a corporation may advance expenses of defense (upon receipt of
an undertaking from any such officer or director to reimburse the corporation
if he is ultimately not entitled to indemnification) and must reimburse a
successful defendant for expenses, including attorney's fees, actually and
reasonably incurred. The DGCL provides that, in any action brought by or in
the right of the corporation, indemnification may not be made for any claim,
issue or matter as to which a person has been adjudged by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent a
court determines that the person is entitled to indemnity for such expenses.
 
  The El Paso By-laws contain substantially similar language. The Tenneco
Bylaws require indemnification of directors and officers to the extent
permitted by the DGCL and permit indemnification of employees or agents, at
the discretion of the Tenneco Board of Directors, to the same extent as
provided for directors and officers.
 
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
 
  The DGCL vests the power to adopt, amend and repeal by-laws in the
stockholders entitled to vote and permits a corporation to confer such power
on its board of directors.
 
  El Paso. The El Paso By-laws may be amended by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the entire El Paso Board of Directors, subject to the right of
stockholders to amend by-laws made or amended by the Board, by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding shares represented at a stockholder
meeting and entitled to vote thereon.
 
  Tenneco. The Tenneco Bylaws provide that the Tenneco Board of Directors may
amend the Tenneco Bylaws, but any bylaws so amended may be amended by the
stockholders of Tenneco.
 
AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
 
  The DGCL provides that an amendment to the certificate of incorporation,
after being declared advisable by the board of directors, generally must be
approved by holders of a majority of the outstanding stock of the corporation
entitled to vote thereon, unless the certificate requires a greater
percentage.
 
  El Paso. The El Paso Charter contains a provision requiring the affirmative
vote of not less than 51% of all shares entitled to vote in the election of
directors, excluding the stock of any Interested Stockholder (defined below,
with respect to El Paso), to amend (i) the "fair price" provisions described
below in "--Fair Price Provisions," and (ii) the provision prohibiting action
by stockholders by written consent. These provisions make it more difficult
for stockholders to make changes to the El Paso Charter, including changes
designed to facilitate the exercise of control over El Paso.
 
  Tenneco. The Tenneco Charter provides that, in addition to approval by the
Board of Directors of Tenneco and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage or
separate class vote may be specified by law, the Tenneco Charter or the
Tenneco Bylaws, any proposal to amend, repeal or adopt any provision
inconsistent with the provisions of the Tenneco Charter regarding Business
Combinations proposed by or on behalf of an Interested Stockholder (as each of
such terms is defined below with respect to Tenneco) or affiliate thereof
requires the affirmative vote of the holders of 66 2/3% in voting power of the
outstanding shares of voting stock, excluding shares of voting stock
beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, unless the amendment, repeal
or the adoption of any provison inconsistent with the provisions regarding
Business Combinations is unanimously recommended by the members of the Board
of Directors of Tenneco and each of such members qualifies as a Continuing
Director (as defined below). In addition, under the Tenneco Charter approval
of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares or
Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares, or of a series thereof, is required for any
charter amendment which adversely affects the rights, powers or preferences of
the Tenneco Senior Preferred Shares or Tenneco Junior Preferred Shares, or of
a series thereof, as the case may be.
 
 
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BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
 
  Under the DGCL, approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding stock of a corporation entitled to vote is
generally required for a merger or consolidation or sale, lease, or exchange
of all or substantially all of the corporation's assets to be consummated.
Unless the corporate charter provides otherwise, no vote of the stockholders
of a surviving corporation is required to approve a merger if (i) the
agreement of merger does not amend in any respect the surviving corporation's
charter, (ii) each share of the corporation's stock outstanding immediately
prior to the effective date of the merger is to remain outstanding, and (iii)
the number of shares of the surviving corporation's common stock to be issued
or delivered under the plan of merger does not exceed 20% of the surviving
corporation's common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective date
of the merger. Neither the El Paso Charter nor the Tenneco Charter addresses
the vote required by stockholders of a surviving corporation to approve a
merger, unless the fair price provisions described below are applicable.
 
FAIR PRICE PROVISIONS
 
  El Paso. The El Paso Charter provides that, in addition to any affirmative
vote otherwise required, the affirmative vote of not less than 51% of the
holders of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, excluding the
stock of an Interested Stockholder (defined below) who is a party to a
Business Combination (defined in the El Paso Charter to include certain
transactions, including a merger, sale of assets and certain
recapitalizations), shall be required for the adoption or authorization of a
Business Combination, unless Disinterested Directors (as defined in the El
Paso Charter) determine by a two-thirds vote that: (i) the Interested
Stockholder is the beneficial owner of not less than 80% of all shares
entitled to vote in the election of directors and has declared its intention
to vote in favor of or to approve such Business Combination; or (ii)(A) the
fair market value of the consideration per share to be received or retained by
the holders of each class or series of stock of El Paso in a Business
Combination is equal to or greater than the consideration per share (including
brokerage commissions and soliciting dealer's fees) paid by such Interested
Stockholder in acquiring the largest number of shares of such class of stock
previously acquired in any one transaction or series of related transactions,
whether before or after the Interested Stockholder became an Interested
Stockholder, and (B) the Interested Stockholder shall not have received the
benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder), of
any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance
provided by El Paso, whether in anticipation of or in connection with such
Business Combination or otherwise.
 
  For the purposes of the above paragraph, an "Interested Stockholder" is a
person other than El Paso who is (1) the beneficial owner of 10% or more of
the stock of El Paso entitled to vote for the election of directors, or (2) an
affiliate of El Paso which (A) at any time within a two-year period prior to
the record date for the vote on a Business Combination was the beneficial
owner of 10% or more of the stock entitled to vote in the election of
directors, or (B) at the completion of the Business Combination will be the
beneficial owner of 10% or more of such stock.
 
  The "fair price" provision is intended to ensure that all stockholders
receive equal treatment in the event of a tender or exchange offer and to
protect stockholders against certain takeover bids. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the provision also could have the effect of discouraging a third
party from making a tender or exchange offer for El Paso, even though such an
offer might be beneficial to El Paso and its stockholders.
 
  Tenneco. The Tenneco Charter requires, in addition to any other affirmative
vote required, the affirmative vote of not less than 66 2/3% of the holders of
stock entitled to vote on all matters submitted to the stockholders generally,
excluding the stock of an Interested Stockholder (defined below), for the
approval of a Business Combination (defined to include certain transactions,
including a merger, certain sales or exchanges of assets or certain
recapitalizations) with or proposed by an Interested Stockholder or an
affiliate of such, unless certain criteria set forth in the Tenneco Charter
are met, including the requirements that either (i) such Business Combination
is approved by a majority of Continuing Directors (defined generally as
directors (a) who are not affiliates, associates or representatives of the
Interested Stockholder, and who were members of the Tenneco
 
                                      168
<PAGE>
 
Board prior to the Interested Stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder
or (b) who were elected to succeed any of the Continuing Directors by a
majority of the Continuing Directors), or (ii) (a) the aggregate amount of
cash and the fair market value of consideration other than cash to be received
by holders of Tenneco Common Stock and holders of any class or series of
outstanding capital stock, other than Tenneco Common Stock, are each equal to
a certain minimum amount, (b) the consideration to be received by stockholders
meets certain requirements as to the form thereof, (c) a proxy or information
statement describing the proposed Business Combination is mailed to all
Stockholders, and (d) such Interested Stockholder shall not have made any
major change in Tenneco's business or equity capital structure without the
approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors.
 
  The term "Interested Stockholder" means any person (other than Tenneco or
one of its subsidiaries and other than any profit-sharing, employee stock
ownership or other employee benefit plan of Tenneco or one of its subsidiaries
or any trustee of or fiduciary with respect to any such plan when acting in
such capacity) who (a) is or has announced or publicly disclosed a plan or
intention to become the beneficial owner of stock representing 5% or more of
the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding shares of
stock entitled to vote generally at stockholders' meetings, or (b) is an
affiliate or associate of the corporation and at any time within the two-year
period immediately prior to the date in question was the beneficial owner of
stock representing 5% or more of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders
of all then outstanding shares of stock which are entitled to vote generally
at stockholders' meetings.
 
STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
 
  El Paso. El Paso adopted a stockholder rights plan that is designed to
protect El Paso stockholders from coercive or unfair takeover tactics. To
implement the plan, in July 1992, El Paso's Board of Directors declared a
dividend distribution of one El Paso Purchase Right for each share of El Paso
Common Stock then outstanding. All shares of El Paso Common Stock issued
subsequently also include these El Paso Purchase Rights. One El Paso Purchase
Right will be issued with respect to each share of El Paso Common Stock issued
pursuant to the Merger. Under certain conditions, each El Paso Purchase Right
may be exercised to purchase from El Paso one one-hundredth of a share of El
Paso Series A Junior Preferred Stock at a price of $75 per one one-hundredth
of a share, subject to adjustment.
 
  The El Paso Purchase Rights are exercisable only if, without the prior
consent of the El Paso Board of Directors, a person or group becomes the
beneficial owner of 15% or more of the voting power of all outstanding voting
securities of El Paso (any such person or group, an "El Paso Acquiring
Person") or commences or announces a tender or exchange offer which would
result in such person or group becoming an El Paso Acquiring Person. In the
event that a person or group becomes an El Paso Acquiring Person, or, during
such time as there is an El Paso Acquiring Person, there shall be any
reclassification of securities, or recapitalization of El Paso, or any merger
or consolidation of El Paso with any of its subsidiaries or any other
transaction or series of transactions which has the effect, directly or
indirectly, of increasing by more than 1% the proportionate share of the
outstanding shares of any class of equity securities of El Paso or any of its
subsidiaries which is directly or indirectly owned by the El Paso Acquiring
Person, then each El Paso Purchase Right not owned by the El Paso Acquiring
Person will entitle its holder to purchase, at the El Paso Purchase Right's
then-current exercise price, shares of El Paso Common Stock (or in certain
circumstances other equity securities of El Paso with at least the same
economic value as El Paso Common Stock) having a market value of twice the El
Paso Purchase Right's then-current exercise price. If, after the El Paso
Purchase Rights become exercisable, El Paso is involved in a merger or other
business combination transaction in which the El Paso Common Stock is
exchanged or changed, or it sells 50% or more of its assets or earning power,
each El Paso Purchase Right will entitle the holder to purchase, at the El
Paso Purchase Right's then-current exercise price, common stock of the
acquiring company having a value of twice the exercise price of the El Paso
Purchase Right. The El Paso Purchase Rights, which have no voting rights,
expire no later than July 7, 2002. The El Paso Purchase Rights may be redeemed
by El Paso under certain circumstances prior to their expiration date at a
purchase price of $.01 per El Paso Purchase Right. It is possible that the
existence of the El Paso Purchase Rights may have the effect of delaying,
deterring or preventing a takeover of El Paso.
 
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<PAGE>
 
  Tenneco. Under the Tenneco Rights Plan, each holder of Tenneco Common Stock
of record on June 10, 1988 received one right which represents the right to
purchase one one-hundredth of a share of Tenneco Series A Junior Preferred
Stock (a "Tenneco Purchase Right"), exercisable at a price of $130 per one
one-hundredth of a share of Tenneco Series A Junior Preferred Stock, subject
to adjustment. If a person or group (i) becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or
more of the outstanding shares of Tenneco Common Stock (a "Tenneco Acquiring
Person"), unless such person or group becomes the owner of such percentage of
shares pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer for all outstanding shares
of Tenneco Common Stock at a price and on terms determined by at least a
majority of the members of the Tenneco Board of Directors who are not officers
of Tenneco or representatives, nominees, affiliates or associates of a Tenneco
Acquiring Person, after receiving advice from one or more investment banking
firms, to be at a price that is fair to stockholders and otherwise in the best
interests of Tenneco and its stockholders, or (ii) has, in the judgment of the
Tenneco Board of Directors, acquired a substantial amount (not less than 10%)
of Tenneco Common Stock under certain motives deemed adverse to Tenneco's best
interests, each Tenneco Purchase Right entitles the holder to purchase, at the
exercise price of $130, shares of Tenneco Common Stock or other securities of
Tenneco having a value of twice such exercise price. If Tenneco is acquired in
a business combination in which Tenneco is not the surviving entity or if more
than 50% of Tenneco's assets or earning power is sold, each Tenneco Purchase
Right entitles the holder to purchase, at the exercise price, shares of the
acquiring person having a value of twice the exercise price. The Tenneco
Purchase Rights, under certain circumstances, are redeemable by Tenneco at a
price of $.02 per Tenneco Purchase Right. The Tenneco Purchase Rights, expire
June 10, 1998. See "THE MERGER" for a description of certain amendments to the
Tenneco Rights Plan made in connection with the Transaction.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The validity of the shares of El Paso Common Stock offered hereby will be
passed upon for El Paso by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, a
partnership including professional corporations, New York, New York. Certain
federal income tax consequences in connection with the Merger and
Distributions will be passed upon for Tenneco by Jenner & Block, Chicago,
Illinois. Members of the firm of Jenner & Block, including Theodore R.
Tetzlaff, who is also General Counsel of Tenneco, own         shares of
Tenneco Common Stock.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The financial statements and schedules appearing in El Paso's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, have been audited by
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, as set forth in their
report thereon included therein and incorporated by reference herein. Such
consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
  The following financial statements and schedules included or incorporated by
reference in this Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus and elsewhere in this
Registration Statement, to the extent and for the periods indicated in their
reports, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports: (i) Tenneco
Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries included in Tenneco's Annual Report on Form
10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 1995, incorporated by
reference herein; (ii) the Businesses of Tenneco Energy, included herein;
(iii) the Businesses of New Tenneco, included in the New Tenneco Information
Statement attached hereto as Appendix C; and (iv) the Businesses of Newport
News, included in the Newport News Information Statement attached hereto as
Appendix D.
 
  The combined financial statements of Mobil Plastics Division of Mobil
Corporation for the year ended December 28, 1994 appearing in the Current
Report of Tenneco Inc. on Form 8-K dated November 17, 1995, which is
incorporated by reference herein, and the combined financial statements of
Mobil Plastics Division of Mobil Oil Corporation for the period December 29,
1994 to November 17, 1995 and the year ended
 
                                      170
<PAGE>
 
December 28, 1994 appearing in the New Tenneco Information Statement attached
hereto as Appendix C, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein. Such
financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference and included
herein in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing. Such financial statements have been
incorporated herein by reference and included herein in reliance upon such
report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
  Representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP and Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. are
expected to be present at the Tenneco Special Meeting and El Paso Special
Meeting, respectively, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they
desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from
stockholders.
 
                             STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
  Stockholders wishing to present proposals at the 1997 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Tenneco should submit such proposals in writing to Tenneco at
its principal executive offices no later than December 9, 1996, so that they
may be considered by Tenneco for inclusion in its proxy statement and form of
proxy relating to that meeting. Tenneco will consider for inclusion in the
proxy statement only proposals meeting the requirements of applicable SEC
rules.
 
  Stockholder proposals submitted for inclusion in El Paso's proxy statement to
be issued in connection with El Paso's 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must
be delivered to the Corporate Secretary, El Paso Natural Gas Company, 100 North
Stanton Street, El Paso, Texas 79901, and must be received by the Corporate
Secretary on or before November 22, 1996. El Paso will consider for inclusion
in the proxy statement only proposals meeting the requirements of applicable
SEC rules.
 
                                      171
<PAGE>
 
                         INDEX OF CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TERM                                                                  PAGE
- ----                                                                  ----
<S>                                                                  <C>
"1995 Rate Case"......................................................  48
"$4.50 Preferred Stock"...............................................   1
"$7.40 Preferred Stock"...............................................   1
"Acquisition".........................................................   3
"Acquisition Transaction".............................................  91
"Actual Energy Debt Amount"...........................................  15
"ALJ".................................................................  47
"Ancillary Agreements"................................................  24
"Average El Paso Common Price"........................................   4
"Average Period"......................................................   4
"Base Debt Amount"....................................................  15
"Benefits Agreement"..................................................  81
"Cash Realignment"....................................................  16
"Charter Amendment"...................................................   2
"Closing".............................................................  87
"Code"................................................................  25
"Collar"..............................................................   4
"Consulting Agreement"................................................  27
"Corporate Restructuring                          
 Transactions"........................................................   1
"Debt and Cash Allocation                         
 Agreement"...........................................................  76
"Debt Cash Adjustment" ...............................................  15
"Debt Exchange Offer".................................................  23
"Debt Realignment"....................................................  15
"Debt Tender Offer"...................................................  23
"Distribution Agreement"..............................................   1
"Distributions".......................................................   2
"El Paso".............................................................   1
"El Paso Common Stock"................................................   2
"El Paso Preferred Depositary                     
 Shares"..............................................................   2
"El Paso Preferred Stock".............................................   2
"El Paso Special Meeting..............................................   1
"El Paso Subsidiary"..................................................   2
"Eligible Stock"......................................................  98
"Energy Assets".......................................................  78
"Energy Business".....................................................   2
"Energy Group"........................................................  23
"Energy Liabilities"..................................................  78
"Energy Subsidiaries".................................................  77
"Equity Consideration"................................................   3
"Exchange Act"........................................................   7
"Exchange Agent"......................................................  89
"FERC"................................................................  13
"GSR".................................................................  27
"GSR Proceeding"......................................................  27
"GSR Ruling"..........................................................  27
"HSR Act".............................................................  26
"Higher Proposal".....................................................  26
"Industrial Assets"...................................................  78
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TERM                                                                   PAGE
- ----                                                                   ----
<S>                                                                    <C>
"Industrial Business".................................................   1
"Industrial Group"....................................................  24
"Industrial Liabilities"..............................................  78
"Insurance Agreement".................................................  82
"IRS".................................................................   6
"IRS Letter Ruling"...................................................  25
"Maximum El Paso Price"...............................................   4
"Merger"..............................................................   2
"Merger Agreement"....................................................   2
"Minimum El Paso Price"...............................................   4
"Natural Gas Act"..................................................... 116
"New Tenneco".........................................................   1
"New Tenneco Common Stock"............................................   2
"New Tenneco Distribution"............................................   2
"New Tenneco Information Statement"...................................   7
"New Tenneco Rights Plan"............................................. 157
"Newport News"........................................................   1
"Newport News Common Stock"...........................................   2
"Newport News Distribution"...........................................   2
"Newport News Information Statement"..................................   7
"NPS Issuance"........................................................   5
"NPS Issuance Proceeds"...............................................  15
"NYSE"................................................................   3
"Registration Statement"..............................................   7
"S/I Transaction".....................................................  90
"SEC".................................................................   7
"Securities Act"......................................................   7
"Shipbuilding Assets".................................................  78
"Shipbuilding Business"...............................................   1
"Shipbuilding Group"..................................................  24
"Shipbuilding Liabilities"............................................  78
"Stock Issuance"......................................................   2
"Tax Opinion".........................................................  26
"Tax Sharing Agreement"...............................................  83
"TBS Services Agreement"..............................................  84
"Tenneco".............................................................   1
"Tenneco Common Stock"................................................   1
"Tenneco Energy"......................................................   2
"Tenneco Energy Consolidated Debt"....................................  15
"Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock"......................................   5
"Tenneco Preferred Stock".............................................   1
"Tenneco Special Meeting".............................................   1
"Tenneco Stock".......................................................   1
"Tenneco Stockholders"................................................   2
"Termination Date"....................................................  27
"Termination Fee".....................................................  27
"Transition Services Agreement".......................................  84
</TABLE>
 
                                      172
<PAGE>
 
              INDEX TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
  Report of Independent Public Accountants................................ F-3
  Combined Statements of Income for each of the three years in period
   ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1996 and
   1995................................................................... F-4
  Combined Balance Sheets--December 31, 1995 and 1994 and June 30, 1996... F-5
  Combined Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the
   period ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1996
   and 1995............................................................... F-6
  Statements of Changes in Combined Equity for each of the three years in
   the period ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30,
   1996................................................................... F-7
  Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................................. F-8
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
  Valuation and Qualifying Accounts--The Businesses of Tenneco Energy..... S-1
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
 
 
 
                      [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Tenneco Inc.:
 
  We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of the businesses
of Tenneco Energy (see Note 1) as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the
related combined statements of income, cash flows and changes in combined
equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995.
These combined financial statements and the schedule referred to below are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these combined financial statements and schedule based on our
audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the combined financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the combined
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall combined financial statement presentation. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of the
businesses of Tenneco Energy as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the results
of its combined operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
  Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
combined financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule
listed in the index to the combined financial statements and schedule is
presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange
Commission's rules and is not part of the basic combined financial statements.
The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures
applied in the audits of the basic combined financial statements and, in our
opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to
be set forth therein in relation to the basic combined financial statements of
the businesses of Tenneco Energy taken as a whole.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Houston, Texas
August 19, 1996
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
                         COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER   SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                              31,                JUNE 30,
                                      ---------------------  ----------------
(MILLIONS)                             1995    1994   1993    1996       1995
- ----------                            ------  ------ ------  ------    ------
                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                   <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>       <C>    
REVENUES
Net sales and operating revenues..... $1,921  $2,381 $2,866  $1,370    $  939
Other income--                                                     
  Interest income....................     85      65     25      31        44
  Equity in net income of affiliated                               
   companies.........................     65      51     47      18        37
  Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net.     11       1     62      42        (7)
  Gain on the sale by a subsidiary of                              
   its stock.........................     --      23     --      --        --
  Other income, net..................     29      17     37       6        19
                                      ------  ------ ------  ------    ------
                                       2,111   2,538  3,037   1,467     1,032
                                      ------  ------ ------  ------    ------
COSTS AND EXPENSES                                                 
Cost of gas sold.....................    954   1,472  1,786     795       493
Operating expenses...................    414     379    442     230       170
General and administrative...........    200     143    169     113        96
Finance charges......................     79      75     51      34        43
Depreciation, depletion and                                        
 amortization........................    196     102    170     107        90
                                      ------  ------ ------  ------    ------
                                       1,843   2,171  2,618   1,279       892
                                      ------  ------ ------  ------    ------
Income before interest expense and                                 
 income taxes........................    268     367    419     188       140
Interest expense, net of interest                                  
 allocated to affiliates.............    122     142    127      63        61
                                      ------  ------ ------  ------    ------
Income before income taxes...........    146     225    292     125        79
Income tax expense (benefit).........    (11)     72    104      22        32
                                      ------  ------ ------  ------    ------
Income before extraordinary loss.....    157     153    188     103        47
Extraordinary loss, net of income                                  
 tax.................................     --      --    (25)     --        --
                                      ------  ------ ------  ------    ------
Net income .......................... $  157  $  153 $  163  $  103    $   47
                                      ======  ====== ======  ======    ======
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to combined financial statements are an integral part of
                      these combined statements of income.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
                            COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       DECEMBER 31,
                                                       -------------  JUNE 30,
(MILLIONS)                                              1995   1994     1996
- ----------                                             ------ ------ -----------
                                                                     (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                    <C>    <C>    <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and temporary cash investments................  $  249 $   48   $  100
  Receivables--
   Customer notes and accounts (net).................     508    961      503
   Affiliated companies..............................     199    215      170
   Gas transportation and exchange...................      64    214      151
   Income taxes......................................     133    234      105
   Other.............................................     436    130      261
  Inventories........................................      24     22       24
  Deferred income taxes..............................      --     --       21
  Prepayments and other..............................      83     92       93
                                                       ------ ------   ------
                                                        1,696  1,916    1,428
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Investments and other assets:
  Investment in affiliated companies.................     280    358      230
  Long-term notes and other receivables (net) .......     352    683      235
  Goodwill...........................................      22     25       37
  Other..............................................     601    307      685
                                                       ------ ------   ------
                                                        1,255  1,373    1,187
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Plant, property and equipment, at cost...............   6,272  5,768    6,436
  Less--Reserves for depreciation, depletion and
   amortization......................................   3,431  3,327    3,512
                                                       ------ ------   ------
                                                        2,841  2,441    2,924
                                                       ------ ------   ------
                                                       $5,792 $5,730   $5,539
                                                       ====== ======   ======
LIABILITIES AND COMBINED EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Short-term debt (including current maturities on
   long-term debt)...................................  $  456 $  399   $  521
  Payables--
   Trade.............................................     365    324      312
   Affiliated companies..............................      88     47      113
   Gas transportation and exchange...................      28    159      107
  Taxes accrued......................................     525     56       25
  Deferred income taxes..............................      65     29       --
  Interest accrued...................................     102    124       97
  Natural gas pipeline revenue reservation...........      27    190       59
  Other..............................................     428    238      537
                                                       ------ ------   ------
                                                        2,084  1,566    1,771
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Long-term debt.......................................   1,811  2,242    1,519
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Deferred income taxes................................     323    735      413
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Postretirement benefits..............................     260    288      246
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Deferred credits and other liabilities...............     478    351      406
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Commitments and contingencies
Minority interest....................................      19     19       18
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Preferred stock with mandatory redemption provisions.     130    147      112
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Combined equity......................................     687    382    1,054
                                                       ------ ------   ------
                                                       $5,792 $5,730   $5,539
                                                       ====== ======   ======
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to combined financial statements are an integral part of
                         these combined balance sheets.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
                       COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   SIX MONTHS
                                                YEARS ENDED           ENDED
                                               DECEMBER 31,         JUNE 30,
                                            ---------------------  ------------
(MILLIONS)                                  1995   1994    1993    1996   1995
- ----------                                  -----  -----  -------  -----  -----
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                         <C>    <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income................................  $ 157  $ 153  $   163  $ 103  $  47
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
 cash provided (used) by operating
 activities --
  Extraordinary loss, net of tax..........     --     --       25     --     --
  Depreciation, depletion and
   amortization...........................    196    102      170    107     90
  Equity in net income of affiliated
   companies, net of dividends............    (12)    (3)      (5)    (1)   (12)
  Deferred income taxes...................     88     51       93      5     (7)
  (Gain) loss on sale of assets, net......    (11)   (24)     (62)   (42)     7
  Cash paid for interest allocated to
   affiliates, net of tax.................   (117)   (78)     (81)   (75)   (56)
  Changes in components of working
   capital--
   (Increase) decrease in receivables.....    451     17       78     19    163
   (Increase) decrease in prepayments and
    other current assets..................      8     35       51      4      8
   Increase (decrease) in payables........    (25)  (262)    (241)    (2)   (70)
   Increase (decrease) in taxes accrued...     40   (252)      90   (235)     9
   Increase (decrease) in interest
    accrued...............................    (52)   (39)     (32)   (15)   (27)
   Increase (decrease) in natural gas
    pipeline revenue reservation..........   (156)   (91)     136     11   (179)
   Increase (decrease) in other current
    liabilities...........................   (102)   (60)    (122)  (161)    (7)
  (Increase) decrease in long-term notes
   and other receivables (net)............    332    228       --    138    199
  Take-or-pay (refunds to customers)
   recoupments, net.......................     36     26      (34)     2     25
  Other...................................    (68)   (81)     (20)   (43)   (16)
                                            -----  -----  -------  -----  -----
Net cash provided (used) by operating
 activities...............................    765   (278)     209   (185)   174
                                            -----  -----  -------  -----  -----
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from sale of assets..........     17     68      114    278     13
Expenditures for plant, property and
 equipment................................   (337)  (345)    (171)  (164)  (113)
Acquisitions of businesses................   (241)    --       --     --   (225)
Investments and other.....................     24     48       22      3     59
                                            -----  -----  -------  -----  -----
Net cash provided (used) by investing
 activities...............................   (537)  (229)     (35)   117   (266)
                                            -----  -----  -------  -----  -----
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of Tenneco Inc. common, treasury
 and SECT shares..........................    102    188    1,215     46     39
Purchase of Tenneco Inc. common stock.....   (655)   (26)      (7)  (122)  (450)
Redemption of Tenneco Inc. preferred
 stock....................................    (20)   (20)     (30)   (20)   (20)
Dividends (Tenneco Inc. common and
 preferred stock).........................   (286)  (318)    (307)  (158)  (146)
Redemption of equity securities by a
 subsidiary...............................     --   (160)      --     --     --
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt
 excluding current maturities on long-term
 debt.....................................    415    (97)      19    164     34
Issuance of long-term debt................    594     --       --     --     --
Retirement of long-term debt..............   (497)  (508)  (1,335)  (292)  (180)
Net cash contributions from affiliates....    320  1,367      396    301    786
                                            -----  -----  -------  -----  -----
Net cash provided (used) by financing
 activities...............................    (27)   426      (49)   (81)    63
                                            -----  -----  -------  -----  -----
Increase (decrease) in cash and temporary
 cash investments.........................    201    (81)     125   (149)   (29)
Cash and temporary cash investments, at
 beginning of period......................     48    129        4    249     48
                                            -----  -----  -------  -----  -----
Cash and temporary cash investments, at
 end of period............................  $ 249  $  48  $   129  $ 100  $  19
                                            =====  =====  =======  =====  =====
Cash paid during the year for interest....  $ 420  $ 349  $   498  $ 220  $ 210
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
 (net of refunds and tax payments from
 affiliates)..............................  $(123) $(129) $    14  $ 516  $  56
</TABLE>
 
Note: Cash and temporary cash investments include highly liquid investments
      with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
 
The accompanying notes to combined financial statements are an integral part of
                    these combined statements of cash flows.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
                    STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN COMBINED EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS)
- ----------
<S>                                                                    <C>
Balance, December 31, 1992............................................ $(1,503)
  Net income..........................................................     163
  Cash paid for interest allocated to affiliates, net of tax..........     (81)
  Change in corporate debt allocated to affiliates....................    (905)
  Cash contributions from (distributions to) affiliates, net..........     396
  Noncash contributions from (distributions to) affiliates, net.......     360
  Contributions from (distributions to) shareowners, net..............     918
                                                                       -------
Balance, December 31, 1993............................................    (652)
  Net income..........................................................     153
  Cash paid for interest allocated to affiliates, net of tax..........     (78)
  Change in corporate debt allocated to affiliates....................    (135)
  Cash contributions from (distributions to) affiliates, net..........   1,367
  Noncash contributions from (distributions to) affiliates, net.......     (98)
  Contributions from (distributions to) shareowners, net..............    (175)
                                                                       -------
Balance, December 31, 1994............................................     382
  Net income..........................................................     157
  Cash paid for interest allocated to affiliates, net of tax..........    (117)
  Change in corporate debt allocated to affiliates....................     930
  Cash contributions from (distributions to) affiliates, net..........     320
  Noncash contributions from (distributions to) affiliates, net.......    (235)
  Contributions from (distributions to) shareowners, net..............    (750)
                                                                       -------
Balance, December 31, 1995............................................     687
  Net income..........................................................     103
  Cash paid for interest allocated to affiliates, net of tax..........     (75)
  Change in corporate debt allocated to affiliates....................     111
  Cash contributions from (distributions to) affiliates, net..........     301
  Noncash contributions from (distributions to) affiliates, net.......     140
  Contributions from (distributions to) shareowners, net..............    (213)
                                                                       -------
Balance, June 30, 1996 (unaudited).................................... $ 1,054
                                                                       =======
</TABLE>
 
 
 
The accompanying notes to combined financial statements are an integral part of
                these statements of changes in combined equity.
 
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
 Basis of Presentation
 
  The accompanying combined financial statements represent the financial
position, results of operations and cash flows of all energy businesses and
operations owned directly or indirectly by Tenneco Inc. ("Tenneco") and its
subsidiaries, and other existing and discontinued operations of Tenneco and
its subsidiaries other than those relating to Tenneco's automotive, packaging,
administrative services and shipbuilding businesses. The combination of these
energy businesses and operations and such other existing and discontinued
operations of Tenneco, together with Tenneco (which will remain the parent
company of such businesses and operations after the Distributions and Merger
described in Note 2 below) are collectively referred to herein as "Tenneco
Energy" or the "Company".
 
  Investments in 20% to 50% owned companies where Tenneco Energy has the
ability to exert significant influence over operating and financial policies
are carried at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings since date of
acquisition. Reference is made to Note 11, "Investment in Affiliated
Companies," for information concerning significant equity method investees.
All significant transactions and balances among combined businesses have been
eliminated.
 
 Description of Business
 
  Tenneco Energy is engaged primarily in the interstate transportation of
natural gas. The Company is also engaged in related businesses that are not
generally subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
("FERC"). The principal activities of these businesses include the intrastate
transportation and marketing of natural gas, the development of and
participation in international natural gas pipelines, primarily in Australia,
the participation in international and domestic gas-fired power generation
projects and the development of natural gas production and production
financing programs, primarily in the United States. Tenneco Energy, through
its combined subsidiary Tenneco Credit Corporation ("TCC"), is also engaged in
financing, on a nonrecourse basis, receivables of certain current and former
operating divisions of Tenneco.
 
2. MERGER AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  On June 19, 1996, Tenneco and El Paso Natural Gas Company ("El Paso")
entered into a merger agreement pursuant to which a subsidiary of El Paso will
be merged with and into Tenneco (the "Merger") which, immediately following
the distributions discussed below, will consist only of the energy businesses
and operations and the other existing and discontinued operations of Tenneco.
The Merger is part of a larger Tenneco reorganization (the "Transaction"),
which includes the distribution of all of the outstanding shares of common
stock of New Tenneco Inc., a newly formed subsidiary of Tenneco which, after
giving effect to certain corporate restructuring transactions, will hold the
assets, liabilities and operations of Tenneco's current automotive and
packaging businesses and its administrative services business ("New Tenneco"),
and Newport News Shipbuilding Inc., a subsidiary of Tenneco that was formerly
named Tenneco InterAmerica Inc. and that will hold all of the assets,
liabilities and operations of Tenneco's current shipbuilding business
("Newport News"), to the holders of Tenneco common stock (collectively, the
"Distributions"). Upon completion of the Transaction, holders of Tenneco
common stock will receive equity securities in New Tenneco, Newport News and
El Paso.
 
  Prior to the Transaction Tenneco intends to initiate a realignment of its
existing indebtedness. As part of the debt realignment, certain New Tenneco
debt will be offered in exchange for certain issues of Tenneco debt. Tenneco
will initiate tender offers for other Tenneco debt, and certain debt issues
may be defeased. These tender offers and defeasances will be financed by a
combination of new lines of credit of the Company, New Tenneco
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
(which will dividend $300 million of its borrowings to Tenneco) and Newport
News (which will dividend $600 million of its borrowings to Tenneco). Upon
completion of the debt realignment, Tenneco will have responsibility for $2.65
billion of debt and preferred stock, subject to certain adjustments, Newport
News will have responsibility for the borrowings under its credit lines and
New Tenneco will have responsibility for the remaining debt.
 
  The Transaction is subject to certain conditions, including receipt of a
favorable ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the
Distributions and certain internal spin-off transactions will be tax-free for
federal income tax purposes and approval by Tenneco's shareowners.
 
  In order to assist in the orderly transition of New Tenneco and Newport News
into separate, publicly held companies, Tenneco intends to modify, amend or
enter into certain contractual agreements with New Tenneco and Newport News,
including a tax sharing agreement (see "Income taxes" in Note 3), an employee
benefits agreement, an insurance agreement, an administrative services
agreement and other ancillary agreements. These agreements will provide, among
other things, that: (i) New Tenneco will become the sole sponsor of the
Tenneco Inc. Retirement Plan, the Tenneco Inc. Thrift Plan, and various
Tenneco Inc. welfare plans; (ii) New Tenneco and Newport News will retain
specific insurance policies relating to their businesses and will continue to
have rights and obligations under certain parent-company level insurance
policies of Tenneco; and (iii) at the election of Tenneco pursuant to El
Paso's request, New Tenneco will provide certain services, such as mainframe
data processing and product purchasing services, to the Company for a limited
period of time following the Distributions.
 
3. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 Use of Estimates
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions in determining the reported amounts of the Company's assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses. Reference is made to the "Revenue
Recognition" and "Income Taxes" sections of this footnote and Notes 9, 13, 14
and 15 for additional information on significant estimates included in the
Company's combined financial statements.
 
 Unaudited Interim Information
 
  The unaudited interim combined financial statements as of June 30, 1996 and
for each of the six month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995, included
herein, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of
the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting
principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company's
management, the unaudited interim combined financial statements contain all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary
for a fair presentation. The interim financial results may not be indicative
of operating results for an entire year.
 
 Notes Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Notes
 
  Short-term notes receivable of $302 million and $305 million were
outstanding at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, of which $216 million
and $284 million, respectively, related to TCC. These notes receivable are
presented net of unearned finance charges of $26 million and $43 million at
December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, which related to TCC. At December
31, 1995 and 1994, unearned finance charges related to long-term notes and
other receivables were $23 million and $66 million, respectively, which relate
to TCC.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
   At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the allowance for doubtful accounts and
notes receivable was $49 million and $21 million, respectively.
 
 Inventory
 
  Inventories, consisting of materials and supplies are valued at the lower of
average cost or market.
 
 Property, Plant and Equipment, at Cost
 
  The majority of the Company's property, plant and equipment consists of its
investment in interstate and intrastate pipeline systems. At December 31, 1995
and 1994, $223 million and $160 million, respectively, of the Company's
property, plant and equipment balance is construction work in progress.
Additionally, the Company has recorded capitalized interest and an allowance
for equity funds used during construction in the cost of property, plant and
equipment. Pursuant to a FERC order, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, a
combined subsidiary of the Company ("Tennessee") recorded all natural gas in
storage as a fixed asset. As of December 31, 1995 and 1994, the balance of
Tennessee's natural gas in storage included in property, plant and equipment
was $96 million.
 
 Depreciation, Depletion and amortization
 
  Depreciation of the Company's regulated transmission plants are provided
using the composite method over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable
facilities. The rates for depreciation range from 2% to 5%. Costs of
properties that are not operating units, as defined by the FERC, which are
retired, sold or abandoned by the regulated subsidiaries are credited or
charged, net of salvage, to accumulated depreciation. Gains or losses on sales
of operating units are credited or charged to income.
 
  Depreciation of the Company's nonregulated properties is provided using the
straight line or composite method which, in the opinion of management, is
adequate to allocate the cost of properties over their estimated useful lives.
 
 Goodwill
 
  Goodwill is being amortized over a 15-year period using the straight-line
method. Such amortization amounted to $1.8 million for 1995, 1994 and 1993 and
is included in "Other income, net" in the accompanying combined statements of
income. Accumulated amortization of goodwill was $5.4 million and $3.6 million
at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
 Environmental Liabilities
 
  Expenditures for ongoing compliance with environmental regulations that
relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate.
Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations,
and which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation, are
expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments indicate
that remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.
Estimates of the liability are based upon currently available facts, existing
technology and presently enacted laws and regulations taking into
consideration the likely effects of inflation and other societal and economic
factors. All available evidence is considered including prior experience in
remediation of contaminated sites, other companies clean-up experience and
data released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or other
organizations. These estimated liabilities are subject to revision in future
periods based on actual costs or new circumstances. These liabilities are
included in the combined balance sheets at their undiscounted amounts.
Recoveries are evaluated separately from the liability and, when recovery is
assured, are
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
recorded and reported separately from the associated liability in the combined
financial statements. Reference is made to Note 15, "Commitments and
Contingencies--Environmental Matters" for further information on this subject.
 
 Revenue Recognition
 
  The regulated subsidiaries of the Company are subject to FERC regulations
and, accordingly, revenues are collected subject to possible refunds pending
final FERC orders. The regulated subsidiaries record rate refund accruals
based on management's estimate of the expected income impact of the rate
proceedings. The Company has recorded revenue reservations of $27 million and
$190 million as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The Company
believes the estimate for revenues subject to refund is adequate.
 
 Other Income
 
  Gains or losses on the sale by a subsidiary of its stock are included in
"Other Income, net" in the accompanying combined statements of income.
 
 Income Taxes
 
  The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes
whereby it recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax
consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and
liabilities and their reported amounts in the combined financial statements.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, based upon
management's estimates, it is more likely than not that a portion of the
deferred tax assets will not be realized in a future period. The estimates
utilized in the recognition of deferred tax assets are subject to revision in
future periods based on new facts or circumstances.
 
  Tenneco, together with certain of its subsidiaries which are owned 80% or
more (including Tenneco Energy), have entered into an agreement to file a
consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. Such agreement provides, among
other things, that (i) each company in a taxable income position will be
currently charged with an amount equivalent to its federal income tax computed
on a separate return basis, and (ii) each company in a tax loss position will
be reimbursed currently to the extent its deductions, including general
business credits, are utilized in the consolidated return. The income tax
amounts reflected in the combined financial statements of Tenneco Energy under
the provisions of the tax sharing arrangement are not materially different
from the income taxes which would have been provided had Tenneco Energy filed
a separate tax return. Under the tax sharing agreement, Tenneco pays all
federal taxes directly and bills or refunds, as applicable, its subsidiaries,
including those comprising Tenneco Energy, for the applicable portion of the
total tax payments.
 
  In connection with the Distributions, the current tax sharing agreement will
be cancelled and the Company will enter into a tax sharing agreement among
Newport News, New Tenneco and El Paso. The tax sharing agreement will provide,
among other things, for the allocation of taxes among the parties of tax
liabilities arising prior to, as a result of, and subsequent to the
Distributions. Generally, Tenneco will be liable for taxes imposed on Tenneco
Energy. Federal income taxes imposed with respect to periods prior to the
consummation of the Distributions on the combined activities of Tenneco and
other members of its consolidated group prior to giving effect to the
Distributions will be allocated among the Company, New Tenneco and Newport
News according to their respective share of consolidated taxable income.
 
 Changes in Accounting Principles
 
  In June 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("FAS") No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and
Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
of Liabilities," which establishes new accounting and reporting standards for
transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of
liabilities. The statement is effective for transactions occurring after
December 31, 1996. The impact of the new standard has not been determined.
 
  Effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted FAS No. 121, "Accounting for
the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
Of". FAS No. 121 establishes new accounting standards for measuring the
impairment of long-lived assets. The adoption of this new standard had no
material impact on the Company's combined financial position or results of
operations.
 
  Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers'
Accounting for Postemployment Benefits." This new accounting rule requires
employers to account for postemployment benefits for former or inactive
employees, after employment but before retirement, on the accrual basis rather
than the "pay-as-you-go" basis. The adoption of this new standard had no
material impact on the Company's combined financial position or results of
operations.
 
 Risk Management Activities
 
  The Company is currently a party to financial instruments and commodity
contracts to hedge its exposure to changes in interest rates and natural gas
prices. These financial instruments and commodity contracts are accounted for
on the accrual basis with gains and losses being recognized based on the type
of contract and exposure being hedged. The amounts paid or received under
interest rate swap agreements are recognized, on the accrual basis, as an
adjustment to interest expense. Net gains and losses on energy commodity
contracts and financial instruments are deferred and recognized when the
hedged transaction is consummated. In the combined statements of cash flows,
cash receipts or payments related to these financial instruments and commodity
contracts are classified consistent with the cash flows from the transactions
being hedged.
 
4. ACQUISITIONS
 
  During 1995, the Company acquired the natural gas pipeline assets of the
Pipeline Authority of South Australia, which includes a 488-mile pipeline, for
approximately $225 million. Also during 1995, the Company acquired a 50%
interest in two gas-fired cogeneration plants from ARK Energy, a privately-
owned power generation company, for approximately $65 million in cash and
Tenneco common stock. Each of the acquisitions was accounted for as a
purchase. If these assets and investments had been acquired January 1, 1995,
net income would not have been significantly different from the reported
amount.
 
5. DISPOSITION OF ASSETS AND EXTRAORDINARY LOSS
 
 Disposition of Assets
 
  During the first six months of 1996, the Company sold its 13.2% interest in
Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P., its 50% interest in Dauphin Island
Gathering System, an investment in stock and certain other assets, resulting
in a pre-tax gain of $42 million.
 
  In December 1995, the Company sold its 50% interest in Kern River Gas
Transmission Company ("Kern River") for a pre-tax gain of $30 million. Kern
River owns a 904-mile pipeline extending from Wyoming to California. Also in
1995, the Company sold certain other facilities and assets for a combined pre-
tax loss of $19 million.
 
  In 1994, Tenneco Energy Resources Corporation, a combined subsidiary which
operates the Company's nonregulated gas marketing and intrastate pipeline
businesses, issued 50 shares of its common stock, diluting Tenneco's ownership
in this subsidiary to 80% and resulting in a gain of $23 million. No taxes
were provided on the gain because management expects that the recorded
investment will be recovered in a tax-free manner.
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  During 1993, the Company disposed of two wholly-owned companies, Viking Gas
Transmission Company and Dean Pipeline Company, and investments in stock and
certain other assets for a total pre-tax gain of $62 million.
 
 Extraordinary Loss
 
  In April 1993, Tenneco issued 23.5 million shares of its common stock for
approximately $1.1 billion. The proceeds were used to retire $327 million of
short-term debt, $688 million of long-term debt and $14 million of variable-
rate preferred stock. In November 1993, Tenneco retired DM250 million bonds.
The redemption premium related to the retirement of long-term debt resulting
from these two transactions ($25 million, net of income tax benefits of $13
million) was recorded as an extraordinary loss.
 
6. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
 Combined Equity
 
  The "Combined equity" caption in the accompanying combined financial
statements represents Tenneco's cumulative investment in the combined
businesses of Tenneco Energy. Changes in the "Combined equity" caption
represent the net income of the Company, cash paid for interest allocated to
affiliates, net of tax, changes in corporate debt allocated to affiliates, net
cash and noncash contributions from (distributions to) affiliates and net
contributions from (distributions to) shareowners. Reference is made to the
Statements of Changes in Combined Equity for an analysis of activity in the
"Combined equity" caption for each of the three years ended December 31, 1995
and for the six months ended June 30, 1996.
 
 General and Administrative Expenses
 
  Included in the total general and administrative expenses for 1995, 1994 and
1993, is $16 million, $13 million, and $17 million, respectively, which
represents Tenneco Energy's share of Tenneco's corporate general and
administrative costs for legal, financial, communication and other
administrative services. Tenneco's corporate general and administrative
expenses are allocated based on the estimated level of effort devoted to
Tenneco's various operations and relative size based on revenues, gross
property and payroll. The Company's management believes the method for
allocating corporate general and administrative expenses is reasonable. Total
general and administrative expenses reflected in the accompanying combined
statements of income are reasonable when compared with the total general and
administrative costs Tenneco Energy would have incurred on a stand-alone basis.
 
 Corporate Debt and Interest Allocations
 
  Tenneco's historical practice has been to incur indebtedness for its
consolidated group at the parent company level or at a limited number of
subsidiaries, rather than at the operating company level, and to centrally
manage various cash functions. Consequently, corporate debt of Tenneco and its
related interest expense has been allocated to New Tenneco and Newport News
based upon the portion of Tenneco's investment in New Tenneco and Newport News
which is deemed to be debt, generally based upon the ratio of New Tenneco's and
Newport News' net assets to Tenneco consolidated net assets plus debt. Interest
expense was allocated at a rate equivalent to the weighted-average cost of all
corporate debt, which was 7.7%, 8.3% and 7.4% for 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively. Total pre-tax interest expense allocated to New Tenneco and
Newport News in 1995, 1994 and 1993 was $180 million, $120 million and $124
million, respectively. New Tenneco and Newport News have also been allocated
tax benefits totaling approximately 35% of the allocated pre-tax interest
expense. Although interest expense, and the related tax effects, have been
allocated to New Tenneco and Newport News for financial
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
reporting on a historical basis, New Tenneco and Newport News have not been
billed for these amounts. The changes in allocated corporate debt and the
after-tax allocated interest expense have been included as a component of the
Company's combined equity. Although, management believes that the historical
allocation of corporate debt and interest expense is reasonable, it is not
necessarily indicative of the Company's debt upon completion of the Debt
Realignment.
 
 Notes and Advances Payable with Affiliates
 
  "Cash contributions from (distributions to) affiliates" in the Statements of
Changes in Combined Equity consist of net cash changes in notes and advances
payable between the Company and New Tenneco and Newport News which have been
included in combined equity. Historically, Tenneco has utilized notes and
advances to centrally manage cash funding requirements for its consolidated
group.
 
  At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company had an interest bearing note
payable to New Tenneco totaling $494 million and $310 million, respectively,
which is due on demand and is included as a component of the Company's
combined equity. At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company had a non-interest
bearing note payable to Newport News totalling $965 million and $991 million,
respectively, which is due on demand and is included as a component of the
Company's combined equity.
 
 Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable--Affiliated Companies
 
  The "Payables--Affiliated companies" balance primarily includes billings for
general and administrative costs incurred by New Tenneco and charged to
Tenneco Energy. The "Receivables--Affiliated companies" balance primarily
relates to billings for U.S. income taxes incurred by Tenneco and charged to
New Tenneco and Newport News. Affiliated accounts receivable and accounts
payable between the Company and New Tenneco and Newport News will be settled,
capitalized or converted into ordinary trade accounts, as applicable, as part
of the Distributions.
 
 Employee Benefits
 
  Certain employees of the Company participate in Tenneco's employee stock
ownership and employee stock purchase plans. The Tenneco employee stock
ownership plan provides for the grant of Tenneco common stock options and
other stock awards at a price not greater than market value at the date of
grant. The Tenneco employee stock purchase plan allows employees to purchase
Tenneco common stock at a 15% discount subject to certain thresholds. Certain
employees of New Tenneco and Newport News also participate in Tenneco's
employee stock ownership and employee stock purchase plans. The cost of stock
issued to these employees is billed to New Tenneco and Newport News. In
connection with the Distributions, outstanding options on Tenneco common stock
held by the Company's employees will be vested so that they become fully
exercisable prior to the Merger. If not exercised prior to the Merger, such
options will be cancelled upon consummation of the Merger. Outstanding options
on Tenneco common stock held by New Tenneco and Newport News employees will be
converted into new options of New Tenneco and Newport News, as applicable, so
as to preserve the aggregate value of the options held prior to the
Distributions.
 
  Employees of the Company also participate in certain Tenneco postretirement
and pension plans. Reference is made to Notes 13 and 14 for a further
discussion of the plans.
 
 Sales of Receivables
 
  TCC purchased $513 million and $384 million of trade receivables from New
Tenneco at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. TCC sells these trade
receivables to a third party in the ordinary course of business.
 
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
7. LONG-TERM DEBT, SHORT-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
 
 Long-Term Corporate Debt
 
  A summary of long-term corporate debt obligations of the Company at December
31, 1995 and 1994, is set forth in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS)                                                         1995   1994
- ----------                                                        ------ ------
<S>                                                               <C>    <C>
Tenneco Inc.--
  Debentures due 1998 through 2025, average effective interest
   rate 8.7% in 1995 and 9.7% in 1994 (net of $2 million in 1995
   and 1994 of unamortized discount)............................. $  698 $  398
  Notes due 1996 through 2005, average effective interest rate
   8.8% in 1995 and 9.2% in 1994 (net of $5 million in 1995 and
   $4 million in 1994 of unamortized discount)...................  1,962  1,681
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company--
  Debentures due 2011, effective interest rate 15.1% in 1995 and
   1994 (net of $216 million in 1995 and $219 million in 1994 of
   unamortized discount).........................................    184    181
  Notes due 1996 through 1997, average effective interest rate
   9.7% in 1995 and 10.1% in 1994 (net of $5 in 1995 and $8 in
   1994 of unamortized discount).................................    573    808
Tenneco Credit Corporation--
  Senior notes due 1996 through 2001, average effective interest
   rate 9.7% in 1995 and 9.6% in 1994 (net of $1 in 1995 and $2
   in 1994 of unamortized discount)..............................    549    749
  Medium-term notes due 1996 through 2002, average interest rate
   9.0% in 1995 and 9.4% in 1994.................................     38     73
  Subordinated notes due 1998 through 2001, average interest rate
   9.9% in 1995 and 1994.........................................     92     92
Other subsidiaries--
  Notes due 1996 through 2014, average effective interest rate
   8.6% in 1995 and 8.0% in 1994 (net of $14 million in 1995 and
   $15 million in 1994 of unamortized discount)..................      8      4
                                                                  ------ ------
                                                                   4,104  3,986
Less--Current maturities.........................................    414    485
                                                                  ------ ------
    Total long-term corporate debt............................... $3,690 $3,501
                                                                  ====== ======
</TABLE>
 
  The aggregate maturities and sinking fund requirements applicable to the
issues outstanding at December 31, 1995, are $414 million, $513 million, $838
million, $250 million and $175 million for 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000,
respectively.
 
 Long-Term Corporate Debt Allocation
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS)                                                       1995     1994
- ----------                                                     -------- --------
<S>                                                            <C>      <C>
Total long-term corporate debt................................ $  3,690 $  3,501
Less: Long-term corporate debt allocated to New Tenneco and
 Newport News.................................................  (1,879)  (1,259)
                                                               -------- --------
  Total long-term corporate debt, net of allocation to New
   Tenneco and Newport News................................... $  1,811 $  2,242
                                                               ======== ========
</TABLE>
- --------
Note: Reference is made to Note 6 for information concerning debt allocated to
      New Tenneco and Newport News.
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 Short-Term Corporate Debt
 
  The Company uses commercial paper, lines of credit and overnight borrowings
to finance its short-term capital requirements. Information regarding short-
term debt for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1995                  1994
                                    --------------------- ---------------------
                                     TENNECO               TENNECO
                                    COMMERCIAL   CREDIT   COMMERCIAL   CREDIT
(MILLIONS)                            PAPER    AGREEMENTS   PAPER    AGREEMENTS
- ----------                          ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Outstanding borrowings at end of
 year..............................    $346       $ 85       $ --       $ 17
Weighted average interest rate on
 outstanding borrowings at end of
 year..............................     6.2%       7.2%        --       10.7%
Approximate maximum month-end
 outstanding borrowings during
 year..............................    $615       $467       $362       $133
Approximate average month-end
 outstanding borrowings during
 year..............................    $109       $104       $164       $ 51
</TABLE>
- --------
Note:Includes borrowings under both committed credit facilities and
     uncommitted lines of credit and similar arrangements.
 
  Tenneco had other short-term borrowings outstanding of $24 million at
December 31, 1995, and none at December 31, 1994.
 
 Short-Term Corporate Debt Allocation
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1995   1994
                                                                   -----  -----
<S>                                                                <C>    <C>
Current maturities on long-term corporate debt.................... $ 414  $ 485
Commercial paper..................................................   346     --
Credit agreements.................................................    85     17
Other.............................................................    24     --
                                                                   -----  -----
  Total short-term corporate debt (including current maturities on
   long-term corporate debt)......................................   869    502
  Less: Short-term corporate debt allocated to New Tenneco and
   Newport News...................................................  (413)  (103)
                                                                   -----  -----
    Total short-term corporate debt, net of allocation to New
     Tenneco and Newport News..................................... $ 456   $399
                                                                   =====  =====
</TABLE>
- --------
Note:Reference is made to Note 6 for information concerning corporate debt
     allocated to New Tenneco and Newport News.
 
 Financing Arrangements
 
  As of December 31, 1995, Tenneco had arranged committed credit facilities of
approximately $2.5 billion:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           COMMITTED CREDIT FACILITIES(a)
                                      ------------------------------------------
(MILLIONS)                              TERM    COMMITMENTS  UTILIZED  AVAILABLE
- ----------                            --------- -----------  --------  ---------
<S>                                   <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>
Tenneco credit agreements............ 1996-1999   $2,400(b)    $346(c)  $2,054
Other credit agreements..............  various        79         35         44
                                                  ------       ----     ------
                                                  $2,479       $381     $2,098
                                                  ======       ====     ======
</TABLE>
- --------
Notes:(a) These facilities generally require the payment of commitment fees on
          the unused portion of the total commitment and facility fees on the
          total commitment.
      (b) In 1996, $400 million of these agreements expire; the remainder are
          committed through 1999. Of the total committed long-term credit
          facilities, $400 million are available to both Tenneco and TCC.
      (c) Tenneco's committed long-term credit facilities support its commercial
          paper borrowings; consequently, the amount available under the
          committed long-term credit facilities is reduced by outstanding
          commercial paper borrowings.
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
  The carrying and estimated fair values of the Company's financial
instruments by class at December 31, 1995 and 1994, were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1995             1994
                                              ---------------  ---------------
(MILLIONS)                                    CARRYING  FAIR   CARRYING  FAIR
ASSETS (LIABILITIES)                           AMOUNT  VALUE    AMOUNT  VALUE
- --------------------                          -------- ------  -------- ------
<S>                                           <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>
Asset and Liability Instruments
  Cash and temporary cash investments........  $  249  $  249   $   48  $   48
  Receivables (customer and long-term).......     860     860    1,644   1,644
  Accounts payable (trade)...................    (365)   (365)    (324)   (324)
  Short-term debt (excluding current
   maturities) (Note)........................    (455)   (455)     (17)    (17)
  Long-term debt (including current
   maturities) (Note)........................  (4,104) (4,692)  (3,986) (4,206)
Instruments With Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
  Derivative
    Interest rate swaps:
      In a net receivable position...........      --      10       --      --
      In a net payable position..............      --     (22)      --     (30)
    Natural gas swaps, futures and options...      --       3       --      (5)
  Non-derivative
    Financial guarantees.....................      --     (14)      --     (14)
</TABLE>
- --------
Note: The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of short-term debt and
      long-term debt are before allocation of corporate debt to New Tenneco
      and Newport News. Reference is made to Note 6 for information concerning
      corporate debt allocated to New Tenneco and Newport News.
 
 Asset and Liability Instruments
 
  The fair value of cash and temporary cash investments, receivables, accounts
payable, and short-term debt in the above table was considered to be the same
as or was determined not to be materially different from the carrying amount.
At December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, Tenneco Energy's aggregate
customer and long-term receivable balance was concentrated by industry as
follows: energy industry 22% and 21%; automotive parts industry 9% and 11%;
packaging industry 8% and 13%; and farm and construction equipment industry
52% and 47%; all other amounts were not significant. Receivables in the
automotive parts, packaging and farm and construction equipment industries
result from TCC's financing receivables of current and former operating
divisions of Tenneco. TCC sells these trade receivables to a third party in
the ordinary course of business.
 
  Long-term debt--The fair value of fixed-rate long-term debt was based on the
market value of debt with similar maturities and interest rates; the carrying
amount of floating-rate debt was assumed to approximate its fair value.
 
 Instruments With Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
 
 Derivative
 
  Interest Rate Swaps--The fair value of interest rate swaps was based on the
cost that would have been incurred to buy out those swaps in a loss position
and the consideration that would have been received to terminate those swaps
in a gain position. At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company was a party to
swaps with a notional value of $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively. At
December 31, 1995, $750 million were in a net receivable position and $795
million were in a net payable position. At December 31, 1994, the entire $1.6
billion was in a net payable position. Notional amounts associated with these
swaps do not represent future cash payment requirements. These contractual
amounts are only used as a base to measure amounts to be exchanged at
specified settlement dates.
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  Consistent with its overall policy, the Company uses these instruments from
time to time only to hedge known, quantifiable risks arising from fluctuations
in interest rates. The counterparties to these interest rate swaps are major
international financial institutions. The risk associated with counterparty
default on interest rate swaps is measured as the cost of replacing, at the
prevailing market rates, those contracts in a gain position. In the event of
non-performance by the counterparties, the cost to replace outstanding
interest rate swaps at December 31, 1995 and 1994, would not have been
material.
 
  Price Risk Management--The Company uses exchange-traded futures and option
contracts and over-the-counter option and swap contracts to reduce its
exposure to fluctuations in the prices of natural gas. The fair value of these
contracts is based upon the estimated consideration that would be received to
terminate those contracts in a gain position and the estimated cost that would
be incurred to terminate those contracts in a loss position. As of December
31, 1995 and 1994, these contracts, maturing through 1997 and 1996,
respectively, had an absolute notional contract quantity of 321 Bcf and 187
Bcf, respectively. Since the contracts described above are designated as
hedges whose fair values correlate to price movements of natural gas, any
gains or losses on the contracts resulting from market changes will be offset
by losses or gains on the hedged transactions. The Company has off-balance
sheet risk of credit loss in the event of non-performance by counterparties to
all over-the-counter contracts. However, the Company does not anticipate non-
performance by the counterparties.
 
 Non-derivative
 
  Guarantees--At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company had guaranteed
payment and performance of approximately $14 million, primarily with respect
to letters of credit and other guarantees supporting various financing and
operating activities.
 
9. FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION REGULATORY MATTERS
 
 Restructuring Proceedings
 
  On April 8, 1992, the FERC issued Order 636 which restructured the natural
gas industry by requiring mandatory unbundling of pipeline sales and
transportation services. Numerous parties appealed, to the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Court, the legality of Order 636 generally, as
well as the legality of specific provisions of Order 636. On July 16, 1996,
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued its decision upholding,
in large part, Order 636. The Court remanded to the FERC several issues for
further explanation, including further explanation of the FERC's decision to
allow pipelines to recover 100% of their gas supply realignment ("GSR") costs.
 
  Tennessee implemented revisions to its tariff, effective on September 1,
1993, which restructured its transportation, storage and sales services to
convert Tennessee from primarily a merchant to primarily a transporter of gas
as required by Order 636. As a result of this restructuring, Tennessee's gas
sales declined while certain obligations to producers under long-term gas
supply contracts continued, causing Tennessee to incur significant
restructuring transition costs. Pursuant to the provisions of Order 636
allowing for the recovery of transition costs related to the restructuring,
Tennessee has made filings to recover GSR costs resulting from remaining gas
purchase obligations, costs related to its Bastian Bay facilities, the
remaining unrecovered balance of purchased gas ("PGA") costs and the
"stranded" cost of Tennessee's continuing contractual obligation to pay for
capacity on other pipeline systems ("TBO costs").
 
  Tennessee's filings to recover costs related to its Bastian Bay facilities
have been rejected by the FERC based on the continued use of the gas
production from the field; however, the FERC recognized the ability of
Tennessee to file for the recovery of losses upon disposition of these assets.
Tennessee has filed for appellate
 
                                     F-18
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
review of the FERC actions and is confident that the Bastian Bay costs will
ultimately be recovered as transition costs under Order 636; the FERC has not
contested the ultimate recoverability of these costs.
 
  The filings implementing Tennessee's recovery mechanisms for the following
transition costs were accepted by the FERC effective September 1, 1993;
recovery was made subject to refund pending FERC review and approval for
eligibility and prudence: 1) direct-billing of unrecovered PGA costs to its
former sales customers over a twelve-month period; 2) recovery of TBO costs,
which Tennessee is obligated to pay under existing contracts, through a
surcharge from firm transportation customers, adjusted annually; and 3) GSR
cost recovery of 90% of such costs over a period of up to 36 months from firm
transportation customers and recovery of 10% of such costs from interruptible
transportation customers over a period of up to 60 months.
 
  Following negotiations with its customers, Tennessee filed in July 1994 with
the FERC a Stipulation and Agreement (the "PGA Stipulation"), which provides
for the recovery of PGA costs of approximately $100 million and the recovery
of costs associated with the transfer of storage gas inventory to new storage
customers in Tennessee's restructuring proceeding. The PGA Stipulation
eliminates all challenges to the PGA costs, but establishes a cap on the
charges that may be imposed upon former sales customers. On November 15, 1994,
the FERC issued an order approving the PGA Stipulation and resolving all
outstanding issues. On April 5, 1995, the FERC issued its order on rehearing
affirming its initial approval of the PGA Stipulation. Tennessee implemented
the terms of the PGA Stipulation and made refunds in May 1995. The refunds had
no material effect on Tenneco Energy's reported net income. The orders
approving the PGA Stipulation have been appealed to the D.C. Circuit Court of
Appeals by certain customers. Tennessee believes the FERC orders approving the
PGA Stipulation will be upheld on appeal.
 
  Tennessee is recovering through a surcharge, subject to refund, TBO costs
formerly incurred to perform its sales function. The FERC subsequently issued
an order requiring Tennessee to refund certain costs from this surcharge and
refunds were made in May 1996. Tennessee is appealing this decision and
believes such appeal will likely be successful.
 
  With regard to Tennessee's GSR costs, Tennessee, along with three other
pipelines, executed four separate settlement agreements with Dakota
Gasification Company and the U.S. Department of Energy and initiated four
separate proceedings at the FERC seeking approval to implement the settlement
agreements. The settlement resolved litigation concerning purchases made by
Tennessee of synthetic gas produced from the Great Plains Coal Gasification
plant ("Great Plains"). The FERC previously ruled that the costs related to
the Great Plains project are eligible for recovery through GSR and other
special recovery mechanisms and that the costs are eligible for recovery for
the duration of the term of the original gas purchase agreements. On October
18, 1994, the FERC consolidated the four proceedings and set them for hearing
before an administrative law judge ("ALJ"). The hearing, which concluded in
July 1995, was limited to the issue of whether the settlement agreements are
prudent. The ALJ concluded, in his initial decision issued in December 1995,
that the settlement was imprudent. Tennessee has filed exceptions to this
initial decision and believes that this decision will not impair Tennessee's
recovery of the costs resulting from this contract. On July 17, 1996, the FERC
ordered oral arguments to be heard September 1996.
 
  Also related to Tennessee's GSR costs, on October 14, 1993, Tennessee was
sued in the State District Court of Ector County, Texas, by ICA Energy, Inc.
("ICA") and TransTexas Gas Corporation ("TransTexas"). In that suit, ICA and
TransTexas contended that Tennessee had an obligation to purchase gas
production which TransTexas thereafter attempted to add unilaterally to the
reserves originally dedicated to a 1979 gas contract. An amendment to the
pleading sought $1.5 billion from Tennessee for alleged damages caused by
Tennessee's refusal to purchase gas produced from the TransTexas leases
covering the new production and lands. In June 1996, Tennessee reached a
settlement with ICA and TransTexas for $125 million wherein ICA and TransTexas
agreed to terminate the contract, released Tennessee from liability under the
contract, and indemnified Tennessee against future claims, including royalty
owner claims.
 
                                     F-19
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  Tennessee has been engaged in other settlement and contract reformation
discussions with other holders of certain gas purchase contracts who have sued
Tennessee. On August 1, 1995, the Texas Supreme Court affirmed a ruling of the
Court of Appeals favorable to Tennessee in one of these matters and indicated
that it would remand the case to the trial court. On April 18, 1996, however,
the Texas Supreme Court withdrew its initial opinion and issued an opinion
reversing the Court of Appeals opinion on the matter which was favorable to
Tennessee. In June 1996, Tennessee filed a motion for rehearing with the Texas
Supreme Court which was denied in August 1996. The Supreme Court's April 1996
ruling explicitly preserves Tennessee's defenses based on bad faith conduct of
the producers. Nothing in the Supreme Court's decision affects Tennessee's
ability to seek recovery of its above-market costs of purchasing gas under the
contract from its customers as GSR costs in proceedings currently pending
before the FERC. In addition, Tennessee has initiated two lawsuits against the
holders of this gas purchase contract, seeking damages related to their
conduct in connection with that contract. Tennessee has accrued amounts which
it believes are appropriate to cover the resolution of the litigation
associated with its contract reformation efforts.
 
  As of June 30, 1996, and December 31, 1995, Tennessee has deferred GSR costs
yet to be recovered from its customers of approximately $551 million and $462
million, respectively, net of $380 million and $316 million, respectively,
previously recovered from its customers, subject to refund. A phased
proceeding is underway at the FERC with respect to the recovery of Tennessee's
GSR costs. Testimony has been completed in connection with Phase I of that
proceeding relating to the eligibility of GSR cost recovery; oral argument on
eligibility issues has been set by a FERC ALJ for late October 1996. Phase II
of the proceeding on the prudency of the costs to be recovered and on certain
contract specific eligibility issues has not yet been scheduled, but will
likely occur sometime after the ALJ's decision in Phase I is issued. The FERC
has generally encouraged pipelines to settle such issues through negotiations
with customers. Although the Order 636 transition cost recovery mechanism
provides for complete recovery by pipelines of eligible and prudently incurred
transition costs, certain customers have challenged the prudence and
eligibility of Tennessee's GSR costs and Tennessee has engaged in settlement
discussions with its customers concerning the amount of such costs in response
to the FERC statements acknowledging the desirability of such settlements.
 
  Given the uncertainty over the results of ongoing discussions between
Tennessee and its customers related to the recovery of GSR costs and the
uncertainty related to predicting the outcome of its gas purchase contract
reformation efforts and the associated litigation, the Company is unable to
predict the timing or the ultimate impact that the resolution of these issues
will have on its combined financial position or results of operations.
 
 Rate Proceedings
 
  On December 30, 1994, Tennessee filed for a general rate increase (the "1995
Rate Case"). On January 25, 1995, the FERC accepted the filing, suspended its
effectiveness for the maximum period of five months pursuant to normal
regulatory process, and set the matter for hearing. On July 1, 1995, Tennessee
began collecting rates, subject to refund, reflecting an $87 million increase
in Tennessee's annual revenue requirement. A Stipulation and Agreement was
filed with an ALJ in this proceeding on April 5, 1996. This Stipulation, which
is currently pending before the FERC, proposed to resolve the rates subject to
the 1995 Rate Case, including structural rate design and increased revenue
requirements, and Tennessee is reserving revenues it believes are adequate to
cover any refunds that may be required upon final settlement of this
proceeding.
 
                                     F-20
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
10. INCOME TAXES
 
  Following is a comparative analysis of the components of combined income tax
expense (benefit) for the years 1995, 1994 and 1993:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      (MILLIONS)                                              1995  1994  1993
      ----------                                              ----  ----  ----
      <S>                                                     <C>   <C>   <C>
      Current--
        U.S. ................................................ $(96) $25   $(11)
        State and local......................................   (3)  (4)    22
                                                              ----  ---   ----
                                                               (99)  21     11
                                                              ----  ---   ----
      Deferred--
        U.S..................................................   76   39     82
        State and local......................................   12   12     11
                                                              ----  ---   ----
                                                                88   51     93
                                                              ----  ---   ----
      Income tax expense (benefit)........................... $(11) $72   $104
                                                              ====  ===   ====
</TABLE>
 
  Following is a reconciliation of income taxes computed at the statutory U.S.
federal income tax rate (35% for all years presented) to the income tax
expense (benefit) reflected in the combined statements of income for the years
1995, 1994 and 1993:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      (MILLIONS)                                               1995  1994  1993
      ----------                                               ----  ----  ----
      <S>                                                      <C>   <C>   <C>
      Tax expense computed at the statutory U.S. federal
       income tax rate........................................ $ 51  $79   $102
      Increases (reductions) in income tax expense resulting
       from:
        State and local taxes on income, net of U.S. federal
         income tax benefit...................................    6    5     21
        U.S. federal income tax rate change...................   --   --      4
        Permanent differences on sales of assets..............   12   --    (15)
        Realization of unrecognized deferred tax assets.......  (72)  --     --
        Other.................................................   (8) (12)    (8)
                                                               ----  ---   ----
      Income tax expense (benefit)............................ $(11) $72   $104
                                                               ====  ===   ====
</TABLE>
 
Current U.S. income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31,
1995, 1994 and 1993, includes a reduction in tax benefits of $63 million, $42
million and $44 million, respectively, related to the allocation of corporate
interest expense to New Tenneco and Newport News. Reference is made to Note 6
for information concerning corporate debt allocated to New Tenneco and Newport
News from the Company.
 
                                     F-21
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The components of the Company's net deferred tax liability at December 31,
1995 and 1994, were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      (MILLIONS)                                                   1995   1994
      ----------                                                   ----  ------
      <S>                                                          <C>   <C>
      Deferred tax assets--
        U.S. capital loss carryforwards..........................  $163  $  267
        Postretirement benefits other than pensions..............   104     107
        GSR reserve..............................................   141      --
        Environmental reserve....................................    75      81
        Other....................................................    76     119
        Valuation allowance......................................  (117)   (293)
                                                                   ----  ------
        Net deferred tax asset...................................   442     281
                                                                   ----  ------
      Deferred tax liabilities--
        Tax over book depreciation...............................   440     437
        Asset related to GSR costs of operations regulated by the
         FERC....................................................   141      --
        Other regulatory assets..................................    67      56
        Debt related items.......................................    43      44
        Book versus tax gains and losses on asset disposals......    23     321
        Other....................................................   116     187
                                                                   ----  ------
        Total deferred tax liability.............................   830   1,045
                                                                   ----  ------
      Net deferred tax liability.................................  $388  $  764
                                                                   ====  ======
</TABLE>
 
  As reflected by the valuation allowance in the table above, the Company had
potential tax benefits of $117 million and $293 million at December 31, 1995
and 1994, respectively, which were not recognized in the combined statements
of income when generated. These benefits resulted primarily from U.S. capital
loss carryforwards which are available to reduce future capital gains. During
1995, the Company reduced its deferred tax asset valuation allowance due to
the recognition of U.S. capital loss carryforwards utilized to offset income
taxes payable on asset dispositions. During 1996, these capital loss
carryfowards were utilized to offset taxes on capital gain transactions.
 
11. INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATED COMPANIES
 
  The Company holds investments in various affiliates which are accounted for
on the equity method of accounting. The principal equity method investments
were the Company's 50% investment in Kern River, and joint venture interests
in power generation plants, interstate pipelines, gathering systems and
natural gas storage facilities.
 
  At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company's combined equity included equity
in undistributed earnings from equity method investments of $25 million and
$69 million, respectively. Dividends and distributions received from
affiliates accounted for on the equity method were $53 million, $48 million
and $42 million during 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
                                     F-22
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  Summarized financial information of the Company's proportionate share of 50%
or less owned companies accounted for by the equity method of accounting as of
December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, and for the years then ended is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      (MILLIONS)                                                 1995 1994 1993
      ----------                                                 ---- ---- ----
      <S>                                                        <C>  <C>  <C>
      Current assets............................................ $ 60 $ 47 $ 41
      Non-current assets........................................  543  901  829
      Short-term debt...........................................  122   19   17
      Other current liabilities.................................   24   61   37
      Long-term debt............................................  152  494  496
      Other non-current liabilities.............................   25   16   13
      Equity in net assets......................................  280  358  307
      Revenues and other income.................................  184  183  164
      Costs and expenses........................................  119  132  117
      Net income................................................   65   51   47
</TABLE>
- --------
Note: Balance sheet amounts related to Kern River are not included in the
table above as of December 31, 1995, due to the Company's sale of its
investment in Kern River in December 1995. Reference is made to Note 5 for
information concerning the sale of Kern River.
 
12. PREFERRED STOCK
 
  At December 31, 1995, Tenneco had authorized 15,000,000 shares of preferred
stock. In addition, Tenneco has an authorized class of stock consisting of
50,000,000 shares of junior preferred stock, without par value, none of which
has been issued.
 
  The preferred stock issues outstanding at December 31, 1995, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       SHARES    REDEMPTION PERIODS   OPTIONAL
                                     ISSUED AND  ------------------- REDEMPTION
      ISSUE                          OUTSTANDING OPTIONAL  MANDATORY   PRICE
      -----                          ----------- --------- --------- ----------
      <S>                            <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>
      $7.40 preferred (no par
       value).......................    587,270  1996-1998 1996-1998    $100
      $4.50 preferred (no par
       value).......................    803,723  1996-1999   1999       $100
                                      ---------
                                      1,390,993
                                      =========
</TABLE>
 
  The $7.40 and $4.50 preferred stock issues have a mandatory redemption value
of $100 per share (an aggregate of $139 million and $159 million at December
31, 1995 and 1994, respectively). Tenneco recorded these preferred stocks at
their fair value at the date of original issue (an aggregate of $250 million)
and is making periodic accretions of the excess of the redemption value over
the fair value at the date of issue.
 
  During 1993, Tenneco retired the remainder of a variable rate preferred
stock issue at the redemption price of $100 per share, or $17 million.
 
  The aggregate maturities applicable to preferred stock issues outstanding at
December 31, 1995, are $20 million for each of the years 1996 and 1997, $19
million for 1998 and $80 million for 1999.
 
                                     F-23
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 Changes in Preferred Stock with Mandatory Redemption Provisions
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                1995              1994              1993
                          ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
(MILLIONS EXCEPT SHARE
AMOUNTS)                   SHARES    AMOUNT  SHARES    AMOUNT  SHARES    AMOUNT
- ----------------------    ---------  ------ ---------  ------ ---------  ------
<S>                       <C>        <C>    <C>        <C>    <C>        <C>
Balance January 1........ 1,586,764   $147  1,782,508   $163  2,084,796   $191
  Shares redeemed........  (195,771)   (20)  (195,744)   (20)  (302,288)   (31)
  Accretion of excess of
   redemption value over
   fair value at date of
   issue.................        --      3         --      4         --      3
                          ---------   ----  ---------   ----  ---------   ----
Balance December 31...... 1,390,993   $130  1,586,764   $147  1,782,508   $163
                          =========   ====  =========   ====  =========   ====
</TABLE>
 
13. POSTRETIREMENT AND POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
 
 Postretirement Benefits
 
  Tenneco has postretirement health care and life insurance plans which cover
substantially all of Tenneco Energy's employees. For salaried employees, the
plans cover employees retiring from the Company on or after attaining age 55
who have had at least 10 years service with the Company after attaining age
45. For hourly employees, the postretirement benefit plans generally cover
employees who retire pursuant to one of Tenneco's hourly employee retirement
plans. Tenneco Energy is also obligated to provide certain benefits to former
employees of operations previously disposed of by Tenneco. Tenneco Energy will
retain this liability after the Distributions. In addition, Tenneco Energy
will retain liabilities with respect to welfare benefits of its current and
former employees of Tenneco Energy and their dependents in connection with the
Distributions. All of these benefits may be subject to deductibles, copayment
provisions and other limitations, Tenneco has reserved the right to change
these benefits.
 
  The majority of Tenneco's postretirement benefit plans are not funded. In
June 1994, two trusts were established to fund postretirement benefits for
certain plan participants of the Company. The contributions are collected from
customers in FERC approved rates. As of December 31, 1995, cumulative
contributions were $10 million. Plan assets consist principally of fixed
income securities.
 
  The funded status of the postretirement benefit plans reconciles with
amounts recognized on the combined balance sheets at December 31, 1995 and
1994, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS)                                                        1995   1994
- ----------                                                        -----  -----
<S>                                                               <C>    <C>
Actuarial present value of accumulated postretirement benefit
 obligation at September 30:
  Retirees....................................................... $ 320  $ 321
  Fully eligible active plan participants........................     5      5
  Other active plan participants.................................     2      2
                                                                  -----  -----
Total accumulated postretirement benefit obligation..............   327    328
Plan assets at fair value at September 30........................     3      2
                                                                  -----  -----
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation in excess of plan
 assets at September 30..........................................  (324)  (326)
Claims paid during the fourth quarter............................    14     10
Unrecognized reduction of prior service obligations resulting
 from plan amendments............................................   (68)   (83)
Unrecognized net loss resulting from plan experience and changes
 in actuarial assumptions........................................    74     65
                                                                  -----  -----
Accrued postretirement benefit cost at December 31............... $(304) $(334)
                                                                  =====  =====
</TABLE>
- --------
Note: The accrued postretirement benefit cost has been recorded based upon
certain actuarial estimates as described below. Those estimates are subject to
revision in future periods given new facts or circumstances.
 
                                     F-24
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the years 1995, 1994 and
1993 consist of the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      (MILLIONS)                                                1995  1994  1993
      ----------                                                ----  ----  ----
      <S>                                                       <C>   <C>   <C>
      Service cost for benefits earned during the year......... $  1  $ 1   $ 1
      Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit
       obligation..............................................   26   17     8
      Net amortization of unrecognized amounts.................  (13)  (6)   (1)
                                                                ----  ---   ---
      Net periodic postretirement benefit cost................. $ 14  $12   $ 8
                                                                ====  ===   ===
</TABLE>
 
  The initial weighted average assumed health care cost trend rate used in
determining the 1995, 1994 and 1993 accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation was 7%, 8% and 9%, respectively, declining to 5% in 1997 and
remaining at that level thereafter.
 
  Increasing the assumed health care cost trend rate by one percentage-point
in each year would increase the 1995, 1994 and 1993 accumulated postretirement
benefit obligations by approximately $14 million, $14 million and $7 million,
respectively, and would increase the aggregate of the service cost and
interest cost components of the net postretirement benefit cost for 1995, 1994
and 1993 by approximately $1 million, $3 million and $1 million, respectively.
 
  The discount rates (which are based on long-term market rates) used in
determining the 1995, 1994 and 1993 accumulated postretirement benefit
obligations were 7.75%, 8.25% and 7.50%, respectively.
 
 Postemployment Benefits
 
  The Company adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment
Benefits," in the first quarter of 1994. This new accounting rule requires
employers to account for postemployment benefits for former or inactive
employees after employment but before retirement on the accrual basis rather
than the "pay-as-you-go" basis. The adoption of this new standard had no
material impact on the Company's combined financial position or results of
operations.
 
14. PENSION PLANS
 
  Tenneco has retirement plans which cover substantially all of the Company's
employees. Benefits are based on years of service and, for most salaried
employees, on final average compensation. Tenneco's funding policies are to
contribute to the plans amounts necessary to satisfy the funding requirements
of federal laws and regulations. Plan assets consist principally of listed
equity and fixed income securities. Certain employees of the Company
participate in the Tenneco Inc. Retirement Plan (the "TRP").
 
  New Tenneco will become the sole sponsor of the TRP upon consummation of the
Distributions. The benefits accrued by the employees of Tenneco Energy who
participate in the TRP will be frozen as of the last day of the calendar
months including the Distributions and New Tenneco will amend the TRP to
provide that all benefits accrued through that day are fully vested and non-
forfeitable.
 
                                     F-25
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The funded status of the plans reconciles with amounts recognized on the
combined balance sheets at December 31, 1995 and 1994, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   ALL PLANS
                                                                   ----------
(MILLIONS)                                                         1995  1994
- ----------                                                         ----  ----
<S>                                                                <C>   <C>
Actuarial present value of benefits based on service to date and
 present pay levels at September 30:
  Vested benefit obligation....................................... $187  $169
  Non-vested benefit obligation...................................   12    11
                                                                   ----  ----
  Accumulated benefit obligation..................................  199   180
Additional amounts related to projected salary increases..........   41    37
                                                                   ----  ----
Total projected benefit obligation at September 30................  240   217
Plan assets at fair value at September 30.........................  259   224
                                                                   ----  ----
Plan assets in excess of total projected benefit obligation at
 September 30.....................................................   19     7
Unrecognized net loss resulting from plan experience and changes
 in actuarial assumptions.........................................   14    26
Unrecognized prior service obligations resulting from plan
 amendments.......................................................    2     3
Remaining unrecognized net asset at initial application...........  (14)  (16)
                                                                   ----  ----
Prepaid pension cost at December 31............................... $ 21  $ 20
                                                                   ====  ====
</TABLE>
- --------
Note: Assets of one plan may not be utilized to pay benefits of other plans.
Additionally, the prepaid pension cost has been recorded based upon certain
actuarial estimates as described below. Those estimates are subject to
revision in future periods given new facts or circumstances.
 
  Net periodic pension income for the years 1995, 1994 and 1993 consist of the
following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS)                                        1995       1994       1993
- ----------                                      ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                             <C>  <C>   <C>  <C>   <C>  <C>
Service cost--benefits earned during the year.       $  6       $  6       $  7
Interest accrued on prior year's projected
 benefit obligation...........................         18         16         15
Expected return on plan assets--
  Actual (return) loss........................  (45)         4        (31)
  Unrecognized excess (deficiency) of actual
   return over expected return................   22        (26)        10
                                                ---        ---        ---
                                                      (23)       (22)       (21)
Net amortization of unrecognized amounts......         (2)        (2)        (2)
                                                     ----       ----       ----
Net periodic pension income...................       $ (1)      $ (2)      $ (1)
                                                     ====       ====       ====
</TABLE>
 
  The weighted average discount rates (which are based on long-term market
rates) used in determining the 1995, 1994 and 1993 actuarial present value of
the benefit obligations were 7.8%, 8.3% and 7.5%, respectively. The rate of
increase in future compensation was 4.9%, in 1995, 1994, and 1993. The
weighted average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 10% in
1995, 1994 and 1993.
 
15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 Capital Commitments
 
  The Company estimates that expenditures aggregating approximately $636
million will be required after December 31, 1995, to complete facilities and
projects authorized at such date, and substantial commitments have been made
in connection therewith.
 
                                     F-26
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 Purchase Obligations
 
  In connection with the financing commitments of certain joint ventures, the
Company has entered into unconditional purchase obligations for products and
services of $145 million ($106 million on a present value basis) at December
31, 1995. The Company's annual obligations under these agreements are $22
million for the years 1996 through 2000. Payments under such obligations,
including additional purchases in excess of contractual obligations, were $26
million, $34 million and $31 million for the years 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively. In addition, in connection with the Great Plains coal
gasification project (Dakota Gasification Company), Tennessee has contracted
to purchase 30% of the output of the plant's original design capacity for a
remaining period of 14 years. Tennessee has executed a settlement of this
contract as a part of its gas supply realignment negotiations discussed in
Note 9.
 
 Litigation
 
  Reference is made to Note 9, "Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Regulatory Matters," for information concerning gas supply litigation. The
Company is party to numerous other legal proceedings arising from their
operations. The Company believes that the outcome of these proceedings,
individually and in the aggregate, will have no material effect on the
combined financial position or results of operations of the Company.
 
 Environmental Matters
 
  Since 1988, Tennessee has been engaged in an internal project to identify
and deal with the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs") and other
substances of concern, including substances on the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency ("EPA") List of Hazardous Substances ("HS List") at
compressor stations and other facilities operated by both its interstate and
intrastate natural gas pipeline systems. While conducting this project,
Tennessee has been in frequent contact with federal and state regulatory
agencies, both through informal negotiation and formal entry of consent
orders, in order to assure that its efforts meet regulatory requirements.
 
  The Company has established a reserve for Tennessee's environmental
expenses, which includes: 1) expected remediation expense and associated
onsite, offsite and groundwater technical studies, 2) legal fees and 3)
settlement of third party and governmental litigation, including civil
penalties. Through June 30, 1996, and December 31, 1995, the Company has
charged approximately $156 million and $147 million, respectively, against the
environmental reserve, excluding recoveries related to Tennessee's
environmental settlement as discussed below. Of the remaining reserve at June
30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, $24 million and $38 million, respectively, has
been recorded on the combined balance sheets under "Payables-trade" and $132
million and $126 million, respectively, under "Deferred credits and other
liabilities."
 
  Due to the current uncertainty regarding the further activity necessary for
Tennessee to address the presence of the PCBs, the substances on the HS List
and other substances of concern on its sites, including the requirements for
additional site characterization, the actual amount of such substances at the
sites, and the final, site-specific cleanup decisions to be made with respect
to cleanup levels and remediation technologies, Tennessee cannot at this time
accurately project what additional costs, if any, may arise from future
characterization and remediation activities. While there are still many
uncertainties relating to the ultimate costs which may be incurred, based upon
Tennessee's evaluation and experience to date, the Company continues to
believe that the recorded estimate for the reserve is adequate.
 
  Following negotiations with its customers, Tennessee in May 1995 filed with
the FERC a separate Stipulation and Agreement (the "Environmental
Stipulation") that establishes a mechanism for recovering a substantial
portion of the environmental costs. In November 1995, the FERC issued an order
approving the Environmental Stipulation. Although one shipper filed for
rehearing, the FERC denied rehearing of its order on
 
                                     F-27
<PAGE>
 
                       THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
February 20, 1996. This shipper filed a Petition for Review on April 22, 1996
in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals; Tennessee believes the FERC Order
approving the Environmental Stipulation will be upheld on appeal. The effects
of the Environmental Stipulation, which was effective as of July 1, 1995, have
been recorded with no material effect on the Company's combined financial
position or results of operations. As of June 30, 1996, and December 31, 1995,
the balance of the regulatory asset is $61 million and $74 million,
respectively.
 
  The Company has completed settlements with and has received payments from
the majority of its liability insurance policy carriers for remediation costs
and related claims. The Company believes that the likelihood of recovery of a
portion of its remediation costs and claims against the remaining carriers in
its pending litigation is reasonably possible. In addition, Tennessee has
settled its pending litigation against and received payment from the
manufacturer of the PCB-containing lubricant. These recoveries have been
considered in Tennessee's recording of its environmental settlement with its
customers.
 
  The Company has identified other sites where environmental remediation
expense may be required should there be a change in ownership, operations or
applicable regulations. These possibilities cannot be predicted or quantified
at this time and accordingly, no provision has been recorded. However,
provisions have been made for all instances where it has been determined that
the incurrence of any material remedial expense is reasonably possible. The
Company believes that the provisions recorded for environmental exposures are
adequate based on current estimates.
 
16. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NET SALES     INCOME
                                                   AND    BEFORE INTEREST
QUARTER                                         OPERATING   EXPENSE AND    NET
(MILLIONS)                                      REVENUES   INCOME TAXES   INCOME
- ----------                                      --------- --------------- ------
<S>                                             <C>       <C>             <C>
1996 1st.......................................  $  748        $119        $ 78
     2nd.......................................     622          69          25
                                                 ------        ----        ----
                                                 $1,370        $188        $103
                                                 ======        ====        ====
1995 1st.......................................  $  505        $ 71        $ 32
     2nd.......................................     434          69          15
     3rd.......................................     429          43           5
     4th.......................................     553          85         105
                                                 ------        ----        ----
                                                 $1,921        $268        $157
                                                 ======        ====        ====
1994 1st.......................................  $  693        $ 89        $ 18
     2nd.......................................     607          80          60
     3rd.......................................     549          71         (38)
     4th.......................................     532         127         113
                                                 ------        ----        ----
                                                 $2,381        $367        $153
                                                 ======        ====        ====
</TABLE>
- --------
Note: Reference is made to Notes 4 and 5 and "Managements' Discussion and
      Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for
      discussion of items affecting quarterly results.
 
 The preceding notes to combined financial statements are an integral part of
                 the foregoing combined financial statements.
 
                                     F-28
<PAGE>
 
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF TENNECO ENERGY
 
                 SCHEDULE II--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                   (MILLIONS)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        COLUMN A           COLUMN B        COLUMN C         COLUMN D  COLUMN E
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ADDITIONS
                                     ---------------------
                          BALANCE AT CHARGED TO CHARGED TO            BALANCE
                          BEGINNING  COSTS AND    OTHER                AT END
       DESCRIPTION         OF YEAR    EXPENSES   ACCOUNTS  DEDUCTIONS OF YEAR
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Allowance for Doubtful
 Accounts Deducted from
 Assets to Which it
 Applies:
  Year Ended December 31,
   1995..................    $21        $26        $ 9        $ 7       $49
                             ===        ===        ===        ===       ===
  Year Ended December 31,
   1994..................    $37        $ 2        $ 2        $20       $21
                             ===        ===        ===        ===       ===
  Year Ended December 31,
   1993..................    $15        $23        $ 3        $ 4       $37
                             ===        ===        ===        ===       ===
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   APPENDIX A
 
                           (to be filed by amendment)
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
                                   APPENDIX B
 
                           (to be filed by amendment)
 
                                      B-1
<PAGE>
                                  APPENDIX C
 
                             INFORMATION STATEMENT
 
                               NEW TENNECO INC.
           LOGO          (TO BE RENAMED TENNECO INC.)
 
                                 COMMON STOCK
                          (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)
 
  This Information Statement is being furnished to stockholders of Tenneco
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Tenneco"), in connection with the distribution
(the "Industrial Distribution") by Tenneco to holders of its Common Stock, par
value $5.00 per share ("Tenneco Common Stock"), of all the outstanding shares
of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Company Common Stock"), of its
wholly-owned subsidiary, New Tenneco Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"). Concurrently, Tenneco will distribute to holders of Tenneco Common
Stock all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
("Newport News Common Stock"), of Newport News Shipbuilding Inc., a Delaware
corporation (formerly known as Tenneco InterAmerica Inc.) ("Newport News")
(individually, the "Shipbuilding Distribution" and, together with the
Industrial Distribution, the "Distributions"). The Distributions will occur
immediately prior to the effective time (the "Merger Effective Time") of the
proposed merger (the "Merger"), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated as of June 19, 1996, as amended (the "Merger Agreement"), of a wholly-
owned subsidiary of El Paso Natural Gas Company, a Delaware corporation ("El
Paso"), with and into Tenneco (which will be renamed El Paso Tennessee
Pipeline Co.). Pursuant to the Merger, Tenneco stockholders will receive
Common Stock, par value $3.00 per share, of El Paso ("El Paso Common Stock")
and, under certain circumstances, depositary shares each representing a 1/25th
fractional interest in a share of Preferred Stock of El Paso ("El Paso
Preferred Depositary Shares"). The Distributions, the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated thereby are collectively referred to herein as the
"Transaction."
 
  Unless the context otherwise requires, as used herein the term "Company"
refers: (i) for periods prior to the Industrial Distribution, to the Tenneco
Automotive, Tenneco Packaging and Tenneco Business Services businesses of
Tenneco (collectively, the "Industrial Business") which New Tenneco Inc. will
own and operate after the Industrial Distribution and (ii) for periods after
the Industrial Distribution, to New Tenneco Inc. and its consolidated
subsidiaries. See "The Industrial Distribution--Corporate Restructuring
Transactions."
 
  The Company is a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Tenneco that will
conduct the Industrial Business. As part of the Transaction, the Industrial
Business has been consolidated into the Company and disaffiliated with the
other businesses of Tenneco as described under "The Industrial Distribution--
Corporate Restructuring Transactions."
 
  The consummation of the Transaction is conditioned upon, among other things,
approval thereof by Tenneco stockholders. The consummation of the
Distributions is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of other
conditions as described under "The Industrial Distribution--Conditions to
Consummation of the Industrial Distribution."
 
  It is expected that the Industrial Distribution will be made on or about
December  , 1996 to holders of record of Tenneco Common Stock on such date on
the basis of one share of Company Common Stock for each share of Tenneco
Common Stock held of record. In addition, the Board of Directors of the
Company will adopt a stockholder rights plan and cause to be issued, with each
share of Company Common Stock to be distributed in the Industrial
Distribution, one Right (as defined herein), entitling the holder thereof to,
among other things, purchase under certain circumstances, and as described
more fully herein, one one-hundredth of a share of Company Junior Preferred
Stock (as defined herein). No consideration will be required to be paid by
holders of Tenneco Common Stock for the shares of Company Common Stock to be
distributed in the Industrial Distribution or the Rights to be issued in
connection therewith, nor will holders of Tenneco Common Stock be required to
surrender or exchange their shares of Tenneco Common Stock in order to receive
such shares of Company Common Stock and the Rights associated therewith.
 
  There is no current public market for Company Common Stock, although a "when
issued" market is expected to develop prior to the effective date of the
Industrial Distribution (the "Distribution Date"). On             , 1996, the
New York Stock Exchange approved the listing of Company Common Stock upon
notice of issuance. The Company has applied to the Chicago, Pacific, London
and Toronto Stock Exchanges for approval of the listing of Company Common
Stock upon notice of issuance.
 
  RECIPIENTS OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK SHOULD NOTE THE FACTORS DISCUSSED IN
"RISK FACTORS."
 
                               ----------------
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR BY  ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION, NOR  HAS THE
   SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION
     PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR  ADEQUACY OF THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT.
      ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
            THE DATE OF THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT IS       , 1996.
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION.....................................................    1
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION............................................    3
INTRODUCTION..............................................................   13
THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION...............................................   14
  Manner of Distribution..................................................   14
  Corporate Restructuring Transactions....................................   14
  Debt and Cash Realignment...............................................   15
  Relationships Among Tenneco, the Company and Newport News after the Dis-
   tributions.............................................................   17
  Reasons for the Distributions...........................................   23
  Conditions to Consummation of the Industrial Distribution...............   23
  Amendment or Termination of the Distributions...........................   23
  Trading of Company Common Stock.........................................   24
  Certain Federal Income Tax Aspects of the Industrial Distribution.......   24
  Reasons for Furnishing the Information Statement........................   27
RISK FACTORS..............................................................   28
  No Current Public Market for Company Common Stock.......................   28
  Changes in Trading Prices of Stock Following the Transaction............   28
  Dividends...............................................................   28
  Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations...............................   28
  Certain Antitakeover Features...........................................   29
  Fraudulent Transfer Considerations; Legal Dividend Requirements; Alloca-
   tion of Liabilities....................................................   29
THE COMPANY...............................................................   31
  Introduction............................................................   31
  Business Strategy.......................................................   31
FINANCING.................................................................   34
CAPITALIZATION............................................................   35
FINANCIAL INFORMATION.....................................................   36
  Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statements of the Company.................   36
COMBINED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA..........................................   41
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
 OPERATIONS...............................................................   42
  Proposed Merger with El Paso............................................   42
  Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995...   43
  Results of Operations for the Years 1995, 1994 and 1993.................   48
BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES...................................................   56
  Tenneco Automotive......................................................   56
  Tenneco Packaging.......................................................   63
  Tenneco Business Services...............................................   69
  Properties..............................................................   70
  Environmental Matters...................................................   71
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.........................................................   71
MANAGEMENT................................................................   72
  Board of Directors......................................................   72
  Executive Officers......................................................   74
  Stock Ownership.........................................................   75
</TABLE>
 
                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
  Committees of the Board of Directors....................................  76
  Executive Compensation..................................................  77
  Compensation of Directors...............................................  82
  Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control
   Arrangements...........................................................  83
  Transactions with Management and Others.................................  83
  Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.............  84
  Benefit Plans Following the Industrial Distribution.....................  84
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK..............................................  85
  Authorized Capital Stock................................................  85
  Company Common Stock....................................................  85
  Company Preferred Stock.................................................  86
ANTITAKEOVER EFFECTS OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS................................  86
  Classified Board of Directors...........................................  86
  Number of Directors; Removal; Filling Vacancies.........................  87
  Special Meetings........................................................  87
  Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder
   Proposals..............................................................  87
  Company Preferred Stock.................................................  88
  Business Combinations...................................................  89
  Amendment of Certain Provisions of the Certificate and By-laws..........  89
  Rights..................................................................  90
  Antitakeover Legislation................................................  92
  Comparison with Rights of Holders of Tenneco Common Stock...............  93
LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS...................  95
  Elimination of Liability of Directors...................................  95
  Indemnification of Directors and Officers...............................  95
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS............................................. F-1
</TABLE>
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  Tenneco is (and, following the Industrial Distribution, the Company will be)
subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files (and
the Company will file) reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by Tenneco (and to be filed by the
Company) with the SEC may be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the SEC at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as at the SEC's Regional Offices, including
the following: Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York,
New York 10048. Copies of such information may be obtained by mail at
prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
 
  The Company intends to furnish holders of Company Common Stock with annual
reports containing consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance
with United States generally accepted accounting principles and audited and
reported on, with an opinion expressed, by an independent public accounting
firm, as well as quarterly reports for the first three quarters of each fiscal
year containing unaudited financial information.
 
  The Company has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form 10 (as
amended, the "Registration Statement") under the Exchange Act covering Company
Common Stock and the associated Rights.
 
  This Information Statement does not contain all of the information in the
Registration Statement and the related exhibits and schedules. Statements in
this Information Statement as to the contents of any contract, agreement or
other document are summaries only and are not necessarily complete. For
complete information as to these matters, refer to the applicable exhibit or
schedule to the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement and the
related exhibits filed by the Company with the SEC may be inspected at the
public reference facilities of the SEC listed above.
 
  NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE MATTERS DESCRIBED IN THIS INFORMATION
STATEMENT OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED
BY REFERENCE HEREIN AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR TENNECO.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT NOR CONSUMMATION OF THE
INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY OR TENNECO SINCE THE DATE HEREOF, OR THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
     CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE
               PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
 
  This Information Statement contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning,
among other things, the Company's prospects, developments and business
strategies for its operations, all of which are subject to risks and
uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of
such terms and phrases as "intends," "goal," "expects," "expect," "expected,"
"plans," "anticipates," "should," "designed to," "foreseeable future" and
"believes" and are generally followed by a cross reference to "Risk Factors."
The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the results
discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a
difference include (a) the factors discussed in the section or sections under
"Risk Factors" that are referred to in the cross reference that follows the
forward-looking statement as well as other factors discussed under "Risk
Factors," (b) the factors discussed under "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business and
Properties" and (c) the following additional factors: (i) the general economic
and competitive conditions in the markets and countries where the Company
operates; (ii) changes in capital availability or costs such as changes in
interest rates, market perceptions of the industries in which the Company
operates or security ratings; (iii) fluctuations in demand for certain of the
Company's products; (iv) the cost of compliance with changes in regulations,
including environmental regulations; (v) employee workforce factors, including
collective bargaining agreements or work stoppages; (vi) growth
<PAGE>
 
strategies through acquisitions and investments in joint ventures may face
legal and regulatory delays and other unforeseeable obstacles beyond the
Company's control; (vii) cost control efforts may be affected by the timing of
related work force reductions and might be further offset by unusual and
unexpected items resulting from such events as unexpected environmental
remediation costs in excess of reserves; (viii) future operating results and
success of business ventures in the United States and foreign markets may be
subject to the effects of, and changes in, United States and foreign trade and
monetary policies, laws and regulations, political and governmental changes,
inflation and exchange rates, taxes, and operating conditions; and (ix)
authoritative generally accepted accounting principle or policy changes from
such standard setting bodies as the Financial Accounting Standards Board and
the SEC.
 
  When a forward-looking statement includes a statement of the assumptions or
basis underlying the forward-looking statement, the Company cautions that,
while it believes such assumptions or basis to be reasonable and makes them in
good faith, assumed facts or basis almost always vary from actual results, and
the differences between assumed facts or basis and actual results can be
material, depending upon the circumstances. Where, in any forward-looking
statement, the Company or its management expresses an expectation or belief as
to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and
believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the
statement of expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
 
                         SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
 
  This Summary is qualified by the more detailed information set forth
elsewhere in this Information Statement, which should be read in its entirety.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Summary are defined elsewhere in
this Information Statement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term
"Company" refers (i) for periods prior to the Industrial Distribution, to
Tenneco's Industrial Business and (ii) for periods after the Industrial
Distribution, to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company is a newly formed Delaware corporation which, upon completion of
the Industrial Distribution, will be an independent, publicly held company
(symbol "TEN"). The Company will own and operate, directly and through its
direct and indirect subsidiaries, substantially all of the assets of, and will
assume substantially all of the liabilities associated with, the principal
industrial businesses of Tenneco: the Tenneco Automotive business ("Tenneco
Automotive") and the Tenneco Packaging business ("Tenneco Packaging"). The
Company will also own and operate the administrative services business of
Tenneco: Tenneco Business Services ("TBS"). Upon consummation of the Merger,
the Company will change its name to Tenneco Inc.
 
  Although the separation of the Industrial Business from the remainder of the
businesses, operations and companies currently constituting the "Tenneco Group"
has been structured as a "spin-off" of the Company pursuant to the Industrial
Distribution for legal, tax and other reasons, the Company will succeed to
certain important aspects of the existing Tenneco business, organization and
affairs, namely: (i) the Company will be renamed "Tenneco Inc." upon the
consummation of the Merger; (ii) the Company will be headquartered at Tenneco's
current headquarters in Greenwich, Connecticut; (iii) the Company's Board of
Directors (the "Company Board") will consist of those persons currently
constituting the Tenneco Board of Directors (the "Tenneco Board"); (iv) the
Company's executive management will consist substantially of the current
Tenneco executive management; and (v) the Industrial Business to be conducted
by the Company will consist largely of Tenneco Automotive and Tenneco
Packaging.
 
  Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's leading manufacturers of automotive
exhaust and ride control systems for both the original equipment market and the
replacement market, or aftermarket. Tenneco Automotive is a global business
that sells its products in over 100 countries. Tenneco Automotive manufactures
and markets its automotive exhaust systems primarily under the Walker(R) brand
name and its ride control systems primarily under the Monroe(R) brand name.
 
  Tenneco Packaging is among the world's leading and most diversified packaging
companies, manufacturing packaging products for consumer, institutional and
industrial markets. The paperboard business group manufactures corrugated
containers, folding cartons and containerboard, has a joint venture in recycled
paperboard, and offers high value-added products such as enhanced graphics
packaging and displays and kraft honeycomb products. Its specialty products
group produces disposable aluminum, foam and clear plastic food containers,
molded fiber and pressed paperboard products, as well as polyethylene bags and
industrial stretch wrap. Tenneco Packaging's consumer products include such
recognized brand names as Hefty(R), Baggies(R) and E-Z Foil(R).
 
  TBS designs, implements and administers shared administrative service
programs for the Tenneco businesses as well as, on an "as requested" basis, for
former Tenneco business entities.
 
  The Company's principal executive offices are located at 1275 King Street,
Greenwich, Connecticut 06831; telephone: (203) 863-1000.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
 
                               BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
The Company
 
  The Distributions and the Merger represent the most important step to date in
accomplishing Tenneco's overall strategic objective of transforming itself from
a highly diversified industrial corporation to a global manufacturing company
focused on its Automotive and Packaging businesses. For the past several years,
Tenneco's management team has redeployed resources from slower growth, more
cyclical businesses to these higher growth businesses. The Distributions are
expected to provide the Company with greater flexibility to pursue additional
growth opportunities for Tenneco Automotive and Tenneco Packaging as a result
of the increased management focus and additional financial flexibility at the
Company. These additional growth opportunities are expected to include, among
other things, strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and
further organic growth from additional product development and international
expansion initiatives.
 
  Management Focus. As a result of the Distributions and the Merger, Tenneco's
executive management team will be able to focus all of its efforts on exploring
and implementing the most appropriate growth opportunities for Tenneco
Automotive and Tenneco Packaging.
 
  Implementation of Management Programs. Tenneco's strategy of focusing on the
Industrial Business will allow the Company to further refine and implement
certain management processes that have been developed over the past several
years in order to improve operating performance. These programs include: (i)
the Cost of Quality program through which the Company has successfully reduced
the failure costs in its manufacturing and administrative processes; (ii) the
working capital initiative through which the Company plans to further reduce
its working capital requirements; and (iii) the shared services program,
administered by TBS, through which the Company plans on further improving
efficiency and reducing the cost of general and administrative support
functions. The Company believes that Tenneco Automotive and Tenneco Packaging
are particularly well-suited to benefit from these types of programs due to the
fragmented, non-regulated nature of the industries in which they operate.
 
  Strategic Acquisitions. Strategic acquisitions have been, and will continue
to be, an important element of the Company's overall growth strategy. Tenneco's
current executive management team, which will continue to serve as the
Company's executive management team following the Industrial Distribution, has
a proven track record of identifying, structuring and integrating strategic
acquisitions. As a result of management's experience in implementing strategic
acquisitions, the Company has developed comprehensive plans to efficiently
integrate new companies into its existing corporate infrastructure. The Company
intends to continue to pursue appropriate acquisition opportunities in which
management can substantially improve the profitability of strategically related
businesses by, among other things, rationalizing similar product lines and
eliminating certain lower margin product lines; reconfiguring and upgrading
manufacturing facilities; moving production to the lowest cost facilities;
reducing selling, distribution, purchasing and administrative costs; increasing
market share within either a geographic or product market; and acquiring
businesses that possess leading brand name products.
 
  Continued growth in revenues and earnings at the pace sought by the Company
will require continued success in completing major acquisitions and similar
expansion efforts, and then successfully integrating the acquired businesses
and operations into the Company. The identity, timing, frequency, terms and
other factors involved in the overall acquisition/expansion program, and those
relating to any particular major acquisition, will impact, positively or
negatively, the Company's success in achieving its financial and other goals.
Although certain factors in this regard will be beyond the Company's control,
its executive management team believes that the Company will have the requisite
significant opportunities, and the expertise, resources and commitment to
successfully act on an appropriate number of those opportunities, to achieve
its goals.
 
  Employee Incentives. In addition, the Distributions and the Merger will allow
Tenneco's executive management team to develop incentive compensation systems
for employees that are more closely aligned with the operational success of
Tenneco Automotive and Tenneco Packaging.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
 
 Tenneco Automotive
 
  Tenneco Automotive's primary goal is to enhance its leadership position in
the global automotive parts industry in which it is currently one of the
world's leading manufacturers of exhaust and ride control systems. Tenneco
Automotive intends to capitalize on certain significant existing and emerging
trends in the automotive industry, including (i) the consolidation and
globalization of the original equipment manufacturers' ("OEMs") supplier base,
(ii) increased OEM outsourcing, particularly of more complex components,
assemblies, modules and complete systems to sophisticated, independent
suppliers and (iii) growth of emerging markets for both original equipment and
replacement markets. Key components of Tenneco Automotive's strategy include:
(a) capitalizing on brand-name strength; (b) retaining and enhancing market
share; (c) continuing development of high value-added products; (d) increasing
ability to deliver full-system capabilities (rather than merely component
parts); (e) continuing international expansion and strategic acquisitions; (f)
maintaining operating cost leadership; and (g) continuing focus on the
customer.
 
 Tenneco Packaging
 
  Tenneco Packaging's primary goal is to maintain and enhance its position as a
leading specialty packaging company offering a broad line of products suited to
provide customers with the best packaging solutions. Tenneco Packaging intends
to capitalize on certain significant existing and emerging trends in the
packaging industry, including (i) increasing materials substitution, (ii)
changing fiber availability and (iii) global demand growth. Key components of
Tenneco Packaging's strategy include: (a) continued development and growth of
multi-material uses, broad product lines and packaging offering customers
enhanced functionality and value; (b) fiber flexibility (primarily in the mix
of virgin and recycled fiber sources); (c) growth through domestic and
international acquisitions and joint ventures; (d) internal growth in base
businesses; (e) reduction of sensitivity to changes in economic cyclicality
through the pursuit of specialty and other high value-added product growth; and
(f) maintenance of market leadership positions in its primary business groups.
 
                                ----------------
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
    SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE COMPANY
 
  The summary combined financial data as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for
the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were derived from the audited
Combined Financial Statements of the Company. The summary combined financial
data as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December
31, 1992 and 1991 are unaudited and were derived from the accounting records of
Tenneco. The summary combined financial data as of and for each of the six-
month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 were derived from the unaudited
Combined Financial Statements of the Company. In the opinion of the Company's
management, the summary combined financial data of the Company as of December
31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December 31, 1992 and 1991 and
as of and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 include all adjusting
entries (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present
fairly the information set forth therein. The results of operations for the six
months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 should not be regarded as indicative of the
results that may be expected for the full year.
 
  The summary pro forma combined financial data as of and for the six months
ended June 30, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1995, have been
prepared to reflect (i) the acquisition of The Pullman Company and its Clevite
products division ("Clevite") in July 1996 and the acquisition of the Amoco
Foam Products Company, (a unit of Amoco Chemical Company), ("Amoco Foam
Products") in August 1996; (ii) the effect on the Company of the Debt
Realignment (as defined herein); and (iii) the issuance of Company Common Stock
as part of the Industrial Distribution. The unaudited pro forma combined
financial data for the year ended December 31, 1995 also reflects the
acquisition of the plastics division of Mobil Oil Corporation ("Mobil
Plastics") in November 1995. The unaudited pro forma combined Statements of
Income Data has been prepared as if the Transaction occurred on January 1,
1995; the unaudited pro forma combined Balance Sheet Data has been prepared as
if the Transaction occurred on June 30, 1996. The summary pro forma combined
financial data are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations of
the Company had the transactions reflected therein actually been consummated on
the dates assumed and are not necessarily indicative of the results of
operations for any future period.
 
  This information should be read in conjunction with the "Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Financial Statements," "Combined Selected Financial Data,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the Combined Financial Statements, and notes thereto, included
elsewhere in this Information Statement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  SIX MONTHS
(MILLIONS EXCEPT PER            ENDED JUNE 30,                    YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
   SHARE AMOUNTS)          --------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------------
                           PRO FORMA                   PRO FORMA
                             1996    1996(A)  1995(A)    1995    1995(A)  1994(A)     1993(A)   1992       1991
                           --------- -------  -------  --------- -------  -------     -------  ------     ------
<S>                        <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>        <C>
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 DATA(B):
Net sales and operating
 revenues from continuing
 operations--
  Automotive.............   $1,583   $1,463   $1,263    $2,710   $2,479   $1,989      $1,785   $1,763     $1,668
  Packaging..............    1,927    1,775    1,318     4,556    2,752    2,184       2,042    2,078      1,934
  Intergroup sales and
   other.................       (5)      (5)      (4)      (10)     (10)      (7)         (7)      (5)        (5)
                            ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------      ------   ------     ------
  Total..................   $3,505   $3,233   $2,577    $7,256   $5,221   $4,166      $3,820   $3,836     $3,597
                            ======   ======   ======    ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
Income from continuing
 operations before
 interest expense, income
 taxes and minority
 interest--
  Automotive.............   $  170   $  163   $  134    $  258   $  240     $223      $  222   $  237     $  188
  Packaging..............      280      256      244       548      430      209         139      221        139
  Other..................       (5)      (5)      --         2        2       24          20        7          3
                            ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------      ------   ------     ------
  Total..................   $  445   $  414   $  378    $  808   $  672   $  456      $  381   $  465     $  330
                            ======   ======   ======    ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
Income from continuing
 operations..............   $  197   $  178   $  168    $  332   $  258   $  238      $  165   $  209     $  139
Loss from discontinued
 operations, net of
 income tax..............       --       --       --        --       --      (31)         (7)      (7)       (12)
Cumulative effect of
 changes in accounting
 principles, net of
 income tax..............       --       --       --        --       --       (7)(c)      --      (99)(c)     --
                            ------   ------   ------    ------   ------   ------      ------   ------     ------
Net income...............   $  197   $  178   $  168    $  332   $  258   $  200      $  158   $  103     $  127
                            ======   ======   ======    ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
Earnings per share.......   $ 1.16                      $ 1.91
                            ======                      ======
EBITDA(e)................   $  603   $  551   $  458    $1,023   $  845   $  598      $  518   $  595     $  463
                            ======   ======   ======    ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
BALANCE SHEET DATA(B):
Total assets.............   $7,594   $6,523   $4,430       N/A   $6,117   $3,940      $3,029   $2,812     $2,792
Short-term debt(d).......      514      530      205       N/A      384      108          94      182        758
Long-term debt(d)........    1,543    1,573    1,246       N/A    1,648    1,039       1,178    1,675      1,555
Minority interest........      301      301      297       N/A      301      301           1        1          2
Combined equity..........    3,053    2,168    1,163       N/A    1,852      987         533      (87)      (553)
</TABLE>
- -------
(a) For a discussion of the significant items affecting comparability of the
    financial information for 1995, 1994 and 1993 and for the six months ended
    June 30, 1996 and 1995, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations," included elsewhere in this
    Information Statement.
(b) During 1995 and 1994, Tenneco Automotive and Tenneco Packaging each
    completed several acquisitions, the most significant of which was Tenneco
    Packaging's acquisition of Mobil Plastics for $1.3 billion in late 1995.
    See Note 4 to the Combined Financial Statements included elsewhere in this
    Information Statement, for further information on the Company's
    acquisitions.
(c) In 1994, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
    ("FAS") No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits." In
    1992, the Company adopted FAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for
    Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions," and FAS No. 109, "Accounting
    for Income Taxes."
(d) Historical amounts include debt allocated to the Company from Tenneco based
    on the portion of Tenneco's investment in the Company which is deemed to be
    debt, generally based upon the ratio of the Company's net assets to Tenneco
    consolidated net assets plus debt. Tenneco's historical practice has been
    to incur indebtedness for its consolidated group at the parent company
    level or at a limited number of subsidiaries, rather than at the operating
    company level, and to centrally manage various cash functions. See the
    Combined Financial Statements, and notes thereto, included elsewhere in
    this Information Statement.
(e) EBITDA represents income from continuing operations before interest
    expense, income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. EBITDA
    should not be considered as an alternative to net income or operating
    income, as an indicator of the operating performance of the Company or as
    an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
 
                          THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION
 
Distributing Company....  Tenneco Inc. (which will be renamed El Paso Tennessee
                          Pipeline Co. upon consummation of the Merger).
 
Distributed Company.....  New Tenneco Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of
                          Tenneco) which will, upon consummation of the
                          Industrial Distribution, directly and indirectly
                          through its consolidated subsidiaries, own and
                          operate Tenneco Automotive, Tenneco Packaging, and
                          TBS. Immediately following consummation of the
                          Industrial Distribution, Tenneco will not have an
                          ownership interest in the Company and, upon
                          consummation of the Merger, the Company will be
                          renamed "Tenneco Inc."
 
Distribution Ratio......  One share of Company Common Stock for each share of
                          Tenneco Common Stock held of record on the
                          Distribution Date.
 
Securities to be          Based on 170,644,461 shares of Tenneco Common Stock
Distributed.............  outstanding on July 31, 1996, 170,644,461 shares of
                          Company Common Stock (and Rights associated
                          therewith) will be distributed. Company Common Stock
                          to be distributed will constitute all of the
                          outstanding Company Common Stock after the Industrial
                          Distribution. See "Description of Capital Stock--
                          Company Common Stock" and "Antitakeover Effects of
                          Certain Provisions--Rights."
 
Distribution Date.......  December   , 1996.
 
Distribution Agent and
 Transfer Agent for the
 Shares.................
                          First Chicago Trust Company of New York.
 
Mailing Date............  Certificates representing the shares of Company
                          Common Stock to be distributed pursuant to the
                          Industrial Distribution will be delivered to the
                          Distribution Agent on the Distribution Date. The
                          Distribution Agent will mail certificates
                          representing the shares of Company Common Stock to
                          holders of Tenneco Common Stock as soon as
                          practicable thereafter. Holders of Tenneco Common
                          Stock should not send stock certificates to Tenneco,
                          the Company or the Distribution Agent in connection
                          with the Industrial Distribution (however, holders
                          will receive instructions from the Distribution Agent
                          with respect to the disposition of their certificates
                          in connection with the Merger). See "The Industrial
                          Distribution--Manner of Distribution."
 
Conditions to the
 Industrial
 Distribution...........  The Transaction (and, accordingly, the Industrial
                          Distribution) is conditioned upon, among other
                          things, declaration of the special distributions by
                          the Tenneco Board authorizing the Distributions,
                          receipt of a private letter ruling from the Internal
                          Revenue Service (the "IRS") in form and substance
                          satisfactory to the Tenneco Board (see "The
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                          Industrial Distribution--Certain Federal Income Tax
                          Aspects of the Industrial Distribution") and approval
                          by the stockholders of Tenneco of the Transaction.
                          The Distributions and the Merger are part of a
                          unified transaction and will not be effected
                          separately (although Tenneco may elect subsequently
                          to proceed with one or more of the transactions
                          included in the Transaction which do not require
                          stockholder approval if the Transaction is not
                          approved by Tenneco stockholders). See "The
                          Industrial Distribution--Conditions to Consummation
                          of the Industrial Distribution" and "The Industrial
                          Distribution--Amendment or Termination of the
                          Distributions."
 
Reasons for the           The Distributions and the Merger are designed to
Distributions...........  separate three types of businesses, namely the
                          Industrial Business, the Shipbuilding Business (as
                          defined below) and the Energy Business (as defined
                          below), which have distinct financial, investment and
                          operating characteristics, so that each can adopt
                          strategies and pursue objectives appropriate to its
                          specific needs. The Distributions will (i) enable the
                          management of each company to concentrate its
                          attention and financial resources on the core
                          businesses of such company, (ii) permit investors to
                          make more focused investment decisions based on the
                          specific attributes of each of the three businesses,
                          (iii) facilitate employee compensation programs
                          custom-tailored to the operations of each business,
                          including stock-based and other incentive programs,
                          which will more directly reward employees of each
                          business based on the success of that business and
                          (iv) tailor the assets of Tenneco to facilitate the
                          acquisition of the Energy Business by El Paso. Upon
                          consummation of the Industrial Distribution, the
                          Company will, primarily through its consolidated
                          subsidiaries, own and operate Tenneco Automotive,
                          Tenneco Packaging and TBS and Newport News will,
                          primarily through its consolidated subsidiaries
                          (principally Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock
                          Company), own and operate the shipbuilding and
                          related businesses of Tenneco (the "Shipbuilding
                          Business"). Immediately following consummation of the
                          Distributions, a subsidiary of El Paso will be merged
                          with and into Tenneco, and thereafter the energy and
                          other remaining businesses and operations of Tenneco,
                          including liabilities and assets relating to
                          discontinued Tenneco operations not related to the
                          Industrial Business or the Shipbuilding Business
                          (collectively, the "Energy Business") will be owned
                          and operated by El Paso. See "The Industrial
                          Distribution--Reasons for the Distributions."
 
Federal Income Tax
Consequences............
                          The Tenneco Board has conditioned the Industrial
                          Distribution on receipt of a ruling from the IRS
                          substantially to the effect, among other things, that
                          the Industrial Distribution and the receipt of shares
                          of Company Common Stock by holders of Tenneco Common
                          Stock will be tax-free to Tenneco and its
                          stockholders, respectively, for federal income tax
                          purposes. Tenneco has requested a ruling from the IRS
                          as to the foregoing, as well as to the tax-free
                          treatment of certain transactions to be effected as
                          part of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions (as
                          defined herein) and the Merger. See "The Industrial
                          Distribution--Certain Federal Income Tax Aspects of
                          the Industrial Distribution" and "Risk Factors--
                          Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations."
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
 
Trading Market..........  There is currently no public market for Company
                          Common Stock, although a "when issued" market is
                          expected to develop prior to the Distribution Date.
                          On             , 1996, the Company received approval
                          to list the shares of Company Common Stock on the New
                          York Stock Exchange upon notice of issuance. The
                          Company has applied to the Chicago, Pacific, London
                          and Toronto Stock Exchanges for approval of the
                          listing of Company Common Stock upon notice of
                          issuance. The combined market value/trading prices of
                          (i) Company Common Stock, (ii) Newport News Common
                          Stock and (iii) El Paso Common Stock and, under
                          certain circumstances, El Paso Preferred Depositary
                          Shares after the Transaction may be less than, equal
                          to or greater than the market value/trading price of
                          Tenneco Common Stock prior to the Transaction. See
                          "The Industrial Distribution--Trading of Company
                          Common Stock" and "Risk Factors--No Current Public
                          Market for Company Common Stock."
 
Dividends...............  The Company's dividend policy will be established by
                          the Company Board from time to time based on the
                          results of operations and financial condition of the
                          Company and such other business considerations as the
                          Company Board considers relevant. There can be no
                          assurances that the combined annual dividends on (i)
                          El Paso Common Stock and any El Paso Preferred
                          Depositary Shares, (ii) Company Common Stock and
                          (iii) Newport News Common Stock after the Transaction
                          will be equal to the annual dividends on Tenneco
                          Common Stock prior to the Transaction (and it is
                          unlikely that the dividends would be greater than the
                          annual dividends on Tenneco Common Stock prior to the
                          Transaction). See "Risk Factors--Dividends" and
                          "Description of Capital Stock--Company Common Stock."
 
Antitakeover              The Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the
Provisions..............  Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company, as well
                          as the Company's stockholder rights plan (which
                          rights will expire on June 10, 1998 unless extended
                          with stockholder approval) and Delaware statutory
                          law, contain provisions that may have the effect of
                          discouraging an acquisition of control of the Company
                          in a transaction not approved by the Company Board.
                          These provisions, which are, in all material
                          respects, the same as those provisions which are
                          currently applicable to Tenneco (see "Antitakeover
                          Effects of Certain Provisions--Comparison with Rights
                          of Holders of Tenneco Common Stock"), should better
                          enable the Company to develop its business and foster
                          its long-term growth without the disruptions that can
                          be caused by the threat of certain types of takeovers
                          not deemed by the Company Board to be in the best
                          interests of the Company and its stockholders. Such
                          provisions may also have the effect of discouraging
                          third parties from making proposals involving an
                          acquisition or change of control of the Company,
                          although such proposals, if made, might be considered
                          desirable by a majority of the Company's
                          stockholders. Such provisions could further have the
                          effect of making it more difficult for third parties
                          to cause the immediate removal and replacement of the
                          members of the then current Company Board or the then
                          current management of the Company without the
                          concurrence of the Company Board. See "Risk Factors--
                          Certain Antitakeover Features," "Description of
                          Capital Stock," and "Antitakeover Effects of Certain
                          Provisions."
 
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Risk Factors............  See "Risk Factors" for a discussion of factors that
                          should be considered in connection with Company
                          Common Stock to be received in the Industrial
                          Distribution.
 
Corporate Restructuring
 Transactions...........
                          Prior to the consummation of the Industrial
                          Distribution, Tenneco and its subsidiaries will
                          undertake various intercompany transfers and
                          distributions designed to restructure Tenneco's
                          existing businesses, assets and liabilities so that
                          all of the assets, liabilities and operations of (i)
                          the Industrial Business will be directly and
                          indirectly owned and operated by the Company, (ii)
                          the Shipbuilding Business will be directly and
                          indirectly owned and operated by Newport News and
                          (iii) the Energy Business will be directly and
                          indirectly owned and operated by Tenneco, which will,
                          following the Merger, be a subsidiary of El Paso and
                          be renamed El Paso Tennessee Pipeline Co. (the
                          "Corporate Restructuring Transactions"). See "The
                          Industrial Distribution--Corporate Restructuring
                          Transactions."
 
Debt and Cash
 Realignment; Exchange
 Offer; Revolving
 Credit Financing.......
                          The Merger Agreement, the Distribution Agreement to
                          be entered into pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the
                          "Distribution Agreement") and the other agreements
                          and documents attached as exhibits to the Merger
                          Agreement or the Distribution Agreement (the
                          "Ancillary Agreements") provide for (i) the
                          restructuring (through debt tender and exchange
                          offers, defeasances, prepayments, refinancings and
                          the like), immediately prior to the Distributions, of
                          the outstanding indebtedness for money borrowed (the
                          "Tenneco Consolidated Debt") of Tenneco and certain
                          of its consolidated subsidiaries (the "Debt
                          Realignment") and (ii) the allocation of cash and
                          cash equivalents of Tenneco and its consolidated
                          subsidiaries (the "Cash Realignment").
 
                          Tenneco will be allocated (and thereby retain)
                          certain of the Tenneco Consolidated Debt, as so
                          restructured pursuant to the Debt Realignment. A
                          post-Transaction audit will be conducted and if the
                          amount of Tenneco Consolidated Debt (together with
                          the value of approximately $      of a new series of
                          voting junior preferred stock (the "Tenneco Junior
                          Preferred Stock") issued by Tenneco pursuant to a
                          privately negotiated sale or a registered public
                          offering (the "NPS Issuance") prior to the
                          Distributions) so retained by Tenneco exceeds $2.65
                          billion (subject to certain adjustments as more fully
                          described in this Information Statement), the Company
                          will pay the excess to Tenneco in cash, and
                          conversely, if the amount of Tenneco Consolidated
                          Debt (together with the [value] of the Tenneco Junior
                          Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the NPS Issuance)
                          so retained by Tenneco is less than $2.65 billion
                          (subject to the same adjustments), Tenneco will pay
                          the difference to the Company in cash.
 
                          As part of the Debt Realignment, the Company will
                          offer to exchange (the "Debt Exchange Offer") $
                          billion principal amount of new, publicly-traded debt
                          securities of the Company ("Company Public Debt") for
                          an equal amount of publicly-traded Tenneco
                          Consolidated Debt
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                          ("Tenneco Public Debt"). The Company Public Debt will
                          have similar maturities, but marginally higher coupon
                          rates than the Tenneco Public Debt for which it is
                          being exchanged. Upon consummation of the Debt
                          Exchange Offer, Tenneco will purchase (and thereafter
                          extinguish) the Tenneco Public Debt held by the
                          Company, and the Company will then distribute such
                          proceeds as a dividend to Tenneco.
 
                          In addition, the Company will enter into a $
                          Revolving Credit Facility (the "Company Credit
                          Facility"), of which $350 million will be borrowed by
                          the Company and distributed to Tenneco as a dividend
                          for use by Tenneco in retiring certain other Tenneco
                          Consolidated Debt, with the remaining $     to be
                          used by the Company for working capital, acquisitions
                          and other general corporate purposes.
 
                          Also as part of the Debt Realignment, Tenneco has
                          agreed with El Paso that Tenneco will make certain
                          minimum capital expenditures with respect to the
                          Energy Business pending consummation of the
                          Transaction. If the actual amount of such capital
                          expenditures exceeds the required amount, after
                          consummation of the Transaction Tenneco will be
                          required to pay the excess to the Company in cash.
                          Likewise, the Company will be required to pay to
                          Tenneco in cash the amount, if any, by which such
                          actual capital expenditures are less than the
                          required amount. The required amount of Energy
                          Business capital expenditures is equal to
                          $333,200,000 for 1996, plus $27,750,000 per month for
                          each month (or pro rata portion thereof) from January
                          1, 1997 to the Merger Effective Time.
 
                          Pursuant to the Cash Realignment, Tenneco will be
                          allocated $25 million of cash and cash equivalents,
                          Newport News will be allocated $5 million of cash and
                          cash equivalents and the Company will be allocated
                          all remaining cash and cash equivalents on hand as of
                          the Merger Effective Time which would total
                          approximately $200 million if the Transaction had
                          been consummated as of June 30, 1996. Following the
                          post-Transaction audit described above, the Company
                          will be required to pay to each of Tenneco or Newport
                          News, as the case may be, the amount by which such
                          company's total cash and cash equivalents on hand as
                          of the Merger Effective Time is less than the above-
                          described allocation to such company. Likewise,
                          Tenneco and Newport News will each be required to pay
                          to the Company the amount of any excess as of the
                          Merger Effective Time from the above-described
                          allocation.
 
                          See "The Industrial Distribution--Debt and Cash
                          Realignment."
 
Relationships Among
 Tenneco, the Company
 and Newport News after
 the Distributions......
                          Tenneco will have no stock ownership in the Company
                          upon consummation of the Industrial Distribution. The
                          Company, Newport News and Tenneco will enter into the
                          Distribution Agreement prior to the Industrial
                          Distribution for the purposes of governing certain
                          ongoing relationships among Tenneco, the Company and
                          Newport News after the Industrial Distribution and to
                          provide for an orderly transition in the
                          disaffiliation of the Industrial Business, the Energy
                          Business and the Shipbuilding Business. The
                          Distribution Agreement provides for, among
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
                          other things, the Distributions and the allocation
                          among the Company, Tenneco and Newport News of assets
                          and liabilities. The parties will also enter into the
                          Ancillary Agreements, including: (i) the Benefits
                          Agreement, providing for allocations of
                          responsibilities with respect to employee
                          compensation, benefits and labor matters; (ii) the
                          Tax Sharing Agreement pursuant to which Tenneco, the
                          Company and Newport News will allocate liabilities
                          for taxes arising prior to, as a result of, and
                          subsequent to the Distribution Date; (iii) the Debt
                          Realignment Plan pursuant to which the Tenneco
                          Consolidated Debt will be restructured, paid and/or
                          refinanced by Tenneco, the Company and Newport News;
                          (iv) the Debt and Cash Allocation Agreement,
                          providing for, among other things, the allocation of
                          cash among, and the restructuring and refinancing of
                          certain of the debt of Tenneco existing prior to the
                          Distributions by (or with funds provided by) the
                          Company, Tenneco and Newport News; (v) the TBS
                          Services Agreement, pursuant to which TBS will
                          continue to provide certain administrative and other
                          services to Tenneco and Newport News; (vi) the
                          Tenneco Transition Trademark License and the
                          Shipbuilding Transition Trademark License, which will
                          allow Tenneco and Newport News to use the trademark
                          and tradenames of the Company for certain specified
                          periods of time for certain purposes; and (vii) the
                          Insurance Agreement, providing for, among other
                          things, coverage arrangements for Tenneco, the
                          Company and Newport News in respect of various
                          insurance policies. In addition, pursuant to a
                          Transition Services Agreement, the Company may also
                          provide certain services to Tenneco and El Paso on a
                          transitional basis at prevailing market rates.
 
                          In addition, the Company and Newport News will share
                          one common director, Dana G. Mead, and the Company
                          and El Paso (which will be the parent of Tenneco)
                          will share one common director, Peter T. Flawn. The
                          Company, Newport News and El Paso will adopt policies
                          and procedures to be followed by the Board of
                          Directors of each company to limit the involvement of
                          Mr. Mead and Dr. Flawn in situations that could give
                          rise to potential conflicts of interest, including
                          requesting them to abstain from voting as a director
                          of either the Company or Newport News, with respect
                          to Mr. Mead, or either the Company or El Paso, with
                          respect to Dr. Flawn, on certain matters which
                          present a conflict of interest between the Company
                          and Newport News or El Paso, as the case might be.
                          The Company believes that such conflict situations
                          will be minimal.
 
                          See "The Industrial Distribution--Relationships Among
                          Tenneco, the Company and Newport News After the
                          Distributions."
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                                 INTRODUCTION
 
  This Information Statement is being furnished to stockholders of Tenneco in
connection with the Industrial Distribution pursuant to which Tenneco intends
to distribute to holders of Tenneco Common Stock all of the outstanding shares
of Company Common Stock. Concurrently, Tenneco will distribute to holders of
Tenneco Common Stock all of the outstanding shares of Newport News Common
Stock. The Distributions will occur prior to the consummation of the Merger
pursuant to which a subsidiary of El Paso will merge with and into Tenneco
(which will, upon consummation of the Merger, be renamed El Paso Tennessee
Pipeline Co.) and Tenneco will become a subsidiary of El Paso.
 
  It is expected that the Distribution Date of the Industrial Distribution
will be on or about December  , 1996 to holders of record of Tenneco Common
Stock on such date on the basis of one share of Company Common Stock for each
share of Tenneco Common Stock held of record. In addition, the Company Board
will adopt a stockholder rights plan and cause to be issued, with each share
of Company Common Stock to be distributed in the Industrial Distribution, one
Right, entitling the holder thereof to, among other things, purchase under
certain circumstances, and as described more fully herein, one one-hundredth
of a share of Company Junior Preferred Stock. No consideration will be
required to be paid by holders of Tenneco Common Stock for the shares of
Company Common Stock to be distributed in the Industrial Distribution or the
Rights to be issued in connection therewith, nor will holders of Tenneco
Common Stock be required to surrender or exchange their shares of Tenneco
Common Stock in order to receive such shares of Company Common Stock and the
Rights associated therewith.
 
  Upon consummation of the Distributions and the Merger (i) holders of Tenneco
Common Stock as of the Distribution Date and Merger Effective Time will
receive the securities of three publicly held companies--the Company, Newport
News and El Paso and (ii) holders of Tenneco Preferred Stock (as defined
herein) as of the Merger Effective Time will receive El Paso Common Stock.
Thereafter, the Company will own and operate the Industrial Business, Newport
News will own and operate the Shipbuilding Business and El Paso will own and
operate the Energy Business.
 
  The Industrial Distribution, the Shipbuilding Distribution and the Merger
are separate components of the Transaction. However, the Industrial
Distribution, the Shipbuilding Distribution and the Merger as described herein
will not be consummated unless the Transaction as a whole is approved at a
special meeting of the Tenneco stockholders (although Tenneco may elect
subsequently to proceed with one or more of the transactions included in the
Transaction which do not require stockholder approval if the Transaction is
not approved by Tenneco stockholders). Furthermore, the Industrial
Distribution will not be consummated until all other conditions to the Merger
have been satisfied (or can be contemporaneously satisfied) other than the
filing of a Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware. See
"The Industrial Distribution--Conditions to Consummation of the Industrial
Distribution" and "The Industrial Distribution--Amendment or Termination of
the Distributions."
 
  Stockholders of Tenneco with inquiries relating to the Industrial
Distribution should contact the Distribution Agent at (212)    , or Tenneco
Inc., Shareholders Services, 1275 King Street, Greenwich, Connecticut 06831;
telephone: (203) 863-1170.
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
                          THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION
 
  The following descriptions of certain provisions of the Distribution
Agreement and certain of the Ancillary Agreements are only summaries and do
not purport to be complete. These descriptions are qualified in their entirety
by reference to the complete text of the Distribution Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements. A copy of the Distribution Agreement and each of the
Ancillary Agreements as currently agreed to is included as an exhibit to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 10 under the Exchange Act relating to
Company Common Stock, and the following discussion with respect to such
agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the subject agreement
as filed.
 
MANNER OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Tenneco Board will declare the
special distribution necessary to effect the Industrial Distribution and will
set the Distribution Date (which will be prior to the Merger Effective Time).
Subject to the conditions summarized below, on the Distribution Date Tenneco
will distribute pro rata to all holders of record of Tenneco Common Stock as
of such date, one share of Company Common Stock for each share of Tenneco
Common Stock so held (including the Rights associated therewith). Pursuant to
the Distribution Agreement as soon as practicable on or after the Distribution
Date, Tenneco will deliver to the Distribution Agent, as agent for holders of
Tenneco Common Stock as of such date, certificates representing such shares of
Company Common Stock as are required for the Industrial Distribution.
 
  If any shares of Company Common Stock are returned to the Distribution Agent
as unclaimed or cannot be distributed by the Distribution Agent, any post-
Distribution dividends or distributions thereon will be paid to the
Distribution Agent (or set aside and retained by the Company). On the 180th
day following the Distribution Date, the Distribution Agent will return to
Tenneco all unclaimed shares of Company Common Stock and dividends or other
distributions with respect thereto. Thereafter, holders of Tenneco Common
Stock as of the Distribution Date will be entitled to look only to Tenneco for
such amounts to which they are entitled, subject to applicable escheat or
other abandoned property laws.
 
  NO HOLDER OF TENNECO COMMON STOCK WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY CASH OR OTHER
CONSIDERATION FOR THE SHARES OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK TO BE RECEIVED IN THE
INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION, OR TO SURRENDER OR EXCHANGE SHARES OF TENNECO COMMON
STOCK IN ORDER TO RECEIVE COMPANY COMMON STOCK.
 
CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prior to consummation of the Distributions (and pursuant to the Distribution
Agreement), Tenneco will effect the Corporate Restructuring Transactions. Upon
completion of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions, Tenneco's existing
businesses and assets will be restructured so that, in general, all of the
assets, liabilities and operations of (i) the Industrial Business will be
owned and operated, directly or indirectly, by the Company and (ii) the
Shipbuilding Business will be owned and operated, directly or indirectly, by
Newport News. The remaining assets, liabilities and operations of Tenneco and
its remaining subsidiaries will then consist solely of those related to the
Energy Business, which includes liabilities and assets relating to
discontinued Tenneco operations not related to the Industrial Business or the
Shipbuilding Business.
 
  The assets which will be owned by the Company upon consummation of the
Corporate Restructuring Transactions (the "Industrial Assets") are generally
those related to the conduct of the past and current Industrial Business, as
reflected on the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet of the Company as
of June 30, 1996 included herein under "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements of the Company" which is also attached as an exhibit to the
Distribution Agreement (the "Pro Forma Balance Sheet") (plus any subsequently
acquired asset which is of a nature or type that would have resulted in such
asset being included on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet had it been acquired prior
to the date thereof), plus all rights expressly allocated to the Company and
its subsidiaries under the Distribution Agreement or any of the Ancillary
Agreements. As part of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions, the Company
will acquire various corporate assets of Tenneco such as the "Tenneco"
trademark and associated rights. The assets which will be owned by Newport
News (the "Shipbuilding Assets") upon consummation of the Corporate
Restructuring Transactions are generally those related to the conduct of the
past and current Shipbuilding Business, as reflected on the Newport News pro
forma
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
balance sheet attached as an exhibit to the Distribution Agreement (plus any
subsequently acquired asset which is of a nature or type that would have
resulted in such asset being included thereon had it been acquired prior to
the date thereof), plus all rights expressly allocated to Newport News and its
subsidiaries under the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. The
remaining assets (the "Energy Assets") will continue to be owned and operated
by Tenneco (as a subsidiary of El Paso) following the Transaction.
 
  The liabilities to be retained or to be assumed by the Company and for which
the Company will be responsible pursuant to the Distribution Agreement (the
"Industrial Liabilities") generally include (i) those liabilities related to
the Industrial Assets and the current and past conduct of the Industrial
Business, including liabilities reflected on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet which
remain outstanding as of the Distribution Date (plus subsequently incurred or
accrued liabilities determined on a basis consistent with the determination of
liabilities thereon) and (ii) those liabilities expressly allocated to the
Company or its subsidiaries under the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary
Agreement.
 
  The liabilities to be retained or assumed by Newport News and for which
Newport News will be responsible pursuant to the Distribution Agreement (the
"Shipbuilding Liabilities") generally include (i) those liabilities related to
the Shipbuilding Assets and the current and past conduct of the Shipbuilding
Business, including liabilities reflected on the aforementioned Newport News
pro forma balance sheet which remain outstanding as of the Distribution Date
(plus subsequently incurred or accrued liabilities determined on a basis
consistent with the determination of liabilities thereon) and (ii) those
liabilities expressly allocated to Newport News or its subsidiaries under the
Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.
 
  The liabilities to be retained or assumed by Tenneco and for which Tenneco
will be responsible pursuant to the Distribution Agreement (the "Energy
Liabilities") generally include (i) those liabilities related to the Energy
Assets and the current and past conduct of the Energy Business, including
liabilities reflected on the Tenneco pro forma balance sheet attached as an
exhibit to the Distribution Agreement which remain outstanding as of the
Distribution Date (plus subsequently incurred or accrued liabilities
determined on a basis consistent with the determination of liabilities
thereon), (ii) those liabilities expressly allocated to Tenneco or its
subsidiaries under the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement and
(iii) all other liabilities of Tenneco or any other member of the Energy Group
which do not constitute Industrial Liabilities or Shipbuilding Liabilities.
 
  For a description of certain liabilities that will be expressly allocated
among Tenneco, the Company and Newport News by the Distribution Agreement and
Ancillary Agreements, including liability for the Tenneco Consolidated Debt,
taxes and certain employee benefits, see "--Debt and Cash Realignment" and "--
Relationships Among Tenneco, the Company and Newport News After the
Distributions."
 
DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT
  From and after the Distributions, each of Tenneco, the Company and Newport
News will, in general, be responsible for the debts, liabilities and
obligations related to the business or businesses that it owns and operates
following consummation of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions. See "--
Corporate Restructuring Transactions." However, Tenneco's historical practice
has been to incur indebtedness for its consolidated group at the parent
company level or at a limited number of subsidiaries, rather than at the
operating company level, and to centrally manage various cash functions.
Accordingly, the Merger Agreement, the Distribution Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements provide for (i) the pre-Distribution restructuring of the
Tenneco Consolidated Debt pursuant to the Debt Realignment, (ii) the
allocation among each of Tenneco, the Company and Newport News of the total
amount of the cash and cash equivalents on hand as of the Merger Effective
Time pursuant to the Cash Realignment and (iii) settlement payments with
respect to certain capital expenditures related to the Energy Business, all as
described below.
 
  To facilitate the disaffiliation of the Industrial Business, the Energy
Business and the Shipbuilding Business in connection with the Distributions
and to facilitate the Merger, the Company, Tenneco and Newport News will enter
into the Debt and Cash Allocation Agreement (the "Debt and Cash Allocation
Agreement") which contemplates that the aggregate amount (as of the Merger
Effective Time) of certain debt which will be the responsibility of Tenneco
after the consummation of the Transaction (the "Actual Energy Debt Amount") be
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
limited to the Base Amount. The "Base Amount" is equal to $2.65 billion, (i)
plus the sum of (A) the amount of all cash payments made by Tenneco and/or any
of its subsidiaries after the date of the Merger Agreement with respect to
Tenneco gas purchased contracts as a result or in respect of any settlement,
judgment or satisfaction of a bond in excess of the market price for gas
received by Tenneco and/or any of its subsidiaries reduced by the amount of
any cash payments received by Tenneco and its subsidiaries from customers,
insurers or other third parties with respect thereto (other than ones refunded
prior to the Merger Effective Time) or with respect to any gas supply
realignment costs which are so recovered (and not refunded) on or prior to the
Merger Effective Time, (B) the amount of any purchase price paid by Tenneco
and/or its subsidiaries to acquire an additional interest in certain pipeline
operations prior to the Merger Effective Time and (C) the amount of all cash
payments made from the date of the Merger Agreement to the Merger Effective
Time by any member of the Energy Business in settlement of any significant
claim, action, suit or proceeding to the extent such matter would be an Energy
Liability with the consent of El Paso (less the amount of related recoveries
in respect thereof from third parties), less (ii) the proceeds to Tenneco from
the sale of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the NPS Issuance
and less (iii) the amount, calculated as of the Merger Effective Time, of any
rate refunds, including interest, which become payable to customers pursuant
to the finally approved settlement of a certain rate case which have not been
paid as of the Merger Effective Time. The Actual Energy Debt Amount is defined
by the Debt and Cash Allocation Agreement to consist of (1) outstanding
amounts of borrowings by Tenneco under a new credit facility to be entered
into by Tenneco in connection with the Transaction (plus accrued and accreted
interest and fees), (2) the value of remaining Tenneco Public Debt after the
Tenneco Debt Tender Offers (as defined below) and the Debt Exchange Offer, (3)
the outstanding amount of other Tenneco Consolidated Debt (plus accrued and
accreted interest and fees), (4) the unpaid amount of Transaction expenses
incurred by Tenneco and its subsidiaries, (5) any sales and use, gross receipt
or other transfer taxes applicable to the Transaction, (6) certain income
taxes resulting from the Transaction, (7) the outstanding amount of any off-
balance sheet indebtedness incurred after the date of the Merger Agreement to
finance the acquisition by Tenneco of an additional interest in the aforesaid
pipeline assets and (8) unpaid dividends on Tenneco Common Stock and Tenneco
Preferred Stock (as defined herein) which have a record date before the Merger
Effective Time.
 
  A post-Transaction audit will be conducted and if the Actual Energy Debt
Amount as of the Merger Effective Time exceeds the Base Amount, the Company
will be required to pay the excess to Tenneco in cash. Likewise, Tenneco will
be required to pay to the Company in cash the amount, if any, by which such
Actual Energy Debt Amount is less than the Base Amount.
 
  Also as part of the Debt Realignment, Tenneco has agreed to make certain
minimum capital expenditures with respect to the Energy Business pending
consummation of the Transaction. If the actual amount of such capital
expenditures exceeds the required amount, after consummation of the
Transaction, Tenneco will be required to pay the excess to the Company in
cash. Likewise, the Company will be required to pay to Tenneco in cash the
amount, if any, by which such actual capital expenditures are less than the
required amount. The required amount of Energy Business capital expenditures
is equal to $333,200,000 for 1996, plus $27,750,000 per month for each month
(or pro rata portion thereof) from January 1, 1997 to the Merger Effective
Time.
 
  Pursuant to the Cash Realignment, as of the Merger Effective Time Tenneco
will be allocated $25 million of cash and cash equivalents, Newport News will
be allocated $5 million of cash and cash equivalents and the Company will be
allocated all remaining cash and cash equivalents on hand which would total
approximately $200 million if the Transaction had been consummated as of June
30, 1996. Following the post-Transaction audit described above, the Company
will be required to pay to each of Tenneco or Newport News, as the case may
be, the amount by which such company's total cash and cash equivalents on hand
as of the Merger Effective Time is less than the above-described allocation to
such company, as the case may be. Likewise, Tenneco and Newport News will each
be required to pay to the Company the amount of any excess cash and cash
equivalents as of the Merger Effective Time from the above-described
allocation determined pursuant to such audit.
 
  The Merger Agreement contemplates that Tenneco, in its discretion, will, or
will cause its relevant subsidiaries to, tender for, defease, mature, redeem,
exchange or prepay the Tenneco Consolidated Debt prior to the Distributions
(the "Tenneco Debt Tender Offers"). As of June 30, 1996, there was outstanding
approximately $4,443 million of Tenneco Consolidated Debt.
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
  In connection with the Debt Realignment, the Company will enter into the
Company Credit Facility in the amount of $        . The Company estimates that
it will pay approximately $350 million of the Company Credit Facility to
Tenneco as a cash dividend to finance, in part, the Tenneco Debt Tender Offers.
The approximately $          remaining of the Company Credit Facility will be
used by the Company for working capital, acquisitions and other corporate
purposes. [TERMS OF COMPANY CREDIT FACILITY TO COME FROM FINAL TERM SHEET WITH
BANK].
 
  Also in connection with the Debt Realignment, the Company will offer to
exchange up to $      billion of principal amount of Company Public Debt for an
equal amount of Tenneco Public Debt pursuant to the Debt Exchange Offer. The
Company Public Debt will have similar maturities, but marginally higher coupon
rates than the Tenneco Public Debt for which it is being exchanged. Upon
consummation of the Debt Exchange Offer, Tenneco will purchase (and thereafter
extinguish) the Tenneco Public Debt held by the Company, and the Company will
then distribute such proceeds as a dividend to Tenneco.
 
  The following table sets forth the series of Tenneco Public Debt which will
be subject to the Debt Exchange Offer, and indicates the type and amount of
Company Public Debt to be issued to the holders of such Tenneco Public Debt
upon acceptance for exchange by the Company:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      FOR EACH
       $1,000
      PRINCIPAL
      AMOUNT OF
         THE      HOLDERS OF TENNECO
      FOLLOWING    PUBLIC DEBT WILL     OUTSTANDING
        [  ]       RECEIVE $1,000 OF     AGGREGATE
      ISSUANCES   PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
      ---------   ------------------- ----------------
      <S>         <C>                 <C>
</TABLE>
 
  Concurrently with the Debt Exchange Offer, the Company will solicit consents
from the holders of the Tenneco Public Debt to certain amendments to the
indentures governing such Tenneco Public Debt which would, among other things,
amend the provision of such indentures that, if not amended, would require the
Company and Newport News to become co-obligors of the Tenneco Public Debt not
exchanged or tendered pursuant to the Debt Exchange Offer and the Tenneco Debt
Tender Offers, in connection with the Distributions.
 
  Consummation of the Debt Exchange Offer is conditioned on, among other
things, acceptance of the Debt Exchange Offer and the Tenneco Debt Tender
Offers by holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of
the Tenneco Public Debt of all series taken together such that the necessary
amendments to the relevant indentures have been approved.
 
  The offering of the Company Public Debt in the Debt Exchange Offer will be
made by means of a separate prospectus that constitutes a part of the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No.       ) which will be filed with
the SEC.
 
  If the Debt Realignment had been consummated on June 30, 1996, on a pro forma
basis the Company would have had indebtedness for money borrowed of
approximately $2,057 million. See "Financial Information--Unaudited Pro Forma
Financial Statements of the Company."
 
RELATIONSHIPS AMONG TENNECO, THE COMPANY AND NEWPORT NEWS AFTER THE
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  The businesses to be owned and operated by the Company following consummation
of the Industrial Distribution have historically been included in Tenneco's
consolidated financial results. After the Transaction, neither the Company,
Tenneco nor Newport News will have an ownership in the others. The Company and
Newport News will be independent public companies, while Tenneco will become a
subsidiary of El Paso.
 
  Prior to the Distributions Tenneco, the Company and Newport News will enter
into the Distribution Agreement which governs certain aspects of their
relationships both prior to and following the Distributions. In addition, prior
to the Distributions, Tenneco, the Company and/or Newport News (and their
appropriate subsidiaries) will enter into the Ancillary Agreements which are
intended to further effect the disaffiliation of the Energy Business, the
Industrial Business and the Shipbuilding Business and to govern certain
additional aspects of their ongoing relationships.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
 
Terms of the Distribution Agreement
 
  In addition to providing for the terms of the Distributions and the various
actions to be taken prior to the Distributions, the Distribution Agreement
contains other provisions governing the relationship among Tenneco, the
Company and Newport News prior to and following the Distributions.
 
  The Distribution Agreement provides that from and after the Distribution
Date (i) Tenneco will (and will cause the other members of the Energy Business
to) assume, pay, perform and discharge all Energy Liabilities in accordance
with their terms, (ii) the Company will (and will cause the other members of
the Industrial Business to) assume, pay, perform and discharge all of the
Industrial Liabilities in accordance with their terms and (iii) Newport News
will (and will cause the other members of the Shipbuilding Business to)
assume, pay, perform and discharge all Shipbuilding Liabilities in accordance
with their terms.
 
  In addition, the Distribution Agreement provides for cross-indemnities such
that (i) Tenneco must indemnify the Company and Newport News (and their
respective subsidiaries and certain other related parties) against all losses
arising out of or in connection with the Energy Liabilities or the breach of
the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by Tenneco, (ii) the
Company must indemnify Tenneco and Newport News (and their respective
subsidiaries and certain other related parties) against all losses arising out
of or in connection with the Industrial Liabilities or the breach of the
Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by the Company and (iii)
Newport News must indemnify Tenneco and the Company (and their respective
subsidiaries and certain other related parties) against all losses arising out
of or in connection with the Shipbuilding Liabilities or the breach of the
Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by Newport News.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing cross-indemnification provisions, the Company
and Newport News have agreed to certain other arrangements with respect to
certain inquiries from the Defense Contract Audit Agency (the "DCAA")
concerning the disposition of the Tenneco Inc. Retirement Plan (the "Tenneco
Retirement Plan"), which covers salaried employees of Newport News and other
Tenneco divisions. The DCAA has been advised that (i) the Tenneco Retirement
Plan will retain the liability for all benefits accrued by Newport News'
employees through the Distribution Date, (ii) Newport News' employees will not
accrue additional benefits under the Tenneco Retirement Plan after the
Distribution Date and (iii) no liabilities or assets of the Tenneco Retirement
Plan will be transferred from the Tenneco Retirement Plan to any plan
maintained by Newport News. A determination of the ratio of assets to
liabilities of the Tenneco Retirement Plan attributable to Newport News will
be based on facts, assumptions and legal issues which are complicated and
uncertain; however, it is likely that the Government will assert a claim
against Newport News and/or the Company with respect to the amount, if any, by
which the assets of the Tenneco Retirement Plan attributable to Newport News'
employees are alleged to exceed the liabilities. The Company, with the full
cooperation of Newport News, will defend against any claim by the Government
and, in the event there nevertheless is a determination that an amount with
respect to this matter is due to the Government, the Company and Newport News
will share the obligation for such amount and related defense expenses in the
ratio of 80% and 20%, respectively. Although at this preliminary stage it is
impossible to predict with certainty any eventual outcome regarding this
matter, the Company does not believe that this matter will have a material
adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
 
  Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, each of the parties has agreed to
use all reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all action, and do or
cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to
consummate the transactions contemplated by and carry out the purposes of the
Distribution Agreement. As such, the Distribution Agreement provides that if
any contemplated pre-Distribution transfers and assignments have not been
effected on or prior to the Distribution Date, the parties will cooperate to
effect such transfers as quickly thereafter as practicable. The entity
retaining any asset or liability which should have been transferred
prior to the Distribution Date will continue to hold that asset for the
benefit of the party entitled thereto or that liability for the account of the
party required to assume it, and must take such other action as may be
reasonably
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
requested by the party to whom such asset was to be transferred or by whom such
liability was to be assumed in order to place such party, insofar as reasonably
possible, in the same position as would have existed had such asset or
liability been transferred or assumed as contemplated by the Distribution
Agreement.
 
  The Distribution Agreement provides for the transfer of books and records
among Tenneco, the Company and Newport News and their respective subsidiaries
and grants to each party access to certain information in the possession of the
others (subject to certain confidentiality requirements). In addition, the
Distribution Agreement provides for the allocation of shared privileges with
respect to certain information and requires each party to obtain the consent of
the others prior to waiving any shared privilege.
 
Terms of the Ancillary Agreements
 
  Below are descriptions of the principal Ancillary Agreements to be entered
into by Tenneco, the Company and/or Newport News prior to consummation of the
Distributions, as required under the terms of the Distribution Agreement. The
Ancillary Agreements are intended to further effectuate the disaffiliation of
the Industrial Business and the Shipbuilding Business from the Energy Business
and to facilitate the operation of each of Tenneco, the Company and Newport
News as a separate entity.
 
  Benefits Agreement. The Benefits Agreement to be entered into among Tenneco,
the Company and Newport News (the "Benefits Agreement") will define certain
labor, employment, compensation and benefit matters in connection with the
Distributions and the transactions contemplated thereby. Pursuant to the
Benefits Agreement, from and after the Distribution Date each of Tenneco, the
Company and Newport News will continue employment of each of their respective
retained employees (subject to their rights to terminate said employees) with
the same compensation as prior to the Distribution Date, continue to honor all
related existing collective bargaining agreements, recognize related incumbent
labor organizations and continue sponsorship of hourly employee benefit plans.
The Company will become the sole sponsor of the Tenneco Retirement Plan and of
the Tenneco Inc. Thrift Plan (the "Tenneco Thrift Plan") from and after the
Distribution Date, and Tenneco and Newport News will establish defined
contribution plans for the benefit of each of their respective employees to
which the account balances of retained and former employees of Tenneco and
Newport News in the Tenneco Thrift Plan will be transferred. The benefits
accrued by Tenneco and Newport News employees in the Tenneco Retirement Plan
will be frozen as of the last day of the calendar month including the
Distribution Date, and the Company will amend the Tenneco Retirement Plan to
provide that all benefits accrued through that day are fully vested and non-
forfeitable. Tenneco will retain and assume employment contracts with certain
individuals. All liabilities under the Tenneco Inc. Benefit Equalization Plan
and the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan will be assumed by the Company
pursuant to the Benefits Agreement; however, the Company is entitled to
reimbursement for certain payments thereunder from Tenneco and Newport News.
Generally, each of Tenneco, the Company and Newport News will retain
liabilities with respect to the welfare benefits of its current and former
employees and their dependents, but Tenneco will assume all liabilities for
retiree medical benefits of the employees of discontinued operations and their
dependents. In addition, as of the Distribution Date, participation by retained
and former employees of Tenneco and Newport News in the Tenneco Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan and the Tenneco Inc. 1993 Deferred Compensation Plan will be
discontinued. See "Management."
 
  Debt and Cash Allocation Agreement. The Debt and Cash Allocation Agreement
will govern the allocation among the parties of cash and cash equivalents of
Tenneco and its subsidiaries on hand as of the Merger Effective Time, the
Tenneco Consolidated Debt and settlement payments with respect to certain
capital expenditures related to the Energy Business pursuant to the Cash
Realignment and Debt Realignment, as described above. See "--Debt and Cash
Realignment."
 
  Insurance Agreement. Tenneco has historically maintained at the parent-
company level various insurance policies for the benefit or protection of
itself and its subsidiaries. The Insurance Agreement to be entered into among
Tenneco, the Company and Newport News (the "Insurance Agreement") will provide
for the respective continuing rights and obligations from and after the
Distribution Date of the parties with respect to these insurance policies other
than directors' and officers' liability insurance policies (which are addressed
by the Merger Agreement).
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
 
  In general, following consummation of the Transaction policies which relate
exclusively to the Energy Business will be retained by and be the sole
responsibility of Tenneco, policies which relate exclusively to the Industrial
Business will be retained by the Company and policies which relate exclusively
to the Shipbuilding Business will be retained by Newport News.
 
  Any non-exclusive Tenneco policies which are in effect as of the
Distribution Date (other than those which are cost plus, fronting, high
deductible or retrospective premium programs, as described below) will either
be transferred into the name of the Company or cancelled, at the Company's
option. In general, "go-forward" coverage under these policies for the Energy
Business and Shipbuilding Business (and certain related persons) will be
terminated as follows: (i) coverage under "claims-made" policies (i.e., those
policies which provide coverage for claims made during a specified period)
will be terminated on the Distribution Date for any claims not made prior
thereto and (ii) coverage under "occurrence-based" policies (i.e., those
policies which provide coverage for acts or omissions occurring during a
specified period) will be terminated on the Distribution Date for acts or
omissions occurring thereafter. However, the Energy Business, Industrial
Business and Shipbuilding Business (and certain related persons) will all
continue to have access to these policies ("go-backward" coverage) for claims
made prior to the Distribution Date, in the case of claims-made policies, and
for acts or omissions which occurred prior to the Distribution Date, in the
case of occurrence-based policies (subject to certain obligations to replace
any policy limits exhausted by it). Each respective group will be liable for
premiums, costs and charges under these policies that relate to its coverage
thereunder (and will likewise get the benefit of any refunded amounts).
 
  Policies which are cost plus, fronting, high deductible or retrospective
premium programs will be retained by the Energy Business following the
Distributions and will provide no go-forward coverage to the Industrial
Business or Shipbuilding Business. However, go-backward coverage will continue
to be available to these groups, subject to an obligation to reimburse Tenneco
for premiums, costs and charges under these policies related to their
respective coverages following the Distributions. Following the Transaction,
Tenneco will be required to maintain in place certain letters of credit and
surety bonds securing obligations under these policies.
 
  Tax Sharing Agreement. The Tax Sharing Agreement to be entered into among
Tenneco, the Company, Newport News and El Paso (the "Tax Sharing Agreement")
will provide for the allocation of tax liabilities among the parties arising
prior to, as a result of, and subsequent to the Distributions. As a general
rule, Tenneco will be liable for all taxes not specifically allocated to the
Company or Newport News under the specific terms of the Tax Sharing Agreement.
Generally, the Company will be liable for taxes imposed exclusively on the
Company and its affiliates engaged in the Industrial Business (the "Industrial
Group"), and Newport News will be liable for taxes imposed exclusively on
Newport News and its affiliates engaged in the Shipbuilding Business (the
"Shipbuilding Group") (including for pre-Transaction periods, taxes imposed on
Tenneco InterAmerica Inc.). Federal income taxes imposed on the combined
activities of Tenneco, the Industrial Group, and the Shipbuilding Group will
be allocated among the business groups according to their respective shares of
consolidated taxable income, except that (i) tax benefits attributable to the
Debt Realignment ("Debt Discharge Items"), presently anticipated to total
approximately $120 million, will be specifically allocated to the Industrial
Group and Tenneco will make a cash payment to the Company equal to the amount
of such tax benefits when and to the extent realized by Tenneco and (ii) tax
benefits attributable to certain items included in the computation of the Base
Amount ("Base Amount Adjustment Items") will be specifically allocated to
Tenneco. In the case of state income taxes imposed on the combined activities
of the business groups, Tenneco will be responsible for payment of the
combined tax to the state tax authority, and the Company and Newport News will
pay Tenneco a deemed tax equal to the tax that would be imposed if the
Industrial Group and the Shipbuilding Group had filed combined returns for
their respective groups, except that Debt Discharge Items and Base Amount
Adjustment Items will be specifically allocated to the Company and Tenneco,
respectively.
 
  In general, Tenneco will be responsible for any taxes imposed on or
resulting from the Transaction ("Transaction Taxes"). The Company will be
responsible for any Transaction Taxes resulting from any inaccuracy in factual
statements or representations in connection with the IRS private letter ruling
or the opinion of counsel contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the "Tax
Opinion") to the extent attributable to facts in
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
existence prior to the Merger, but excluding facts relating to the
Shipbuilding Group or El Paso. Newport News and El Paso will each be
responsible for the accuracy of any factual statements or representations
relating to them or their respective affiliates. Each of the Company, Newport
News and El Paso will be responsible for any Transaction Tax to the extent
such tax is attributable to action taken by that entity which is inconsistent
with tax treatment contemplated in the IRS private letter ruling received in
the Transaction or the Tax Opinion. Certain Transaction Taxes (i.e., transfer
taxes, and federal and state income taxes imposed on those Corporate
Restructuring Transactions which are known to be taxable) are included in the
determination of the Actual Energy Debt Amount and consequently may be
economically borne by the Company (because the Company must pay to Tenneco in
cash the amount, if any, by which the Actual Energy Debt Amount exceeds the
Base Amount). If between the date of the Merger Agreement and the Merger
Effective Time, there is a change in law (as defined in the Tax Sharing
Agreement) and as a result of such change in law Tenneco is required to
restore certain deferred gains to income, then any resulting tax will be
shared equally between the Company and Tenneco.
 
  Transition Services Agreement. TBS currently provides certain administrative
and other services to Tenneco, including mainframe computing services, backup,
recovery and related operations, consulting services and payroll services.
Under the Transition Services Agreement to be entered into among Tenneco, TBS
and El Paso (the "Transition Services Agreement"), at the request of El Paso
at least 45 days prior to the Merger Effective Time, TBS (which will,
following the Distributions, be a subsidiary of the Company) will continue to
provide the services specified in El Paso's request for a period of 12 months
from the Merger Effective Time at a price to be negotiated among the parties
and based on the market rate for comparable services. If elected, any or all
of the services may be terminated by Tenneco on 45 days notice to TBS.
 
  TBS Services Agreement. TBS has entered into a series of separate services
agreements (the "Service Agreements"), as described below, with Newport News
and Tenneco (and its subsidiaries), which together will constitute the "TBS
Services Agreement" which is to be delivered as an "Ancillary Document" under
the Distribution Agreement.
 
  One of the Service Agreements between TBS and Newport News will be for
mainframe data processing services (the "NNS Processing Services Agreement").
Under the NNS Processing Services Agreement, TBS will supply, as a vendor,
mainframe data processing services to Newport News for a period from the
Merger Effective Time through December 31, 1998, and thereafter only by mutual
agreement. The rate of compensation to TBS for services will be $9.1 million
in 1997 and $9.6 million in 1998, payable in monthly installments, subject to
adjustment if Newport News requests a change in the scope of services. TBS
will lease the space currently used by it at the Newport News headquarters in
Newport News, Virginia for the period from the Merger Effective Time through
December 31, 1998, with an option for TBS to extend for one month periods for
up to 12 months, for continued use by TBS as its mainframe data processing
facility. The rent under such lease will be approximately $1.2 million per
year plus pass-throughs of certain occupancy-related costs.
 
  TBS has also entered into a Supplier Participation Agreement (the "NNS
Supplier Participation Agreement") with Newport News to govern the procedures
under which Newport News will continue to participate with the Company in
vendor purchase agreements between TBS and various suppliers of goods and
services. The NNS Supplier Participation Agreement will provide for continued
participation of Newport News in various purchase programs, absent a
termination for cause, for the full existing terms of the agreements with each
such vendor. Under this Agreement, as is the case currently, purchases of
goods and services will be made directly by Newport News at prices negotiated
by TBS which are applicable to all participating purchasers. TBS will charge
Newport News a fixed fee of $5,000 per month for TBS contract administration
services including data collection, negotiations, progress reporting, benefits
reporting, follow-up and consulting in connection with the vendor agreements.
 
  Additionally, separate Service Agreements also will be entered into with
Tenneco for transactional services to be supplied by TBS to Tenneco and its
subsidiaries. The services covered and compensation for such services will
depend on the services elected by Tenneco, and the price to be negotiated
pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement.
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
  Trademark Transition License Agreements. Upon consummation of the Corporate
Restructuring Transactions, the Company will hold the rights to various
trademarks, servicemarks, tradenames and similar intellectual property,
including rights in the marks "Tenneco," "Ten" and "Tenn" (but not
"Tennessee"), alone and in combination with other terms and/or symbols and
variations thereof (collectively, the "Trademarks"), in the United States and
elsewhere throughout the world. In connection with the Distributions,
Trademark Transition License Agreements will be entered into as of the
Distribution Date between both (i) the Company and Tenneco and (ii) the
Company and Newport News. Pursuant to these agreements the Company will grant
to each of Tenneco and Newport News a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free
license to use the Trademarks with respect to specified goods and services as
follows: (a) Tenneco and Newport News will be permitted to use the Trademarks
in their corporate names for 30 days after the date of the agreements (and,
pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, each have agreed to remove the
Trademarks from such corporate names within 30 days after the Distribution
Date); (b) Tenneco and Newport News will be permitted to use their existing
supplies and documents which have the Trademarks imprinted on them for six
months after the date of the agreements; and (c) Tenneco and Newport News will
be permitted to use the Trademarks on existing signs, displays or other
identifications for a period of two years (in the case of Tenneco) and one
year (in the case of Newport News). However, so long as Tenneco or Newport
News continues to use the Trademarks, it must maintain certain quality
standards prescribed by the Company in the conduct of business operations in
which the Trademarks are used. In addition, under these agreements each of
Tenneco and Newport News will agree to indemnify the Company from any claims
that arise as a result of its use of the Trademarks or any breach of its
agreement and neither Tenneco nor Newport News may adopt or use at any time a
word or mark likely to be similar to or confused with the Trademarks. Each
Transition Trademark License Agreement will be immediately terminable by the
Company upon a material breach of the agreement by Tenneco or Newport News, as
the case may be.
 
Directors
 
  After the Distribution Date, the Company and Newport News will share one
common director, Dana G. Mead, and the Company and El Paso (which will be the
parent of Tenneco) will share one common director, Peter T. Flawn. The
Company, Newport News and El Paso will adopt policies and procedures to be
followed by the Board of Directors of each company to limit the involvement of
Mr. Mead and Dr. Flawn in situations that could give rise to potential
conflicts of interest, including requesting them to abstain from voting as a
director of either the Company or Newport News, with respect to Mr. Mead, or
either the Company or El Paso, with respect to Dr. Flawn, on certain matters
which present a conflict of interest between the Company and Newport News or
El Paso, as the case might be. The Company believes that such conflict
situations will be minimal. See "Management."
 
Expenses
 
  In general, and except for certain environmental costs and expenses, Tenneco
is responsible for all fees and expenses incurred by Tenneco in connection
with the Transaction for periods prior to the Distribution Date. Any such fees
and expenses which are unpaid as of the Merger Effective Time will be
allocated to and remain the responsibility of Tenneco pursuant to the Debt
Realignment, and El Paso has agreed to pay or cause to be paid all such
amounts. However, because the aggregate amount of debt to be allocated upon
consummation of the Merger to Tenneco is limited to $2.65 billion (subject to
certain adjustments), the amount of unpaid Tenneco transaction fees and
expenses as of the Merger Effective Time may impact the amount of debt
allocated to the Company in connection with the Transaction. See "--Debt and
Cash Realignment." Each party has agreed to bear its own respective fees and
expenses incurred after consummation of the Transaction.
 
Settlement of Intercompany Accounts
 
  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the Distribution Agreement, all
intercompany receivables, payables and loans (unless specifically provided for
in any Ancillary Agreement) among the Energy Business, the Industrial Business
and the Shipbuilding Business will be settled, capitalized or converted into
ordinary trade accounts as of the close of business on the Distribution Date.
Further, all intercompany agreements among such businesses (other than those
contemplated by the Transaction) will be terminated.
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
REASONS FOR THE DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  The Distributions and the Merger are designed to separate three types of
businesses, namely the Industrial Business, the Shipbuilding Business and the
Energy Business, which have distinct financial, investment and operating
characteristics, so that each can adopt strategies and pursue objectives
appropriate to its specific needs. The Distributions will (i) enable the
management of each company to concentrate its attention and financial
resources on the core businesses of such company, (ii) permit investors to
make more focused investment decisions based on the specific attributes of
each of the three businesses, (iii) facilitate employee compensation programs
custom-tailored to the operations of each business, including stock-based and
other incentive programs, which will more directly reward employees of each
business based on the success of that business and (iv) tailor the assets of
Tenneco to facilitate the acquisition of the Energy Business by El Paso. Upon
consummation of the Industrial Distribution, the Company will, primarily
through its consolidated subsidiaries, own and operate Tenneco Automotive,
Tenneco Packaging and TBS and Newport News will, primarily through its
consolidated subsidiaries (principally Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock
Company), own and operate the Shipbuilding Business. Immediately following
consummation of the Distributions, a subsidiary of El Paso will be merged with
and into Tenneco, and thereafter the Energy Business will be owned and
operated by El Paso.
 
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Industrial Distribution is conditioned on, among other things,
stockholder approval of the Distributions (to be submitted as a component of
the Transaction) at a special meeting of the Tenneco stockholders and formal
declaration of the Distributions by the Tenneco Board. Other conditions to the
Industrial Distribution include (i) execution and delivery of the Distribution
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and consummation of the various pre-
Distribution transactions (such as the Corporate Restructuring Transactions,
the Debt Realignment and the Cash Realignment), (ii) receipt of a ruling from
the IRS to the effect that for federal income tax purposes the Distributions
qualify as tax-free distributions to Tenneco and its stockholders under
Section 355 of the Code (as defined herein) and that certain internal spin-off
transactions involving Tenneco or its subsidiaries to be effected pursuant to
the Corporate Restructuring Transactions will qualify as tax-free (see "--
Certain Federal Income Tax Aspects of the Industrial Distribution"), (iii)
approval of Company Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock to be
distributed for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, (iv) registration of
Company Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock under the Exchange Act, (v)
receipt of all material consents to the Corporate Restructuring Transactions,
the Distributions and transactions contemplated in the Distribution Agreement,
(vi) performance of the various covenants required to be performed prior to
the Distribution Date (see "--Corporate Restructuring Transactions," "--Debt
and Cash Realignment" and "--Relationships Among Tenneco, the Company and
Newport News After the Distributions") and (vii) lack of prohibition of the
Distributions by any law or governmental authority. Even if all the conditions
to the Distributions are satisfied, Tenneco has reserved the right, under
certain circumstances, to amend or terminate the Distribution Agreement and to
modify or abandon the transactions contemplated thereby. The Tenneco Board has
not attempted to identify or establish objective criteria for evaluating the
particular types of events or conditions that would cause the Tenneco Board to
consider amending or terminating the Distributions. See "--Amendment or
Termination of the Distributions." Although the foregoing conditions (other
than declaration of the Distributions) may be waived by Tenneco (to the extent
permitted by law), the Tenneco Board presently has no intention to proceed
with either of the Distributions unless each of these conditions is satisfied.
See "Introduction."
 
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  At any time prior to the Distributions, the Distribution Agreement may be
terminated and the Distributions may be amended, modified or abandoned by
Tenneco without the approval of the Company or Newport News or the
stockholders of Tenneco. However, if any amendment or modification prior to
the termination of the Merger Agreement or consummation of the Merger
adversely affects the Energy Business (other than to a de minimis extent) or
materially delays or prevents the consummation of the Merger, such amendment
can only be effectuated with the prior consent of El Paso. Termination prior
to the termination of the Merger Agreement or consummation of the Merger can
only be effectuated with the prior written consent of El Paso.
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
  After the Distributions, the Distribution Agreement may only be amended or
terminated by a written agreement signed by Tenneco, the Company and Newport
News. Certain amendments or terminations after the Distributions also require
the consent of third party beneficiaries to the extent that the Distribution
Agreement has expressly granted them such rights.
 
TRADING OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK
 
  See "Risk Factors--No Current Market for Company Common Stock" and "Risk
Factors--Changes in Trading Prices of Stock Following the Transaction" for a
discussion of certain considerations relating to the market for and trading
prices of Company Common Stock following the Industrial Distribution.
 
  Shares of Company Common Stock received by shareholders of Tenneco pursuant
to the Industrial Distribution will be freely transferable, except for shares
received by persons who may be deemed to be "affiliates" of the Company under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Persons who are
affiliates of the Company will be permitted to sell their shares of Company
Common Stock, only pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act. There would not, however, be any 90-day waiting period before
sales could be made by affiliates under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, as
long as the other provisions of Rule 144 are met.
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX ASPECTS OF THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION
 
General
 
  The following is a summary description of the material federal income tax
aspects of the Industrial Distribution. This summary is for general
informational purposes only and is not intended as a complete description of
all of the tax consequences of the Industrial Distribution, the Shipbuilding
Distribution, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated as part of the
Transaction and does not discuss tax consequences under the laws of state or
local governments or any other jurisdiction. Moreover, the tax treatment of a
stockholder may vary depending upon his, her or its particular situation. In
this regard, certain stockholders (including insurance companies, tax-exempt
organizations, financial institutions or broker-dealers, persons who are not
citizens or residents of the United States or who are foreign corporations,
foreign partnerships or foreign trusts or estates, as defined for United
States federal income tax purposes, stockholders that hold shares as part of a
position in a "straddle" or as part of a "hedging" or "conversion" transaction
for United States federal income tax purposes and stockholders with a
"functional currency" other than the United States dollar) may be subject to
special rules not discussed below. In addition, this summary applies only to
shares which are held as capital assets. The following discussion may not be
applicable to a stockholder who acquired his or her shares pursuant to the
exercise of stock options or otherwise as compensation.
 
  THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS BASED ON CURRENTLY EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE"), EXISTING, PROPOSED AND
TEMPORARY TREASURY REGULATIONS THEREUNDER AND CURRENT ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS
AND COURT DECISIONS. ALL OF THE FOREGOING ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, WHICH MAY OR
MAY NOT BE RETROACTIVE, AND ANY SUCH CHANGES COULD AFFECT THE VALIDITY OF THE
FOLLOWING DISCUSSION. SEE "POSSIBLE FUTURE LEGISLATION" BELOW.
 
  EACH STOCKHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS, HER OR ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO
THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM, HER OR IT OF THE TRANSACTION DESCRIBED
HEREIN, INCLUDING, THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN
TAX LAWS, AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES OF APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
 
Tax Rulings
 
  Consummation of the Industrial Distribution is conditioned upon the receipt
of a ruling or rulings from the IRS, reasonably acceptable to Tenneco and El
Paso, to the effect that:
 
    (i) the Industrial Distribution will be tax-free for federal income tax
  purposes to Tenneco under Section 355(c)(1) of the Code and to the
  stockholders of Tenneco under Section 355(a) of the Code;
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
    (ii) the Shipbuilding Distribution will be tax-free for federal income
  tax purposes to Tenneco under Section 355(c)(1) of the Code and to the
  stockholders of Tenneco under Section 355(a) of the Code; and
 
    (iii) the following distributions to be effected as part of the Corporate
  Restructuring Transactions will be tax-free for federal income tax purposes
  to the respective transferor corporations under Section 355(c)(1) or 361(a)
  of the Code and to the respective stockholders of the transferor
  corporations under Section 355(a) of the Code: (a) the distribution by
  Newport News of the capital stock of Tenneco Packaging Inc. to Tenneco
  Corporation; (b) the distribution by Tenneco Corporation of the capital
  stock of the Company and Newport News to Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company
  ("TGP"); and (c) the distribution by TGP of the capital stock of the
  Company and Newport News to Tenneco.
 
  A ruling from the IRS, while generally binding on the IRS, may under certain
circumstances be retroactively revoked or modified by the IRS. The rulings
obtained from the IRS will be based on certain facts and representations, some
of which will have been made by El Paso. Generally, the IRS private letter
ruling would not be revoked or modified retroactively provided that (i) there
has been no misstatement or omission of material facts, (ii) the facts at the
time of the Transaction are not materially different from the facts upon which
the IRS private letter ruling was based and (iii) there has been no change in
the applicable law.
 
The Distributions
 
  It is expected that the Distributions will qualify as tax-free distributions
under Section 355 of the Code. Assuming that the Distributions so qualify, (i)
the holders of Tenneco Common Stock will not recognize gain or loss upon
receipt of shares of Company Common Stock or shares of Newport News Common
Stock, (ii) each holder of Tenneco Common Stock will allocate his, her or its
aggregate tax basis in the Tenneco Common Stock immediately before the
Distributions among Tenneco Common Stock, Company Common Stock and Newport
News Common Stock in proportion to their respective fair market values, (iii)
the holding period of each holder of Tenneco Common Stock for Company Common
Stock and Newport News Common Stock will include the holding period for his,
her or its Tenneco Common Stock, provided that Tenneco Common Stock is held as
a capital asset at the time of the Distributions and (iv) Tenneco will not
recognize any gain or loss on its distribution of Company Common Stock or
Newport News Common Stock to its stockholders.
 
  No fractional shares of Company Common Stock or Newport News Common Stock
will be distributed in the Distributions. A holder of Tenneco Common Stock
who, pursuant to the Distributions, receives cash in lieu of fractional shares
of Newport News Common Stock will be treated as having received such
fractional shares of Newport News Common Stock pursuant to the Distributions
and then as having received such cash in a sale of such fractional shares of
Newport News Common Stock. Such holders will generally recognize capital gain
or loss on such deemed sale equal to the difference between the amount of cash
received and such holders' adjusted tax basis in the fractional share of
Newport News Common Stock received. Such gain or loss will be capital
(provided Tenneco Common Stock is held as a capital asset at the time of the
Distributions) and will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if the
holding period for the fractional shares of Newport News Common Stock deemed
to be received and then sold is more than one year.
 
  If the Distributions were not to qualify as tax-free distributions under
Section 355 of the Code, then in general a corporate level federal income tax
would be payable by the consolidated group of which Tenneco is the common
parent, which tax (assuming the internal spin-off transactions included in the
Corporate Restructuring Transactions also failed to qualify under Code Section
355) would be based upon the gain (computed as the difference between the fair
market value of the stock distributed and the distributing corporation's
adjusted basis in such stock) realized by each of the distributing
corporations upon its distribution of the stock of one or more controlled
corporations to its stockholders in the Transaction. The corporate level
federal income tax would be payable by Tenneco. Under the terms of the Tax
Sharing Agreement, the Company will not be liable to indemnify Tenneco for any
additional taxes incurred by reason of the Industrial Distribution being
taxable, unless the Industrial Distribution fails to qualify for tax-free
treatment under Section 355 of the Code as a result of the inaccuracy of
certain factual statements or representations made by the Company in
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
connection with the requests for the IRS private letter ruling or the Tax
Opinion or the Company takes any action which is inconsistent with any factual
statements or representations or the tax treatment of the Transaction as
contemplated in the IRS private letter ruling request or the Tax Opinion. See
the discussion of the Tax Sharing Agreement under "--Relationships Among
Tenneco, the Company and Newport News After the Distributions."
 
  Furthermore, if the Distributions do not qualify as tax-free distributions
under Section 355 of the Code, then each holder of Tenneco Common Stock who
receives shares of Company Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock in the
Distributions would be treated as if such stockholder received taxable
distributions in an amount equal to the fair market value of Company Common
Stock and Newport News Common Stock received, which would result in (i) a
dividend to the extent paid out of Tenneco's current and accumulated earnings
and profits; then (ii) a reduction in such stockholder's basis in Tenneco's
Common Stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the amount referenced
in clause (i); and then (iii) gain from the sale or exchange of Tenneco Common
Stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the sum of the amounts
referenced in clauses (i) and (ii). Each stockholder's basis in his, her or
its Company Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock would be equal to the
fair market value of such stock at the time of the Distributions.
 
Possible Future Legislation
 
  The Administration's Budget Proposal issued March 19, 1996 contains several
revenue proposals, including a proposal (the "Anti-Morris Trust Proposal")
which would require a distributing corporation in a transaction otherwise
qualifying as a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the Code to
recognize gain on the distribution of the stock of the controlled corporation
unless the direct and indirect stockholders of the distributing corporation
own more than 50% of the distributing corporation and controlled corporations
at all times during the four-year period commencing two years prior to the
distribution. The Anti-Morris Trust Proposal would apply to any distributions
occurring after March 19, 1996, unless such distribution was (i) pursuant to a
binding contract on such date, (ii) described in a ruling request submitted to
the IRS on or before such date or (iii) described in a public announcement or
SEC filing on or before such date.
 
  On March 29, 1996, Senator William V. Roth, Chairman of the Senate Finance
Committee and Congressman Bill Archer, Chairman of the House Ways and Means
Committee, issued a joint statement (the "Roth-Archer Statement") to the
effect that should certain of the revenue proposals included in the
Administration's Budget Proposal, including the Anti-Morris Trust Proposal, be
enacted, the effective date will be no earlier than the date of "appropriate
Congressional action." As of the date of this Information Statement, no
legislation has been introduced relating to the Anti-Morris Trust Proposal. On
June 27, 1996, Tenneco submitted its request for rulings (including rulings on
the tax-free treatment of the Distributions) to the IRS. Accordingly, in view
of the Roth-Archer Statement, any future Anti-Morris Trust legislation should
not apply to the Distributions assuming that the effective date of such
legislation contains a grandfather clause for transactions for which a ruling
request has been filed with the IRS prior to the date of "appropriate
Congressional action." Nevertheless, there can be no assurances that Congress
will not adopt Anti-Morris Trust legislation which would apply retroactively
to the Distributions. In the event such legislation is announced or introduced
prior to the consummation of the Transaction, under the terms of the Merger
Agreement El Paso may elect not to proceed with the Merger if it reasonably
determines that there exists a reasonable likelihood that the Distributions or
the Merger would not be tax-free for federal income tax purposes. If El Paso
elects to proceed with the Merger notwithstanding the announcement or
introduction of Anti-Morris Trust legislation, the Distributions, if
ultimately subject to such legislation, may result in significant taxable gain
to the Tenneco consolidated group under Section 355(c) of the Code. Although
Tenneco stockholders would not recognize taxable gain or loss on the receipt
of the stock of the Company and Newport News under the current Anti-Morris
Trust Proposal, the taxable gain required to be recognized by the Tenneco
consolidated group under Code Section 355(c) would significantly reduce the
value of the El Paso Common Stock and any Depositary Shares received by the
Tenneco stockholders in the Merger.
 
Back-up Withholding Requirements
 
  United States information reporting requirements and backup withholding at
the rate of 31% may apply with respect to dividends paid on, and proceeds from
the taxable sale, exchange or other disposition of Company
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
Common Stock, unless the stockholder (i) is a corporation or comes within
certain other exempt categories, and, when required, demonstrates these facts
or (ii) provides a correct taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no
loss of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with
applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A stockholder who
does not supply the Company with his, her or its correct taxpayer
identification number may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any
amount withheld under these rules will be creditable against the stockholder's
federal income tax liability. Stockholders should consult their tax advisors
as to their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the
procedure for obtaining such an exemption. If information reporting
requirements apply to a stockholder, the amount of dividends paid with respect
to such shares will be reported annually to the IRS and to such stockholder.
 
  These backup withholding tax and information reporting rules currently are
under review by the United States Treasury Department and proposed Treasury
Regulations issued on April 15, 1996 would modify certain of such rules
generally with respect to payments made after December 31, 1997. Accordingly,
the application of such rules could be changed.
 
REASONS FOR FURNISHING THE INFORMATION STATEMENT
 
  This Information Statement is being furnished by Tenneco solely to provide
information to Tenneco stockholders who will receive Company Common Stock in
the Industrial Distribution. It is not, and is not to be construed as, an
inducement or encouragement to buy or sell any securities of Tenneco or the
Company. The information contained in this Information Statement is believed
by Tenneco and the Company to be accurate as of the date set forth on its
cover. Changes may occur after that date, and neither the Company nor Tenneco
will update the information except in the normal course of their respective
public disclosure practices.
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  Stockholders of Tenneco should be aware that the Industrial Distribution and
ownership of Company Common Stock involves certain risk factors, including
those described below and elsewhere in this Information Statement, which could
adversely affect the value of their holdings. Neither the Company nor Tenneco
makes, nor is any other person authorized to make, any representation as to
the future market value of Company Common Stock.
 
NO CURRENT PUBLIC MARKET FOR COMPANY COMMON STOCK
 
  Currently, there is no public market for Company Common Stock, although a
"when issued" market is expected to develop prior to the Distribution Date.
There can be no assurance as to the prices at which trading in Company Common
Stock will occur after the Industrial Distribution. Until Company Common Stock
is fully distributed and an orderly market develops, the prices at which
trading in such stock occurs may fluctuate significantly. On          , 1996,
the Company received approval to list Company Common Stock on the New York
Stock Exchange upon notice of issuance. The Company has applied to the
Chicago, Pacific, London and Toronto Stock Exchanges for approval of the
listing of Company Common Stock upon notice of issuance. See "The Industrial
Distribution--Trading of Company Common Stock."
 
CHANGES IN TRADING PRICES OF STOCK FOLLOWING THE TRANSACTION
 
  Upon consummation of the Transaction, the then outstanding shares of Tenneco
Common Stock will be cancelled and holders of Tenneco Common Stock will
receive (i) in connection with the Merger, shares of El Paso Common Stock and,
under certain circumstances, El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares and (ii) in
connection with the Distributions, Company Common Stock and Newport News
Common Stock. Tenneco Common Stock is currently listed and traded and,
following the Distributions, Company Common Stock will be listed and traded on
the New York, Chicago, Pacific, London and Toronto Stock Exchanges. El Paso
Common Stock, El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any, and Newport News
Common Stock will be listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange. There
can be no assurance that the combined market value/trading prices of El Paso
Common Stock and any Depositary Shares, Company Common Stock and Newport News
Common Stock held by stockholders after the Transaction will be equal to or
greater than the market value/trading prices of Tenneco Common Stock prior to
the Transaction. See "The Industrial Distribution--Trading of Company Common
Stock."
 
DIVIDENDS
 
  The Company's dividend policy will be established by the Company Board from
time to time based on the results of operations and financial condition of the
Company and such other business considerations as the Company Board considers
relevant. There can be no assurances that the combined annual dividends on El
Paso Common Stock and any El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, Company Common
Stock and Newport News Common Stock after the transaction will be equal to the
annual dividends on Tenneco Common Stock prior to the Transaction (and it is
unlikely that the dividends would be greater than the annual dividends on
Tenneco Common Stock prior to the Transaction).
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
  The Industrial Distribution is conditioned upon the receipt of a favorable
ruling from the IRS to the effect, among other things, that the Industrial
Distribution will qualify as a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the
Code. See "The Industrial Distribution--Certain Federal Income Tax Aspects of
the Industrial Distribution." Such a ruling, while generally binding upon the
IRS, is based upon certain factual representations and assumptions. If any of
such factual representations and assumptions were incomplete or untrue in a
material respect, or the facts upon which such ruling was based are materially
different from the facts at the time of the
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
Distributions, the IRS could modify or revoke such ruling retroactively.
Tenneco is not aware of any facts or circumstances which would cause any of
such representations and assumptions to be incomplete or untrue. The Company,
Tenneco, Newport News and El Paso have each agreed to certain covenants on its
future actions to provide further assurances that the Industrial Distribution
will be tax-free for federal income tax purposes. See "The Industrial
Distribution--Relationships Among Tenneco, the Company and Newport News After
the Distributions."
 
  If the Distributions were not to qualify as tax-free distributions under
Section 355 of the Code, then in general a corporate level federal income tax
would be payable by the consolidated group of which Tenneco is the common
parent, which tax (assuming the internal spin-off transactions included in the
Corporate Restructuring Transactions also failed to qualify under Code Section
355) would be based upon the gain (computed as the difference between the fair
market value of the stock distributed and the distributing corporation's
adjusted basis in such stock) realized by each of the distributing
corporations upon its distribution of the stock of one or more controlled
corporations to its stockholders in the Transaction. In this regard, the
failure of the Merger to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of
Code Section 368(a)(1)(B) could cause the Industrial Distribution to be
taxable to Tenneco and its stockholders. The corporate level federal income
tax would be payable by Tenneco. Under certain limited circumstances, however,
the Company has agreed to indemnify Tenneco for a defined portion of such tax
liabilities. See "The Industrial Distribution--Relationships Among Tenneco,
the Company and Newport News After the Distributions--Terms of the Ancillary
Agreements--Tax Sharing Agreement." In addition, under IRS regulations, each
member of the consolidated group (including the Company) is severally liable
for such tax liability.
 
  Furthermore, if the Industrial Distribution were not to qualify as tax-free
distributions under Section 355 of the Code, then each holder of Tenneco
Common Stock who receives shares of Company Common Stock and Newport News
Common Stock in the Distributions would be treated as if such stockholder
received a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of
Company Common Stock and Newport News Common Stock received, which would
result in: (i) a dividend to the extent paid out of Tenneco's current and
accumulated earnings and profits; then (ii) a reduction in such stockholder's
basis in Tenneco Common Stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the
amount referenced in clause (i); and then (iii) gain from the sale or exchange
of Tenneco Common Stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the sum of
the amounts referenced in clauses (i) and (ii). See "The Industrial
Distribution--Certain Federal Income Tax Aspects of the Industrial
Distribution."
 
CERTAIN ANTITAKEOVER FEATURES
 
  Upon consummation of the Industrial Distribution, certain provisions of the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and its Amended and Restated
By-laws, along with the Company's stockholder rights plan and Delaware
statutory law, could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could
delay or prevent a change in control of the Company. Such provisions could
diminish the opportunities for a stockholder to participate in tender offers,
including tender offers at a price above the then current market value of
Company Common Stock. Such provisions may also inhibit fluctuations in the
market price of Company Common Stock that could result from takeover attempts.
The provisions could also have the effect of making it more difficult for
third parties to cause the immediate removal and replacement of the members of
the then current Company Board or the then current management of the Company
without the concurrence of the Company Board. See "Antitakeover Effects of
Certain Provisions."
 
FRAUDULENT TRANSFER CONSIDERATIONS; LEGAL DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS; ALLOCATION OF
LIABILITIES
 
  Prior to the Industrial Distribution the Tenneco Board will obtain an
opinion regarding the solvency of the Company and Tenneco and the
permissibility of the Industrial Distribution under Section 170 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"). The Tenneco Board and
management believe that, in accordance with this opinion which is expected to
be rendered in connection with the Industrial Distribution,
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
(i) the Company and Tenneco each will be solvent at the time of the Industrial
Distribution (in accordance with the foregoing definitions), will be able to
repay its debts as they mature following the Industrial Distribution and will
have sufficient capital to carry on its businesses and (ii) the Industrial
Distribution will be made entirely out of surplus in accordance with Section
170 of the DGCL. There is no certainty, however, that a court would find the
solvency opinion rendered by Tenneco's financial advisor to be binding on
creditors of the Company or Tenneco or that a court would reach the same
conclusions set forth in such opinion in determining whether the Company or
Tenneco was insolvent at the time of, or after giving effect to, the
Industrial Distribution or whether lawful funds were available for the
Industrial Distribution. If a court reached conclusions contrary to such
opinion, then such court could order the holders of Company Common Stock to
return the value of the stock and any dividends paid thereon, bar future
dividends and redemption payments on the stock, and invalidate, in whole or
part, the Industrial Distribution as a fraudulent conveyance.
 
  The Distribution Agreement and the Merger Agreement provide for the
allocation, immediately prior to the Distributions, of the Tenneco
Consolidated Debt remaining following consummation of the Corporate
Restructuring Transactions. Further, pursuant to the Distribution Agreement,
from and after the Distribution Date, each of Tenneco, the Company and Newport
News will be responsible for the debts, liabilities and other obligations
related to the business or businesses which it owns and operates following the
consummation of the Transaction. Although the Company does not expect to be
liable for any such obligations not expressly assumed by it pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement and the Debt Realignment, it is possible that a court
would disregard the allocation agreed to among the parties, and require the
Company to assume responsibility for obligations allocated to Tenneco or
Newport News (for example, tax and/or environmental liabilities), particularly
if one of such other parties were to refuse or were to be unable to pay or
perform the subject allocated obligations. See "The Industrial Distribution--
Relationships Among Tenneco, the Company and Newport News After the
Distributions."
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
INTRODUCTION
 
  The Company is a newly formed Delaware corporation which, upon completion of
the Industrial Distribution, will be an independent, publicly held company
(symbol "TEN"). The Company will own and operate, directly and through its
direct and indirect subsidiaries, substantially all of the assets of, and will
assume substantially all of the liabilities associated with, the principal
industrial businesses of Tenneco: Tenneco Automotive and Tenneco Packaging.
The Company will also own and operate the administrative services unit of
Tenneco: TBS.
 
  Although the separation of the Industrial Business from the remainder of the
businesses, operations and companies currently constituting the "Tenneco
Group" has been structured as a "spin-off" of the Company pursuant to the
Industrial Distribution for legal, tax and other reasons, the Company will
succeed to certain important aspects of the existing Tenneco business,
organization and affairs, namely: (i) the Company will be renamed "Tenneco
Inc." upon the consummation of the Merger; (ii) the Company will be
headquartered at Tenneco's current headquarters in Greenwich, Connecticut;
(iii) the Company Board will consist of those persons currently constituting
the Tenneco Board; (iv) the Company's executive management will consist
substantially of the current Tenneco executive management; and (v) the
Industrial Business to be conducted by the Company will consist largely of
Tenneco Automotive and Tenneco Packaging.
 
  Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's leading manufacturers of automotive
exhaust and ride control systems for both the original equipment market and
the replacement market, or aftermarket. Tenneco Automotive is a global
business that sells its products in over 100 countries. Tenneco Automotive
manufactures and markets its automotive exhaust systems primarily under the
Walker(R) brand name and its ride control systems primarily under the
Monroe(R) brand name.
 
  Tenneco Packaging is among the world's leading and most diversified
packaging companies, manufacturing packaging products for consumer,
institutional and industrial markets. The paperboard business group
manufactures corrugated containers, folding cartons and containerboard, has a
joint venture in recycled paperboard, and offers high value-added products
such as enhanced graphics packaging and displays and kraft honeycomb products.
Its specialty products group produces disposable aluminum, foam and clear
plastic food containers, molded fiber and pressed paperboard products, as well
as polyethylene bags and industrial stretch wrap. Tenneco Packaging's consumer
products include such recognized brand names as Hefty(R), Baggies(R) and E-Z
Foil(R).
 
  TBS designs, implements and administers shared administrative service
programs for the Tenneco businesses as well as, on an "as requested" basis,
for former Tenneco business entities.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
The Company
 
  The Distributions and the Merger represent the most important step to date
in accomplishing Tenneco's overall strategic objective of transforming itself
from a highly diversified industrial corporation to a global manufacturing
company focused on its Automotive and Packaging businesses. For the past
several years, Tenneco's management team has redeployed resources from slower
growth, more cyclical businesses to these higher growth businesses. The
Distributions are expected to provide the Company with greater flexibility to
pursue additional growth opportunities for Tenneco Automotive and Tenneco
Packaging as a result of the increased management focus and additional
financial flexibility at the Company. These additional growth opportunities
are expected to include, among other things, strategic acquisitions, joint
ventures, strategic alliances and further organic growth from additional
product development and international expansion initiatives.
 
  Management Focus. As a result of the Distributions and the Merger, Tenneco's
executive management team will be able to focus all of its efforts on
exploring and implementing the most appropriate growth opportunities for
Tenneco Automotive and Tenneco Packaging.
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
  Implementation of Management Programs. Tenneco's strategy of focusing on the
Industrial Business will allow the Company to further refine and implement
certain management processes that have been developed over the past several
years in order to improve operating performance. These programs include: (i)
the Cost of Quality program through which the Company has successfully reduced
the failure costs in its manufacturing and administrative processes; (ii) the
working capital initiative through which the Company plans to further reduce
its working capital requirements; and (iii) the shared services program,
administered by TBS, through which the Company plans on further improving
efficiency and reducing the cost of general and administrative support
functions. The Company believes that the Tenneco Automotive and Tenneco
Packaging businesses are particularly well-suited to benefit from these types
of programs due to the fragmented, non-regulated nature of the industries in
which they operate.
 
  Strategic Acquisitions. Strategic acquisitions have been, and will continue
to be, an important element of the Company's overall growth strategy.
Tenneco's current executive management team, which will continue to serve as
the Company's executive management team following the Industrial Distribution,
has a proven track record of identifying, structuring and integrating
strategic acquisitions. As a result of management's experience in implementing
strategic acquisitions, the Company has developed comprehensive plans to
efficiently integrate new companies into its existing corporate
infrastructure. The Company intends to continue to pursue appropriate
acquisition opportunities in which management can substantially improve the
profitability of strategically related businesses by, among other things,
rationalizing similar product lines and eliminating certain lower margin
product lines; reconfiguring and upgrading manufacturing facilities; moving
production to the lowest cost facilities; reducing selling, distribution,
purchasing and administrative costs; increasing market share within either a
geographic or product market; and acquiring businesses that possess leading
brand name products.
 
  Continued growth in revenues and earnings at the pace sought by the Company
will require continued success in completing major acquisitions and similar
expansion efforts, and then successfully integrating the acquired businesses
and operations into the Company. The identity, timing, frequency, terms and
other factors involved in the overall acquisition/expansion program, and those
relating to any particular major acquisition, will impact, positively or
negatively, the Company's success in achieving its financial and other goals.
Although certain factors in this regard will be beyond the Company's control,
its executive management team believes that the Company will have the
requisite significant opportunities, and the expertise, resources and
commitment to successfully act on an appropriate number of those
opportunities, to achieve its goals.
 
  Employee Incentives. In addition, the Distributions and the Merger will
allow Tenneco's executive management team to develop incentive compensation
systems for employees that are more closely aligned with the operational
success of Tenneco Automotive and Tenneco Packaging.
 
 Tenneco Automotive
 
  Tenneco Automotive's primary goal is to enhance its leadership position in
the global automotive parts industry in which it is currently one of the
world's leading manufacturers of exhaust and ride control systems. Tenneco
Automotive intends to capitalize on certain significant existing and emerging
trends in the automotive industry, including (i) the consolidation and
globalization of the OEMs' supplier base, (ii) increased OEM outsourcing,
particularly of more complex components, assemblies, modules and complete
systems to sophisticated, independent suppliers and (iii) growth of emerging
markets for both original equipment and replacement markets. Key components of
Tenneco Automotive's strategy include: (a) capitalizing on brand-name
strength; (b) retaining and enhancing market shares; (c) continuing
development of high value-added products; (d) increasing ability to deliver
full-system capabilities (rather than merely component parts); (e) continuing
international expansion and strategic acquisitions; (f) maintaining operating
cost leadership; and (g) continuing focus on the customer.
 
 Tenneco Packaging
 
  Tenneco Packaging's primary goal is to maintain and enhance its position as
a leading specialty packaging company offering a broad line of products suited
to provide customers with the best packaging solutions.
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
Tenneco Packaging intends to capitalize on certain significant existing and
emerging trends in the packaging industry, including (i) increasing materials
substitution, (ii) changing fiber availability and (iii) global demand growth.
Key components of Tenneco Packaging's strategy include: (a) continued
development and growth of multi-material uses, broad product lines and
packaging offering customers enhanced functionality and value; (b) fiber
flexibility (primarily in the mix of virgin and recycled fiber sources); (c)
growth through domestic and international acquisitions and joint ventures; (d)
internal growth in base businesses; (e) reduction of sensitivity to changes in
economic cyclicality through the pursuit of specialty and other high value-
added product growth; and (f) maintenance of market leadership positions in
its primary business groups.
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
                                   FINANCING
 
  In connection with the Debt Realignment, the Company will enter into the
Company Credit Facility in the amount of $           . The Company estimates
that it will pay approximately $350 million of the Company Credit Facility to
Tenneco as a cash dividend to finance, in part, the Tenneco Debt Tender
Offers. The approximately $          remaining of the Company Credit Facility
will be used by the Company for working capital, acquisitions and other
corporate purposes. [TERMS OF COMPANY CREDIT FACILITY TO COME FROM FINAL TERM
SHEET WITH BANK].
 
  Also in connection with the Debt Realignment, the Company will offer to
exchange up to $      billion of principal amount of Company Public Debt for
an equal amount of Tenneco Public Debt pursuant to the Debt Exchange Offer.
The Company Public Debt will have similar maturities, but marginally higher
coupon rates than the Tenneco Public Debt for which it is being exchanged.
Upon consummation of the Debt Exchange Offer, Tenneco will purchase (and
thereafter extinguish) the Tenneco Public Debt held by the Company, and the
Company will then distribute such proceeds as a dividend to Tenneco.
 
  The following table sets forth the series of Tenneco Public Debt which will
be subject to the Debt Exchange Offer, and indicates the type and amount of
Company Public Debt to be issued to the holders of such Tenneco Public Debt
upon acceptance for exchange by the Company:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      FOR EACH
       $1,000
      PRINCIPAL
      AMOUNT OF
         THE      HOLDERS OF TENNECO
      FOLLOWING    PUBLIC DEBT WILL     OUTSTANDING
        [  ]       RECEIVE $1,000 OF     AGGREGATE
      ISSUANCES   PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
      ---------   ------------------- ----------------
      <S>         <C>                 <C>
</TABLE>
 
  See "The Industrial Distribution--Debt and Cash Realignment" and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
 
  The following tables sets forth the unaudited historical capitalization of
the Company as of June 30, 1996, and unaudited pro forma capitalization as of
June 30, 1996, after giving effect to the transactions described in the
"Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements." The capitalization of the
Company should be read in conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements,
and notes thereto, the "Combined Selected Financial Data" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,"
each contained elsewhere in this Information Statement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              JUNE 30, 1996
                                                           ---------------------
                                                           HISTORICAL  PRO FORMA
                                                           ----------  ---------
                                                              (IN MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                  <C>         <C>
      Short-term debt.....................................   $  530(a)  $  514
      Long-term debt......................................    1,573(a)   1,543
                                                             ------     ------
        Total debt........................................    2,103      2,057
                                                             ------     ------
      Minority interest...................................      301        301
                                                             ------     ------
      Common stock........................................      --           2
      Paid in capital.....................................      --       3,051
      Retained earnings...................................      --         --
      Combined equity.....................................    2,168        --
                                                             ------     ------
        Total equity......................................    2,168      3,053
                                                             ------     ------
      Total capitalization................................   $4,572     $5,411
                                                             ======     ======
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) Includes debt allocated to the Company by Tenneco. Tenneco's historical
    practice has been to incur indebtedness for its consolidated group at the
    parent company level or at a limited number of subsidiaries, rather than
    at the operating company level, and to centrally manage various cash
    functions.
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
                             FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY
 
  The following Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet of the Company as
of June 30, 1996 and the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statements of Income for
the six months ended June 30, 1996 and the year ended December 31, 1995 have
been prepared to reflect: (i) the acquisition of Clevite in July 1996 and the
acquisition of Amoco Foam Products in August 1996; (ii) the effect on the
Company of the Debt Realignment; and (iii) the issuance of Company Common
Stock as part of the Industrial Distribution. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 1995 also reflects the
acquisition of Mobil Plastics in November 1995.
 
  The acquisitions of Mobil Plastics, Clevite and Amoco Foam Products have
been included in the accompanying Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements for the respective periods under the caption "Combined
Acquisitions." The Combined Acquisitions have been or will be accounted for
under the purchase method of accounting. As such, pro forma adjustments are
reflected in the accompanying Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements to reflect a preliminary allocation of the Company's purchase cost
for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as well as additional
depreciation and amortization resulting from the Company's purchase cost.
 
  The historical Combined Financial Statements reflect the financial position
and results of operations for the Industrial Business whose net assets will be
transferred to the Company pursuant to the Corporate Restructuring
Transactions. The accounting for the transfer of assets and liabilities
pursuant to the Corporate Restructuring Transactions represents a
reorganization of companies under common control and, accordingly, all assets
and liabilities are reflected at their historical cost basis in the Combined
Financial Statements.
 
  The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet has been prepared as if such
transactions occurred on June 30, 1996; the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Statements of Income have been prepared as if such transactions occurred as of
January 1, 1995. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements set
forth on the following pages are unaudited and not necessarily indicative of
the results that would have actually occurred if the transactions had been
consummated as of June 30, 1996, or January 1, 1995, or results which may be
attained in the future.
 
  The pro forma adjustments, as described in the Notes to the Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Financial Statements, are based upon available information and
upon certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable. The
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements should be read in
conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements, and notes thereto,
included elsewhere in this Information Statement.
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
                   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
 
                                 JUNE 30, 1996
 
                                   (MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     COMBINED ACQUISITIONS
                                    -----------------------
                                                                   POST-
                                                                ACQUISITIONS TRANSACTION
                          COMPANY                PRO FORMA       PRO FORMA    PRO FORMA    PRO FORMA
                         HISTORICAL HISTORICAL* ADJUSTMENTS       COMBINED   ADJUSTMENTS   COMBINED
                         ---------- ----------- -----------     ------------ -----------   ---------
ASSETS
<S>                      <C>        <C>         <C>             <C>          <C>           <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and temporary
   cash investments.....   $  129      $  2     $                  $  131      $   36 (e)   $  201
                                                                                   34 (f)
  Receivables...........      829        74                           903        (113)(a)    1,044
                                                                                  182 (b)
                                                                                  (48)(c)
                                                                                  120 (d)
  Inventories...........      820        46              6 (i)        872                      872
  Deferred income taxes.       28                                      28                       28
  Other current assets..      196         8                           204          (5)(c)      204
                                                                                    5 (e)
                           ------      ----     ----------         ------      ------       ------
   Total Current Assets.    2,002       130              6          2,138         211        2,349
                           ------      ----     ----------         ------      ------       ------
Goodwill and
 intangibles............      965                      384 (i)      1,349                    1,349
Other Assets............      808         9                           817                      817
Plant, property and
 equipment, net.........    2,748       148            144 (i)      3,040          39 (c)    3,079
                           ------      ----     ----------         ------      ------       ------
   Total Assets.........   $6,523      $287     $      534         $7,344      $  250       $7,594
                           ======      ====     ==========         ======      ======       ======
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Short-term debt.......   $  530      $        $      638 (i)     $1,168      $ (654)(g)   $  514
  Payables..............      622        28                           650         (23)(a)      629
                                                                                    2 (b)
  Other current
   liabilities..........      558        76                           634          17 (c)      651
                           ------      ----     ----------         ------      ------       ------
   Total Current
    Liabilities.........    1,710       104            638          2,452        (658)       1,794
                           ------      ----     ----------         ------      ------       ------
Long-term debt..........    1,573         1                         1,574         (31)(g)    1,543
Deferred income taxes...      451                       (5)(i)        446          13 (b)      459
Deferred credits and
 other liabilities......      320        53             30 (i)        403          41 (e)      444
Minority interest.......      301                                     301                      301
                           ------      ----     ----------         ------      ------       ------
  Total Liabilities.....    4,355       158            663          5,176        (635)       4,541
                           ------      ----     ----------         ------      ------       ------
Equity:
  Combined equity.......    2,168       129           (129)(i)      2,168         (90)(a)       --
                                                                                  167 (b)
                                                                                  (31)(c)
                                                                                  120 (d)
                                                                                   34 (f)
                                                                                  685 (g)
                                                                               (3,053)(h)
  Common Stock..........       --        --             --             --           2 (h)        2
  Paid in Capital.......       --        --             --             --       3,051 (h)    3,051
  Retained Earnings.....       --        --             --             --                       --
                           ------      ----     ----------         ------      ------       ------
    Total Liabilities
     and Equity.........   $6,523      $287     $      534         $7,344      $  250       $7,594
                           ======      ====     ==========         ======      ======       ======
</TABLE>
- --------
  * Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the Company's
  classification.
 
      See the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
                                  Statements.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
   
                UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
                      (MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      COMBINED ACQUISITIONS
                                     -----------------------
                                                                 POST-
                                                              ACQUISITIONS TRANSACTION
                           COMPANY                PRO FORMA    PRO FORMA    PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA
                          HISTORICAL HISTORICAL* ADJUSTMENTS    COMBINED   ADJUSTMENTS     COMBINED
                          ---------- ----------- -----------  ------------ -----------    -----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
Net Sales and Operating
 Revenues...............    $5,221     $2,035       $            $7,256     $                  $7,256
Other Income, Net.......        39          6                        45                            45
Costs and Expenses......     4,588      1,888         17 (j)      6,493                         6,493
                            ------     ------       ----         ------     --------      -----------
Income Before Interest
 Expense,
 Income Taxes and Minor-
 ity Interest...........       672        153        (17)           808                           808
Interest Expense........       160        126          5 (j)        291         (140)(g)          151
Income Tax Expense......       231         19         (9)(j)        241           61 (g)          302
Minority Interest.......        23         --                        23                            23
                            ------     ------       ----         ------     --------      -----------
Income from continuing
 operations ............    $  258     $    8       $(13)        $  253     $     79      $       332
                            ======     ======       ====         ======     ========      ===========
Average number of shares
 of common stock out-
 standing...............                                                                  173,995,941
                                                                                          ===========
Income per average share
 of common stock from 
 continuing operations..                                                                  $      1.91
                                                                                          ===========
</TABLE>
- --------
* Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the Company's
  classification.
 
 
 
      See the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
                                  Statements.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
 
                UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
                     FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
 
                      (MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      COMBINED ACQUISITIONS
                                     -----------------------
                                                                  POST-
                                                               ACQUISITIONS TRANSACTION
                           COMPANY                PRO FORMA     PRO FORMA    PRO FORMA     PRO FORMA
                          HISTORICAL HISTORICAL* ADJUSTMENTS     COMBINED   ADJUSTMENTS    COMBINED
                          ---------- ----------- -----------   ------------ -----------   -----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
Net Sales and Operating
 Revenues...............   $ 3,233      $272       $              $3,505      $                $3,505
Other Income, Net.......        71        --                          71                           71
Costs and Expenses......     2,890       232             9 (j)     3,131                        3,131
                           -------      ----       -------        ------      -------     -----------
Income Before Interest
 Expense,
 Income Taxes and Minor-
 ity
 Interest...............       414        40            (9)          445                          445
Interest Expense........       100        12             7 (j)       119          (44)(g)          75
Income Tax Expense......       126         8            (1)(j)       133           30 (g)         163
Minority Interest.......        10                                    10                           10
                           -------      ----       -------        ------      -------     -----------
Income from continuing
 operations ............   $   178      $ 20       $   (15)       $  183      $    14     $       197
                           =======      ====       =======        ======      =======     ===========
Average number of shares
 of common stock out-
 standing...............                                                                  170,351,740
                                                                                          ===========
Income per average share
 of common stock from
 continuing operations..                                                                  $      1.16
                                                                                          ===========
</TABLE>
- --------
* Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the Company's
  classification.
 
 
 
      See the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
                                  Statements.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
 
          NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(a) To reflect the settlement or capitalization of intercompany accounts
    receivable and payable with Tenneco affiliates pursuant to the Corporate
    Restructuring Transactions.
 
(b) To reflect the acquisition by the Company of certain receivables from
    Tenneco Credit Corporation, a Tenneco affiliate, in connection with the
    Merger.
 
(c) To reflect the allocation between the Company, Newport News and Tenneco of
    certain corporate assets and liabilities in connection with the
    Distributions and the Merger.
 
(d) To reflect a $120 million receivable from El Paso pursuant to the Merger
    Agreement for certain tax benefits to be realized by El Paso as a result
    of the Debt Realignment.
 
(e) To reflect the transfer to the Company of insurance liabilities and the
    related portfolio of investments previously held by Eastern Insurance
    Company Limited, a Tenneco affiliate, in connection with the Merger.
 
(f) To reflect the cash contribution from Tenneco to the Company pursuant to
    the Cash Realignment provisions in the Distribution Agreement.
 
(g) To reflect adjustments to the Company's indebtedness for the pre-
    Distribution restructuring and refinancing of the Tenneco Consolidated
    Debt pursuant to the Debt Realignment. If the Debt Realignment had been
    consummated on June 30, 1996, on a pro forma basis, the Company would have
    had indebtedness for money borrowed of $2,057 million, or $685 million
    less than the debt reflected in the Company's historical financial
    statements. Tenneco and Newport News would have had indebtedness of $2,569
    million and $610 million, respectively. Borrowings of $514 million at an
    assumed interest rate of 5.90% have been reflected in the accompanying
    Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements as short-term debt with
    the balance of $1,543 million at an assumed interest rate of 7.80%
    reflected as long-term debt. A 1/8% change in these assumed interest rates
    would change annual pro forma interest expense by $2.5 million, before the
    effect of income taxes.
 
(h) To reflect the distribution of Company Common Stock to the holders of
    Tenneco Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of Company Common
    Stock for each share of Tenneco Common Stock.
 
(i) To reflect short term debt issued to complete the Combined Acquisitions
    and the preliminary allocation of purchase price to the assets acquired
    and liabilities assumed related to the Combined Acquisitions. These
    purchase accounting adjustments for Clevite and Amoco Foam Products are
    based on preliminary estimates of fair values and will be adjusted when
    more complete evaluations of fair values are received. The preliminary
    allocations have been made solely for purposes of developing these
    Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements.
 
(j) To reflect additional depreciation and amortization related to the
    Combined Acquisitions resulting from the Company's purchase accounting
    adjustments, interest expense at an assumed rate of 5.90% on the debt
    issued to complete the acquisitions, and the related tax effects, at an
    assumed rate of 40%. The excess of the Company's purchase cost over the
    fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is amortized over 40
    years for Mobil Plastics, 40 years for Clevite and 30 years for Amoco Foam
    Products.
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
                       COMBINED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The following combined selected financial data as of December 31, 1995 and
1994 and for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were derived
from the audited Combined Financial Statements of the Company. The combined
selected financial data as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the
years ended December 31, 1992 and 1991 are unaudited and were derived from the
accounting records of Tenneco. The combined selected financial data as of and
for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 were derived
from the unaudited Combined Financial Statements of the Company. In the
opinion of the Company's management, the combined selected financial data of
the Company as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended
December 31, 1992 and 1991 and as of and for the six months ended June 30,
1996 and 1995 include all adjusting entries (consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the information set forth
therein. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and
1995 should not be regarded as indicative of the results that may be expected
for the full year. This information should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the Combined Financial Statements, and notes thereto, included
elsewhere in this Information Statement.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            SIX MONTHS
                          ENDED JUNE 30,          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                          ----------------  -----------------------------------------------
                          1996(A)  1995(A)  1995(A)  1994(A)     1993(A)   1992       1991
(MILLIONS)                -------  -------  -------  -------     -------  ------     ------
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>        <C>
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 DATA(B):
 Net sales and operating
  revenues from
  continuing
  operations--
  Automotive............  $1,463   $1,263   $2,479   $1,989      $1,785   $1,763     $1,668
  Packaging.............   1,775    1,318    2,752    2,184       2,042    2,078      1,934
  Intergroup sales and
   other................      (5)      (4)     (10)      (7)         (7)      (5)        (5)
                          ------   ------   ------   ------      ------   ------     ------
   Total................  $3,233   $2,577   $5,221   $4,166      $3,820   $3,836     $3,597
                          ======   ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
 Income from continuing
  operations before in-
  terest expense, income
  taxes and minority
  interest--
  Automotive............  $  163   $  134   $  240   $  223      $  222   $  237     $  188
  Packaging.............     256      244      430      209         139      221        139
  Other.................      (5)      --        2       24          20        7          3
                          ------   ------   ------   ------      ------   ------     ------
   Total................  $  414   $  378   $  672   $  456      $  381   $  465     $  330
                          ======   ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
 Income from continuing
  operations............  $  178   $  168   $  258   $  238      $  165   $  209     $  139
 Loss from discontinued
  operations, net of
  income tax............      --       --       --      (31)         (7)      (7)       (12)
 Cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principles, net of in-
  come tax..............      --       --       --       (7)(c)      --      (99)(c)     --
                          ------   ------   ------   ------      ------   ------     ------
 Net income.............  $  178   $  168   $  258   $  200      $  158   $  103     $  127
                          ======   ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
 EBITDA(e)..............  $  551   $  458   $  845   $  598      $  518   $  595     $  463
                          ======   ======   ======   ======      ======   ======     ======
BALANCE SHEET DATA(B):
 Total Assets...........  $6,523   $4,430   $6,117   $3,940      $3,029   $2,812     $2,792
 Short-term debt(d) ....     530      205      384      108          94      182        758
 Long-term debt(d) .....   1,573    1,246    1,648    1,039       1,178    1,675      1,555
 Minority Interest......     301      297      301      301           1        1          2
 Combined equity........   2,168    1,163    1,852      987         533      (87)      (553)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 DATA(B):
 Net cash provided
  (used) by operating
  activities............  $  199   $   (9)  $  489   $  571      $  324   $  121     $  503
 Capital expenditures
  for continuing
  operations............     263      179      562      280         217      159        202
</TABLE>
- --------
(a)For a discussion of the significant items affecting comparability of the
  financial information for 1995, 1994 and 1993 and for the six months ended
  June 30, 1996 and 1995, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of Operations," included elsewhere in this
  Information Statement.
(b) During 1995 and 1994, Tenneco Automotive and Tenneco Packaging each
    completed several acquisitions, the most significant of which was Tenneco
    Packaging's acquisition of Mobil Plastics for $1.3 billion in late 1995.
    See Note 4 to the Combined Financial Statements, included elsewhere in
    this Information Statement, for further information on the Company's
    acquisitions.
(c) In 1994, the Company adopted Statement of FAS No. 112, "Employers'
    Accounting for Postemployment Benefits". In 1992, the Company adopted FAS
    No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than
    Pensions," and FAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
(d) Historical amounts include debt allocated to the Company from Tenneco
    based on the portion of Tenneco's investment in the Company which is
    deemed to be debt, generally based upon the ratio of the Company's net
    assets to Tenneco consolidated net assets plus debt. Tenneco's historical
    practice has been to incur indebtedness for its consolidated group at the
    parent company level or at a limited number of subsidiaries, rather than
    at the operating company level, and to centrally manage various cash
    functions. See the Combined Financial Statements, and notes thereto,
    included elsewhere in this Information Statement.
(e) EBITDA represents income from continuing operations before interest
    expense, income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. EBITDA
    should not be considered as an alternative to net income or operating
    income, as an indicator of the operating performance of the Company or as
    an alternative to cash flows as a measure of liquidity.
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following review of the Company's financial condition and results of
operations should be read in conjunction with the Combined Financial
Statements of the Company, and notes thereto, presented on pages F-3 to F-27.
Reference is made to the "Basis of Presentation" section of Note 1 to such
Combined Financial Statements for the definition of the "Company" as utilized
herein.
 
PROPOSED MERGER WITH EL PASO
 
  In the first quarter of 1996, Tenneco announced its intention to focus
Tenneco on its automotive parts and packaging businesses. This strategic
action included the spin-off of the Shipbuilding Business to the holders of
Tenneco Common Stock and the development of options to separate the Energy
Business from the Industrial Business. On June 19, 1996, Tenneco announced
that it signed a definitive agreement to merge a subsidiary of El Paso into
Tenneco. Prior to the Merger, Tenneco will effect the Industrial Distribution
and the Shipbuilding Distribution.
 
  The Merger represents a total value for Tenneco stockholders of
approximately $4 billion which includes:
 
  .  New shares of El Paso equity valued at $750 million.
 
  .  Assumption by El Paso of $2.65 billion (subject to certain adjustments)
     of Tenneco Consolidated Debt and Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock.
 
  .  Other payments and certain liability retentions by El Paso which have
     been estimated at an aggregate of approximately $600 million.
 
  Consequently, after the Transaction is consummated, current holders of
Tenneco Common Stock will hold shares of Newport News, the Company (to be
renamed Tenneco Inc.) and El Paso. The Company would then consist of two
industrial manufacturing businesses, Tenneco Packaging and Tenneco Automotive,
both of which reported record earnings and revenues in 1995, and TBS, the
Company's administrative services unit.
 
  .  Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's leading manufacturers of
     automotive exhaust and ride control systems for both the original
     equipment market and the replacement market, or aftermarket. Tenneco
     Automotive is a global business that sells its products in over 100
     countries. Tenneco Automotive manufactures and markets its automotive
     exhaust systems primarily under the Walker(R) brand name and its ride
     control systems primarily under the Monroe(R) brand name.
 
  .  Tenneco Packaging is among the world's leading and most diversified
     packaging companies, manufacturing packaging products for consumer and
     industrial markets. The paperboard business group manufactures
     corrugated containers, folding cartons and containerboard, has a joint
     venture in recycled paperboard, and offers high value-added products
     such as enhanced graphics packaging and displays and kraft honeycomb
     products. Its specialty products group produces disposable aluminum,
     foam and clear plastic food containers, molded fiber and pressed
     paperboard products, as well as polyethylene bags and industrial stretch
     wrap. Tenneco Packaging's consumer products include such recognized
     brand names as Hefty(R), Baggies(R) and E-Z Foil(R).
 
  .  TBS designs, implements and administers shared administrative service
     programs for the Tenneco businesses as well as, on an "as requested"
     basis, for former Tenneco business entities.
 
  The consummation of the Transaction is conditioned upon approval thereof by
Tenneco stockholders. The consummation of the Transaction is also subject to
the satisfaction or waiver of a number of other conditions as described under
"The Industrial Distribution--Conditions to Consummation of the Industrial
Distribution."
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1995
 
1996 STRATEGIC ACTIONS
 
  In the second quarter of 1996, the Company continued its strategy to
redeploy capital to faster-growing, more profitable and less cyclical business
operations. In June, Tenneco Packaging and Caraustar Industries ("Caraustar")
entered into an agreement to jointly operate clay-coated recycled paperboard
mills in Rittman, Ohio and Tama, Iowa and a recovered fiber recycling and
brokerage business with operations in Rittman and Cleveland, Ohio. Tenneco
Packaging contributed these assets to the joint venture for cash and an equity
ownership position in the new venture. This strategic action resulted in a
pre-tax gain of $50 million.
 
  In addition, the Company initiated several other strategic actions:
 
  . In early 1996, Tenneco acquired two ride control companies, National
    Springs, the largest manufacturer of automotive coil and leaf springs in
    Australia and New Zealand, and ATESO s.a., one of the largest automotive
    equipment manufacturing groups in the Czech Republic, for an aggregate of
    $36 million.
 
  . In July 1996, Tenneco Automotive acquired Clevite for approximately $330
    million. Clevite is a leading North American original equipment
    manufacturer of automotive vibration control components, including
    bushings and engine mounts for the auto, light truck and heavy truck
    markets. Clevite will be integrated into the Monroe business group
    ("Monroe") to form an operation with the ability to design, manufacture,
    test and sell a complete automotive suspension system.
 
  . In June 1996, Tenneco Packaging announced that it had reached an
    agreement to acquire the stock of Amoco Foam Products for $310 million.
    Amoco Foam Products manufactures expanded polystyrene tableware,
    including cups, plates and carrying trays; hinged-lid food containers;
    packaging trays, primarily for meat and poultry and industrial products
    for residential and commercial construction applications. The transaction
    closed in August 1996.
 
  . In August 1996, Tenneco Automotive acquired Luis Minuzzi e Hijos
    ("Minuzzi"), one of Argentina's largest exhaust manufacturers. The
    acquisition will establish the Walker business group's ("Walker")
    presence in the rapidly growing Argentinean and South American automobile
    markets.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1995
 
  The Company's income from continuing operations for the 1996 first half of
$178 million improved by six percent compared with $168 million in the first
half of 1995 due to improved results from both Tenneco Packaging (which
included the $50 million pre-tax gain on the sale of two recycled paperboard
mills and a recovered fiber recycling and brokerage business) and Tenneco
Automotive, all of which are discussed below.
 
NET SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  SIX MONTHS
                                                                  ENDED JUNE
                                                                      30,
                                                                 --------------
                                                                  1996    1995
                                                                 ------  ------
                                                                  (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                        <C>     <C>
      Tenneco Automotive........................................ $1,463  $1,263
      Tenneco Packaging.........................................  1,775   1,318
      Intergroup sales and other................................     (5)     (4)
                                                                 ------  ------
                                                                 $3,233  $2,577
                                                                 ======  ======
</TABLE>
 
  The Company's revenues for the first six months of 1996 increased $656
million or 25 percent, and benefited from higher sales volumes in the
automotive business along with revenues from recent acquisitions. The results
of each business group are discussed in detail below.
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST EXPENSE, INCOME TAXES AND MINORITY INTEREST (OPERATING
INCOME)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   SIX MONTHS
                                                                   ENDED JUNE
                                                                       30,
                                                                  --------------
                                                                   1996    1995
                                                                  ------  ------
                                                                   (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                         <C>     <C>
      Tenneco Automotive......................................... $  163  $  134
      Tenneco Packaging..........................................    256     244
      Other......................................................     (5)     --
                                                                  ------  ------
                                                                  $  414  $  378
                                                                  ======  ======
</TABLE>
 
  The Company's operating income for the first half of 1996 increased by $36
million compared with the 1995 period. Tenneco Automotive benefited from
improved results in both the exhaust and ride control operations. Also,
Tenneco Packaging recognized a gain from the sale of the recycled paperboard
mills to a joint venture of $50 million in the Company's 1996 second quarter.
The results of each segment are discussed in detail below.
 
TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    SIX MONTHS
                                                                    ENDED JUNE
                                                                        30,
                                                                   -------------
                                                                    1996   1995
                                                                   ------ ------
                                                                    (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                          <C>    <C>
      Revenues.................................................... $1,463 $1,263
      Operating income............................................    163    134
</TABLE>
 
  Tenneco Automotive's revenues increased in both the exhaust and ride control
operations. Revenues for exhaust increased 16 percent to $847 million. North
American and European original equipment revenues were up, driven by a record
number of new product launches, new vehicle production and recent
acquisitions. Exhaust aftermarket volumes also increased primarily due to the
third quarter 1995 acquisition of Manufacturas Fonos, S.L. ("Fonos").
 
  Ride control reported increased revenues of $83 million or 16 percent. Ride
control's North American aftermarket revenues increased 13 percent as a result
of new customers and consumer response to aggressive marketing programs. The
European original equipment revenues improved $25 million driven by new
vehicle production. Revenues in Australia increased as a result of the 1996
acquisition of National Springs.
 
  Exhaust's operating income for the 1996 first half improved 30 percent to
$74 million primarily due to increased volumes and improved manufacturing
efficiencies. Ride control's operating income increase of $12 million was due
primarily to higher sales volumes, improved pricing and product mix.
 
OUTLOOK
 
  Tenneco Automotive's aggressive acquisition and business initiative strategy
is helping it to maintain its market leadership positions around the world.
The Company has committed substantial resources to improve and expand
production capacity, expand existing businesses and enter new markets in order
to serve its customers throughout the world. During the first half of 1996,
Tenneco Automotive announced an exhaust joint venture in China and the
acquisition of Clevite. The Clevite acquisition is expected to produce
positive results immediately, impacting the second half of 1996. In addition,
Tenneco Automotive continues to develop business opportunities in emerging
markets such as China, India, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Tenneco
Automotive expects the North American aftermarket to remain at 1995 activity
levels for the remainder of 1996. Original equipment volumes are expected to
increase as a result of the high level of new product launches undertaken in
1995 and early 1996 and continued interest by original equipment customers in
hydroforming technology. The Company believes it is well positioned to respond
to the many changes currently underway in the original equipment market.
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
TENNECO PACKAGING
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    SIX MONTHS
                                                                    ENDED JUNE
                                                                        30,
                                                                   -------------
                                                                    1996   1995
                                                                   ------ ------
                                                                    (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                          <C>    <C>
      Revenues.................................................... $1,775 $1,318
      Operating income............................................    256    244
</TABLE>
 
  Tenneco Packaging's operating income was $256 million in the first half of
1996 compared with $244 million in the prior year period. The results for the
1996 first half included a $50 million pre-tax gain on the sale of two
recycled paperboard mills and a recovered fiber recycling and brokerage
business to a new joint venture between Tenneco Packaging and Caraustar. The
results were also driven by a strong performance from its plastics business.
The recently acquired plastics business contributed $73 million in operating
income on revenues of $516 million for the first half of 1996.
 
  In Tenneco Packaging's paperboard business, revenues were down $75 million
to $903 million compared with the 1995 first half. Operating income in the
paperboard business declined $107 million to $98 million compared with the
1995 first half, excluding the 1996 second quarter $50 million pre-tax gain on
the sale of assets to the joint venture with Caraustar. Operating income and
revenues declined due to lower volumes and price realizations in both
linerboard and corrugated medium due to the weaker market conditions. The 1996
operating income was also reduced by a $14 million cost related to downtime at
mills taken to keep inventories in line. In addition, the first half of 1995
included a $14 million gain on the sale of a mill in North Carolina.
 
  Revenues in Tenneco Packaging's specialty packaging business increased $532
million to $872 million compared with the 1995 first half, primarily as a
result of the recently acquired plastics business which provided $516 million
of this improvement.
 
  The specialty packaging business earned $108 million in operating income for
the 1996 first half, an $83 million increase compared with the 1995 first half
results. The plastics, aluminum and molded fiber units also continued to
improve due to lower raw material cost of aluminum and lower operating cost as
a result of productivity improvements. Plastics volumes improved 5 percent for
the first half of 1996 and demand continued to be strong.
 
OUTLOOK
 
  Tenneco Packaging anticipates strong revenue growth in the second half of
1996 in the specialty packaging unit. Tenneco Packaging will continue to make
strong progress in lessening the effects on it of cyclicality in the
paperboard industry as shown in the first half of 1996. The Amoco Foam
Products acquisition, which was finalized in the third quarter, will be
beneficial to building the specialty packaging product lines. In addition,
Tenneco Packaging continues to achieve productivity improvements, to
streamline manufacturing, and to obtain benefits from the recent restructuring
in the molded fiber and aluminum product operations.
 
OTHER
 
  The Company's other operations reported an operating loss of $5 million
during the first half of 1996 compared with breakeven in the 1995 first half.
This decrease in operating income resulted from decreased interest income
resulting from lower cash investments.
 
INTEREST EXPENSE (NET OF INTEREST CAPITALIZED)
 
  Tenneco's historical practice has been to incur indebtedness for its
consolidated group at the parent company level or at a limited number of
subsidiaries, rather than at the operating company level, and to centrally
manage various cash functions. Consequently, corporate debt of Tenneco and its
related interest expense has been
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
allocated to the Company based on the portion of Tenneco's investment in the
Company which is deemed to be debt, generally based upon the ratio of the
Company's net assets to Tenneco consolidated net assets plus debt. Interest
expense was allocated at a rate equivalent to the weighted-average cost of all
corporate debt, which was 7.7 percent, 8.3 percent and 7.4 percent for 1995,
1994 and 1993, respectively. Although interest expense, and the related tax
effects, have been allocated to the Company for financial reporting on a
historical basis, the Company has not been billed for these amounts. The
changes in allocated corporate debt and the after-tax allocated interest have
been included as a component of the Company's combined equity. Although
management believes that the historical allocation of corporate debt and
interest is reasonable, it is not necessarily indicative of the Company's debt
upon completion of the Debt Realignment nor debt and interest that will be
incurred by the Company as a separate public company. For additional
information, see "The Industrial Distribution--Debt and Cash Realignment."
 
  Interest expense increased from $74 million in the 1995 first half to $100
million in the 1996 first half. The increase was primarily attributable to
higher levels of allocated corporate debt. Interest capitalized was $5 million
for the 1996 first half compared with $1 million for the year ago period.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
  Income tax expense for the first half of 1996 was $126 million compared with
$124 million for the 1995 first half. The effective tax rate for the first
half of 1996 was 40 percent compared with 41 percent in the prior year first
half.
 
  In connection with the Industrial Distribution, the current tax sharing
agreement will be cancelled and the Company will enter into a tax sharing
agreement with Tenneco, Newport News and El Paso. The tax sharing agreement
will provide, among other things, for the allocation of taxes among the
parties of tax liabilities arising prior to, as a result of, and subsequent to
the Distributions. Generally, the Company will be liable for taxes imposed on
the Company and its affiliates engaged in the automotive and packaging
businesses. Federal income taxes imposed on the combined activities of the
consolidated group will be allocated among the Company, Tenneco and Newport
News according to their respective share of consolidated taxable income.
 
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
 
  The Company adopted FAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-
Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of," in the first
quarter of 1996. FAS No. 121 establishes new accounting standards for
measuring the impairment of long-lived assets. The adoption of the new
standard did not have a material effect on the Company's financial position or
results of operations.
 
  In June 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FAS No. 125
"Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishments of Liabilities," which establishes new accounting and
reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and
extinguishment of liabilities. The statement is effective for transactions
occurring after December 31, 1996. The impact of the new standard has not been
determined.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
CASH FLOW
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                               JUNE 30,
                                                           ------------------
      CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY:                               1996      1995
      ------------------------                             --------  --------
                                                              (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                  <C>       <C>
      Operating activities................................ $    199  $     (9)
      Investing activities................................     (340)     (206)
      Financing activities................................      169       (52)
</TABLE>
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
  The Company's operating results, combined with proceeds from sales of assets
and businesses, contributions from Tenneco and short-term borrowings, have
provided funds for acquisitions and capital investments in existing
businesses. Operating cash flow for the first six months of 1996 increased due
to higher income from operations and improvements in working capital. Working
capital improved $147 million compared with the 1995 first half primarily due
to lower inventories and the Company's working capital initiatives.
Inventories dropped as a result of downtime taken at the mills to keep
inventories in line and higher exhaust and ride control revenues driven by new
vehicle production.
 
  The Company invested $263 million in capital expenditures in its existing
businesses during the first half of 1996. Capital expenditures during the
first six months of 1996 included $84 million for Tenneco Automotive, $155
million for Tenneco Packaging and $24 million related to the Company's other
operations. For Tenneco Packaging, these expenditures related to the paper
machine upgrade at the Counce, Tennessee mill and the expansion of specialty
packaging facilities. Capital expenditures were $179 million for continuing
operations during the first half of 1995.
 
CAPITALIZATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
                                                             1996       1995
                                                           -------- ------------
                                                                (MILLIONS)
<S>                                                        <C>      <C>
Short-term debt and current maturities....................  $  530     $  384
Long-term debt............................................   1,573      1,648
Minority interest.........................................     301        301
Combined equity...........................................   2,168      1,852
                                                            ------     ------
Total capitalization......................................  $4,572     $4,185
                                                            ======     ======
</TABLE>
 
  Debt increased $71 million at June 30, 1996 compared with December 31, 1995
primarily due to higher levels of allocated debt. For additional information
on corporate debt allocation, see "Interest Expense (net of interest
capitalized)" above.
 
LIQUIDITY
 
  Historically, the Company's excess net cash flows from operating and
investing activities have been used by its parent, Tenneco, to meet
consolidated debt and other obligations. Conversely, when Company's cash
requirements have been in excess of cash flows from operations, Tenneco has
utilized its consolidated credit facilities to fund the Company's obligations.
Also, depending on market and other conditions, the Company has utilized
external sources of capital to meet specific funding requirements. Management
of the Company believes that cash flows from operations will generally be
sufficient to meet future capital requirements. However, during 1995, the
Company received on a net basis $1.3 billion from Tenneco primarily to fund
its strategic acquisitions discussed below.
 
  Prior to the Transaction as discussed under the caption "Proposed Merger
with El Paso," Tenneco intends to initiate a realignment of its existing
indebtedness. As part of the Debt Realignment, certain Company Public Debt
will be offered in exchange for certain issues of Tenneco Public Debt. Tenneco
will initiate tender offers for other Tenneco Public Debt, and certain debt
issues may be defeased. These tender offers and defeasances will be financed
by a combination of new lines of credit of Tenneco, the Company (which will
dividend $350 million of such borrowings to Tenneco, as discussed below) and
Newport News (which will dividend $600 million of its borrowings to Tenneco).
Upon completion of the Debt Realignment, Tenneco will have responsibility for
$2.65 billion of debt, subject to certain adjustments, Newport News will have
responsibility for the borrowings under its credit lines and the Company will
have responsibility for any remaining Tenneco Consolidated Debt.
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
  The Company will enter into the Company Credit Facility, a portion of which
will be borrowed by the Company and distributed to Tenneco as a dividend for
use by Tenneco in retiring certain of the Tenneco Consolidated Debt. The
remainder of the Company Credit Facility, along with cash flows from
operations, will be available by the Company to fund its future financing
needs including working capital and possible acquisitions.
 
  For additional information, see "The Industrial Distribution--Debt and Cash
Realignment."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  The Company and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates are parties to
environmental proceedings. Expenditures for ongoing compliance with
environmental regulations that relate to current operations are expensed or
capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition
caused by past operations and that do not contribute to current or future
revenue generation are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental
assessments indicate that remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be
reasonably estimated. Estimates of the liability are based upon currently
available facts, existing technology, and presently enacted laws and
regulations taking into consideration the likely effects of inflation and
other societal and economic factors. All available evidence is considered,
including prior experience in remediation of contaminated sites, other
companies' cleanup experience and data released by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") or other organizations. These
estimated liabilities are subject to revision in future periods based on
actual costs or new circumstances. These liabilities are included in the
balance sheet at their undiscounted amounts. Recoveries are evaluated
separately from the liability and, when recovery is assured, are recorded and
reported separately from the associated liability in the financial statements.
 
  At July 1, 1996, the Company had been designated as a potentially
responsible party in 21 "Superfund" or other waste disposal sites. With
respect to its pro rata share of the remediation costs of certain of these
sites, the Company is fully indemnified by third parties. With respect to
certain other of these sites, the Company has sought to resolve its liability
through settlements which provide for payments of the Company's allocable
share of the remediation costs. For the remaining sites, the Company has
estimated its share of the remediation costs to be between $3 million and $23
million or .002 percent to .020 percent of the total remediation costs for
those sites and has provided reserves it believes are adequate for such costs.
Because the clean-up costs are estimates and are subject to revision as more
information becomes available about the extent of remediation required, the
Company's estimate of its share of remediation costs could change. Moreover,
liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act is joint and several, meaning that the Company could be required
to pay in excess of its pro rata share of remediation costs. The Company's
understanding of the financial strength of other potentially responsible
parties has been considered, where appropriate, in the Company's determination
of its estimated liability. The Company believes that the costs associated
with its current status as a potentially responsible party in the Superfund or
other waste disposal sites referenced above will not be material to its
financial position or results of operations.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS 1995, 1994 AND 1993
 
1995 STRATEGIC ACTIONS
 
  The Company acquired or announced intentions to acquire several new
businesses during 1995, as part of its strategy to redeploy capital to less
cyclical, higher-growth businesses, including:
 
  . On November 17, 1995 Tenneco Packaging acquired Mobil Plastics, which is
    one of the largest North American producers of polyethylene and
    polystyrene packaging, for $1.3 billion. Its consumer products are
    marketed under the Hefty(R), Kordite(R), Baggies(R) and Hefty OneZip(TM)
    brand names. The acquired plastics business is also a leader in
    polystyrene foam packaging, thermoformed polystyrene packaging and
    polyethylene film products for food service and industrial consumers. In
    addition to this acquisition, during 1995 Tenneco Packaging acquired two
    plastics packaging operations in the United Kingdom for
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
    an aggregate of $25 million, making Tenneco Packaging a leading supplier
    of single-use, thermoformed plastic packaging in that market.
 
  . During 1995 Tenneco Packaging also completed eight acquisitions in the
    paperboard packaging business for an aggregate of $171 million in cash,
    notes and Tenneco Common Stock. Four of these acquisitions are in
    enhanced graphics which helps reduce sensitivity to raw material prices
    and offers greater opportunities to add value. Tenneco Packaging also
    acquired Hexacomb Corporation ("Hexacomb"), one of the world's largest
    suppliers of paper honeycomb products, for $58 million. These
    acquisitions present many opportunities for internal and external
    synergies.
 
  . During 1995 Tenneco Automotive acquired an exhaust company in Spain and a
    catalytic converter company in the United States for an aggregate of $40
    million and entered into two ride control joint ventures in India and
    China for an aggregate of $14 million.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--YEARS 1995 AND 1994
 
  The Company's income from continuing operations in 1995 of $258 million
increased by 8 percent compared with $238 million in 1994 due to improved
results from both Tenneco Packaging and Tenneco Automotive, as discussed
below.
 
  In 1994, the Company recorded a loss of $31 million from the discontinued
operations of Tenneco Automotive's brakes operations. Also, 1994 results
included a charge of $7 million for the adoption of a new accounting
principle, FAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits."
No similar costs were incurred in 1995.
 
NET SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1995    1994
                                                                 ------  ------
                                                                  (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                        <C>     <C>
      Tenneco Automotive........................................ $2,479  $1,989
      Tenneco Packaging.........................................  2,752   2,184
      Intergroup sales and other................................    (10)     (7)
                                                                 ------  ------
                                                                 $5,221  $4,166
                                                                 ======  ======
</TABLE>
 
  The Company's 1995 revenues increased $1,055 million, or 25 percent and
benefited from strong market conditions in its automotive and packaging
businesses along with revenues from acquisitions made in late 1994 and 1995.
The results of each segment are discussed in detail below.
 
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST EXPENSE, INCOME TAXES AND MINORITY INTEREST (OPERATING
INCOME)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1995  1994
                                                                     ----- -----
                                                                     (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                            <C>   <C>
      Tenneco Automotive............................................ $ 240 $ 223
      Tenneco Packaging.............................................   430   209
      Other.........................................................     2    24
                                                                     ----- -----
                                                                     $672  $ 456
                                                                     ===== =====
</TABLE>
 
  The Company's 1995 operating income increased by $216 million, or 47 percent
compared with 1994. Tenneco Packaging benefited from favorable market
conditions in the packaging industry and Tenneco Automotive improved as
European original equipment and aftermarkets both performed well. The results
of each segment are discussed in detail below.
 
  Significant transactions affecting the comparability of operating income
between 1995 and 1994 are:
 
  . Pre-tax gains on sales of assets and businesses of $15 million in 1995
    (primarily a mill in North Carolina) compared with gains of $5 million in
    1994.
 
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
  . Reserves established in 1995 of $30 million for restructuring at Tenneco
    Packaging's molded fiber and aluminum foil packaging operations.
 
  . Charges in 1994 of $22 million at Tenneco Automotive for a plant closing
    in Ohio and consolidations in Europe associated with the acquisition of
    Heinrich Gillet GmbH & Company ("Gillet"), the German exhaust
    manufacturer.
 
TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1995   1994
                                                                   ------ ------
                                                                    (MILLIONS)
   <S>                                                             <C>    <C>
   Revenues....................................................... $2,479 $1,989
   Operating income............................................... $  240 $  223
</TABLE>
 
  Revenues from Tenneco Automotive's exhaust operations increased during 1995
by $391 million to $1,466 million. Eighty-eight percent, or $346 million of
this increase resulted from revenues at Gillet. European original equipment
volumes were up significantly in 1995 where Gillet is the leading original
equipment manufacturer of exhaust components. European exhaust business
revenues were also stronger in the aftermarket. The 23% increase in European
aftermarket revenues resulted from volume increases and the acquisition of
Fonos. North American exhaust revenues declined slightly in 1995. The 7
percent decrease in the North American aftermarket was caused by an unusually
mild winter in the northeast and midwest which slowed automotive parts
replacement rates. In addition, the U.S. automakers' continued migration
toward stainless steel exhaust systems has negatively impacted North American
aftermarket revenues. The aftermarket decrease was partially offset by
increased original equipment unit volumes due to increased demand for light
truck and sport-utility vehicle exhaust systems.
 
  Operating income for the exhaust operations increased during 1995 by $14
million to $114 million. The 1994 operating income included a $5 million
charge recorded for a plant closing and a $17 million charge related to plant
consolidations as part of the Gillet acquisition. The Gillet operations
contributed $16 million to operating income in 1995. The remainder of the
operating income change in 1995 is due primarily to a high level of costs
related to new product launches. Tenneco Automotive's exhaust business
launched 14 products for 1996 model year vehicles in 1995, more than twice the
normal levels which adversely affected 1995 earnings. In connection with the
new product launches, Tenneco Automotive incurred additional costs of $10
million in 1995 including those related to a new process, hydroforming.
Hydroforming is a liquid, high-pressure process for bending and shaping metal
parts in ways not feasible using traditional manufacturing technology.
 
  Revenues from Tenneco Automotive's ride control operations increased during
1995 by $99 million to $1,013 million. Fifty-seven percent or $56 million of
this increase resulted from increased original equipment volumes in North
America and Europe. Original equipment volumes increased due to higher demand
for light truck and sport-utility vehicles in North America and improved
economic conditions in Europe. Increased aftermarket revenues in Europe and
the Far East more than offset the decrease in North American aftermarket
revenues which declined due to the overall decline in the North American
aftermarket.
 
  Operating income for the ride control operations increased in 1995 by $3
million to $126 million. The increased revenues in 1995 did not result in
higher operating income primarily due to increased costs associated with the
large number of new product launches for 1996 model year vehicles. These 19
launches, a significant increase over 1994 launches, adversely affected 1995
earnings.
 
  Tenneco Automotive's margins decreased to 9.7 percent from 11.2 percent in
1994. North American margins decreased to 10.2 percent in 1995 compared with
12.1 percent in 1994 due to higher costs related to new product launches and
lower North American aftermarket sales volumes. European operations margins
improved to 8.1 percent from 7.8 percent as a result of improved economic
conditions in Europe and higher earnings associated with the Gillet
acquisition.
 
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
TENNECO PACKAGING
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1995   1994
                                                                   ------ ------
                                                                    (MILLIONS)
   <S>                                                             <C>    <C>
   Revenues....................................................... $2,752 $2,184
   Operating income............................................... $  430 $  209
</TABLE>
 
  Tenneco Packaging's paperboard operations experienced excellent results
during 1995. Revenues were up $399 million to $1,928 million in 1995,
primarily as a result of strong pricing improvements in linerboard prices
during 1995 that began in late 1994 and continued to drive the paperboard
business until the end of 1995. As a result of the move into higher margin
graphics and specialty corrugated segments, Tenneco Packaging realized higher
revenues on comparable volumes. In addition, strong industry demand for
linerboard and corrugated products served to substantially increase prices for
those products in 1995 and contributed to record revenues.
 
  Operating income in the paperboard operations improved by $260 million to
$399 million in 1995. This improvement includes the 1995 pre-tax gain of $14
million on the sale of a recycled medium mill in North Carolina. Effective mix
management allowed Tenneco Packaging to absorb rapidly rising raw material
prices for corrugated products while posting increased margins. Additionally,
Tenneco Packaging continued to post new productivity gains, especially in the
operation of its containerboard mills, resulting in record operating margins
in 1995.
 
  Revenues in Tenneco Packaging's specialty packaging operations increased by
$169 million to $824 million during 1995. Revenues of $106 million from the
recently acquired plastics business (November 1995) are included in the
results of the specialty packaging business. The remainder of the revenue
increase over 1994 resulted from price realizations in the aluminum product
line.
 
  The specialty packaging business earned $31 million in operating income in
1995, a $39 million decrease compared with 1994 results. Specialty packaging
recorded a restructuring charge of $30 million in 1995 for its molded fiber
and aluminum foil packaging operations and recognized income from the recently
acquired plastics business of $15 million. Excluding these two items, the
decline in operating income for specialty packaging resulted from 20 percent
raw material cost increases that more than offset the positive effects of the
pricing increases initiated during the year. The major contributors to the raw
material cost increases were higher prices for polystyrene, aluminum and old
newspaper. However, these prices declined during the second half of the year.
 
OTHER
 
  The Company's other operations reported operating income of $2 million
during 1995. During 1994, other operations reported operating income of $24
million. This decrease in operating income resulted from lower interest income
on temporary cash investments.
 
INTEREST EXPENSE (NET OF INTEREST CAPITALIZED)
 
  The Company's interest expense in 1995 was $160 million compared with $104
million in 1994. The higher interest expense in 1995 compared to 1994 is
principally due to higher levels of allocated corporate debt. Interest
capitalized was $5 million in 1995 compared with $2 million in 1994 due to
higher levels of capital spending in 1995. For a discussion of the historical
allocation of indebtedness of Tenneco and its subsidiaries, see "Results of
Operations--Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995--Interest Expense (Net of
Interest Capitalized)."
 
MINORITY INTEREST
 
  Minority interest of $23 million in 1995 related to dividends on preferred
stock of a U.S. subsidiary which was issued in December 1994.
 
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
INCOME TAXES
 
  Income tax expense for 1995 was $231 million compared with $114 million in
1994. The Company's effective tax rate was 45 percent in 1995, compared with
32 percent in 1994.
 
  The increased tax expense in 1995 was primarily from higher pre-tax income
and higher foreign tax expense. In 1994, the Company recorded tax benefits
from the realization of deferred tax assets resulting from consolidation of
the Company's German operations.
 
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
  Loss from discontinued operations in 1994 of $31 million, net of income tax
benefit of $20 million, resulted from the sale of Tenneco Automotive's brakes
business. The loss on the sale of the brakes business was $26 million, net of
income tax benefit of $15 million. Net loss in 1994 from the brakes operations
was $5 million, net of income tax benefit of $5 million.
 
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE
 
  Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers'
Accounting for Postemployment Benefits," using the cumulative catch-up method.
It requires employers to account for postemployment benefits for former or
inactive employees after employment but before retirement on the accrual basis
rather than the "pay-as-you-go" basis. As a result of adopting this statement,
an after-tax charge of $7 million was recorded in 1994.
 
  In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FAS No.
123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." This statement defines a fair
value based method of accounting for stock issued to employees and others but
also allows companies to choose to continue to measure compensation cost for
such plans as it is measured currently. The Company has elected to continue to
use the current method of accounting for stock issued to employees.
Consequently, FAS No. 123 will have no impact on the Company's consolidated
financial position or results of operations.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
CASH FLOW
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY:                                    1995   1994
      ------------------------                                   ------  ----
                                                                 (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                        <C>     <C>
      Operating activities...................................... $  489  $571
      Investing activities...................................... (2,041) (303)
      Financing activities......................................  1,297    50
</TABLE>
 
  The Company's operating results, combined with proceeds from sales of assets
and businesses, and supplemented by contributions from Tenneco, have provided
funds for acquisitions and capital investments in existing businesses.
Operating cash flow for 1995 declined compared with 1994 primarily due to the
build up of paperboard inventories at Tenneco Packaging as a result of a
planned mill shut-down in Counce, Tennessee in early 1996.
 
  Cash used for business acquisitions during 1995 totaled approximately $1.5
billion. The largest single transaction was the acquisition of Mobil Plastics
by Tenneco Packaging for $1.3 billion, which was financed by a cash
contribution from Tenneco. Also, Tenneco Packaging and Tenneco Automotive made
other key acquisitions during the year. Further, the Company invested $562
million in capital expenditures in its existing businesses during the year.
Capital expenditures during the year included $208 million for Tenneco
Automotive, $316 million for Tenneco Packaging and $38 million related to the
Company's other operations. For Tenneco Packaging, these expenditures included
$60 million for a paper machine addition at the Counce, Tennessee mill
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
as well as $33 million for a new container plant in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Tenneco Automotive's capital spending included $22 million related to new
product launches in plants related to Gillet, which Tenneco Automotive
acquired in 1994, and $24 million for expanding a key exhaust plant and
distribution center. Capital expenditures increased in 1995 compared with the
prior year in all businesses. Net proceeds from sales of businesses and assets
during 1995 were $56 million, which included the $30 million proceeds from the
sale of a mill in North Carolina.
 
  Cash flows from financing activities primarily included a $1.3 billion cash
contribution from Tenneco for the acquisition of Mobil Plastics in November
1995.
 
  During 1994, the Company's cash sources included operating cash flow of $571
million. During 1994, the Company acquired Gillet for $44 million in cash and
other businesses for $7 million. Capital expenditures were $280 million for
continuing operations.
 
  Cash provided from financing activities during 1994 was $50 million. In
December 1994 Tenneco sold a 25 percent preferred stock interest in a
subsidiary which resulted in net cash proceeds of $293 million. This was
included in the balance sheet as minority interest at December 31, 1994.
 
CAPITALIZATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1995   1994
                                                                  ------ ------
                                                                   (MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                         <C>    <C>
      Short-term debt and current maturities..................... $  384 $  108
      Long-term debt.............................................  1,648  1,039
      Minority interest..........................................    301    301
      Combined equity............................................  1,852    987
                                                                  ------ ------
      Total capitalization....................................... $4,185 $2,435
                                                                  ====== ======
</TABLE>
 
  For additional information on corporate debt allocation, see "Interest
Expense (net of interest capitalized)" above.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--YEARS 1994 AND 1993
 
NET SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES
 
  Revenues for 1994 were $4.17 billion, up from $3.82 billion in 1993. Tenneco
Automotive revenues were $1,989 million, a $204 million, or an 11 percent
increase, compared with 1993 primarily due to increased new vehicle production
in North America and an improving European economy. Aftermarket revenues also
benefited from the introduction of Monroe's new premium ride control product,
Sensa-Trac(R). A major trade and consumer promotion in North America of the
new Sensa-Trac(R) products helped lead to an 11 percent increase in revenues
for the ride control replacement business worldwide. Packaging revenues
increased $142 million, or seven percent, to $2.18 billion in 1994, as prices
in the paperboard business recovered from the seven-year low reached in the
third quarter of 1993.
 
INCOME BEFORE INTEREST EXPENSE, INCOME TAXES AND MINORITY INTEREST (OPERATING
INCOME)
 
  Operating income was $456 million for 1994. This was an improvement of $75
million compared with
1993's operating income of $381 million. Excluding gains from asset sales and
other special items including plant consolidations, 1994 operating income
increased $126 million, or 36 percent, compared with 1993 primarily due to
improved pricing in Tenneco Packaging's containerboard business.
 
  Tenneco Automotive operating income for 1994 was $223 million, compared with
$222 million in 1993. The 1994 operating income included a $17 million charge
for plant consolidations in Europe associated with acquiring Gillet and a $5
million charge taken in the second quarter for closing a plant in Ohio.
Excluding special
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
items, operating income increased $23 million, or 10 percent, compared with
1993. This increase is a result of higher volumes in North America and Europe
and was partially offset by higher costs for new product development and new
facility start-up.
 
  Tenneco Automotive's margins were 11.2 percent in 1994 compared with 12.4
percent in 1993. North American margins decreased to 12.1 percent in 1994
compared with 13.6 percent in 1993 due to higher costs related to new product
development and new facility start-up. European operations margins decreased
to 7.8 percent from 9.5 percent as a result of costs for plant consolidations
associated with the Gillet acquisition.
 
  In November 1994, Tenneco Automotive acquired Gillet for $44 million in cash
and $69 million in assumed debt. Gillet is the leading manufacturer of
original equipment exhaust systems and components for European automakers.
 
  Tenneco Packaging's operating income for 1994 was $209 million, compared
with $139 million in 1993. The 1993 operating income included $29 million from
gains related to asset realignment. Excluding these gains, operating income
increased $99 million, or 90 percent, compared with 1993 primarily because of
improved paperboard pricing.
 
  The paperboard business earned $139 million, up $104 million compared with
1993, excluding the 1993 asset realignment gains. Prices rose from depressed
levels in 1993 and contributed $125 million, excluding the recycling business,
of increased operating income. This was partially offset by higher raw
material costs of $32 million, but improved productivity helped counter rising
raw material costs. Paperboard productivity rose 1.6 percent, with mill
operating rates exceeding rated capacity for the full year. The specialty
business operating income for 1994 declined $5 million to $70 million,
excluding the asset realignment gains in 1993. Both the aluminum and plastic
packaging businesses reported improved operating income. Plastic packaging
volumes grew seven percent in 1994 and demand continued to be strong.
Operating income for plastics rose 40 percent in 1994, reflecting increased
volumes and higher pricing. The increase in operating income provided by the
aluminum and plastic businesses was more than offset by weak performance in
the molded fiber business, where higher raw material costs had a negative
effect on operating income. Prices for recycled newspaper, a major raw
material for molded fiber, rose to over $100 per ton, compared with $26 per
ton in 1993.
 
  The Company's other operations reported operating income of $24 million in
1994, compared with operating income of $20 million for 1993.
 
INTEREST EXPENSE (NET OF INTEREST CAPITALIZED)
 
  The Company's interest expense in 1994 was $104 million compared with $101
million in 1993. Interest capitalized increased to $2 million in 1994 from $1
million in 1993 due to higher levels of major capital spending. For a
discussion of the historical allocation of indebtedness of Tenneco and its
subsidiaries, see "Results of Operations--Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and
1995--Interest Expense (Net of Interest Capitalized)."
 
 
INCOME TAXES
 
  Income tax expense was $114 million for 1994 compared with $115 million for
1993. The Company's effective tax rate was 32 percent in 1994, compared with
41 percent in 1993. The lower effective tax rate in 1994 was the result of tax
benefits from the realization of deferred tax assets resulting from
consolidation of the Company's German operations.
 
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF A CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE
 
  Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers'
Accounting for Postemployment Benefits." As a result, an after-tax charge of
$7 million was recorded in 1994.
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
  Loss from discontinued operations in 1994 of $31 million, net of income tax
benefit of $20 million resulted from the Company's brakes business. Loss from
discontinued operations in 1993 of $7 million, net of income tax benefit of $4
million, was also attributable to the Company's brakes business.
 
CASH FLOW
 
  Net cash provided by operating activities was $571 million for the year
1994, compared with $324 million for 1993, an increase of $247 million. This
increase was due to higher income from operations and improved receivable
collections.
 
  Net cash used by investing activities in 1994 was $303 million, compared
with $152 million in 1993. Net proceeds from the sale of businesses in 1993 of
$83 million resulted from the sales of various international aluminum
ventures.
 
  Expenditures for plant, property and equipment from continuing operations
for 1994 were $280 million, compared with $217 million for 1993. Increased
expenditures were reported for Tenneco Automotive ($20 million), Tenneco
Packaging ($42 million) and the Company's other operations ($1 million).
 
  In December 1994, the Company sold a 25 percent preferred stock interest in
a subsidiary which resulted in net cash proceeds of $293 million. This was
included in minority interest in the balance sheet at December 31, 1994.
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
                            BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
 
TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE
 
  Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's leading manufacturers of automotive
exhaust and ride control systems for the original equipment market and
aftermarket. Tenneco Automotive is a global business that sells its products
in over 100 countries, manufacturing and marketing its automotive exhaust
systems primarily under the Walker(R) brand name and its ride control
equipment under the Monroe(R) brand name.
 
Overview of Automotive Parts Industry
 
  The global market for automotive parts was approximately $435.3 billion in
1995, comprised of $352 billion in OE sales and $83.3 billion in aftermarket
sales. This market is expected to grow by 7.6% to $468.4 billion in 1996 and
by approximately 7.2% per year through 2000 resulting in a total market size
of approximately $617.6 billion in that year. As the North American and
Japanese automotive markets are relatively mature (expected to grow at an
estimated rate of 7.0% and 6.0%, respectively through 2000), OEMs and
automotive parts suppliers are increasingly focusing on emerging markets for
additional growth opportunities, particularly China, Eastern Europe, India and
Latin America.
 
  Automotive parts are generally segmented into two categories: (i) OE sales
in which parts are sold in large quantities directly to the vehicle
manufacturers and (ii) aftermarket sales in which parts are sold in varying
quantities to a wide range of wholesalers, retailers and repair shops as
replacement parts in the aftermarket. Demand for automotive parts in the OE
market is driven by the number of new vehicle sales which in turn are
determined by prevailing economic conditions. Factors affecting demand in the
aftermarket include the number of vehicles on the road, the average useful
life of parts, the average age of such vehicles and number of miles driven.
 
Industry Trends
 
 
  Currently, there are significant existing and emerging trends that are
dramatically reshaping the automotive industry. As the dynamics of the
automotive industry change, so do the roles, responsibilities and
relationships of its participants. Key trends affecting automotive parts
suppliers include:
 
  Consolidation of Parts Suppliers. The automotive parts industry,
particularly with respect to OE suppliers, has been rapidly consolidating for
the last several years. The number of Tier I suppliers has decreased from
3,000 to 1,500 since 1990. By the year 2000, the number of suppliers is
expected to decrease by nearly 75%, leaving approximately 400 Tier I
suppliers. The primary reasons for this consolidation include: (i) an
increasing desire by OEMs to work with fewer, larger suppliers that can
provide fully-integrated systems and (ii) the inability of smaller suppliers
to compete on price with the larger companies who benefit from purchasing and
distribution economies of scale.
 
  Full-System Integration by Parts Suppliers. OEMs are moving towards
outsourcing entire automotive parts systems in order to take advantage of the
lower cost structure of the automotive parts suppliers. Development of
advanced electronics has enabled formerly independent components to become
"interactive," leading to a shift in demand from individual parts to fully-
integrated systems. OEMs seem to have accepted the need to work more closely
with suppliers, whose roles are now being transformed from "parts suppliers"
to "developers of modules and systems." This shift has created the role of the
systems integrator, who will increasingly have the ability to execute a number
of activities, such as design, product development, engineering, testing of
component systems, and purchasing from Tier II suppliers. It is estimated that
there will be approximately 60 systems integrators by the year 2005. This
emerging structure should allow the vehicle manufacturers to concentrate on
the activities which are core to their success such as product planning and
marketing, thus limiting their involvement to setting the "look and feel" and
cost parameters for new vehicle platforms. OEMs are also stimulating further
manufacturing cost improvements by implementing strategies that would provide
parts suppliers with greater
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
input and allow them to share in the benefits of cost savings and productivity
enhancements, thus strengthening the role and potential margins of the
surviving Tier I suppliers.
 
  Globalization of the Automotive Industry. As a result of several factors,
OEMs are increasingly requiring "global" parts suppliers with global
management expertise. As the customer base of OEMs changes, and emerging
markets become more important to achieving growth, suppliers must be prepared
to provide products any place in the world. This requires a worldwide approach
to engineering, sales and distribution.
 
  . Relocation of Production Closer to End Markets. OEMs have relocated
    production globally on an "on-site" basis that is closer to end markets.
    This international expansion allows suppliers to pursue sales in
    developing markets, to take advantage of relatively lower labor costs
    and, to a lesser extent, offset the counter-cyclicality of the European
    and North American markets.
 
  . Growing Importance of Emerging Markets. As the North American and Western
    Europe automotive markets are relatively mature, OEMs are increasingly
    focusing on emerging markets for growth opportunities, particularly
    China, Eastern Europe, India and Latin America. The increased focus on
    the OE markets has in turn increased the growth opportunities in the
    aftermarket.
 
  . Increasing Requirement of Government for Local Parts Content. Many
    governments are beginning to require certain percentages of local
    content.
 
  Standardization of OEM Vehicle Platforms. OEMs are increasingly designing
"world cars" with standard bases and localized features, while also developing
niche market products such as multipurpose vehicles, four-wheel drive and
sports cars for mature markets. OEMs have learned that they can realize
significant economies of scale by limiting variations across items such as
steering columns, brake systems, transmissions, axles, exhaust systems,
support structures, fasteners, and power window and door lock mechanisms. This
shift towards standardization will have a large impact on components
manufacturers, who, according to industry estimates, can expect a 10-15%
reduction in production costs by 1997 if the OEMs reduce components variations
by 30%. This should result in not only higher production volumes per unit and
greater economies of scale, but also lower investment costs for molds and
dies, reduced development and prototype costs and more efficient die changes
and retooling.
 
  Aftermarket. There are several factors that are positively affecting the
North America demand for automotive parts in the aftermarket, including:
 
  . The average age of vehicles on the road is at an industry record-high of
    8.4 years.
 
  . The aggregate number of annual miles driven by all vehicles has increased
    by 38% from 1.65 billion miles in 1988 to 2.29 billion miles in 1995.
 
  . The size of the vehicle fleet has increased approximately from 157
    million registrations in 1988 to 188 million registrations in 1995.
 
  . On the other hand, a factor negatively affecting the demand for
    aftermarket parts is the increasing average useful life of most OEM
    automotive parts as a result of technological advancements.
 
  Emphasis on Clean Air and Efficiency. The enactment of strict environmental
regulations regarding both pollution and recycling content has led suppliers
and OEMs to design products and develop materials to comply with increasingly
stringent requirements. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 require
substantial reductions in automobile tailpipe emissions, longer warranties on
certain parts of an automobile's pollution-control equipment and additional
equipment to control fuel-vapor emissions. Manufacturers have responded by
focusing their efforts towards technological development, thus lowering costs
while minimizing industrial waste and pollution. Automakers are designing
vehicles that will be easier to dismantle and recycle at the end of their
useful lives and nearly all component manufacturers now deliver parts and
components in reusable shipping containers to reduce the amount of waste
produced at an assembly plant.
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
Overview of Tenneco Automotive
 
  Tenneco Automotive is one of the world's leading manufacturers of automotive
exhaust and ride control systems for the OE market and the aftermarket.
Tenneco Automotive is a global business that sells its products in over 100
markets worldwide. Tenneco Automotive manufactures and markets its automotive
exhaust systems primarily under the Walker(R) brand name, and its ride control
equipment is primarily manufactured under the Monroe(R) brand name.
 
  The following table sets forth information relating to the net sales of both
of Tenneco Automotive's primary product groups:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 NET SALES ($ IN MILLIONS)
                                             ----------------------------------
                                              SIX MONTHS   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
                                                 ENDED             31,
                                             JUNE 30, 1996  1995   1994   1993
                                             ------------- ------ ------ ------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>    <C>    <C>
EXHAUST SYSTEMS PRODUCTS GROUP
  Aftermarket...............................    $  348     $  637 $  609 $  562
  OE Market.................................       499        829    465    385
                                                ------     ------ ------ ------
                                                $  847     $1,466 $1,074 $  947
                                                ------     ------ ------ ------
RIDE CONTROL PRODUCTS GROUP
  Aftermarket...............................    $  406     $  687 $  644 $  580
  OE Market.................................       210        326    271    258
                                                ------     ------ ------ ------
                                                $  616     $1,013 $  915 $  838
                                                ------     ------ ------ ------
    Total Tenneco Automotive................    $1,463     $2,479 $1,989 $1,785
                                                ======     ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
 
  Brands. Tenneco Automotive has established leading brand-name products.
Monroe(R) and Walker(R) are two of the most recognized brand names in the
automotive parts industry. As Tenneco Automotive acquires related product
lines, it is envisioned that they will be incorporated within these existing
product families.
 
  Customers. Tenneco Automotive has developed long-standing business
relationships with many of its customers around the world, working with its
customers in all stages of production, including design, development,
component sourcing, quality assurance, manufacturing and delivery. Tenneco
Automotive has a strong and established reputation with its customers for
providing high quality products at competitive prices as well as for timely
delivery and customer service. Attention to these customer priorities has been
recognized by numerous customers who have awarded Tenneco Automotive supplier
quality awards, including awards from CAMI and Honda in North America and
General Motors, Porsche, and Volkswagen in Europe. Although Tenneco Automotive
sells products to a large percentage of the world's OEMs and aftermarket
customers, the nature of the markets served by Tenneco Automotive is such that
a significant concentration of Tenneco Automotive's sales are made to a
limited number of customers with whom Tenneco Automotive has had long-standing
relationships.
 
                                      58
<PAGE>
 
  Tenneco Automotive serves both the OE market and the aftermarket since the
investment and technology required to produce products for the OEMs can be
profitably parlayed into the higher margin aftermarket. Tenneco Automotive
serves over 25 different OEM customers on a global basis, including the
following:
 
     NORTH AMERICA          EUROPE                          JAPAN
     CAMI                   BMW                             Mazda
     Chrysler               DAF                             Nissan
     Ford                   Daihatsu                        Suzuki
     General Motors         Fiat                            Toyota
     Honda                  Ford
     Mazda                  Jaguar                          AUSTRALIA
     Mitsubishi             Lada                            Ford
     Nissan                 Leyland                         General Motors
     NUMMI                  Mercedes-Benz                   Mitsubishi
     Toyota                 Mitsubishi                      Toyota
 
                            Nissan
     SOUTH AMERICA          Opel
     Fiat                   Peugeot/Citroen
     Ford                   Porsche
     General Motors         Renault/Matra
     Volkswagen             Rover/Land Rover
                            Saab/Scania
                            Toyota
                            Volkswagen/Audi/SEAT/Skoda
                            Volvo
 
  Tenneco Automotive's aftermarket customers include such wholesalers and
retailers as National Auto Parts Association (NAPA), Big A Stores, Midas
International Corp. ("Midas"), Speedy Muffler King and Western Auto in North
America and Midas, Pit Stop and Kwik-Fit in Europe.
 
Exhaust Systems
 
  Tenneco Automotive designs, manufactures and distributes exhaust systems
primarily under the Walker(R) brand name. These products include a variety of
automotive exhaust systems and emission control products, including mufflers,
catalytic converters, tubular exhaust manifolds, pipe, exhaust accessories and
electronic noise cancellation products. Founded in 1888 and a division of
Tenneco Automotive since 1967, Walker is the replacement market leader for
exhaust systems in North America, Europe and Australia. Walker is a leading
supplier in the OE market in the U.S. as well, supplying exhaust systems used
in 9 of the 10 top-selling 1994 new car models sold in the U.S. Walker has
long been the European market leader in the replacement market for exhaust
systems, and with the acquisition of Gillet in 1994, Walker became Europe's
leading OE supplier.
 
  Exhaust systems play a critical role in safely conveying noxious gases away
from the passenger compartment, reducing the level of pollutants and reducing
engine exhaust noise to an acceptable level. Precise engineering of the
manifold, pipe, catalytic converter and muffler leads to a pleasant, tuned
engine sound, minimal pollutants and optimized engine performance.
 
  Manufacturing and Engineering. With plants in North America, Europe, South
America, South Africa, Asia and Australia, Walker locates its manufacturing
facilities in close proximity to its OE customers to provide just-in-time
delivery. In the U.S., Walker operates 10 manufacturing facilities and seven
distribution centers, three of which are located at manufacturing facilities.
Walker also has two research and development facilities in the U.S. In
addition, Walker operates 26 manufacturing facilities located in Argentina,
Australia, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Mexico,
Denmark, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, South Africa and Sweden. Walker is
in the process of establishing a production line in Brazil. It also has one
engineering and technical center in Germany and one at its facility in
Australia. Its engineering facilities include full anechoic
 
                                      59
<PAGE>
 
chambers in the U.S. and Europe, and are supplemented by the technical center
of Tenneco Automotive Japan in Yokohama.
 
  Strategic Acquisitions/Joint Ventures. As part of its international growth
strategy, Walker acquired ownership of Gillet, a manufacturer of exhaust
systems, in November 1994. The acquisition of Gillet, Europe's largest OE
exhaust supplier, recast Tenneco Automotive as the market leader in exhaust
systems for the OE market in Europe. The acquisition also brought many new OE
customers and orders to the Walker business. Before Gillet, Walker had only
Toyota as a European OE exhaust customer. As a result of the acquisition of
Gillet, a variety of new customers have been added, including: Audi, Ford-
Europe, Opel (General Motors), Mercedes Benz, Peugeot/Citroen, Renault, Seat,
Skoda and Volkswagen. Significantly, following the Gillet acquisition, Ford
selected Walker as a supplier for its 1997 "world" car.
 
  In 1995, Walker acquired ownership of Fonos, Spain's largest participant in
the exhaust systems aftermarket, and Perfection Automotive Products, a U.S.
catalytic converter producer, further expanding Walker's presence in the
exhaust systems replacement market. In 1996, Walker established a joint
venture in China (Dalian) to supply exhaust systems to the northern Chinese
automotive market.
 
  The following table sets forth information relating to Tenneco Automotive's
sales of exhaust systems:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               PERCENTAGE OF SALES
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        SIX MONTHS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          ENDED    ---------------------------
                                         JUNE 30,
                                           1996     1995      1994      1993
                                        ---------- -------   -------   -------
      <S>                               <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
      United States Sales
        Aftermarket....................     42%         46%       48%       52%
        OE Market......................     58          54        52        48
                                           ---     -------   -------   -------
                                           100%        100%      100%      100%
                                           ===     =======   =======   =======
      Foreign Sales
        Aftermarket....................     40%         42%       68%       70%
        OE Market......................     60          58        32        30
                                           ---     -------   -------   -------
                                           100%        100%      100%      100%
                                           ===     =======   =======   =======
      Total Sales by Geographic Area
        United States..................     42%         42%       58%       60%
        European Union.................     44          45        24        23
        Canada.........................      8           7        10        12
        Other areas....................      6           6         8         5
                                           ---     -------   -------   -------
                                           100%        100%      100%      100%
                                           ===     =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>
 
Ride Control Products
 
  Tenneco Automotive designs, manufactures and distributes ride control
equipment primarily under the Monroe(R) brand name. Tenneco Automotive's ride
control equipment consists of hydraulic shock absorbers, air adjustable shock
absorbers, spring assisted shock absorbers, gas charged shock absorbers,
struts, replacement cartridges and electronically adjustable suspension
systems. Tenneco Automotive manufactures and markets replacement shock
absorbers for virtually all domestic and foreign makes of automobiles. In
addition, Tenneco Automotive manufactures and markets shock absorbers and
struts for use as original equipment on passenger cars and trucks, as well as
for other uses. Founded in 1916, Monroe introduced the world's first shock
absorber in 1926 and became part of Tenneco Automotive in 1977. Tenneco
Automotive is the market leader for ride control equipment in the aftermarket
in North America, Europe and Australia, as well as in the OE market in
Australia.
 
  Superior ride control is governed by a vehicle's suspension system,
including its shocks and struts. Shocks and struts are components that help
maintain vertical loads placed on a vehicle's tires to help keep the tires in
contact with the road. A vehicle's ability to steer, brake and accelerate
depends on the adhesion, or friction,
 
                                      60
<PAGE>
 
between the vehicle's tires and the road. Adhesion is directly influenced by
shock absorber and strut performance. Worn or low quality shocks and struts
allow weight to transfer from side to side (roll), from front to rear (sway)
and up and down (bounce). Monroe shocks maintain vertical loads placed on
tires by providing resistance to vehicle bounce, sway and roll. Variations in
tire to road contact affect a vehicle's handling and braking performance and
the safe operation of a vehicle; thus, by enhancing the tire to road contact,
Monroe's ride control products actually function as safety components of a
vehicle rather than merely providing a comfortable ride.
 
  Manufacturing and Engineering. Monroe has seven manufacturing facilities in
the United States and 11 foreign manufacturing operations in Australia,
Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Spain and New
Zealand. In designing its shock absorbers and struts, Monroe uses advanced
engineering and test capabilities to provide product reliability, endurance
and performance. Monroe's engineering capabilities feature state-of-the-art
testing equipment, advanced computer aided design equipment, and the talents
of over 100 engineers. Monroe's dedication to innovative solutions has led to
such technological advances as adaptive dampening systems; manual, hydraulic
and electronically adjustable suspensions; semi-active and active systems; and
air and hydraulic leveling systems. Traditional hydraulic shocks were only
able to provide either ride comfort or vehicle control. Monroe's innovative
new two-tube, gas-charged shocks now enable both ride comfort and vehicle
control, resulting in improved handling (less roll), reduced vibration, a
wider range of vehicle control and a lessening of the reduction in performance
as the struts become overheated (fade). This new technology, together with
Monroe's Position Sensitive Dampening(R) valve can be found in Monroe's
premium quality Sensa-Trac(R) shocks.
 
  Strategic Acquisitions/Joint Ventures. As a means of expanding its product
lines and offering OEMs a complete modular ride control system, in July 1996,
Tenneco Automotive acquired Clevite. Clevite is a leading OE manufacturer of
elastomeric vibration control components, including bushings and engine
mounts, for the auto, light truck and heavy truck markets. This acquisition
provides Tenneco Automotive with all of the components necessary to deliver
complete suspension systems to the OE manufacturers. The Clevite acquisition
also complements Tenneco Automotive's interest in global growth opportunities,
as both Clevite and Monroe have manufacturing operations in Mexico and Brazil.
Additionally, Tenneco Automotive also has a 51% interest in a joint venture
that has two ride control manufacturing facilities in India and a 51% interest
in a joint venture that has one ride control manufacturing facility in China.
It is anticipated that the joint venture in India will also manufacture
exhaust systems.
 
  The following table sets forth information relating to Tenneco Automotive's
sales of ride control equipment:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               PERCENTAGE OF SALES
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        SIX MONTHS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          ENDED    ---------------------------
                                         JUNE 30,
                                           1996     1995      1994      1993
                                        ---------- -------   -------   -------
      <S>                               <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
      United States Sales
        Aftermarket....................     72%         70%       72%       72%
        OE Market......................     28          30        28        28
                                           ---     -------   -------   -------
                                           100%        100%      100%      100%
                                           ===     =======   =======   =======
      Foreign Sales
        Aftermarket....................     61%         66%       69%       63%
        OE Market......................     39          34        31        37
                                           ---     -------   -------   -------
                                           100%        100%      100%      100%
                                           ===     =======   =======   =======
      Total Sales by Geographic Area
        United States..................     45%         48%       49%       50%
        European Union.................     36          36        32        29
        Canada.........................      4           3         5         7
        Other areas....................     15          13        14        14
                                           ---     -------   -------   -------
                                           100%        100%      100%      100%
                                           ===     =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      61
<PAGE>
 
Sales and Marketing
 
  Both of the exhaust and ride control systems groups utilize similar sales
and marketing systems to distribute Tenneco Automotive products. Both groups
take advantage of a dedicated sales force and consumer brand marketing
professionals together with extensive marketing support, including trade and
consumer marketing, promotions and general advertising. Tenneco Automotive
believes that it maintains the highest customer order fill rate in the
industry, consistently exceeding 95%.
 
  Tenneco Automotive sells its OEM products directly. With respect to the
aftermarket, Tenneco Automotive employs three primary distribution techniques:
(i) the traditional three-step distribution system: warehouse distributors,
jobbers and installers; (ii) direct sales to retailers; and (iii) sales to
buying groups.
 
Strategy
 
  Tenneco Automotive's primary goal is to enhance its leadership position in
the global automotive parts industry in which it is currently one of the
leading manufacturers of exhaust and ride control systems. Tenneco Automotive
intends to capitalize on certain significant existing and emerging trends in
the automotive industry, including (i) the consolidation and globalization of
the OEMs supplier base, (ii) increased OEM outsourcing, particularly of more
complex components, assemblies, modules and complete systems to sophisticated,
independent suppliers and (iii) growth of emerging markets for both original
equipment and replacement markets. Key components of Tenneco Automotive's
strategy include:
 
  Branding. Tenneco Automotive, whose major strategic strength is the
performance of its leading Monroe and Walker brand names and their market
shares, intends to emphasize product differentiation to give consumers added
reasons for specifying their brands. For example, Monroe introduced a premium
grade shock and strut called Sensa-Trac in 1994, which helped it regain its
technological leadership in the ride control market, and Walker's
Advantage(TM) and Dyno Max(TM) brands are the leading brands in their product
categories. Tenneco Automotive also plans on capitalizing on its brand
strength by incorporating newly acquired product lines within existing product
families, as it did with Gillet.
 
  Maintain Focus on Core Business. Tenneco Automotive intends to retain market
share in its core businesses with its primary customers while increasing
market share with customers with whom it has not fully realized its potential
market penetration. These objectives are designed to enable Tenneco Automotive
to respond better to the OEMs' evolving purchasing requirements, where in
addition to manufacturing, the supplier is required to provide design,
engineering and project management support for a complete package of
integrated products.
 
  Continue to Develop High Value-Added Products. Tenneco Automotive intends to
continue to manufacture high value-added products and to develop strategic
alliances with Tier II suppliers in order to facilitate development of these
value-added products, including the development of highly engineered or
complex assemblies or systems. Tenneco Automotive intends to expand its
product lines by continuing to identify and fill new fast-growing niche
markets, by developing new products for existing markets, by acquiring
companies with product portfolios that complement the products currently
applied by Tenneco Automotive and by establishing strategic alliances with
other suppliers.
 
  Increase Ability to Provide Full-System Capabilities. The automotive parts
industry is encountering a consolidation of parts suppliers as OEMs require
suppliers to provide design assistance and innovation and full-system
capabilities rather than just specific parts. In response to this trend, the
Company plans to dedicate more resources towards strengthening technical
capability and design expertise and pursue appropriate strategic acquisitions,
joint ventures and strategic alliances in order to increase Tenneco
Automotive's ability to deliver such full-system capability. For example, the
recent acquisition of Clevite now gives Tenneco Automotive the ability to
deliver complete suspension systems to OEMs.
 
  International Expansion. In response to the development of global markets
and in order to diversify its customer and product base, Tenneco Automotive,
which currently has 60 facilities in 19 countries in North America, Europe,
South America, Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, plans to continue its
international
 
                                      62
<PAGE>
 
expansion through joint ventures, acquisitions and strategic alliances. For
example, Tenneco Automotive recently established joint ventures in China and
India and acquired Europe's largest supplier of automotive exhaust equipment
for the OEM market. Rather than segment the world, Tenneco Automotive plans to
integrate its international operations through the standardization of products
and processes, improvements in information technology and the global
coordination of purchasing, costing and quoting procedures.
 
  Strategic Acquisitions. Strategic acquisitions have been, and management
believes will continue to be, an important element of Tenneco Automotive's
growth. Through such acquisitions, Tenneco Automotive can expand its product
portfolio, gain access to new customers and achieve leadership positions
within new geographic markets, while drawing on the strengths of existing
distribution channels with OEM relationships. Tenneco Automotive has developed
comprehensive integration plans to quickly integrate new companies into its
infrastructure. Tenneco Automotive intends to continue to pursue acquisition
opportunities in which management can substantially improve the profitability
of strategically related businesses by, among other things, rationalizing
similar product lines and eliminating certain lower margin product lines;
reconfiguring and upgrading manufacturing facilities; moving production to the
lowest cost facilities; and reducing selling, distribution, purchasing and
administrative costs.
 
  Operating Cost Leadership. Tenneco Automotive will continue to seek cost
reductions as it standardizes it product and processes throughout its
international operations, improves its information technology, increases
employee training, invests in more efficient machinery and enhances the global
coordination of purchasing, costing and quoting procedures.
 
Other
 
  As of July 1, 1996, Tenneco Automotive had approximately 21,000 employees.
Tenneco Automotive believes that its relations with its employees are good.
 
  The principal raw material utilized by Tenneco Automotive is steel. Tenneco
Automotive believes that an adequate supply of steel can presently be obtained
from a number of different domestic and foreign suppliers.
 
  Tenneco Automotive holds a number of domestic and foreign patents and
trademarks relating to its products and businesses. It manufactures and
distributes its products primarily under the names Walker(R) and Monroe(R),
which are well recognized in the marketplace. The patents, trademarks and
other intellectual property owned by Tenneco Automotive are important in the
manufacturing and distribution of its products.
 
  The operations of Tenneco Automotive face competition from other
manufacturers of automotive equipment, including affiliates of certain of its
customers, in both the OE market and the aftermarket.
 
  Tenneco Automotive is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois.
 
TENNECO PACKAGING
 
  Tenneco Packaging is among the world's leading and most diversified
packaging companies, manufacturing packaging products for consumer,
institutional and industrial markets. The paperboard business group
manufactures corrugated containers, folding cartons and containerboard, has a
joint venture in recycled paperboard, and offers high value-added products
such as enhanced graphics packaging and displays and kraft honeycomb products.
Its specialty products group produces disposable aluminum, foam and clear
plastic food containers, molded fiber and pressed paperboard products, as well
as polyethylene bags and industrial stretch wrap. Tenneco Packaging's consumer
products include such recognized brand names as Hefty(R), Baggies(R) and E-Z
Foil(R).
 
Overview of Packaging Industry
 
  The global packaging market is estimated at nearly $360 billion with about
one quarter in North America, slightly less in Europe and the balance spread
throughout the rest of the world. Tenneco Packaging now ranks as
 
                                      63
<PAGE>
 
the fourth largest packaging manufacturer in North America by sales and the
tenth largest in the world. Packaging remains one of the most fragmented major
industries, with the top five companies comprising only a 10% worldwide market
share. Within packaging material categories, Tenneco Packaging participates in
the three growing segments of paper, plastic and aluminum, with substantial or
leading market shares in virtually all of its product segments.
 
Business Strategy
 
  Tenneco Packaging has embarked upon an aggressive growth plan to be the
leading specialty packaging company offering a broad line of packaging
products to provide customers with the best packaging solutions. In the past
two years, Tenneco Packaging has doubled its size to nearly $4 billion in
annualized revenues through internal growth in its base businesses,
productivity gains and 12 acquisitions that have been completed since early
1995.
 
  As a result of these redeployment activities, Tenneco Packaging has
significantly reduced its sensitivity to changes in economic cyclicality:
 
  . Tenneco Packaging's business is now over half specialty (including the
     full year impact of the Mobil Plastic acquisition and the recently
     announced Amoco Foam Products purchase), which reduces exposure to
     business cycles.
 
  . On the paperboard side, four acquisitions in specialty graphics and the
     purchase of Hexacomb, the world's largest supplier of kraft paper
     honeycomb products used for protective packaging, have reduced its
     sensitivity to raw material prices and offer greater opportunities to add
     value. Currently, over 20% of Tenneco Packaging's paperboard business is
     in higher margin, enhanced graphics including folding cartons, point-of-
     purchase displays and point-of-sale packaging, as well as protective
     packaging products.
 
  In the future, Tenneco Packaging will continue to pursue value-added, non-
cyclical growth opportunities, maintain market leadership positions in its
primary business groups and leverage its new product development expertise.
 
  As with any manufacturing company whose product demand is sensitive to
general economic conditions, Tenneco Packaging's business results may be
adversely impacted by several uncertainties including raw material cost
fluctuations and pricing variability related to industry supply/demand
dynamics. In addition, potential packaging legislation or regulatory changes,
material substitution, new packaging technologies and changes in consumer
preferences or distribution channels could have an adverse impact on the
Company. However, Tenneco Packaging has positioned itself to deal
strategically with these challenges through its:
 
  . Multi-material focus, broad product line and concentration of growth in
     packaging that offers customers greater functionality and value;
 
  . Fiber flexibility, which enables Tenneco Packaging's paperboard business
     to manage its mix of virgin and recycled fiber sources to take advantage
     of changing market conditions;
 
  . Raw material purchasing leverage in both fiber and plastic resin;
 
  . Technology and new product development expertise, offering innovative
     packaging design and materials applications; and
 
  . Global expansion strategy of growing its international business through
     value-added acquisitions, joint ventures, and multi-national customer
     partnerships.
 
  Tenneco Packaging believes that factors critical to its success include a
focused strategic direction, operating cost leadership, management expertise,
a committed and skilled workforce and a systems infrastructure to meet
stringent customer quality requirements and service needs. Tenneco Packaging
will spend approximately $110 million by the end of 1998 to provide state-of-
the-art customer linked manufacturing systems, shop floor scheduling and real-
time data for marketing and production management.
 
 
                                      64
<PAGE>
 
Overview of Tenneco Packaging
 
  Tenneco Packaging is an industry leader in the manufacture and sale of
packaging products, offering a wide range of fiber-based materials and
packaging for both consumer and industrial applications, as well as aluminum
and plastic-based specialty packaging for consumer, retail, food service and
food processing applications.
 
  The following tables set forth information relating to the net sales of both
of Tenneco Packaging's primary business groups, in dollars and by percentages:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 NET SALES (MILLIONS)
                                          ------------------------------------
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
                                           SIX MONTHS           31,
                                              ENDED     ----------------------
                                          JUNE 30, 1996  1995    1994    1993
                                          ------------- ------  ------  ------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>     <C>     <C>
PAPERBOARD PRODUCTS GROUP
  Corrugated shipping containers and
   containerboard products...............    $  751     $1,589  $1,214  $1,086
  Folding cartons and recycled paperboard
   mill products.........................        92        204     196     196
  Paper Stock and other..................        60        135     119     100
                                             ------     ------  ------  ------
                                                903      1,928   1,529   1,382
                                             ------     ------  ------  ------
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS GROUP
  Disposable plastic and aluminum packag-
   ing products..........................       756        593     434     442
  Molded fiber products..................       100        191     186     183
  Other..................................        16         40      35      35
                                             ------     ------  ------  ------
                                                872        824     655     660
                                             ------     ------  ------  ------
    Total Tenneco Packaging..............    $1,775     $2,752  $2,184  $2,042
                                             ======     ======  ======  ======
<CAPTION>
                                               PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES
                                          ------------------------------------
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
                                           SIX MONTHS           31,
                                              ENDED     ----------------------
                                          JUNE 30, 1996  1995    1994    1993
                                          ------------- ------  ------  ------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>     <C>     <C>
PAPERBOARD PRODUCTS GROUP
  Corrugated shipping containers and
   containerboard products...............        42%        58%     56%     53%
  Folding cartons and recycled paperboard
   mill products.........................         5          7       9      10
  Paper Stock and other..................         4          5       5       5
                                             ------     ------  ------  ------
                                                 51         70      70      68
                                             ------     ------  ------  ------
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS GROUP
  Disposable plastic and aluminum
   packaging products....................        43%        22%     20%     22%
  Molded fiber products..................         5          7       9       9
  Other..................................         1          1       1       1
                                             ------     ------  ------  ------
                                                 49         30      30      32
                                             ------     ------  ------  ------
    Total Tenneco Packaging..............       100%       100%    100%    100%
                                             ======     ======  ======  ======
SALES BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA(A)
  United States..........................        92%        91%     90%     88%
  European Union.........................         5          5       6       8
  Canada.................................         1          1       1       2
  Other areas............................         2          3       3       2
                                             ------     ------  ------  ------
                                                100%       100%    100%    100%
                                             ======     ======  ======  ======
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) Restated 1995, 1994 and 1993 to reflect countries included in European
    union as of December 31, 1995: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
    Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain
    and Sweden.
 
                                      65
<PAGE>
 
Paperboard Products
 
  The paperboard business group manufactures and sells corrugated containers,
folding cartons, containerboard, lumber and building products, and has a joint
venture in recycled paperboard. The group's product line includes high value-
added products such as enhanced graphics packaging and displays and kraft
honeycomb products. It produces over 2 million tons of containerboard that is
converted by its corrugated container plants and sold to both domestic and
export customers. Over 80% of the containerboard used by the corrugated
converting operations is either produced by Tenneco Packaging's own mills or
supplied through trade partnerships for other grades in exchange for product
produced at Tenneco Packaging's mills, which helps assure a secure supply of
product in a wide variety of grades to meet the requirements of its customers.
It also produces high quality, innovative folding carton products utilizing
the latest in printing and cutting technology for the sheet-fed offset,
narrow-web flexo and rotogravure processes. Finally, Tenneco Packaging
participates in the wood products business and has access to over 1.0 million
acres of timberland in the United States through both owned and leased
properties.
 
  Sales and Marketing. Tenneco Packaging maintains a sales and marketing
organization of over 400 sales personnel. Tenneco Packaging also has four
graphics design centers with two more planned which help it meet its
customers' design and functional requirements.
 
  New Product Development and Design. Tenneco Packaging's paperboard group is
establishing a nationwide network of new product development and creative
packaging design centers to develop and manufacture product packaging and
product display solutions to meet more sophisticated, complex customer needs.
This network includes four regional design centers, twenty-one primary and
mid-range graphics facilities and almost 100 sales personnel, new product
development engineers, and product graphics and design specialists. These
centers offer state-of-the-art computer and design equipment for 24-hour
turnaround and reduced product delivery times.
 
  Manufacturing and Engineering. Tenneco Packaging has two kraft linerboard
mills and two medium mills, located in Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan and
Wisconsin, which together account for 7% of annual U.S. production, or 2.1
million tons. As of June 30, 1996, Tenneco Packaging had invested $75 million
at the Counce, Tennessee mill, which added 120,000 tons annually of capacity
and enabled the mill to meet a growing demand for lighter weight board. Each
of the mills has a strong focus on quality and is ISO 9002 certified. Two
paperstock recycling facilities provide some of the mills' recycled fiber
requirements.
 
  Domestically, Tenneco Packaging's corrugated container network includes 64
geographically dispersed plants that manufacture approximately 8% of the total
annual U.S. corrugated shipments, as well as seven kraft paper honeycomb
product plants, making it one of the top six integrated producers. Tenneco
Packaging also operates six folding carton plants located primarily in the
Midwest.
 
  Tenneco Packaging has access to 1.0 million acres of timberland in the
United States through both owned and leased properties. To maximize the value
of the timber harvested, Tenneco Packaging operates four wood products
operations which produce hardwood dimensional lumber and utility poles.
Further, Tenneco Packaging is a party to a joint venture in a chip mill, as
well as a wood drying facility.
 
  Tenneco Packaging's paperboard group operates a manufacturing and technical
support center located in Skokie, Illinois which provides engineering,
manufacturing and technical support to its corrugated operations. In addition,
it currently has a network of four design centers and a design organization
which includes more than 60 structural, graphic and package engineering
specialists for its corrugated and folding carton converting operations.
 
  Strategic Acquisitions/Joint Ventures. As part of Tenneco Packaging's value-
added growth strategy, eight acquisitions were made during 1995 in the
Paperboard Products Group. Tenneco Packaging expanded its graphics and
printing capabilities to that of a full service supplier of point-of-purchase
displays and point-of-sale packaging by acquiring four facilities with
expertise in high impact graphics and design. The addition of Lux
 
                                      66
<PAGE>
 
Packaging, in Waco, Texas; the United Group in Los Angeles, California;
Menasha Corporation's South Brunswick, New Jersey plant; and DeLine Box in
Windsor, Colorado have broadened Tenneco Packaging's offering of products and
services to include permanent point-of-purchase displays, rotogravure
preprint, litho-lamination and advanced graphics design.
 
  Tenneco Packaging added to its network of specialty sheet plants through the
acquisition of Mid-Michigan Container in Michigan; Sun King Container in El
Paso, Texas; and Domtar Packaging's Watertown, New York facility. It also
increased its protective packaging capabilities through the purchase of
Hexacomb, the world's largest supplier of honeycomb corrugated products used
for protective packaging, materials handling and specialized structural
applications.
 
  In June 1996, Tenneco Packaging and Caraustar entered a joint venture where
Tenneco Packaging contributed its two recycled paperboard mills (Rittman, Ohio
and Tama, Iowa) and a recovered paper stock and brokerage operation for cash
and a 20% equity position in the business. The mills will continue to supply
recycled paperboard to Tenneco Packaging's six folding carton plants.
 
Specialty Products
 
  Tenneco Packaging's Specialty Products Group produces disposable aluminum,
foam and clear plastic products for the food processing, food preparation and
food service industries. It also manufactures molded fiber and pressed
paperboard products, as well as polyethylene bags and industrial stretch film.
Consumer products are sold under such recognized brand names of Hefty(R),
Baggies(R), Hefty OneZip(R) and E-Z Foil(R).
 
  Tenneco Packaging's lightweight, durable plastic packaging for in-store
deli, produce, bakery and catering applications maintain quality and enhance
presentation. Plastic food storage and trash bags, foam and molded fiber
dinnerware, disposable aluminum baking pans and related products are sold
through a variety of retail outlets. Tenneco Packaging also manufactures
molded fiber for produce and egg packaging, food service items and
institutional tableware.
 
  Sales and Marketing. Specialty packaging products are marketed to five
primary market segments: food service, supermarkets, institutional, packer
processor and industrial users. The sales organization is specialized by user
segment and its teams work in alliance with strategic customers to build
sales. Approximately 85% of specialty packaging products are sold to its
distributors, while the remainder are sold directly to retailers.
 
  Consumer products are marketed primarily through three classes of retailers
or channels of trade: grocery (supermarkets and convenience stores), non-food
(mass merchandisers, drug stores, hardware stores, home centers), and
warehouse clubs with sales distributed 66%, 30%, and 4%, respectively based on
1994 net revenues. Consumer products' internal sales management personnel are
augmented by a national network of grocery brokers and manufacturing
representatives to provide headquarter and in-store sales coverage for the
grocery channel. Consumer products covers warehouse clubs and selected non-
food retailers on a direct basis. The overall sales breakdown is approximately
19% direct and 81% broker/representative.
 
  Manufacturing and Engineering. In North America, Tenneco Packaging operates
21 specialty products facilities. With the acquisition of the Mobil Plastics
division, Tenneco Packaging now has polystyrene production in 10 locations in
seven states as well as one Canadian facility. It produces polyethylene in
five locations including a Canadian facility. Aluminum roll stock is converted
at five locations, including three locations shared with polystyrene
production. Molded fiber packaging is produced in six locations. Finally,
pressed paperboard products are manufactured at one facility in Columbus,
Ohio. Research and development centers for packaging and process development
are located in Macedon, New York and Northbrook, Illinois.
 
  Within the Specialty Products Group there are two major types of plastic
manufacturing plants, offering excellent process technology and high quality
equipment in polystyrene extrusion/thermoforming/automation,
 
                                      67
<PAGE>
 
consumer waste bags and stretch films. Tenneco Packaging's polyethylene plants
produce liners, food bags, grocery sacks and stretch film, as well as retail
waste and food bags for consumer applications. Most of the Specialty Products
Group's polyethylene processes are in-line. Polystyrene plants make foam
products including consumer tableware, foodservice disposables, meat trays and
clear containers. With multiple production lines, each plant is generally
capable of making several product types. Polystyrene pellets are marketed and
extruded and subsequently thermoformed and converted into finished products.
 
  Strategic Acquisitions. Tenneco Packaging acquired Mobil Plastics in late
1995 which more than doubled the size of its Specialty Products Group and
added new technologies and product development capabilities. It provides
strong consumer branded products such as Hefty(R) trash bags, Baggies(R) food
bags, and Hefty OneZip(R) food storage bags. In addition, it manufactures
clear and foam polystyrene food service containers; plates and meat trays;
and, polyethylene film products including can liners, produce and retail bags,
and medical and industrial disposable packaging.
 
  In June 1996, Tenneco Packaging agreed to purchase Amoco Foam Products.
Amoco Foam Products, with 1995 sales of $288 million, manufactures foam
polystyrene tableware including cups, plates, carrying trays; hinged-lid food
containers; packaging trays, primarily for meat and poultry; and industrial
products for residential and commercial construction applications. The closing
of this acquisition was completed in August 1996.
 
International
 
  Tenneco Packaging has a growing international presence with a revenue base
of nearly $200 million and an additional $100 million in export sales to 38
countries, manufacturing products that serve a wide range of packaging needs.
It expects to significantly enlarge its international operations by growing
its base businesses, strengthening its export capabilities for both fiber-
based and plastic products, and by growing selectively in new markets,
geographies or channels that represent high-potential opportunities.
 
  Manufacturing and Engineering. Tenneco Packaging currently operates or has
an ownership in 13 international manufacturing locations. Omni-Pac is Europe's
leading manufacturer of molded fiber packaging with facilities in Elsfleth,
Germany, Great Yarmouth, England and Pamplona, Spain. Tenneco Packaging's
Alupak operation in Belp, Switzerland is a major producer of smoothwall
aluminum portion packs. In plastic, Tenneco Packaging has the leading share of
single-use thermoformed plastic food containers in the United Kingdom, with
four manufacturing operations in England, Scotland and Wales.
 
  Tenneco Packaging also operates a folding carton plant in Budapest, Hungary
and is building a wood products operation in Romania. It participates in
several international joint ventures, including folding carton plants in
Donngguan, China and Bucharest, Romania and a corrugated converting facility
in Zhejiang, China.
 
  Acquisitions/Business Development. In 1995, Tenneco Packaging purchased
Penlea and Delyn, two plastic thermoforming operations in the United Kingdom.
In 1996, it entered the European wood products business with the startup of a
venture in Buchin, Romania. In addition to harvesting rights in excess of 1.8
million cubic meters of timber, Tenneco Packaging is constructing a wood
processing plant for value-added furniture components, to be supported by a
full sawmill operation.
 
Other
 
  As of June 30, 1996, Tenneco Packaging had approximately 19,000 employees.
Tenneco Packaging believes that its relations with its employees are good.
 
  Tenneco Packaging holds a number of domestic and foreign patents and
trademarks relating to its products and businesses. The patents, trademarks
and other intellectual property owned by Tenneco Packaging are important in
the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of its products.
 
                                      68
<PAGE>
 
  The principal raw materials used by Tenneco Packaging in its manufacturing
operations are virgin pulp, recycled fiber, plastic resin and aluminum roll
stock. Tenneco Packaging obtains its virgin pulp from timberland owned or
controlled by it as well as from outside purchases. Recycled fiber is supplied
from both outside contractual sources as well as internally from its two
recycling centers and its own containerboard clippings and trim. Tenneco
Packaging obtains plastic resin and aluminum roll stock from various
suppliers.
 
  As of June 30, 1996, Tenneco Packaging owned approximately 188,000 acres of
timberland in Alabama, Michigan, Mississippi and Tennessee and leased, managed
or had cutting rights on an additional 808,000 acres of timberland in Alabama,
Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, Wisconsin and Georgia. In 1995, 1994, and
1993, approximately 31%, 20% and 22%, respectively, of the virgin fiber used
by Tenneco Packaging in its mill operations was obtained from Tenneco
Packaging-controlled timberlands.
 
  The operations of Tenneco Packaging face competition from other
manufacturers of packaging products, including manufacturers of alternative
products, in each of its geographic and product markets.
 
  Tenneco Packaging is headquartered in Evanston, Illinois.
 
TENNECO BUSINESS SERVICES
 
  TBS designs, implements and administers shared administrative service
programs for the various Tenneco businesses as well as, on an "as requested"
basis, for former Tenneco business entities.
 
  Primary service areas of TBS include (i) Financial Accounting Services,
including asset management, general accounting, purchasing and payables,
travel and entertainment, tax compliance and reporting and other applications;
(ii) Supplier Development and Administration, including vendor negotiations
and contract administration; (iii) Employee Benefits Administration for all
major salaried and hourly benefit plans; (iv) Technology Services, including
main frame computing services, telecommunication services and distributed
processing services; (v) Human Resources and Payroll Services, including
payroll processing, relocation services, government compliance services and
expatriate relocation and repatriation services; and (vi) Environmental Health
and Safety Services, including remediation consultation, operations risk
analysis and compliance audits.
 
  TBS has to date only serviced other Tenneco businesses and, on an as
requested basis, former Tenneco businesses such as the Case Corporation.
However, TBS is in the process of investigating opportunities to provide
similar services to outside businesses. It is anticipated that after the
Distributions, TBS will continue to provide services to Newport News and
Tenneco pursuant to the terms of the TBS Services Agreement. See "The
Industrial Distributions-- Relationships among Tenneco, the Company and
Newport News After the Distributions--Terms of the Ancillary Agreements--TBS
Services Agreement."
 
  In connection with its operations, TBS holds numerous software licenses,
owns and operates computer equipment and has agreements with numerous vendors
for supplies and services.
 
  As of June 30, 1996, TBS had approximately 300 employees. TBS believes that
its relations with its employees are good.
 
  Although to date TBS has provided its administrative programs exclusively to
current and former Tenneco businesses, once TBS attempts to begin providing
similar services to outside businesses it will face intense competition from
other providers of administrative services, many of whom are larger and have
more experience providing administrative services in a competitive
environment.
 
  TBS is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.
 
                                      69
<PAGE>
 
PROPERTIES
 
Corporate Headquarters
 
  The Company's corporate offices are located in Greenwich, Connecticut.
 
Tenneco Automotive
 
  In the United States, Walker operates 10 manufacturing facilities and seven
distribution centers, three of which are located at manufacturing facilities,
and also has two research and development facilities. In addition, Walker
operates 25 manufacturing facilities located in Australia, Canada, China, the
Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Denmark, Germany, France, Spain,
Portugal, South Africa and Sweden, and also has one engineering and technical
center in Germany.
 
  Monroe has seven manufacturing facilities and one research and development
facility and three distribution centers. In addition, Monroe has 13 foreign
manufacturing operations in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the
Czech Republic, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Spain and New Zealand.
 
  Overall, Tenneco Automotive now operates 66 facilities in 18 countries in
North America, Europe, South America, Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
 
Tenneco Packaging
 
  In North America, Tenneco Packaging operates or has an ownership interest in
a total of 122 facilities. The paperboard business group has 71 corrugated
products plants, six folding carton plants and nine containerboard machines at
four mills. Two of the mills (located in Georgia and Wisconsin), including
substantially all of the equipment associated with both mills, are leased from
third parties. Additionally, the paperboard business group operates a wood
products group including two hardwood facilities, one dimensional lumber
plant, one utility pole facility, one air drying facility for wood, and a
joint venture in a chip mill. Two recycled paperstock facilities provide
furnish for the mills. Tenneco Packaging also has a minority equity position
in two recycled paperboard mills and one recycling center and brokerage
operation.
 
  Tenneco Packaging's Specialty Products Group operates six molded fiber
plants, one pressed paperboard plant and 14 disposable plastic and aluminum
packaging products plants in North America.
 
  Internationally, Tenneco Packaging operates or has an ownership position in
13 locations. These include three folding carton operations, one corrugated
container plant and a wood products operation. Additionally, it also
manufactures plastics products at four locations, aluminum portion packs at
one facility and molded fiber products at three locations.
 
TBS
 
  TBS operates out of its headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas, as well as
offices in Evanston, Illinois, Newport News, Virginia and Houston, Texas.
 
  The Company believes that substantially all of its plants and equipment are,
in general, well maintained and in good operating condition. They are
considered adequate for present needs and as supplemented by planned
construction are expected to remain adequate for the near future.
 
  The Company is of the opinion that it and its subsidiaries have generally
satisfactory title to the properties owned and used in their respective
businesses, subject to liens for current taxes and easements, restrictions and
other liens which do not materially detract from the value of such property or
the interests therein or the use of such properties in their businesses.
 
                                      70
<PAGE>
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  The Company estimates that its subsidiaries will make capital expenditures
for environmental matters of approximately $      in 1996 and $      in 1997,
and that capital expenditures for environmental matters will range from
approximately $      million to $      million in the aggregate for the years
1998 through 2008.
 
  For information regarding environmental matters, see "Legal Proceedings,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," and Note 14, "Commitments and Contingencies," to the Combined
Financial Statements of the Company.
 
                               LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
  On August 2, 1993, the U.S. Department of Justice filed suit against Tenneco
Packaging Inc. in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of
Indiana, alleging that wastewater from Tenneco Packaging's molded fiber
products plant in Griffith, Indiana, interfered with or damaged the Town of
Griffith's municipal sewage pumping station on two occasions in 1991 and 1993,
resulting in discharges by the Town of Griffith of untreated wastewater into a
river. Tenneco Packaging and the Department of Justice have agreed in
principle to settle the suit. A consent decree has been agreed to, finalized,
signed by Tenneco Packaging and returned to the Department of Justice for its
signature. The Company believes that the resolution of this matter will not
have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of
operations of the Company and its subsidiaries.
 
  At July 1, 1996, the Company had been designated as a potentially
responsible party in 21 "Superfund" or other waste disposal sites. With
respect to its pro rata share of the remediation costs of certain sites, the
Company is fully indemnified by third parties. With respect to certain other
of these sites, the Company has sought to resolve its liability through
settlements which provide for payments of the Company's allocable share of
remediation costs. For the remaining sites, the Company has estimated its
share of the remediation costs to be between $3 million and $23 million or
 .002% to .020% of the total remediation costs for those sites and has provided
reserves that it believers are adequate for such costs. Because the clean-up
costs are estimates and are subject to revision as more information becomes
available about the extent of remediation required, the Company's estimate of
its share of remediation costs could change. Moreover, liability under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act is joint
and several, meaning that the Company could be required to pay in excess of
its pro rata share of remediation costs. The Company's understanding of the
financial strength of other potentially responsible parties has been
considered, where appropriate, in the Company's determination of its estimated
liability. The Company believes that the costs associated with its current
status as a potentially responsible party in the Superfund or other waste
sites referenced above will not be material to its consolidated financial
position or results of operations.
 
  For additional information concerning environmental matters, see
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," "Business and Properties" and the caption "Environmental Matters"
under Note 14, in the Combined Financial Statements of the Company.
 
  The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to numerous other legal
proceedings arising from their operations. The Company believes that the
outcome of these other proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will
have no material effect on the Company's combined financial condition or
results of operations.
 
                                      71
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  Upon consummation of the Industrial Distribution, the Company Board will
consist of eleven members. Each director will serve for a term expiring at the
annual meeting of stockholders in the year indicated below and until his or
her successor shall have been elected and qualified. Pursuant to the
Certificate (as defined herein), the Company Board is divided into three
classes. Information concerning the individuals who will serve as directors of
the Company as of the Distribution Date is set forth below.
 
Term Expiring at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Class I)
 
  MARK ANDREWS has been Chairman of Andrews Associates, Inc., a government
consulting firm, since February 1987. From 1963 to 1980, he served in the U.S.
House of Representatives, and from 1980 to 1986 he served in the U.S. Senate.
He is also a director of Union Storage Co. and Case Corporation. Mr. Andrews
is 70 years old and has been a director of Tenneco since 1987. He has served
as a member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee and the Nominating and
Management Development Committee of Tenneco, and will serve as a member of the
Compensation and Benefits Committee and the Nominating and Management
Development Committee of the Company.
 
  W. MICHAEL BLUMENTHAL has been a consultant to Lazard Freres & Co. L.L.C.,
an investment banking firm, since January 1995 and was a limited partner of
that firm from April 1990 through December 1994. Prior to that time he was
Chairman of Unisys Corporation, a manufacturer of business information
systems, and had been an executive officer of that company for more than five
years. He is also a director of Daimler-Benz InterServices (Debis) AG. Mr.
Blumenthal is 70 years old and has been a director of Tenneco since 1985. He
has served as a member and the Chairman of the Nomination and Management
Development Committee of Tenneco, and will serve as a member and the Chairman
of the Nomination and Management Development Committee of the Company.
 
  BELTON K. JOHNSON is engaged in farming, ranching and investments and has
pursued such interest for more than five years. He is also a director of AT&T
Corp. Mr. Johnson is 66 years old and has been a director of Tenneco since
1979. He has served as a member of the Executive Committee and the
Compensation and Benefits Committee of Tenneco, and will serve as a member of
the Executive Committee and the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the
Company.
 
  WILLIAM L. WEISS has been Chairman Emeritus of Ameritech Corporation, a
telecommunications and information services company, since 1994, formerly
serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of that company for more than
five years. Mr. Weiss is a director of Abbott Laboratories, Inc., Merrill
Lynch & Co., Inc. and the Quaker Oats Company. Mr. Weiss is 67 years old and
has been a director of Tenneco since January 1994. He has served as a member
of the Audit Committee of Tenneco and will serve as a member of the Audit
Committee of the Company.
 
Term Expiring at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Class II)
 
  M. KATHRYN EICKHOFF has been President of Eickhoff Economics, Inc., a
consulting firm, since 1987. From 1985 to 1987 she was Associate Director for
Economic Policy for the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and prior to
1985 was Executive Vice President and Treasurer of Townsend-Greenspan & Co.,
Inc., an economic consulting firm. She is also a director of AT&T Corp.,
Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. and Fleet N.A. Ms. Eickhoff is 57 years old and has
been a director of Tenneco since 1987. She has served as a member of the
Executive Committee, Audit Committee and Nominating and Management Development
Committee of Tenneco, and will serve as a member of the Executive Committee,
Audit Committee and Nominating and Management Development Committee of the
Company. She previously served as a member of the Tenneco Board from 1982
until her resignation to join the Office of Management and Budget in 1985.
 
                                      72
<PAGE>
 
  PETER T. FLAWN is a former President of The University of Texas at Austin,
having served in such capacity for more than five years preceding his
retirement in 1985. He is also a director of National Instruments Corp.,
Harte-Hanks Communications, Inc., Global Marine Inc. and Input/Output, Inc.
Dr. Flawn is 70 years old and has been a director of Tenneco since 1980. He
has served as a member of the Executive Committee and is a member and the
Chairman of the Audit Committee of Tenneco, and will serve as a member of the
Executive Committee and as a member and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the
Company.
 
  JOHN B. MCCOY is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Banc One
Corporation, a bank holding company, and has served in that position since
1987, prior to which he was President of that company from 1983. He is a
director of Cardinal Health, Inc., the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,
and Ameritech Corporation. He also serves on the advisory council of the
American Bankers Association. Mr. McCoy is 53 years old and has been a
director of Tenneco since 1992. He has served as a member of the Compensation
and Benefits Committee of Tenneco, and will serve as a member of the
Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company.
 
  DANA G. MEAD is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and has
served as an executive officer of Tenneco since April 1992, when he joined
Tenneco as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Tenneco, Mr. Mead served
as an Executive Vice President of International Paper Company, a manufacturer
of paper, pulp and wood products, from 1988, and served as Senior Vice
President of that company from 1981. He is also a director of Alco Standard
Corporation, Baker Hughes Incorporated and Case Corporation. Mr. Mead is 60
years old and has been a director of Tenneco since April 1992. He has served
as a member and Chairman of the Executive Committee and an ex officio member
of the Audit, and Nominating and Management Development Committees of Tenneco,
and will serve as a member and Chairman of the Executive Committee and as an
ex officio member of the Audit and Nominating and Management Development
Committees of the Company.
 
Term Expiring at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Class III)
 
  HENRY U. HARRIS, JR., since 1992, has been Vice Chairman Emeritus of Smith
Barney Inc., an investment banking firm, and for more than five years prior to
which he served as an executive officer of that firm. Mr. Harris is 69 years
old and has been a director of Tenneco since 1968. He has served as a member
of the Executive Committee, Audit Committee and the Nominating and Management
Development Committee of Tenneco, and will serve as a member of the Executive
Committee, Audit Committee and the Nominating and Management Development
Committee of the Company.
 
  CLIFTON R. WHARTON, JR., served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association and the College Retirement Equities
Fund from 1987 to 1993 and as Deputy Secretary of State, U.S. Department of
State, from January to November of 1993. From 1978 to 1987 he served as
Chancellor of the State University of New York System. From 1970 to 1978 Mr.
Wharton served as President of Michigan State University. Prior to 1970 he
spent 22 years working in foreign economic and agricultural development in
Latin America and Southeast Asia for the Rockefeller family philanthropic
interests. He is also a director of the TIAA Board of Overseers, Ford Motor
Company, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and Harcourt General, Inc. Mr.
Wharton is 69 years old and has been a director of Tenneco since June 1994. He
has served as a member and Chairman of the Compensation and Benefits Committee
of Tenneco, and will serve as a member and Chairman of the Compensation and
Benefits Committee of the Company.
 
  SIR DAVID PLASTOW is Chairman of the Medical Research Council, which
promotes and supports research and post-graduate training in the biomedical
and other sciences. He served as Chairman of Inchcape plc from June 1992 to
December 1995 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vickers plc, an
engineering and manufacturing company headquartered in London, from January
1987 to May 1992. He is also a director of Lloyds TSB Group plc. Sir David
Plastow is 64 years old and has been a director of Tenneco since May 14, 1996.
He previously served as a member of the Tenneco Board from 1985 until his
resignation in 1992. He has served as a member of the Compensation and
Benefits Committee and Nominating and Management Development Committee of
Tenneco, and will serve as a member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee
and Nominating and Management Development Committee of the Company.
 
                                      73
<PAGE>
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
  The following table sets forth certain information concerning the persons
who have served as executive officers of Tenneco and, upon consummation of the
Industrial Distribution, will serve as executive officers of the Company after
the Industrial Distribution. Each such person will be elected to the indicated
office with the Company in anticipation of the Industrial Distribution and
will serve at the discretion of the Company Board. Those persons who have been
officers and/or employees of Tenneco and/or Newport News will relinquish such
positions in connection with the Industrial Distribution.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERM
NAME (AND AGE AT JULY                                                   AS EXECUTIVE OFFICER
31, 1996)                                OFFICES HELD*                       OF TENNECO
- ---------------------                    -------------                 ----------------------
<S>                       <C>                                          <C>
Dana G. Mead (60).......  Chairman                                     May 1994
                          Chief Executive Officer                      February 1994
                          Director                                     April 1992
                          Chairman of the Executive Committee          February 1994
                          Member of the Executive Committee            May 1992
Theodore R. Tetzlaff (51) General Counsel                              July 1992
Robert T. Blakely (54)..  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial July 1981
                           Officer
Stacy S. Dick (39)......  Executive Vice President                     January 1996
John J. Castellani (45).  Senior Vice President--Government            March 1995
                           Relations
Arthur H. House (54)....  Senior Vice President--Corporate Affairs     March 1995
Barry R. Schuman (55)...  Senior Vice President--Human Resources       March 1993
Kenneth D. Allen (57)...  Vice President                               March 1987
David T. Ellis (43).....  Vice President--Environment, Health and      July 1995
                           Safety
Ilene S. Gordon (43)....  Vice President--Operations                   May 1994
Jack Lascar (42)........  Vice President--Investor Relations           July 1994
Mark A. McCollum (37)...  Vice President and Controller                May 1995
Robert S. McKinney (54).  Vice President and Chief Information Officer May 14, 1996
Thomas G. Oakley (43)...  Vice President                               May 14, 1996
Karen R. Osar (47)......  Vice President and Treasurer                 January 1994
Robert G. Simpson (44)..  Vice President--Tax                          May 1990
Stephen J. Smith (51)...  Vice President--Human Resources              July 1994
Karl A. Stewart (53)....  Vice President                               May 1991
                          Secretary                                    May 1986
R. A. Snell (54)........  President and Chief Executive Officer--      September 1993
                           Tenneco Automotive
Paul T. Stecko (51).....  President and Chief Executive Officer--      December 1993
                           Tenneco Packaging
</TABLE>
- --------
*Unless otherwise indicated, all offices held are with Tenneco.
 
  Each of the executive officers of Tenneco has been continuously engaged in
the business of Tenneco, its subsidiaries, affiliates or predecessor companies
during the past five years except that: (i) from 1986 to 1992, Dana G. Mead
was employed by International Paper Co., last serving in the capacity of
Executive Vice President; (ii) Theodore R. Tetzlaff has been a partner in the
law firm of Jenner & Block, Chicago, for more than five years; (iii) from 1985
to 1992, Stacy S. Dick was employed by The First Boston Corporation, last
serving in the capacity of Managing Director and from August 1992 to January
1996 he served as Senior Vice President--Strategy of Tenneco; (iv) from 1980
to 1992, John J. Castellani was employed by TRW Inc., last serving in the
capacity of Vice President of Government Relations and from August 1992 to
March 1995 he served as Vice President--Government Relations of Tenneco; (v)
from 1988 until his employment by Tenneco in 1992, Barry
 
                                      74
<PAGE>
 
R. Schuman was employed by Union Pacific Railroad Company, last serving in the
capacity of Vice President of Human Resources; (vi) from 1990 until 1992,
Arthur H. House served as Vice President, Corporate Communications of Aetna
Life & Casualty Company; from June 1992 until March 1995, he served as Vice
President--Corporate Affairs of Tenneco; (vii) from 1990 to May 1996, Robert
S. McKinney was chief information officer and a member of the board of
directors of Paine Webber; (viii) from 1975 to 1994, Karen R. Osar was
employed by J.P. Morgan & Co., Inc., last serving in the capacity of Managing
Director--Corporate Finance Group; (ix) from 1980 to 1994, Mark A. McCollum
was employed by Arthur Andersen LLP, last serving as an Audit Partner and from
January 1995 to May 1995 he served as Vice President--Financial Analysis and
Planning of Tenneco; and (x) from 1977 to 1993, Paul T. Stecko was employed by
International Paper Co., last serving as Vice President and General Manager of
Publications Papers, Bristols and Converting Papers.
 
STOCK OWNERSHIP
 
  Set forth below is the ownership as of July 31, 1996 (without giving effect
to the Transaction) of the number of shares of Tenneco Common Stock
beneficially owned by (i) each director of the Company, (ii) each of the
executive officers of the Company whose names are set forth on the Summary
Compensation Table and (iii) all executive officers and directors of the
Company.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                SHARES OF TENNECO COMMON
      DIRECTORS                    STOCK OWNED(a)(b)
      ---------                 ------------------------
      <S>                       <C>
      Mark Andrews............            5,398
      W. Michael Blumenthal...            3,536
      M. Kathryn Eickhoff.....            3,680
      Peter T. Flawn..........            3,850
      Henry U. Harris, Jr.....           15,255
      Belton K. Johnson.......            6,111
      John B. McCoy...........            2,850
      Dana G. Mead............          199,284
      Sir David Plastow.......            2,100
      William L. Weiss........            4,850
      Clifton R. Wharton, Jr..            2,350
<CAPTION>
      EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
      ------------------
      <S>                       <C>
      Theodore R. Tetzlaff....           33,637
      Robert T. Blakely.......           55,185
      Stacy S. Dick...........           19,292
      Paul T. Stecko..........           28,137
      All executive officers
       and directors as a
       group..................          684,162(c)
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) Each director and executive officer has sole voting and investment power
    over the shares beneficially owned (or has the right to acquire shares as
    set forth in note (b) below) as set forth in this column, except for (i)
    shares that are held in trust for each director and executive officer
    under Tenneco's restricted stock plans and (ii) shares that executive
    officers of the Company have the right to acquire pursuant to Tenneco's
    stock option plans. It is anticipated that all restricted stock held by
    employees (including executive officers) will be vested prior to the
    consummation of the Distributions. It is also anticipated that restricted
    stock held by directors will be vested prior to the consummation of the
    Distributions, and the directors will be paid an amount in cash to defray
    taxes incurred on such vesting. As described in footnote (f) to the Option
    Grant Table, it is anticipated that Tenneco options held by Company
    employees will be replaced by options to acquire Company Common Stock upon
    consummation of the Industrial Distribution.
 
                                      75
<PAGE>
 
  The percent of the class of Tenneco Common Stock owned by each director and
  by all executive officers and directors as a group was less than one
  percent.
(b) Includes shares that are: (i) held in trust under Tenneco's restricted
    stock plans; at July 31, 1996, Messrs. Mead, Tetzlaff, Blakely, Dick, and
    Stecko held 24,500; 15,000; 7,775; 7,000; and 5,000 restricted shares,
    respectively; and (ii) subject to options, which were granted under
    Tenneco's stock option plans, and are exercisable at July 31, 1996 or
    within 60 days of said date, for Messrs. Mead, Tetzlaff, Blakely, Dick,
    and Stecko to purchase 133,335; 16,667; 16,259; 12,667; and 18,667 shares,
    respectively.
(c) Includes 278,015 shares of Tenneco Common Stock that are subject to
    options that are exercisable by all executive officers of the Company as a
    group, and includes 217,020 shares that are held in trust under the
    Tenneco restricted stock plans, for all executive officers and directors
    of the Company as a group.
 
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Company Board will establish four standing committees as permitted by
the By-laws, which will have the following described responsibilities and
authority:
 
  The Audit Committee will have the responsibility, among other things, to (i)
recommend the selection of the Company's independent public accountants, (ii)
review and approve the scope of the independent public accountants' audit
activity and extent of non-audit services, (iii) review with management and
such independent public accountants the adequacy of the Company's basic
accounting system and the effectiveness of the Company's internal audit plan
and activities, (iv) review with management and the independent public
accountants the Company's certified financial statements and exercise general
oversight of the Company's financial reporting process and (v) review with the
Company litigation and other legal matters that may affect the Company's
financial condition and monitor compliance with the Company's business ethics
and other policies.
 
  The Compensation and Benefits Committee will have the responsibility, among
other things, to (i) establish the salary rate of officers and employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries, (ii) examine periodically the compensation
structure of the Company and (iii) supervise the welfare and pension plans and
compensation plans of the Company.
 
  The Nominating and Management Development Committee will have the
responsibility, among other things, to (i) review possible candidates for
election to the Company Board and recommend a slate of nominees for election
as directors at the Company's annual stockholders' meeting, (ii) review the
function and composition of the other committees of the Company Board and
recommend membership on such committees and (iii) review the qualifications
and recommend candidates for election as officers of the Company.
 
  Other than matters assigned to the Compensation and Benefits Committee, the
Executive Committee will have, during the interval between the meetings of the
Company Board, the authority to exercise all the powers of the Company Board
that may be delegated legally to it by the Company Board in the management and
direction of the business and affairs of the Company.
 
                                      76
<PAGE>
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  Prior to the Industrial Distribution, the Industrial Business was owned and
operated by Tenneco through its direct and indirect subsidiaries and as such,
the management of the Company has been employed by Tenneco and its direct and
indirect subsidiaries. The following table sets forth the remuneration paid by
Tenneco and/or its direct and indirect subsidiaries (i) to the Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and (ii) to each of the four
key executive officers expected to be the most highly compensated executive
officers of the Company, other than the Chief Executive Officer, whose salary
and bonus exceeded $100,000, for the years indicated in connection with his
position with Tenneco:
 
                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      LONG-TERM
                                    ANNUAL COMPENSATION              COMPENSATION
                          --------------------------------------- ------------------
                                                                  RESTRICTED
     NAME AND                                      OTHER ANNUAL     STOCK                  ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION        YEAR SALARY(a)  BONUS   COMPENSATION(b) AWARDS(c)  OPTIONS    COMPENSATION(d)
- ------------------        ---- --------- -------- --------------- ---------- -------    --------------- 
<S>                       <C>  <C>       <C>      <C>             <C>        <C>        <C>             
Dana G. Mead              1995 $957,375  $800,000    $143,970           --   100,000(e)    $149,972(f)
Chairman and Chief        1994 $878,177  $900,000    $149,110      $647,256  100,000       $142,966
 Executive Officer        1993 $664,839  $700,000    $ 60,007      $582,813   50,000       $ 93,979

Theodore R. Tetzlaff      1995 $400,000  $350,000    $ 14,400           --    18,000(e)         -- (f)
General Counsel           1994 $400,000  $300,000    $    307      $539,380   16,000            --
                          1993 $350,000  $250,000         --       $243,440      --             --

Robert T. Blakely         1995 $422,760  $230,000    $ 33,684           --    16,000       $ 44,570
Executive Vice President  1994 $407,640  $230,000    $ 10,704      $230,585   15,675       $ 44,144
 and Chief Financial      1993 $393,846  $200,000    $ 11,288      $163,188      --        $ 49,616
 Officer

Stacy S. Dick             1995 $377,736  $280,000    $ 31,317           --    14,000       $ 31,432
Executive Vice President  1994 $343,560  $235,000    $    582      $215,752   12,000       $ 24,926
                          1993 $325,214  $200,000    $ 95,392      $139,875      --        $ 23,744

Paul T. Stecko            1995 $381,545  $300,000    $ 21,027           --    24,000       $ 31,974
President and Chief       1994 $320,004  $200,000    $200,724      $269,690   16,000       $ 30,605
 Executive Officer        1993 $ 23,188  $500,000         --            --       --             --
 Tenneco Packaging
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) Includes base salary plus amounts paid in lieu of Tenneco matching
    contributions to the Tenneco Thrift Plan.
(b) Includes amounts attributable to (i) the value of personal benefits
    provided by Tenneco to its executive officers, which have an aggregate
    value in excess of $50,000, such as the personal use of Tenneco owned
    property, membership dues, and assistance provided to such person with
    regard to financial, tax and estate planning, (ii) reimbursement for taxes
    and (iii) amounts paid as dividend equivalents on performance share
    equivalent units ("Dividend Equivalents"). The amount of each such
    personal benefit that exceeds 25% of the estimated value of the total
    personal benefits provided by Tenneco, reimbursement for taxes and amounts
    paid as Dividend Equivalents to the individuals named in the table was as
    follows: During 1995: $38,984 for use of Tenneco owned property, $29,750
    for financial planning services, $28,706 for reimbursement for taxes, and
    $40,000 in Dividend Equivalents paid to Mr. Mead; $4,437, $16,917 and
    $1,827 for reimbursement for taxes and $14,400, $14,400 and $19,200 in
    Dividend Equivalents for Messrs. Blakely, Dick, and Stecko, respectively;
    and $14,400 in Dividend Equivalents paid to Mr. Tetzlaff; During 1994:
    $57,540 for use of Tenneco owned property and $50,606 for reimbursement
    for taxes for Mr. Mead; $100,794 in relocation expenses and $59,954 in
    reimbursement for taxes for Mr. Stecko; and $307, $582, and $582 for
    reimbursement for taxes for Messrs. Tetzlaff, Blakely, and Dick,
    respectively; During 1993: $34,832 for use of Tenneco owned property,
    $19,950 for financial planning services and $824 for
 
                                      77
<PAGE>
 
   reimbursement for taxes for Mr. Mead; $823 for reimbursement for taxes for
   Mr. Blakely; and $50,000 in relocation expenses and $35,266 for
   reimbursement for taxes for Mr. Dick.
(c) Includes the dollar value of grants of restricted stock made pursuant to
    Tenneco's restricted stock plans based on the price of Tenneco Common
    Stock on the date of grant. At December 31, 1995, Messrs. Mead, Tetzlaff,
    Blakely, Dick and Stecko held 49,500; 24,000; 20,280; 31,000; and 17,000
    restricted shares and/or performance share equivalent units, respectively,
    under such plans. The value at December 31, 1995 (based on a per share
    price of $49.625 on that date) of all restricted shares and/or performance
    share equivalent units held was $2,456,438 for Mr. Mead; $1,191,000 for
    Mr. Tetzlaff; $1,006,395 for Mr. Blakely; $1,538,375 for Mr. Dick; and
    $843,625 for Mr. Stecko. Dividends/Dividend Equivalents will be paid on
    the restricted shares and performance share equivalent units held by each
    individual.
(d) Includes amounts attributable during 1995 to benefit plans of Tenneco as
    follows:
  (i) The amounts contributed pursuant to the Tenneco Thrift Plan for the
      accounts of Messrs. Mead, Blakely, Dick, and Stecko were $4,625;
      $9,240; $4,626; and $6,000, respectively.
  (ii) The amounts accrued under the Tenneco Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan,
       together with adjustments based upon changes in the Consumer Price
       Index for All Urban Households, as computed by the Bureau of Labor
       Statistics, for Messrs. Mead, Blakely, Dick, and Stecko were $108,405;
       $32,167; $23,764; and $23,132, respectively.
  (iii) Amounts imputed as income for federal income tax purposes under
        Tenneco's group life insurance plan for Messrs. Mead, Blakely, Dick,
        and Stecko were $36,942; $3,163; $3,041; and $2,842, respectively.
(e) In addition to the options granted by Tenneco in 1995, Messrs. Mead and
    Tetzlaff, each in his capacity as a director of Case Corporation (an
    affiliate of Tenneco during 1995) ("Case"), was granted an option by Case
    to acquire 1,000 shares of Case common stock. Information on terms of
    Tenneco options and the Case options is set forth in "Option Grants in
    1995."
(f) As directors of Case, Messrs. Mead and Tetzlaff each received a director's
    fee of $20,000 and meeting attendance fees of $4,000. In addition, Mr.
    Tetzlaff received from Case an additional $3,000 for attendance at the
    Case Compensation Committee meetings. Messrs. Mead and Tetzlaff elected to
    receive their director fees in common stock of Case. The amounts in the
    above table do not include the payments from Case.
 
                                      78
<PAGE>
 
                             OPTION GRANTS IN 1995
 
  The following table sets forth the number of options to acquire Tenneco
Common Stock that were granted by Tenneco during 1995 to the persons named in
the Summary Compensation Table.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                                                     VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                                                                   ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
                                                                                    PRICE APPRECIATION
                                             INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                      FOR OPTION TERM(D)
                         --------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
                                            % OF TOTAL   EXERCISE
                                             OPTIONS     OR BASE
                         OPTIONS GRANTED    GRANTED TO    PRICE
                             (NO. OF        EMPLOYEES      PER
NAME                     SHARES)(A)(B)(F) IN FISCAL YEAR SHARE(C) EXPIRATION DATE      5%        10%
- ----                     ---------------- -------------- -------- ---------------- ---------- ----------
<S>                      <C>              <C>            <C>      <C>              <C>        <C>
Dana G. Mead............     100,000(e)        6.7%      $42.875  January 10, 2005 $2,696,000 $6,833,000
Theodore R. Tetzlaff....      18,500(e)        1.2%      $42.875  January 10, 2005 $  485,280 $1,229,940
Robert T. Blakely.......      16,000           1.1%      $42.875  January 10, 2005 $  431,360 $1,093,280
Stacy S. Dick...........      14,000            .9%      $42.875  January 10, 2005 $  377,440 $  956,620
Paul T. Stecko..........      24,000           1.6%      $42.875  January 10, 2005 $  647,040 $1,639,920
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) The options reported in this column and in the Summary Compensation Table
    consist of non-qualified options. The options become exercisable at the
    rate of one-third per year on January 10 of 1996, 1997 and 1998,
    respectively. As described in footnote (f) below, it is anticipated that
    Tenneco options held by Company employees will be replaced by options to
    acquire Company Common Stock upon consummation of the Industrial
    Distribution.
(b) These options provide that a grantee who delivers shares of Tenneco Common
    Stock to pay the option exercise price will be granted, upon such delivery
    and without further action by Tenneco, an additional option to purchase
    the number of shares so delivered. These "reload" options are granted at
    100% of the fair market value (as defined in the plan) on the date they
    are granted, become exercisable six months from that date and expire
    coincident with the options they replace. Grantees are limited to 10
    reload options and the automatic grant of such reload options is limited
    to twice during any one calendar year.
(c) All options were granted at 100% of the fair market value on the date of
    grant.
(d) The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of calculations for
    the period from the date of grant to the expiration of the option at the
    5% and 10% annual appreciation rates set by the SEC and, therefore, are
    not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, in the
    price of Tenneco Common Stock. No gain to the optionee is possible without
    an increase in price of the underlying stock. In order to realize the
    potential values set forth in the 5% and 10% columns of this table, the
    per share price of Tenneco Common Stock would be $69.84 and $111.21,
    respectively, or 63% and 160%, respectively, above the exercise or base
    price. As described in footnote (f) below, however, it is anticipated that
    options to acquire Tenneco Common Stock held by Company employees will be
    replaced by options to acquire Company Common Stock upon consummation of
    the Industrial Distribution.
(e) In addition, Messrs. Mead and Tetzlaff, each in his capacity as a director
    of Case, were granted an option to purchase 1,000 shares of Case common
    stock at a purchase of $21.125 per share. These options, which are each
    less than 1% of the total options granted by Case to employees in 1995,
    become exercisable on January 1, 1998 and expire January 1, 2005. The
    potential realizable value, calculated for the period from the date of
    grant to the expiration of the respective option, at 5% and 10% assumed
    annual rates of stock price appreciation for the term of the options would
    be $13,285 and $33,665, respectively. In order to realize these potential
    values, the per share price of the Case common stock would be $34.41 and
    $54.79, respectively, or 63% and 160%, respectively, above the exercise or
    base price. The 5% and 10% annual appreciation rates are not intended to
    forecast possible future appreciation, if any, in the price of Case common
    stock. No gain to the optionee is possible without an increase in the
    price of the Case common stock.
(f) All Tenneco stock options held by employees of the Company will be
    cancelled as of the Industrial Distribution. The Company has adopted a
    plan (the "Company Stock Ownership Plan") which is
 
                                      79
<PAGE>
 
   substantially similar to the 1994 Tenneco Inc. Stock Ownership Plan. Prior
   to the Industrial Distribution, Tenneco will have approved the Company
   Stock Ownership Plan as the sole shareholder of the Company. Options will
   be granted under the Company Stock Ownership Plan as of the Industrial
   Distribution to all employees of the Company who formerly held Tenneco
   options. Each such employee will receive options of the Company under which
   the excess of the fair market value of the shares subject to the options
   immediately after the grant over the aggregate option price is not more
   than the excess of the aggregate fair market value of all Tenneco shares
   subject to his or her Tenneco stock options immediately before such
   cancellation over the aggregate option price under such Tenneco options.
   The terms of the Company options will be the same as if the Tenneco options
   had remained outstanding except to the extent that the Company Stock
   Ownership Plan reflects legal changes adopted after the Tenneco options
   were granted. These options provide that a grantee who delivers shares of
   Company Common Stock to pay the option exercise price will be granted, upon
   such delivery and without further action by the Company, an additional
   option to purchase the number of shares so delivered. These "reload"
   options are granted at 100% of the fair market value (as defined in the
   Company Stock Ownership Plan) on the date they are granted, become
   exercisable six months from that date and expire at the same time as the
   options they replace. Grantees are limited to 10 reload options and
   automatic grant of such reload options is limited to twice during any one
   calendar year.
 
              OPTIONS EXERCISED IN 1995 AND 1995 YEAR-END VALUES
 
  The following table sets forth the number of options to acquire Tenneco
Common Stock held, as of December 31, 1995, by the persons named in the
Summary Compensation Table. No options to acquire shares of Tenneco Common
Stock were exercised during 1995.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  TOTAL NUMBER OF        VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                             UNEXERCISED OPTIONS HELD  IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS HELD
                              AT DECEMBER 31, 1995(A)   AT DECEMBER 31, 1995(A)
                             ------------------------- -------------------------
NAME                         EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ----                         ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S>                          <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Dana G. Mead................   66,667       183,333      $31,233     $690,617
Theodore R. Tetzlaff........    5,334        28,666          --      $121,500
Robert T. Blakely...........    5,700        26,450      $ 4,038     $108,000
Stacy S. Dick...............    4,000        22,000          --      $ 94,500
Paul T. Stecko..............    5,344        34,666          --      $162,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) As described in footnote (f) to the Option Grant Table, the options to
    acquire Tenneco Common Stock will be replaced by options to acquire
    Company Common Stock.
 
                           LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS
         PERFORMANCE SHARE EQUIVALENT UNIT AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
  The following table sets forth information concerning performance based
awards made to the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table during 1995
by Tenneco.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   PERFORMANCE
                                    OR OTHER    ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS UNDER
                         NUMBER OF   PERIOD     NON-STOCK PRICE BASED PLANS(A)
                          SHARES,     UNTIL    ---------------------------------
                         UNITS OR  MATURATION
                           OTHER       OR
NAME                     RIGHTS(B)  PAYOUT(C)  THRESHOLD(D) TARGET(D) MAXIMUM(D)
- ----                     --------- ----------- ------------ --------- ----------
<S>                      <C>       <C>         <C>          <C>       <C>
Dana G. Mead............  25,000     4 years        --       12,500     25,000
Theodore R. Tetzlaff....   9,000     4 years        --        4,500      9,000
Robert T. Blakely.......   9,000     4 years        --        4,500      9,000
Stacy S. Dick...........   9,000     4 years        --        4,500      9,000
Paul T. Stecko..........  12,000     4 years        --        6,000     12,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) Estimated Future Payouts are based on earnings per share ("EPS") from
    continuing operations as shown in the record of progress included in the
    published financial statements of Tenneco. Earnings per share for 1995
    were $4.16 and represent achievement of 25% of the performance goal
    applicable to this award.
 
                                      80
<PAGE>
 
   Messrs. Mead, Tetzlaff, Blakely, Dick, and Stecko each were provisionally
   credited with 100% of their performance goal for 1995 and 6,250; 2,250;
   2,250; 2,250; and 3,000 shares were credited to their respective Plan
   accounts, subject to adjustment, for payout at the end of the performance
   cycle.
(b) Each performance share equivalent unit represents one share of Tenneco's
    Common Stock that may be earned under this award and the number of
    performance share equivalent units listed in this column represents the
    maximum number of performance share equivalent units that may be earned
    under this award.
(c) Performance share equivalent units are earned at the rate of 25% per year
    based on achievement of annual EPS goals. However, it is anticipated that
    prior to the consummation of the Industrial Distribution the conditions to
    issuance of all shares of Tenneco Common Stock underlying the performance
    share unit equivalent awards will be waived and the maximum number of
    shares of Tenneco Common Stock subject thereto will be issued.
(d) Represents maximum performance share equivalent units earned where the
    goals were consistently within the indicated performance range on an
    individual year and accumulated four year basis.
 
  The following table sets forth the aggregate estimated annual benefits
payable upon normal retirement pursuant to the Company's Retirement Plan (the
"Retirement Plan"), Benefit Equalization Plan (the "Benefit Equalization
Plan"), and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan") to persons in specified remuneration and years of
credited participation classifications. All of the plans listed in the
preceding sentence were adopted by the Company. Under the Distribution
Agreement and the Benefits Agreement, the Company will continue to sponsor
those plans, but all other entities will cease to sponsor them, and the
benefits that the employees of such entities have accrued under those plans
will be frozen.
 
                              PENSION PLAN TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            YEARS OF CREDITED PARTICIPATION
                ----------------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION       15           20           25            30             35
- ------------    --------     --------     --------     ----------     ----------
<S>             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
 $  350,000     $ 82,500     $110,000     $137,500     $  165,000     $  192,500
    400,000       94,300      125,700      157,100        188,600        220,000
    450,000      106,100      141,400      176,800        212,100        247,500
    500,000      117,900      157,100      196,400        235,700        275,000
    550,000      129,600      172,900      216,100        259,300        302,500
    600,000      141,400      188,600      235,700        282,900        330,000
    650,000      153,200      204,300      255,400        306,400        357,000
    700,000      165,000      220,000      275,000        330,000        365,000
    750,000      176,800      235,700      294,600        353,600        412,500
    800,000      188,600      251,400      314,300        377,100        440,000
    850,000      200,400      267,100      333,900        400,700        467,500
    900,000      212,100      282,900      353,600        424,300        495,000
    950,000      223,900      298,600      373,200        447,900        522,500
  1,000,000      235,700      314,300      392,900        471,400        550,000
  1,100,000      259,300      345,700      432,100        518,600        605,000
  1,200,000      282,900      377,100      471,400        565,700        660,000
  1,300,000      306,400      408,600      510,700        612,900        715,000
  1,400,000      330,000      440,000      550,000        660,000        770,000
  1,500,000      353,600      471,400      589,300        707,100        825,000
  1,600,000      377,100      502,900      628,600        754,300        880,000
  1,700,000      400,700      534,300      667,900        801,400        935,000
  1,800,000      424,300      565,700      707,100        848,600        990,000
  1,900,000      447,900      597,100      746,400        895,700      1,045,000
  2,000,000      471,400      628,600      785,700        942,900      1,100,000
  2,100,000      495,000      660,000      825,000        990,000      1,155,000
  2,200,000      518,600      691,400      864,300      1,037,100      1,210,000
</TABLE>
 
                                      81
<PAGE>
 
  The benefits set forth above are computed as a straight life annuity and are
based on years of credited participation in the Retirement Plan and the
employee's average base salary during the final five years of credited
participation in the Plan; such benefits are not subject to any deduction for
Social Security or other offset amounts. The years of credited participation
under the Retirement Plan (or any supplemental plan) For Messrs. Mead,
Blakely, Dick and Stecko are 3, 14, 3 and 2, respectively. (See the paragraph
below for additional information relating to Messrs. Mead, Dick and Stecko;
and the "Summary Compensation Table" for salary and bonus information for
Messrs. Mead, Blakely, Dick and Stecko).
 
  Pursuant to employment agreements with Messrs. Mead, Dick and Stecko
described under the heading "Employment Contracts and Termination of
Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangement" the Company has agreed to pay
Messrs. Mead, Dick and Stecko such supplemental payments (in addition to any
benefits payable under the Company's qualified and non-qualified pension
plans) as may be necessary to make each person's total payments equal to the
amount each would have received had he continued to be covered under pension
plans maintained by his former employer (based on his credited service with
the Company plus 14.6, 15 and 17 years, respectively, of credited service with
each person's former employer, and on the compensation received from the
Company as salary and bonuses).
 
  The Company provides Mr. Tetzlaff with an individual pension benefit. The
benefit is based on Mr. Tetzlaff's salary and bonus and also provides for
guaranteed graduated minimum annual benefits of $100,000 beginning in 1998,
$200,000 per year beginning in 2003 and $300,000 per year beginning in 2008
(See "Summary Compensation Table" for salary and bonus information on Mr.
Tetzlaff).
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
  Following the Industrial Distribution, all directors who are not also
officers of the Company or its subsidiaries will each be paid a director's fee
of $32,000 per annum and receive 300 restricted shares of Company Common Stock
(discussed below) and each will be paid an attendance fee of $1,500 plus
expenses for each meeting of the Company Board attended. Each director who
serves as a Chairman of the Audit, Compensation and Benefits, or Nominating
and Management Development Committees of the Company Board will be paid an
additional fee of $7,000 per Chairmanship, and directors who serve as members
of such committees will be paid an additional fee of $4,000 per committee
membership. Members of the Executive Committee will receive an additional
$1,500 attendance fee plus expenses for each meeting of that committee
attended. Payment of all or a portion of such fees, together with interest and
an adjustment based upon changes in the Consumer Price Index For All Urban
Households as computed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, may be deferred at
the election of the director until the earliest of (i) the year next following
the date upon which he or she ceases to be a director of the Company or (ii)
the year selected by the director for commencement of payment of the deferred
amount. The foregoing compensation structures and amounts are the same as
currently apply to the Tenneco Board.
 
  During 1995, Tenneco had a retirement plan for directors who are not also
officers of the Company which provided retirement payments based on years of
service and the aggregate amount of director and committee fees being received
at the time of retirement. Prior to the Industrial Distribution, Tenneco
eliminated this retirement plan, and increased the amount of restricted stock
each director will receive each year in conjunction with their annual
directors' fees. Messrs. Flawn, Harris and Johnson are vested under this prior
retirement plan and, therefore, have the option to continue under such plan
and to receive monthly payments upon retirement. This plan will be assumed by
the Company.
 
  Directors who are not also officers of the Company will receive annually 300
restricted shares of Company Common Stock. Such restricted shares may not be
sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered and are subject
to forfeiture should the director cease to serve on the Company Board prior to
the expiration of the restricted period that ends upon such director's normal
retirement from the Company Board, unless such director is disabled, dies, or
the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company Board, at its
discretion, determines otherwise. During such restricted period, holders of
restricted shares are entitled to vote the shares and receive dividends.
 
                                      82
<PAGE>
 
  It is anticipated that restricted shares of Tenneco Common Stock held by
directors will be vested prior to the consummation of the Distributions, and
the directors will be paid an amount in cash to defray taxes incurred on such
vesting.
 
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
 
  Tenneco has an employment agreement and a supplemental pension agreement
with Mr. Mead which will be continued by the Company providing for the payment
to Mr. Mead of a salary of not less than $575,000 per year (with such
increases as determined by the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the
Company Board) and the supplemental pension payments described above. Also,
the Company has agreed that in the event Mr. Mead's employment is terminated
for any reason other than for cause, death or permanent disability, the
Company will pay to Mr. Mead an amount equal to three times his annual salary
plus $300,000.
 
  Tenneco also has an employment agreement with Mr. Dick which will also be
continued by the Company providing for the payment to Mr. Dick of a salary of
not less than $325,000 per year (with such increases as determined by the
Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company Board). Also, the Company
has agreed that in the event Mr. Dick's employment is terminated for any
reason other than for cause, death or permanent disability, the Company will
pay to Mr. Dick an amount equal to his annual salary.
 
  The Company has an employment agreement with Mr. Stecko which will also be
continued by the Company providing for the payment to Mr. Stecko of a salary
of not less than $320,000 per year (with such increases as determined by the
Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company Board). Mr. Stecko is
entitled to reimbursement for the cost of financial and estate planning up to
$20,000 per year and to be provided a country club membership related to his
performance as President and CEO of Tenneco Packaging. The Company has also
agreed that, in the event Mr. Stecko's employment is terminated for any reason
other than for cause, death or permanent disability, the Company will pay to
Mr. Stecko an amount equal to three times his base salary and will purchase
his home in accordance with the Company's home purchase program. Additionally,
in the event Mr. Stecko's employment is terminated within 3 years of the date
of a change in control of Tenneco Packaging, the Company will pay Mr. Stecko
an amount equal to three times his base salary. The Transaction is not deemed
to constitute a change in control of Tenneco Packaging under Mr. Stecko's
employment agreement.
 
  The Company will succeed to sponsorship of the Tenneco Benefits Protection
Program (the "Benefits Protection Program") established by Tenneco to enable
the Company to continue to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified
employees by eliminating (to the maximum practicable extent) any concern on
the part of such employees that their job security or benefit entitlements
will be jeopardized by a "Change-in-Control" of the Company (as such term is
defined in the Benefits Protection Program). The Benefits Protection Program
is designed to achieve this purpose through (i) the establishment of a
severance plan for the benefit of certain employees and officers whose
position is terminated under certain circumstances following such Change-in-
Control and (ii) the establishment of a trust fund designed to ensure the
payment of benefits accrued under certain plans. Under the Benefits Protection
Program, Messrs. Mead, Tetzlaff, Blakely, Dick and Stecko would have become
entitled to receive payments from the Company in the amount of $5,175,000;
$2,151,000; $1,860,000; $1,839,000; and $1,980,000, respectively, had their
position been terminated on December 31, 1995, and, in addition, restricted
shares held in the name of such individuals under Tenneco's restricted stock
plans would have automatically reverted to Tenneco, and Tenneco would have
been obliged to pay such individuals the fair market value thereof all as
provided by such plans. The performance share equivalent units would also have
been fully vested and paid. The Transaction is not deemed to constitute a
"Change in Control" for purposes of the Benefits Protection Program.
 
TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
 
  During 1995 Tenneco and its subsidiaries paid the law firm of Jenner &
Block, of which Theodore R. Tetzlaff, General Counsel of Tenneco, is a
partner, approximately $9.4 million for legal services (pursuant to an
agreement with Tenneco, Mr. Tetzlaff has agreed to devote whatever time is
necessary to attend to the responsibilities of General Counsel of Tenneco, and
will not receive from Jenner & Block any part of the fees
 
                                      83
<PAGE>
 
paid by Tenneco to that firm during such period he serves as General Counsel);
and paid the firm Eickhoff Economics, Inc., of which Ms. Eickhoff is the sole
owner, approximately $31,000 for financial consulting services. All such
transactions discussed above were in the ordinary course of business.
 
  Tenneco and certain of its subsidiaries held, as of December 31, 1995,
approximately 21% of the outstanding common stock of Case, of which Mr. Mead
is a director. During 1995, Tenneco received payments from Case of
approximately $8.6 million in fixed charges for administrative and other
services provided to Case by Tenneco and its subsidiaries. Additionally, a
subsidiary of Tenneco paid Case approximately $11.8 million for retail
receivable services. The fee for such services is based on the amount of
outstanding receivables. Tenneco and Case have an agreement which provides for
the allocation of obligations for income and franchise taxes with respect to
Case and its subsidiaries for years preceding the 1994 reorganization and
public offering of Case common stock.
 
  During fiscal year 1995, Barry R. Schuman and Karl A. Stewart, executive
officers of Tenneco, each were indebted to Tenneco. The largest aggregate
amount outstanding during 1995 for each of Messrs. Schuman and Stewart was
approximately $401,000 and, as of February 29, 1996, approximately $403,000
was outstanding. Such indebtedness was incurred in connection with relocation
of such persons and all amounts outstanding are secured by a subordinated
mortgage note which accrues interest at the rate of 3% per year on the unpaid
balance and matures at the earlier of the individual's termination of
employment or the year 2026. Principal is payable in full at maturity and the
payment of interest has been deferred for 1995.
 
  Transactions involving Mr. McCoy are set out below under the caption
"Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation."
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
  Messrs. Andrews, Johnson, McCoy and Wharton are members of the Compensation
and Benefits Committee of the Tenneco Board and each will serve as members of
the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company Board.
 
  During 1995, an investment fund, of which a subsidiary of Tenneco owns 50%,
paid approximately $558,000 to a subsidiary of Banc One Corporation, of which
Mr. McCoy is a director and an executive officer, under a line of credit in an
amount of approximately $10 million under which approximately $9.4 million is
outstanding. Such line of credit is guaranteed 80% by a subsidiary of Tenneco
and is due to mature in 1997. All such transactions involving Banc One
Corporation were in the ordinary course of business.
 
BENEFIT PLANS FOLLOWING THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION
 
  As described above, the Company will succeed to sponsorship of two plans
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, the Tenneco Retirement Plan and
the Tenneco Thrift Plan. The Tenneco Retirement Plan is a defined benefit
pension plan. The Tenneco Thrift Plan is a 401(k) plan with an employer
matching contribution. The Company will also succeed to sponsorship of the
Tenneco Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and Tenneco Benefit
Equalization Plan, both of which are non-qualified plans designed to provide
covered individuals with benefits which they would receive under the Tenneco
Retirement Plan absent legal limitations. The Company will also succeed to
sponsorship of the Tenneco Benefits Protection Program as well as the Tenneco
Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan and 1993 Deferred Compensation Plan, both of
which are non-qualified deferred compensation plans.
 
  Prior to the consummation of the Industrial Distribution, the Company will
adopt the Company Stock Ownership Plan, which will be approved by Tenneco as
the sole stockholder of the Company. The Company Stock Ownership Plan will be
substantially similar to the Tenneco Inc. 1994 Stock Ownership Plan and will
provide for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, performance shares
and other forms of awards. The Company will adopt, and Tenneco will approve as
its sole stockholder, an employee stock purchase plan which will be
substantially similar to the Tenneco employee stock purchase plan.
 
 
                                      84
<PAGE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK
 
  Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company Board and Tenneco, as sole
stockholder of the Company, will approve and adopt the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate"), and Tenneco, as sole
stockholder of the Company, will approve and adopt the Amended and Restated
By-laws of the Company (the "By-laws"). Under the Certificate, the Company's
authorized capital stock will consist of      shares of Company Common Stock
and      shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Company
Preferred Stock"). In addition, it is anticipated that the Company Board will
adopt resolutions pursuant to the Certificate designating      shares of
Company Preferred Stock as Series A Participating Junior Preferred Stock, par
value $.01 per share, of the Company ("Company Junior Preferred Stock") and
reserving      shares of Company Junior Preferred Stock for issuance in
connection with the Rights to be issued in connection with the Industrial
Distribution. No Company Preferred Stock will be issued in the Industrial
Distribution. Based on the number of shares of Tenneco outstanding on July 31,
1996, up to approximately 170,644,461 shares of Company Common Stock will be
issued in the Industrial Distribution.
 
COMPANY COMMON STOCK
 
  The holders of Company Common Stock will be entitled to one vote for each
share on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote, and
except as otherwise required by law or provided in any resolution adopted by
the Company Board with respect to any series of Company Preferred Stock, the
holders of Company Common Stock will possess 100% of the voting power. The
Certificate does not provide for cumulative voting.
 
  Subject to the preferential rights of any outstanding Company Preferred
Stock which may be created by the Company Board under the Certificate, the
holders of Company Common Stock will be entitled to such dividends as may be
declared from time to time by the Company Board and paid from funds legally
available therefor, and the holders of Company Common Stock will be entitled
to receive pro rata all assets of the Company available for distribution upon
liquidation. All shares of Company Common Stock received in the Industrial
Distribution will be fully paid and nonassessable, and the holders thereof
will not have any preemptive rights.
 
  There is no established public trading market for Company Common Stock,
although a "when issued" market is expected to develop prior to the
Distribution Date. On            , 1996, the New York Stock Exchange approved
the listing of such shares upon notice of issuance. The Company has applied to
the Chicago, Pacific, London and Toronto Stock Exchanges for approval of the
listing of Company Common Stock upon notice of issuance.
 
  The declaration of dividends on Company Common Stock will be at the
discretion of the Company Board. The Company Board has not adopted a dividend
policy as such. Subject to legal and contractual restrictions, its decisions
regarding dividends will be based on all considerations that in its business
judgment are relevant at the time, including past and projected earnings, cash
flows, economic, business and securities market conditions and anticipated
developments concerning the Company's business and operations. For additional
information concerning the payment of dividends by the Company, see "Risk
Factors--Dividends" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
 
  The Company's cash flow and the consequent ability of the Company to pay any
dividends on Company Common Stock will be substantially dependent upon the
Company's earnings and cash flow available after its debt service and the
availability of such earnings to the Company by way of dividends,
distributions, loans and other advances.
 
  Under the DGCL, dividends may be paid by the Company out of "surplus" (as
defined under Section 154 of the DGCL) or, if there is no surplus, out of net
profits for the fiscal year in which the dividends are declared and/or the
preceding fiscal year. On a pro forma basis, at June 30, 1996, the Company had
surplus of
 
                                      85
<PAGE>
 
approximately $3,051 million for the payment of dividends, and the Company
will also be able to pay dividends out of any net profits for the current
and/or prior fiscal year, if any.
 
COMPANY PREFERRED STOCK
 
  Under the Certificate, the Company Board is authorized to issue Company
Preferred Stock, in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares
constituting such series and the designation of such series, the voting powers
(if any) of the shares of such series, and the preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such
series. See "Antitakeover Effects of Certain Provisions."
 
                  ANTITAKEOVER EFFECTS OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS
 
  The Certificate, the By-laws, the Rights and Delaware statutory law contain
certain provisions, which are, in all material respects, the same as those
provisions which are currently applicable to Tenneco, that could make the
acquisition of the Company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or
otherwise more difficult. The description set forth below is intended as a
summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Certificate,
the By-laws and the Rights Agreement which are attached as exhibits to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 10 under the Exchange Act relating to
Company Common Stock.
 
CLASSIFIED BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Certificate provides that the Company Board will be divided into three
classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as
possible. The Company Board consists of the persons referred to in
"Management--Board of Directors" above. The Certificate provides that, of the
initial directors of the Company, approximately one-third will continue to
serve until the first succeeding annual meeting of the Company's stockholders,
approximately one-third will continue to serve until the second succeeding
annual meeting of the Company's stockholders and approximately one-third will
continue to serve until the third succeeding annual meeting of the Company's
stockholders. Of the initial directors, Messrs. Andrews, Blumenthal, Johnson
and Weiss will serve until the first succeeding annual meeting of the
Company's stockholders, Ms. Eickhoff and Messrs. Flawn, McCoy and Mead will
serve until the second succeeding annual meeting of the Company's stockholders
and Messrs. Harris, Wharton and Plastow will serve until the third succeeding
annual meeting of the Company's stockholders. At each annual meeting of the
Company's stockholders, one class of directors will be elected for a term
expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders.
 
  The classification of directors will have the effect of making it more
difficult for stockholders to change the composition of the Company Board. At
least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead of one, will generally be
required to effect a change in a majority of the members of the Company Board.
Such a delay may help ensure that the Company's directors, if confronted by a
stockholder attempting to force a proxy contest, a tender or exchange offer,
or an extraordinary corporate transaction, would have sufficient time to
review the proposal as well as any available alternatives to the proposal and
to act in what they believe to be the best interest of the stockholders. The
classification provisions will apply to every election of directors, however,
regardless of whether a change in the composition of the Company Board would
be beneficial to the Company and its stockholders and whether or not a
majority of the Company's stockholders believe that such a change would be
desirable.
 
  The classification provisions could also have the effect of discouraging a
third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or
otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company, even though such an
attempt might be beneficial to the Company and its stockholders. The
classification of the Company Board could thus increase the likelihood that
incumbent directors will retain their positions. In addition, because the
classification provisions may discourage accumulations of large blocks of the
Company's stock by purchasers whose objective is to take control of the
Company and remove a majority of the members of the Company Board,
 
                                      86
<PAGE>
 
the classification of the Company Board could tend to reduce the likelihood of
fluctuations in the market price of Company Common Stock that might result
from accumulations of large blocks for such a purpose. Accordingly,
stockholders could be deprived of certain opportunities to sell their shares
of Company Common Stock at a higher market price than might otherwise be the
case.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Certificate provides that whenever the
holders of any one or more series of Company Preferred Stock have the right,
voting separately as a class or series, to elect directors, such directors
will not be classified, unless expressly provided by the terms of such series
of Company Preferred Stock.
 
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS; REMOVAL; FILLING VACANCIES
 
  The Certificate provides that the business and affairs of the Company will
be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors, consisting of
not less than eight nor more than sixteen directors, the exact number thereof
to be determined from time to time by affirmative vote of a majority of the
entire Board of Directors. In addition, the Certificate provides that any
vacancy on the Company Board that results from an increase in the number of
directors may be filled by a majority of the Company Board then in office,
provided that a quorum is present, and any other vacancy occurring in the
Company Board may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office,
even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
 
  Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate, directors
serving on a classified board may only be removed by the stockholders for
cause. The Certificate does not provide that directors may be removed without
cause.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Certificate provides that whenever the
holders of any one or more series of Company Preferred Stock have the right,
voting separately as a class or series, to elect directors, the election,
removal, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such
directorships will be governed by the terms of the Certificate applicable
thereto.
 
SPECIAL MEETINGS
 
  The By-laws provide that special meetings of stockholders will be called by
the Company Board. Moreover, the business permitted to be conducted at any
special meeting of stockholders is limited to the purposes specified in the
notice of meeting given by the Company.
 
ADVANCE NOTICE PROVISIONS FOR STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS AND STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
 
  The By-laws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders to make
nominations of candidates for election of directors, or to bring other
business before an annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the
"Stockholder Notice Procedure").
 
  The Stockholder Notice Procedure provides that only persons who are
nominated by, or at the direction of, the Company Board, or by a stockholder
who has given timely written notice to the Secretary of the Company prior to
the meeting at which directors are to be elected, will be eligible for
election as directors of the Company. The Stockholder Notice Procedure
provides that at an annual meeting only such business may be conducted as has
been brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of, the Company Board
or by a stockholder who has given timely written notice to the Secretary of
the Company of such stockholder's intention to bring such business before such
meeting. Under the Stockholder Notice Procedure, for stockholder notice in
respect of the annual meeting of the Company's stockholders to be timely, such
notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the Company not less than 50 days
nor more than 75 days prior to the annual meeting; provided, however, that in
the event that less than 65 days' notice or prior public announcement of the
date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the
stockholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of
business on the 15th day following the day on which such notice of the date of
the annual meeting was mailed or such public announcement was made, whichever
first occurs.
 
 
                                      87
<PAGE>
 
  Under the Stockholder Notice Procedure, a stockholder's notice to the
Company proposing to nominate a person for election as a director must contain
certain information, including, without limitation, the identity and address
of the nominating stockholder, the class and number of shares of stock of the
Company which are beneficially owned by such stockholder, and as to each
person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as
a director, (i) the name, age, business address and residence of the person,
(ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (iii) the class and
number of shares of capital stock of the Company which are beneficially owned
by the person and (iv) any other information relating to the person that is
required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of
directors pursuant to Rule 14A under the Exchange Act. Under the Stockholder
Notice Procedure, a stockholder's notice relating to the conduct of business
other than the nomination of directors must contain certain information about
such business and about the proposing stockholder, including, without
limitation, a brief description of the business the stockholder proposes to
bring before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at such
meeting, the name and address of such stockholder, the class and number of
shares of stock of the Company beneficially owned by such stockholder, and any
material interest of such stockholder in the business so proposed. If the
Chairman of the meeting determines that a person was not nominated, or other
business was not brought before the meeting, in accordance with the
Stockholder Notice Procedure, such person will not be eligible for election as
a director, or such business will not be conducted at any such meeting, as the
case may be.
 
  By requiring advance notice of nominations by stockholders, the Stockholder
Notice Procedure will afford the Company Board an opportunity to consider the
qualifications of the proposed nominees and, to the extent deemed necessary or
desirable by the Company Board, to inform stockholders about such
qualifications. By requiring advance notice of other proposed business, the
Stockholder Notice Procedure will also provide a more orderly procedure for
conducting annual meetings of stockholders and, to the extent deemed necessary
or desirable by the Company Board, will provide the Company Board with an
opportunity to inform stockholders, prior to such meetings, of any business
proposed to be conducted at such meetings, together with any recommendations
as to the Company Board's position regarding action to be taken with respect
to such business, so that stockholders can better decide whether to attend
such a meeting or to grant a proxy regarding the disposition of any such
business.
 
  Although the By-laws do not give the Company Board any power to approve or
disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proper
stockholder proposals for action, they may have the effect of precluding a
contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder
proposals if the proper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or
deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its
own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal, without regard to
whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or
beneficial to the Company and its stockholders.
 
COMPANY PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Certificate authorizes the Company Board to provide for series of
Company Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the
number of shares constituting such series and the designation of such series,
the voting powers (if any) of the shares of such series, and the preferences
and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such
series.
 
  Tenneco and the Company believe that the ability of the Company Board to
issue one or more series of Company Preferred Stock will provide the Company
with flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions,
and in meeting other corporate needs which might arise. The authorized shares
of the Company Preferred Stock, as well as shares of Company Common Stock,
will be available for issuance without further action by the Company's
stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of
any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Company's
securities may be listed or traded. The NYSE currently requires stockholder
approval as a prerequisite to listing shares in several instances, including
where the present or potential issuance of shares could result in a 20%
increase in the number of shares of common stock outstanding or in the amount
of voting securities outstanding. If the approval of the Company's
stockholders is not required for the issuance of shares of Company Preferred
Stock or Company Common Stock, the Company Board may determine not to seek
stockholder approval.
 
                                      88
<PAGE>
 
  Although the Company Board has no intention at the present time of doing so,
it could issue a series of Company Preferred Stock that could, depending on
the terms of such series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or
other takeover attempt. The Company Board will make any determination to issue
such shares based on its judgment as to the best interests of the Company and
its stockholders. The Company Board, in so acting, could issue Company
Preferred Stock having terms that could discourage an acquisition attempt
through which an acquiror may be able to change the composition of the Company
Board, including a tender offer or other transaction that some, or a majority,
of the Company's stockholders might believe to be in their best interests or
in which stockholders might receive a premium for their stock over the then
current market price of such stock.
 
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
 
  The Certificate prohibits "Business Combinations" (as defined in the
Certificate) with "Interested Stockholders" (as defined in the Certificate)
without the approval of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in voting power of the
outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors
("Voting Stock") not owned by an Interested Stockholder unless (i) approved by
a majority of the "Continuing Directors" (as defined in the Certificate) or
(ii) certain detailed requirements as to, among other things, the value and
type of consideration to be paid to the Company's stockholders, the
maintenance of the Company's dividend policy, the public disclosure of the
Business Combination and the absence of any major change in the Company's
business or equity capital structure without the approval of a majority of the
Continuing Directors, have been satisfied. The Certificate generally defines
an "Interested Stockholder" as any person (other than the Company or any
subsidiary, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary or any
trustee or fiduciary with respect to any such plan or holding Voting Stock for
the purpose of funding any such plan or funding other employee benefits for
employees of the Company or any subsidiary when acting in such capacity) who
(a) is or has announced or publicly disclosed a plan or intention to become
the beneficial owner of Voting Stock representing five percent or more of the
votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding shares of
Voting Stock or (b) is an affiliate or associate of the Company and at any
time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question was
the beneficial owner of Voting Stock representing five percent or more of the
votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding shares of
Voting Stock. The Certificate defines a "Continuing Director" as any member of
the Company Board, while such person is a member of the Company Board, who is
not an affiliate or associate or representative of the Interested Stockholder
and was a member of the Company Board prior to the time that the Interested
Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, and any successor thereto who is
not an affiliate or associate or representative of the Interested Stockholder
and is recommended or elected to succeed the Continuing Director by a majority
of Continuing Directors.
 
AMENDMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE CERTIFICATE AND BY-LAWS
 
  Under the DGCL, the stockholders of a corporation have the right to adopt,
amend or repeal the by-laws and, with the approval of the board of directors,
the certificate of incorporation of a corporation. In addition, if the
certificate of incorporation so provides, the by-laws may be adopted, amended
or repealed by the board of directors. The Certificate provides that the By-
laws may be amended by the Company Board or by the stockholders.
 
  The Certificate also provides that, in addition to approval by the Company
Board and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage or separate class vote may
be specified by law, the Certificate or the By-laws, any proposal to amend or
repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, the provisions of the
Certificate regarding Business Combinations proposed by or on behalf of an
Interested Stockholder or affiliate thereof requires the affirmative vote of
the holders of 66 2/3% in voting power of the outstanding shares of Voting
Stock, excluding Voting Stock beneficially owned by any Interested
Stockholder, unless the amendment or repeal of, or the adoption of any
provision inconsistent with, the provisions regarding Business Combinations is
unanimously recommended by the members of the Company Board and each of the
members of the Company Board qualifies as a Continuing Director. Approval by
the Company Board, together with the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock, is
required to amend all other provisions of the
 
                                      89
<PAGE>
 
Certificate. The Business Combination supermajority voting requirement could
have the effect of making more difficult any amendment by stockholders of the
Business Combination provisions of the Certificate described above, even if a
majority of the Company's stockholders believe that such amendment would be in
their best interest.
 
RIGHTS
 
  The Company Board will adopt a stockholder rights plan and cause to be
issued, with each share of Company Common Stock to be distributed in the
Industrial Distribution, one preferred share purchase right (a "Right"). Each
Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company a unit
consisting of one one-hundredth of a share (a "Unit") of Company Junior
Preferred Stock, at a price of $    per Unit (the "Purchase Price"), subject
to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a
Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and First
Chicago Trust Company of New York, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").
 
  Initially, the Rights will be represented by Company Common Stock
certificates, and no separate certificates representing the Rights ("Rights
Certificates") will be distributed. The Rights will separate from the Company
Common Stock and a distribution date (a "Rights Distribution Date") will occur
upon the earlier of (i) 10 business days following the first date of public
announcement (the "Stock Acquisition Date") that a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired, or
obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, (ii) 10 business days (or such
later date as may be determined by the Company Board) following the
commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person
or group beneficially owning 20% or more of such outstanding shares of Company
Common Stock or (iii) 10 business days after the Company Board determines that
any person, alone or together with its affiliates and associates, has become
the Beneficial Owner of an amount of Company Common Stock which the Company
Board determines to be substantial (which amount shall in no event be less
than 10% of the shares of Company Common Stock outstanding) and at least a
majority of the Company Board who are not officers of the Company, after
reasonable inquiry and investigation, including consultation with such persons
as such directors shall deem appropriate, shall determine that (a) such
beneficial ownership by such person is intended to cause the Company to
repurchase the Company Common Stock beneficially owned by such person or to
cause pressure on the Company to take action or enter into a transaction or
series of transactions intended to provide such person with short-term
financial gain under circumstances where the Company Board determines that the
best long-term interests of the Company and its stockholders would not be
served by taking such action or entering into such transactions or series of
transactions at that time or (b) such beneficial ownership is causing or is
reasonably likely to cause a material adverse impact (including, but not
limited to, impairment of relationships with customers or impairment of the
Company's ability to maintain its competitive position) on the business or
prospects of the Company (any such person being referred to herein and in the
Rights Agreement as an "Adverse Person").
 
  Until the Rights Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by
Company Common Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with
such Company Common Stock certificates, (ii) Company Common Stock certificates
will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference and
(iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Company Common Stock
outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with
Company Common Stock represented by such certificate.
 
  The Rights are not exercisable until the Rights Distribution Date and will
expire at the close of business on June 10, 1998 (the "Final Expiration
Date"), unless (i) earlier redeemed by the Company as described below or (ii)
the Rights Agreement is extended (with stockholder approval) as discussed
below. The Final Expiration Date is the same date on which the stockholder
rights issued under the current Tenneco's stockholder's rights plan would have
terminated, but for the Merger.
 
  As soon as practicable after the Rights Distribution Date, Rights
Certificates will be mailed to holders of record of the Company Common Stock
as of the close of business on the Rights Distribution Date and, thereafter,
 
                                      90
<PAGE>
 
the separate Rights Certificates alone will represent the Rights. Except as
otherwise determined by the Company Board, only shares of Company Common Stock
issued prior to the Rights Distribution Date will be issued with Rights.
 
  In the event that (i) any person becomes an Acquiring Person (except
pursuant to an offer for all outstanding shares of Company Common Stock that
the independent directors determine to be fair to and otherwise in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders) or (ii) the Company Board
determines that a person is an Adverse Person, each holder of a Right will
thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, Company Common Stock (or,
in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company)
having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right. Upon the
occurrence of either of the events set forth in the preceding sentence, all
Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances specified in the Rights
Agreement) were, beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person or Adverse Person
(or certain related parties) will be null and void. Rights will not be
exercisable following the occurrence of either of such events until such time
as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company as set forth below.
 
  For example, at an exercise price of $    per Right, each Right not owned by
an Acquiring Person or by an Adverse Person (or by certain related parties)
following an event set forth in the preceding paragraph would entitle its
holder to purchase $    worth of Company Common Stock (or other consideration,
as noted above) for $   . Assuming that Company Common Stock had a per share
value of $    at such time, the holder of each valid Right would be entitled
to purchase     shares of Company Common Stock for $   .
 
  In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (i) the
Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction
(other than a merger meeting prescribed terms and conditions that follows an
offer described in the second preceding paragraph) or (ii) more than 50% of
the Company's assets or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of a
Right (except Rights that previously have been voided as set forth above)
shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the
acquiring company having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the
Right.
 
  The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Units of Company Junior
Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the
Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in
the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or
reclassification of, Company Junior Preferred Stock, (ii) if holders of
Company Junior Preferred Stock are granted certain rights or warrants to
subscribe for Company Junior Preferred Stock or convertible securities at less
than the current market price of Company Junior Preferred Stock or (iii) upon
the distribution to holders of the Company Junior Preferred Stock of evidences
of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular quarterly cash dividends) or of
subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above).
 
  With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase
Price. No fractional Units will be issued and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment
in cash will be made based on the market price of Company Junior Preferred
Stock on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise.
 
  In general, at any time until 10 business days following the Stock
Acquisition Date, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part,
at a price of $.02 per Right. The Company may not redeem the Rights if the
Company Board has previously declared a person to be an Adverse Person.
Immediately upon the action of the Company Board ordering redemption of the
Rights, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights
will be to receive the $.02 redemption price.
 
  Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights
as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to
vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not be
taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders may, depending upon
the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights
became exercisable for Company Common Stock (or other consideration) of the
Company or for common stock of the acquiring company as set forth above.
 
 
                                      91
<PAGE>
 
  Other than those provisions relating to the duration of the Rights Agreement
and the principal economic terms of the Rights, any of the provisions of the
Rights Agreement may be amended by the Company Board prior to the Rights
Distribution Date. After the Rights Distribution Date, the provisions of the
Rights Agreement may be amended by the Company Board in order to cure any
ambiguity, to make changes that do not adversely affect the interests of
holders of Rights, or to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights
Agreement; provided, however, that no amendment to adjust the time period
governing redemption shall be made at such time as the Rights are not
redeemable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless approved by a vote of the
stockholders of the Company, the Rights Agreement may not be supplemented or
amended to alter the redemption price, the Final Expiration Date, the Purchase
Price or the number of Units for which a Right is exercisable.
 
  The Rights Agreement is designed to protect the stockholders of the Company
in the event of unsolicited offers to acquire the Company and other coercive
takeover tactics which, in the opinion of the Company Board, could impair its
ability to represent stockholder interests. The provisions of the Rights
Agreement may render an unsolicited takeover of the Company more difficult or
less likely to occur, even though such takeover may offer the Company's
stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the
prevailing market rate and may be favored by a majority of the Company's
stockholders.
 
  THE FOREGOING SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE RIGHTS IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH HAS BEEN FILED
AS AN EXHIBIT TO THE COMPANY'S REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM 10 UNDER THE
EXCHANGE ACT RELATING TO COMPANY COMMON STOCK. THE RIGHTS ARE BEING REGISTERED
UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT, TOGETHER WITH COMPANY COMMON STOCK, PURSUANT TO SUCH
REGISTRATION STATEMENT. IN THE EVENT THAT THE RIGHTS BECOME EXERCISABLE, THE
COMPANY WILL REGISTER THE SHARES OF COMPANY JUNIOR PREFERRED STOCK FOR WHICH
THE RIGHTS MAY BE EXERCISED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW.
 
ANTITAKEOVER LEGISLATION
 
  Section 203 of the DGCL provides that, subject to certain exceptions
specified therein, a corporation shall not engage in any "business
combination" with any "interested stockholder" for a three-year period
following the time that such stockholder becomes an interested stockholder
unless (i) prior to such time, the board of directors of the corporation
approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in
the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, (ii) upon consummation of
the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock
of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced
(excluding certain shares) or (iii) on or subsequent to such time, the
business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation
and by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting
stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder. Section 203 of the
DGCL generally defines an "interested stockholder" to include (x) any person
that is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the
corporation, or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the
owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any
time within three years immediately prior to the relevant date and (y) the
affiliates and associates of any such person. Section 203 of the DGCL
generally defines a "business combination" to include (1) mergers and sales or
other dispositions of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation with or to
an interested stockholder, (2) certain transactions resulting in the issuance
or transfer to the interested stockholder of any stock of the corporation or
its subsidiaries, (3) certain transactions which would result in increasing
the proportionate share of the stock of the corporation or its subsidiaries
owned by the interested stockholder and (4) receipt by the interested
stockholder of the benefit (except proportionately as a stockholder) of any
loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial benefits.
 
  Under certain circumstances, Section 203 of the DGCL makes it more difficult
for a person who would be an "interested stockholder" to effect various
business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period, although the
certificate of incorporation or stockholder-adopted by-laws may exclude a
corporation from the restrictions imposed thereunder. Neither the Certificate
nor the By-laws exclude the Company from the restrictions imposed under
Section 203 of the DGCL. It is anticipated that the provisions of Section 203
of the
 
                                      92
<PAGE>
 
DGCL may encourage companies interested in acquiring the Company to negotiate
in advance with the Company Board since the stockholder approval requirement
would be avoided if the Company Board approves, prior to the time the
stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, either the business combination
or the transaction which results in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder.
 
COMPARISON WITH RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF TENNECO COMMON STOCK
 
  Except as otherwise described herein, the provisions of the Certificate and
the By-laws (including the provisions thereof relating to the classification
of directors, the calling of special meetings of stockholders, the advance
notice requirements for stockholder nominations and proposals, the approval of
Business Combinations and the supermajority voting requirement for amendment
of the Business Combinations provisions) are, in all material respects, the
same as the provisions of the Tenneco Certificate of Incorporation (the
"Tenneco Certificate") and the Tenneco By-laws (the "Tenneco By-laws").
 
Capitalization
 
  Tenneco's authorized capital stock consists of 350,000,000 shares of Tenneco
Common Stock, 15,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value
("Tenneco Preferred Stock"), and 50,000,000 shares of Junior Preferred Stock,
without par value ("Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock"). The Company's authorized
capital stock consists of    shares of Company Common Stock and    shares of
Company Preferred Stock.
 
  The Tenneco Board is generally authorized to issue Tenneco Preferred Stock
and Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock in series and to fix the terms of such
series, but such authority is subject to numerous requirements and/or
limitations relating to, among other things, the voting rights of such series
and the ability of Tenneco to pay dividends and acquire its capital stock. The
Company Board is authorized to issue Company Preferred Stock in series and to
fix the terms of such series, without limitation (other than as provided in
the DGCL).
 
  All series of Tenneco Preferred Stock (but not Tenneco Junior Preferred
Stock) must rank on a parity with respect to the payment of dividends. Any of
the terms of a series of Company Preferred Stock may differ from those of any
other series.
 
Class Voting
 
  Under the Tenneco Certificate, approval of 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares
of Tenneco Preferred Stock or Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, or of a series
thereof, is required for any charter amendment which adversely affects the
rights, powers or preferences of the Tenneco Preferred Stock or Tenneco Junior
Preferred Stock, or of a series thereof, as the case may be. Under the
Certificate, there is no such two-thirds approval requirement; however, the
DGCL generally requires any charter amendment that so adversely affects a
particular class or series of stock be approved by a majority of the
outstanding shares of such class or series, as the case may be.
 
  The Tenneco Certificate requires separate class votes of Tenneco Preferred
Stock and of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock (i) to create a class of stock
ranking senior thereto, (ii) to sell, lease, transfer or convey all or
substantially all of Tenneco's assets or (iii) to merge with another
corporation (unless Tenneco survives). No such class votes are required under
the Certificate.
 
Stockholder Meetings
 
  The By-laws provide that the Company Board and the chairman of a meeting may
adopt rules for the conduct of stockholder meetings and specify the types of
rules that may be adopted (including the establishment of an agenda, rules
relating to presence at the meeting of persons other than stockholders,
restrictions on entry at the meeting after commencement thereof and the
imposition of time limitations for questions by participants at the meeting).
Such issues are not expressly addressed by the Tenneco By-laws.
 
 
                                      93
<PAGE>
 
Stockholder Rights Plans
 
  Tenneco adopted a stockholder rights plan on May 24, 1988, which was amended
and restated on October 1, 1989 (the "Tenneco Rights Plan"). Pursuant to and
in accordance with such plan, one preferred share purchase right (a "Tenneco
Right") is attached to each share of Tenneco Common Stock. Each Tenneco Right
entitles the registered holder thereof to, among other things, purchase, under
certain circumstances, from Tenneco a unit consisting of one one-hundredth of
a share of Tenneco Series A Junior Preferred Stock. Tenneco has amended the
Tenneco Rights Plan to exempt El Paso and El Paso Merger Company from becoming
an "acquiring person" thereunder, or otherwise triggering the Tenneco Rights,
solely by reason of the execution of the Merger Agreement and consummation of
the transactions contemplated thereby, and to cause the Tenneco Rights to
expire at the Merger Effective Time.
 
  The Company will adopt the Rights Agreement. The Rights Agreement is, in all
material respects, the same as the Tenneco Rights Plan except that the
Redemption Price (as defined therein), the Final Expiration Date, the Purchase
Price and the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Company Junior
Preferred Stock for which a Right is exercisable (which under the Tenneco
Rights Plan may not be supplemented or amended) may be supplemented or amended
with stockholder approval.
 
Indemnification
 
  The Tenneco By-laws provide for mandatory indemnification for directors and
officers of Tenneco and for directors and officers of Tenneco serving as
directors and officers of other entities at the request of Tenneco to the
fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. The By-laws provide similar mandatory
indemnification except (i) such indemnification includes directors and
officers of the Company serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of
another entity at the request of the Company and (ii) suits (or parts thereof)
instituted by any such indemnitee without Company Board approval are excluded
from such mandatory indemnification.
 
  The By-laws also provide for mandatory advancement of expenses in defending
any proceeding for which mandatory indemnification may be available. The
Tenneco By-laws do not provide for such mandatory advancement of expenses.
 
  Under the By-laws, persons claiming indemnification or advancement may file
suit in respect thereof if the Company does not pay such a claim within 60
days after receipt of a written claim therefor and, if successful in whole or
in part, are entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. The
By-laws provide that in any such action, the Company has the burden of proving
that the indemnitee is not entitled to the requested indemnification or
advancement. Such issues are not expressly addressed by the Tenneco By-laws.
 
Director Exculpation
 
  Pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, the Tenneco Certificate provides
that a director thereof shall not be liable to Tenneco or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to Tenneco or
its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit.
 
  The Certificate provides that a director of the Company shall not be liable
to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from
liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same
exists or may thereafter be amended. The Certificate, therefore, affords
directors of the Company the benefit of any subsequent broadening of director
exculpation permitted by the DGCL without the need for a further charter
amendment.
 
                                      94
<PAGE>
 
            LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
ELIMINATION OF LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Certificate provides that a director of the Company will not be liable
to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from
liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same
exists or may thereafter be amended. Based on the DGCL as presently in effect,
a director of the Company will not be personally liable to the Company or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to
the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith
or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii)
under Section 174 of the DGCL, which concerns unlawful payments of dividends,
stock purchases or redemptions or (iv) for any transactions from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit.
 
  While the Certificate provides directors with protection from awards for
monetary damages for breaches of their duty of care, it does not eliminate
such duty. Accordingly, the Certificate will have no effect on the
availability of equitable remedies such as an injunction or rescission based
on a director's breach of his or her duty of care. The provisions of the
Certificate described above apply to an officer of the Company only if he or
she is a director of the Company and is acting in his or her capacity as
director, and do not apply to officers of the Company who are not directors.
 
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  The By-laws provide that the Company will indemnify and hold harmless, to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may
thereafter be amended, any person (an "Indemnitee") who was or is made or is
threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a
"proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the
legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Company or, while
a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving at the request of the
Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Company or of a
partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including
service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss
suffered and expenses (including attorneys' fees) reasonably incurred by such
Indemnitee. The By-laws also provide that, notwithstanding the foregoing, but
except as described in the second following paragraph, the Company will be
required to indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part
thereof) commenced by such Indemnitee only if the commencement of such
proceeding (or part thereof) by the Indemnitee was authorized by the Company
Board.
 
  The By-laws further provide that the Company will pay the expenses
(including attorneys' fees) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to
the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final
disposition of the proceeding will be made only upon receipt of an undertaking
by the Indemnitee to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately
determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under the
relevant section of the By-laws or otherwise.
 
  Pursuant to the By-laws, if a claim for indemnification or payment of
expenses thereunder is not paid in full within 60 days after a written claim
therefor by the Indemnitee has been received by the Company, the Indemnitee
may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in
whole or in part, will be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such
claim. The By-laws provide that, in any such action, the Company will have the
burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to the requested
indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
 
  The By-laws also provide (i) that the rights conferred on any Indemnitee
thereby are not exclusive of any other rights which such Indemnitee may have
or thereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate,
 
                                      95
<PAGE>
 
the By-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise, (ii) that the Company's obligation, if any, to indemnify or to
advance expenses to any Indemnitee who was or is serving at its request as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another Company, partnership, joint
venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity will be reduced by any amount
such Indemnitee may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from
such other Company, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit
enterprise and (iii) that any repeal or modification of the relevant
provisions of the By-laws will not adversely affect any right or protection
thereunder of any Indemnitee in respect of any act or omission occurring prior
to the time of such repeal or modification.
 
  The By-laws also expressly state that the provisions thereof will not limit
the right of the Company, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to
indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees when and
as authorized by appropriate corporate action.
 
                                      96
<PAGE>
 
              INDEX TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
  Report of Independent Public Accountants................................ F-2
  Combined Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period
   ended December 31, 1995 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and
   1995................................................................... F-3
  Combined Balance Sheets--December 31, 1995 and 1994 and June 30, 1996... F-4
  Combined Statements of Cash Flows for each of three years in the period
   ended December 31, 1995 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and
   1995................................................................... F-5
  Statements of Changes in Combined Equity for each of the three years in
   the period ended
   December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1996............... F-6
  Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................................. F-7
THE MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL CORPORATION
  Report of Independent Auditors.......................................... F-28
  Combined Statements of Net Assets--December 28, 1994 and November 17,
   1995................................................................... F-29
  Combined Statements of Operations Before Income Taxes--Year ended Decem-
   ber 28, 1994 and period ended November 17, 1995........................ F-30
  Combined Statements of Changes in Net Assets--Year Ended December 28,
   1994 and period ended November 17, 1995................................ F-31
  Combined Statements of Cash Flows--Year ended December 28, 1994 and pe-
   riod ended
   November 17, 1995...................................................... F-32
  Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................................. F-33
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
  Valuation and Qualifying Accounts--The Businesses of New Tenneco ....... S-1
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Tenneco Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of the businesses of
New Tenneco (see Note 1) as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related
combined statements of income, cash flows and changes in combined equity for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995. These combined
financial statements and the schedule referred to below are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these combined financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the combined financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the combined
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall combined financial statement presentation. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of the
businesses of New Tenneco as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the results of
its combined operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
As discussed in Note 3 to the combined financial statements, effective January
1, 1994, the businesses of New Tenneco changed its method of accounting for
postemployment benefits.
 
Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
combined financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule
listed in the index to the combined financial statements and schedule is
presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange
Commission's rules and is not part of the basic combined financial statements.
The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures
applied in the audits of the basic combined financial statements and, in our
opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to
be set forth therein in relation to the basic combined financial statements of
the businesses of New Tenneco taken as a whole.
 
                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Houston, Texas
August 19, 1996
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
                         COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER    SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                             31,                 JUNE 30,
                                     ----------------------  ------------------
(MILLIONS)                            1995    1994    1993      1996      1995
- ----------                           ------  ------  ------  --------  --------
                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                  <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>
REVENUES
Net sales and operating revenues--
  Automotive.......................  $2,479  $1,989  $1,785  $  1,463  $  1,263
  Packaging........................   2,752   2,184   2,042     1,775     1,318
  Intergroup sales and other.......     (10)     (7)     (7)       (5)       (4)
                                     ------  ------  ------  --------  --------
                                      5,221   4,166   3,820     3,233     2,577
Other income, net..................      39      (2)     42        71        30
                                     ------  ------  ------  --------  --------
                                      5,260   4,164   3,862     3,304     2,607
                                     ------  ------  ------  --------  --------
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of sales (exclusive of depre-
 ciation shown below)..............   3,737   3,050   2,854     2,303     1,828
Engineering, research and develop-
 ment expenses.....................      67      43      39        44        33
Selling, general and administra-
 tive..............................     588     473     451       396       276
Depreciation, depletion and amorti-
 zation............................     196     142     137       147        92
                                     ------  ------  ------  --------  --------
                                      4,588   3,708   3,481     2,890     2,229
                                     ------  ------  ------  --------  --------
Income before interest expense, in-
 come taxes and minority
 interest..........................     672     456     381       414       378
Interest expense (net of interest
 capitalized)......................     160     104     101       100        74
                                     ------  ------  ------  --------  --------
Income before income taxes and mi-
 nority interest...................     512     352     280       314       304
Income tax expense.................     231     114     115       126       124
                                     ------  ------  ------  --------  --------
Income before minority interest....     281     238     165       188       180
Minority interest..................      23      --      --        10        12
                                     ------  ------  ------  --------  --------
Income from continuing operations..     258     238     165       178       168
Loss from discontinued operations,
 net of income tax.................      --     (31)     (7)       --        --
                                     ------  ------  ------  --------  --------
Income before cumulative effect of
 change in accounting
 principle.........................     258     207     158       178       168
Cumulative effect of change in ac-
 counting principle, net of
 income tax........................      --      (7)     --        --        --
                                     ------  ------  ------  --------  --------
Net income.........................  $  258  $  200  $  158  $    178  $    168
                                     ======  ======  ======  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to combined financial statements are an integral part of
                      these combined statements of income.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
                            COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                  -------------  JUNE 30,
(MILLIONS)                                         1995   1994     1996
- ----------                                        ------ ------ ----------- 
                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                               <C>    <C>    <C>        
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and temporary cash investments............ $  103 $  350   $  129
  Receivables--
    Customer notes and accounts (net)............    351    284      477
    Affiliated companies.........................    117     53      114
    Income taxes.................................     41      2       52
    Other........................................     54     45      186
  Inventories....................................    838    557      820
  Deferred income taxes..........................     23     24       28
  Prepayments and other..........................    168    152      196
                                                  ------ ------   ------
                                                   1,695  1,467    2,002
                                                  ------ ------   ------
Investments and other assets:
  Long-term notes receivables....................     16     11       16
  Goodwill and intangibles, net..................  1,024    320      965
  Deferred income taxes..........................     52     49       61
  Pension assets.................................    433    389      444
  Other..........................................    239    113      287
                                                  ------ ------   ------
                                                   1,764    882    1,773
                                                  ------ ------   ------
Plant, property and equipment, at cost...........  4,138  3,065    4,332
  Less--Reserves for depreciation, depletion and
   amortization..................................  1,480  1,474    1,584
                                                  ------ ------   ------
                                                   2,658  1,591    2,748
                                                  ------ ------   ------
                                                  $6,117 $3,940   $6,523
                                                  ====== ======   ======
LIABILITIES AND COMBINED EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Short-term debt (including current maturities
   on long-term debt)............................ $  384 $  108   $  530
  Payables
    Trade........................................    589    465      599
    Affiliated companies.........................     47     68       23
  Taxes accrued..................................     45     --       74
  Accrued liabilities............................    237    129      242
  Other..........................................    257    282      242
                                                  ------ ------   ------
                                                   1,559  1,052    1,710
                                                  ------ ------   ------
Long-term debt...................................  1,648  1,039    1,573
Deferred income taxes............................    435    342      451
Postretirement benefits..........................    156    122      161
Deferred credits and other liabilities...........    166     97      159
Commitments and contingencies
Minority interest................................    301    301      301
Combined equity..................................  1,852    987    2,168
                                                  ------ ------   ------
                                                  $6,117 $3,940   $6,523
                                                  ====== ======   ======
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying notes to combined financial statements are an integral part of
                         these combined balance sheets.
 
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
                       COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  SIX MONTHS
                                                YEARS ENDED          ENDED
                                                DECEMBER 31,       JUNE 30,
                                              ------------------  ------------
(MILLIONS)                                     1995   1994  1993  1996   1995
- ----------                                    ------  ----  ----  -----  -----
                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                           <C>     <C>   <C>   <C>    <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Income from continuing operations...........  $  258  $238  $165  $ 178  $ 168
Adjustments to reconcile income from contin-
 uing operations to cash provided (used) by
 continuing operations--
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization..     196   142   137    147     92
  Deferred income taxes.....................      75    19     1     37     15
  Gain on sale of businesses and assets,
   net......................................     (15)   (5)  (29)   (49)   (14)
  Allocated interest, net of tax............      99    61    59     63     44
  Changes in components of working capital
   (Increase) decrease in receivables.......      30    87    55   (110)   (79)
   (Increase) decrease in inventories.......    (102)  (57)   (1)    18    (99)
   (Increase) decrease in prepayments and
    other current assets....................     (39)    8   (38)   (19)   (10)
   Increase (decrease) in payables..........       7    69    34    (13)   (59)
   Increase (decrease) in taxes accrued.....      23   (17)  (47)    23    (18)
   Increase (decrease) in other current lia-
    bilities................................     (15)   (3)   79    (43)   (26)
  Other.....................................     (28)   20   (85)   (33)   (23)
                                              ------  ----  ----  -----  -----
   Cash provided (used) by continuing opera-
    tions...................................     489   562   330    199     (9)
   Cash provided (used) by discontinued op-
    erations................................      --     9    (6)    --     --
                                              ------  ----  ----  -----  -----
Net cash provided (used) by operating activ-
 ities......................................     489   571   324    199     (9)
                                              ------  ----  ----  -----  -----
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds (expenditures) related to the
 sale of discontinued operations............      --     5    (4)    --     --
Net proceeds from sale of businesses and as-
 sets.......................................      56    16    83     10     34
Expenditures for plant, property and equip-
 ment.......................................    (562) (280) (217)  (263)  (179)
Acquisitions of businesses..................  (1,461)  (51)  (14)   (23)   (55)
Investments and other.......................     (74)    7    --    (64)    (6)
                                              ------  ----  ----  -----  -----
Net cash used by investing activities.......  (2,041) (303) (152)  (340)  (206)
                                              ------  ----  ----  -----  -----
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of equity securities by a combined
 subsidiary.................................      --   293    --     --     --
Retirement of long-term debt................     (15) (152)  (21)    (8)   (11)
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt
 excluding current maturities on long-term
 debt.......................................       8   (94)  (29)   (23)    (2)
Cash contributions from (distributions to)
 Tenneco....................................   1,304     3  (115)   200    (39)
                                              ------  ----  ----  -----  -----
Net cash provided (used) by financing activ-
 ities......................................   1,297    50  (165)   169    (52)
                                              ------  ----  ----  -----  -----
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on
 cash and temporary cash investments........       8     4    (2)    (2)     4
                                              ------  ----  ----  -----  -----
Increase (decrease) in cash and temporary
 cash investments...........................    (247)  322     5     26   (263)
Cash and temporary cash investments, January
 1..........................................     350    28    23    103    350
                                              ------  ----  ----  -----  -----
Cash and temporary cash investments, Decem-
 ber 31 (Note)..............................  $  103  $350  $ 28  $ 129  $  87
                                              ======  ====  ====  =====  =====
Cash paid during the year for interest......  $    6  $ 14  $ 15  $   2  $   6
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
 (net of refunds)...........................  $  180  $137  $178  $  97  $ 137
</TABLE>
Note: Cash and temporary cash investments include highly liquid investments
with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
 
    The accompanying notes to combined financial statements are an integral
               part of these combined statements of cash flows.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
                    STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN COMBINED EQUITY
 
(MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
Balance, December 31, 1992............................................. $  (87)
  Net income...........................................................    158
  Translation adjustment...............................................    (75)
  Allocated interest, net of tax.......................................     59
  Change in allocated corporate debt...................................    519
  Cash distributions to Tenneco........................................   (115)
  Noncash contributions from Tenneco...................................     74
                                                                        ------
Balance, December 31, 1993............................................. $  533
  Net income...........................................................    200
  Translation adjustment...............................................     56
  Allocated interest, net of tax.......................................     61
  Change in allocated corporate debt...................................     (5)
  Cash contributions from Tenneco......................................      3
  Noncash contributions from Tenneco...................................    139
                                                                        ------
Balance, December 31, 1994............................................. $  987
  Net income...........................................................    258
  Translation adjustment...............................................     49
  Allocated interest, net of tax.......................................     99
  Change in allocated corporate debt...................................   (887)
  Cash contributions from Tenneco......................................  1,304
  Noncash contributions from Tenneco...................................     42
                                                                        ------
Balance, December 31, 1995............................................. $1,852
  Net income...........................................................    178
  Translation adjustment...............................................    (25)
  Allocated interest, net of tax.......................................     63
  Change in allocated corporate debt...................................    (94)
  Cash contributions from Tenneco......................................    200
  Noncash distributions to Tenneco.....................................     (6)
                                                                        ------
Balance, June 30, 1996 (unaudited)..................................... $2,168
                                                                        ======
</TABLE>
 
 
The accompanying notes to combined financial statements are an integral part of
                                     these
                   statements of changes in combined equity.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
  The accompanying combined financial statements represent the financial
position, results of operations and cash flows for all automotive
(collectively referred to as "Tenneco Automotive") and packaging (collectively
referred to as "Tenneco Packaging") operations owned directly or indirectly by
Tenneco Inc. ("Tenneco") and its subsidiaries (see "Control" below).
 
  Unless the context otherwise requires, as used herein the term "Company"
refers: (i) for periods prior to the Industrial Distribution, as defined
below, to Tenneco Automotive, Tenneco Packaging and certain administrative
service operations of Tenneco (collectively, "New Tenneco") which New Tenneco
Inc. will own and operate after the Industrial Distribution, and (ii) for
periods after the Industrial Distribution, to New Tenneco Inc. and its
consolidated subsidiaries.
 
  Reference is made to Note 13, "Segment and Geographic Area Information" for
a description of the businesses of the Company.
 
2. THE INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION
 
  On June 19, 1996, Tenneco and El Paso Natural Gas Company ("El Paso")
entered into a merger agreement pursuant to which a subsidiary of El Paso will
be merged into Tenneco (the "Merger"). The Merger is part of a larger Tenneco
reorganization (the "Transaction") which includes the distribution of the
common stock of the Company (the "Industrial Distribution") and Newport News
Shipbuilding Inc. ("Newport News"), a subsidiary of Tenneco which will hold
all of the assets, liabilities and operations of Tenneco's current
shipbuilding business (the "Shipbuilding Distribution") (collectively, the
"Distributions") to the holders of Tenneco common stock. Upon completion of
the Transaction, holders of Tenneco common stock will receive equity
securities of the Company, Newport News and El Paso.
 
  Prior to the Transaction, Tenneco intends to initiate a realignment of its
existing indebtedness. As part of the debt realignment, certain Company debt
will be offered in exchange for certain issues of Tenneco debt. Tenneco will
initiate tender offers for other Tenneco debt, and certain debt issues may be
defeased. These tender offers and defeasances will be financed by a
combination of new lines of credit of Tenneco, the Company (which will
dividend $350 million of its borrowings to Tenneco) and Newport News (which
will dividend $600 million of its borrowings to Tenneco). Upon completion of
the debt realignment, Tenneco will have responsibility for $2.65 billion of
debt, subject to certain adjustments, Newport News will have responsibility
for the borrowings under its credit lines and the Company will have
responsibility for the remaining debt.
 
  The Transaction is subject to certain conditions, including receipt of a
favorable ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the
Distributions and certain internal spin-off transactions will be tax-free for
federal income tax purposes and approval by Tenneco stockholders.
 
  In order to assist in the orderly transition of the Company into a separate,
publicly held company, Tenneco intends to modify, amend or enter into certain
contractual agreements with the Company. Such agreements include a tax sharing
agreement between Tenneco and its subsidiaries (see "Income taxes" in Note 3),
an employee benefits agreement, an insurance agreement, an administrative
services agreement and other ancillary agreements. These agreements will
provide, among other things, that (i) the Company will become the sole sponsor
of the Tenneco Inc. Retirement Plan, the Tenneco Inc. Thrift Plan, and various
Tenneco Inc. welfare plans; (ii) the Company will retain specific insurance
policies which relate to its businesses and will retain continuing rights and
obligations for certain parent-company insurance policies of Tenneco; and
(iii) the Company will provide certain corporate services, such as mainframe
data processing and product purchasing services, to Tenneco and Newport News
for a specified period of time.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
3. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Control
 
  All of the outstanding common stock of the Company is owned directly or
indirectly by Tenneco. Thus, the companies which comprise Tenneco Automotive,
Tenneco Packaging and certain administrative service operations are under the
control of Tenneco.
 
Unaudited Interim Information
 
  The unaudited interim combined financial statements as of June 30, 1996 and
for each of the six month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995, included
herein, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of
the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting
principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company's
management, the unaudited interim combined financial statements contain all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary
for a fair presentation. The interim financial results are not indicative of
operating results for an entire year.
 
Research and Development
 
  Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The amounts charged
to "Engineering, research and development expenses" were $42 million, $27
million, and $38 million for 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
Risk Management Activities
 
  The Company is currently a party to financial instruments to hedge its
exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These financial
instruments are accounted for on the accrual basis with gains and losses being
recognized based on the type of contract and exposure being hedged. After-tax
net gains or losses on foreign currency contracts designated as hedges of the
Company's net investments in foreign subsidiaries are recognized in the
balance sheet caption "Combined equity." Net gains and losses of foreign
currency contracts designated as hedges of firm commitments or other specific
transactions are deferred and recognized when the offsetting gains or losses
are recognized on the hedged items.
 
  In the Combined Statements of Cash Flows, cash receipts or payments related
to the financial instruments are classified consistent with the cash flows
from the transactions being hedged.
 
Income Taxes
 
  The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes
whereby it recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax
consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and
liabilities and their reported amounts in the combined financial statements.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, based upon
management's estimates, it is more likely than not that a portion of the
deferred tax assets will not be realized in a future period. The estimates
utilized in the recognition of deferred tax assets are subject to revision in
future periods based on new facts or circumstances.
 
  The Company and Tenneco, together with certain of their respective
subsidiaries which are owned 80% or more, have entered into an agreement to
file a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return. Such agreement provides,
among other things, that (1) each company in a taxable income position will be
currently charged with an amount equivalent to its federal income tax computed
on a separate return basis and (2) each company in a tax loss position will be
reimbursed currently to the extent its deductions, including general business
credits, are utilized in the consolidated return. The income tax amounts
reflected in the combined financial statements of the
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

Company under the provisions of the tax sharing arrangement are not materially
different from the income taxes which would have been provided had the Company
filed a separate tax return. Under the tax sharing agreement, Tenneco pays all
federal taxes directly and bills or refunds, as applicable, its subsidiaries
for the applicable portion of the total tax payments. Cash taxes paid in the
Combined Statement of Cash Flows include payments to Tenneco for U.S. federal
income taxes.
 
  The Company does not provide for U.S. income taxes on unremitted earnings of
foreign subsidiaries as it is the present intention of management to reinvest
the unremitted earnings in its foreign operations. Unremitted earnings of
foreign subsidiaries are approximately $505 million at December 31, 1995. It
is not practicable to determine the amount of U.S. income taxes that would be
payable upon remittance of the assets that represent those earnings.
 
  In connection with the Distributions the current tax sharing agreement will
be cancelled and the Company will enter into a tax sharing agreement with
Tenneco, Newport News and El Paso. The tax sharing agreement will provide,
among other things, for the allocation of taxes among the parties of tax
liabilities arising prior to, as a result of, and subsequent to the
Distributions. Generally, the Company will be liable for taxes imposed on the
Company and its affiliates engaged in the automotive and packaging businesses.
Federal income taxes imposed on the combined activities of the consolidated
group will be allocated among the Company, Tenneco and Newport News according
to their respective share of consolidated taxable income.
 
Changes in Accounting Principles
 
  In June 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("FAS") No. 125 "Accounting for Transfers and
Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities" which
establishes new accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing
of financial assets and extinguishment of liabilities. The statement is
effective for transactions occurring after December 31, 1996. The impact of
the adoption of the new standard has not been determined.
 
  The Company adopted FAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-
Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of," in the first
quarter of 1996. FAS No. 121 establishes new accounting standards for
measuring the impairment of long-lived assets. The adoption of this new
standard did not have a significant effect on the Company's combined financial
position or results of operations.
 
  Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers'
Accounting for Postemployment Benefits." This new accounting rule requires
employers to account for postemployment benefits for former or inactive
employees after employment but before retirement on the accrual basis rather
than the "pay-as-you-go" basis. The Company recorded an after-tax charge of $7
million which was reported as a cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle.
 
Inventories
 
  At December 31, 1995 and 1994, inventory by major classification was as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      (MILLIONS)                                                       1995 1994
      ----------                                                       ---- ----
      <S>                                                              <C>  <C>
      Finished goods.................................................. $396 $267
      Work in process.................................................  102   81
      Raw materials...................................................  253  137
      Materials and supplies..........................................   87   72
                                                                       ---- ----
                                                                       $838 $557
                                                                       ==== ====
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. A portion of
inventories are valued using the "last-in, first-out" method (47% and 27% at
December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively). All other inventories are valued on
the "first-in, first-out" ("FIFO") or "average" methods. If the FIFO or
average method of inventory accounting had been used by the Company for all
inventories, inventories would have been $48 million, $46 million and $40
million higher at December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
Goodwill and Intangibles
 
  At December 31, 1995 and 1994, goodwill and intangibles by major category
was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      (MILLIONS)                                                      1995  1994
      ----------                                                     ------ ----
      <S>                                                            <C>    <C>
      Goodwill...................................................... $  632 $299
      Trademarks....................................................    194    1
      Patents.......................................................    160   --
      Other.........................................................     38   20
                                                                     ------ ----
                                                                     $1,024 $320
                                                                     ====== ====
</TABLE>
 
  Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging
from 15 years to 40 years. Such amortization amounted to $10 million, $8
million and $8 million for 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively, and is included
in the Combined Statements of Income caption, "Depreciation, depletion and
amortization."
 
  The Company has capitalized certain intangible assets, primarily trademarks
and patents, based on their estimated fair value at date of acquisition.
Amortization is provided on these intangible assets on a straight-line basis
over periods ranging from 5 to 40 years and was not significant during any of
the periods presented in the accompanying combined financial statements.
 
  The majority of goodwill and intangibles at December 31, 1995, resulted from
the acquisition of the plastics division of Mobil Corporation in November
1995. See Note 4, "Acquisitions," for further information on the acquisitions.
 
Plant, Property and Equipment, at Cost
 
  At December 31, 1995 and 1994, plant, property and equipment, at cost, by
major category was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      (MILLIONS)                                                   1995   1994
      ----------                                                  ------ ------
      <S>                                                         <C>    <C>
      Land, buildings and improvements........................... $1,125 $  978
      Machinery and equipment....................................  2,446  1,722
      Other, including construction in progress..................    567    365
                                                                  ------ ------
                                                                  $4,138 $3,065
                                                                  ====== ======
</TABLE>
 
  Depreciation of the Company's properties is provided on a straight-line
basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Useful lives
range from 10 to 40 years for buildings and improvements and from 3 to 25
years for machinery and equipment. Depletion of timber and timberlands is
provided on a unit-of-production basis.
 
Notes Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
  Short-term notes receivable of $53 million and $31 million were outstanding
at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the allowance for doubtful accounts and notes
receivable was $24 million and $15 million, respectively.
 
Environmental Liabilities
 
  Expenditures for ongoing compliance with environmental regulations that
relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate.
Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations,
and which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation, are
expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments indicate
that remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.
Estimates of the liability are based upon currently available facts, existing
technology and presently enacted laws and regulations taking into
consideration the likely effects of inflation and other societal and economic
factors. All available evidence is considered including prior experience in
remediation of contaminated sites, other companies' clean-up experience and
data released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or other
organizations. These estimated liabilities are subject to revision in future
periods based on actual costs or new circumstances. These liabilities are
included in the combined balance sheet at their undiscounted amounts.
Recoveries are evaluated separately from the liability and, when recovery is
assured, are recorded and reported separately from the associated liability in
the combined financial statements.
 
  For further information on this subject, reference is made to Note 14,
"Commitments and Contingencies--Environmental Matters."
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
  Financial statements of international operations are translated into U.S.
dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets and
liabilities and the weighted average exchange rate for each applicable period
for revenues, expenses and gains and losses. Translation adjustments are
reflected in the balance sheet caption "Combined equity."
 
Use of Estimates
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions in determining the reported amounts of the Company's assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses. Reference is made to the "Income Taxes"
section of this footnote and Notes 11, 12 and 14 for additional information on
significant estimates included in the Company's combined financial statements.
 
4. ACQUISITIONS
 
  In June 1996, the Company entered into agreements to acquire The Pullman
Company and its Clevite products division ("Clevite") for $328 million and
Amoco Foam Products Company, a unit of Amoco Chemical Company ("Amoco Foam
Products"), for $310 million. Clevite makes suspension bushings and other
elastomeric parts for cars and trucks. Upon completion of the Clevite
acquisition in July 1996, Clevite's operations became part of Tenneco
Automotive. Amoco Foam Products manufactures expanded polystyrene tableware,
hinged-lid food containers, packaging trays and industrial products for
residential and commercial construction applications. The Company anticipates
closing the acquisition of Amoco Foam Products by the end of August 1996 and
Amoco Foam Products will become part of Tenneco Packaging.
 
  In November 1995, Tenneco Packaging acquired the plastics division of Mobil
Corporation for $1.3 billion. The plastics business is one of the largest
North American producers of polyethylene and polystyrene consumer and food
service packaging.
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  Tenneco Packaging's acquisition of the plastics business was accounted for
as a purchase; accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the
assets purchased and the liabilities assumed based on preliminary estimates of
their fair values. Final purchase price allocations will be based on more
complete evaluations and may differ from the original allocation. The excess
of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired is
included in the balance sheet caption, "Goodwill and intangibles" and is being
amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years. The purchase was financed
with a cash contribution from Tenneco.
 
  The following unaudited pro forma information of the Company illustrates the
effect of the plastics business acquisition as if it had occurred at the
beginning of 1994, after giving effect to certain pro forma adjustments
including amortization of the excess purchase price, depreciation and other
adjustments based on the preliminary purchase price allocation related to the
acquisition, together with estimates of the related income tax effects.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                                   YEARS ENDED
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  -------------
      (MILLIONS)                                                   1995   1994
      ----------                                                  ------ ------
      <S>                                                         <C>    <C>
      Net sales and operating revenues........................... $6,217 $5,203
      Income from continuing operations.......................... $  268 $  181
</TABLE>
 
  The summarized pro forma information has been prepared for comparative
purposes only. It is not intended to be indicative of the actual operating
results that would have occurred had the acquisition been consummated at the
beginning of 1994, or the results which may be attained in the future.
 
  Also during 1995, Tenneco Packaging completed the acquisitions of eight
paperboard packaging businesses and two specialty packaging businesses for a
total consideration of approximately $196 million. In addition, Tenneco
Automotive completed four acquisitions for approximately $54 million.
 
  Each of the acquisitions was accounted for as a purchase. If these assets
and investments had been acquired January 1, 1995, net income would not have
been significantly different from the reported amount.
 
  In 1994, Tenneco Automotive acquired Heinrich Gillet GmbH & Co. KG for $44
million in cash and $69 million in assumed debt.
 
5. TRANSACTIONS WITH TENNECO
 
Combined Equity
 
  The "Combined equity" caption in the accompanying combined financial
statements represents Tenneco's cumulative investment in the combined
businesses of the Company. Changes in the "Combined equity" caption represent
the net income of the Company, net cash and non-cash contributions from
(distributions to) Tenneco, cumulative translation adjustments, changes in
allocated corporate debt, and allocated interest, net of tax. Reference is
made to the Statements of Changes in Combined Equity for an analysis of the
activity in the "Combined equity" caption for the three years ended December
31, 1995 and six months ended June 30, 1996.
 
General and Administrative Expenses
 
  General and administrative expenses of $229 million, $154 million and $149
million in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively, are included in the "Selling,
general and administrative" caption in the Combined Statements of Income. Of
the total general and administrative expenses for 1995, 1994 and 1993, $61
million, $27 million and $21 million, respectively, represent the Company's
share of Tenneco's corporate general and administrative costs for legal,
financial, communication and other administrative services. Tenneco's
corporate general and
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

administrative expenses are allocated based on the estimated level of effort
devoted to Tenneco's various operations and their relative size based on
revenues, gross property and payroll. Tenneco's corporate general and
administrative expenses not budgeted for allocation are absorbed by the
Company. The Company's management believes the method for allocating corporate
general and administrative expenses is reasonable. Total general and
administrative expenses reflected in the accompanying combined financial
statements are representative of the total general and administrative costs
the Company would have incurred as a separate entity.
 
Corporate Debt and Interest Allocation
 
  Tenneco's historical practice has been to incur indebtedness for its
consolidated group at the parent company level or at a limited number of
subsidiaries, rather than at the operating company level, and to centrally
manage various cash functions. Consequently, corporate debt of Tenneco and its
related interest expense has been allocated to the Company based on the
portion of Tenneco's investment in the Company which is deemed to be debt,
generally based upon the ratio of the Company's net assets to Tenneco
consolidated net assets plus debt. Interest expense was allocated at a rate
equivalent to the weighted-average cost of all corporate debt, which was 7.7%,
8.3% and 7.4% for 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively. Total pre-tax interest
expense allocated to the Company in 1995, 1994 and 1993 was $152 million, $94
million and $90 million, respectively. The Company has also been allocated tax
benefits approximating 35% of the allocated pre-tax interest expense. Although
interest expense, and the related tax effects, have been allocated to the
Company for financial reporting on a historical basis, the Company has not
been billed for these amounts. The changes in allocated corporate debt and the
after-tax allocated interest have been included as a component of the
Company's Combined equity. Although management believes that the historical
allocation of corporate debt and interest is reasonable, it is not necessarily
indicative of the Company's debt upon completion of the Debt Realignment nor
debt and interest that will be incurred by the Company as a separate public
entity.
 
Notes and Advances Receivable with Tenneco
 
  "Cash contributions from (distributions to) Tenneco" in the Statements of
Changes in Combined Equity consist of net cash changes in notes and advances
receivable with Tenneco which have been included in combined equity.
Historically, Tenneco has utilized notes and advances to centrally manage cash
funding requirements for its consolidated group.
 
  At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company had an interest bearing note
receivable from Tenneco totaling $494 million and $310 million, respectively,
which is payable on demand and is included as a component of the Company's
combined equity.
 
Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable--Affiliated Companies
 
  The "Receivables--Affiliated companies" balance primarily includes billings
for general and administrative costs incurred by the Company and charged to
Newport News and Tenneco Energy. The "Payables--Affiliated companies" balance
primarily relates to billings for U.S. income taxes incurred by Tenneco and
charged to the Company. Affiliated accounts receivable and accounts payable
between Tenneco, the Company and Newport News will be settled, capitalized or
converted into ordinary trade accounts, as applicable, as part of the
Distributions.
 
Employee Benefits
 
  Certain employees of the Company participate in the Tenneco employee stock
option and employee stock purchase plans. The Tenneco employee stock option
plan provides for the grant of Tenneco common stock options and other stock
awards at a price not greater than market value at the date of grant. The
Tenneco employee stock purchase plan allows employees to purchase Tenneco
common stock at a 15% discount subject
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
to certain thresholds. The Company expects to establish similar plans for its
employees after the Industrial Distribution. In connection with the Industrial
Distribution, outstanding options on Tenneco common stock held by Company
employees will be converted into options of the Company so as to preserve the
aggregate value of the options held prior to the Industrial Distribution.
 
  Employees of the Company also participate in certain Tenneco postretirement
and pension plans. Reference is made to Notes 11 and 12 for a further
discussion of these plans.
 
Sales of Receivables
 
  At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company sold $513 million and $384
million, respectively, of trade receivables to Tenneco Credit Corporation
("TCC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tenneco Inc. TCC sells these trade
receivables to a third party in the ordinary course of its business.
 
6. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DISPOSITION OF ASSETS
 
Discontinued Operations
 
  In 1994, the Company sold its brakes operation. Net proceeds from the sale
of the brakes operation was approximately $18 million. Net assets and results
from discontinued operations as of and for the years ended December 31, 1994
and 1993, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1994  1993
      (MILLIONS)                                                     ----  ----
      <S>                                                            <C>   <C>
      Net assets at December 31..................................... $ --  $61
                                                                     ====  ===
      Net sales and operating revenues.............................. $ 62  $54
                                                                     ====  ===
      Loss before income taxes and interest allocation.............. $ (8) $(8)
      Income tax benefit............................................    5    4
                                                                     ----  ---
      Loss before interest allocation...............................   (3)  (4)
      Allocation of interest expense, net of income tax (a).........   (2)  (3)
                                                                     ----  ---
      Net loss......................................................   (5)  (7)
                                                                     ----  ---
      Loss on disposition...........................................  (41)  --
      Income tax benefit from loss on disposition...................   15   --
                                                                     ----  ---
      Net loss on disposition.......................................  (26)  --
                                                                     ----  ---
      Net loss from discontinued operations......................... $(31) $(7)
                                                                     ====  ===
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) The allocation of interest expense to discontinued operations is based on
    the ratio of net assets of discontinued operations to Tenneco consolidated
    net assets plus debt.
 
Disposition of Assets
 
  In the second quarter of 1996, Tenneco Packaging entered into an agreement
to form a joint venture with Caraustar Industries whereby Tenneco Packaging
contributed its two recycled paperboard mills and recycling operation to the
joint venture in return for cash and an equity interest in the joint venture.
The Company recognized a $50 million pre-tax gain from the sale in the second
quarter of 1996.
 
  In 1995, the Company sold certain facilities and assets, principally at its
Tenneco Packaging segment. Proceeds from these dispositions were $56 million
resulting in a pre-tax net gain of $15 million.
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  During 1994, the Company disposed of several assets and investments
including a facility, machinery and equipment at Tenneco Packaging. Proceeds
from these dispositions were $16 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $5
million.
 
  During 1993, the Company disposed several Tenneco Packaging operations. The
proceeds from dispositions were $83 million and the pre-tax gain was $29
million.
 
7. LONG-TERM DEBT, SHORT-TERM DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
 
Long-Term Debt
 
  A summary of long-term debt outstanding and allocated corporate debt
obligations at December 31, 1995 and 1994, is set forth in the following table
(Note):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS)                                                       1995    1994
- ----------                                                      ------  ------
<S>                                                             <C>     <C>
Notes due 1996 through 2014, average effective interest rate
 10.9% in 1995 and 7.9% in 1994 (net of $32 million in 1995
 and $33 million in 1994 of unamortized discount).............  $   41  $   52
Other obligations due 1996 through 2007, average effective in-
 terest rate 8.8% in 1995 and
 8.4 % in 1994................................................      26      20
Current maturities............................................      (6)     (5)
                                                                ------  ------
                                                                    61      67
                                                                ------  ------
Allocated corporate debt obligations, average effective inter-
 est rate 7.7% in 1995 and 8.3% in 1994.......................   1,587     972
                                                                ------  ------
                                                                $1,648  $1,039
                                                                ======  ======
</TABLE>
Note: Reference is made to Note 5 for a discussion of allocated corporate debt
obligations.
 
  At December 31, 1995 and 1994, approximately $72 million and $154 million,
respectively, of gross plant, property and equipment was pledged as collateral
to secure $30 million and $31 million, respectively, principal amounts of
long-term debt.
 
  The aggregate maturities applicable to non-allocated issues outstanding at
December 31, 1995, are $6 million, $7 million, $6 million, $5 million and $6
million for 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively.
 
Short-Term Debt
 
  The Company uses lines of credit and overnight borrowings to finance its
short-term capital requirements. Information regarding short-term credit
agreements for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)                                                1995  1994
- ---------------------                                                ----  ----
<S>                                                                  <C>   <C>
Outstanding borrowings at end of year............................... $16   $ 22
Weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings at end of
 year............................................................... 6.8%   8.1%
Approximate maximum month-end outstanding borrowings during year.... $18   $163
Approximate average month-end outstanding borrowings during year.... $11   $ 53
</TABLE>
Note: Includes borrowings under both committed credit facilities and
uncommitted lines of credit and similar arrangements.
 
  The Company had other short-term borrowings outstanding of $17 million at
December 31, 1995, and $8 million at December 31, 1994 and was allocated
short-term corporate debt obligations of $345 million at December 31, 1995 and
$73 million at December 31, 1994.
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
Financing Arrangements
 
  As of December 31, 1995, the Company had arranged committed credit
facilities of $43 million of which approximately $12 million had been
utilized. The credit facilities have various terms and the Company is
generally required to pay commitment fees on the unused portion of the total
commitment and facility fees on the total commitment.
 
8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
  The carrying and estimated fair values of the Company's financial
instruments by class at December 31, 1995 and 1994, were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS)                                           1995            1994
- ----------                                      --------------  --------------
                                                CARRYING FAIR   CARRYING FAIR
ASSETS (LIABILITIES)                             AMOUNT  VALUE   AMOUNT  VALUE
- --------------------                            -------- -----  -------- -----
<S>                                             <C>      <C>    <C>      <C>
Asset and Liability Instruments
  Cash and temporary cash investments..........  $ 103   $ 103   $ 350   $ 350
  Receivables (customer, affiliated and long-
   term).......................................    484     484     348     348
  Accounts payable (trade and affiliated)......   (636)   (636)   (533)   (533)
  Short-term debt (excluding current maturi-
   ties) (Note)................................    (33)    (33)    (30)    (30)
  Long-term debt (including current maturities)
   (Note)......................................    (67)    (52)    (72)    (74)
Instruments With Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
  Derivative
    Foreign currency contracts.................      5       4      17      18
  Non-derivative
    Financial guarantees.......................     --     (15)     --     (20)
</TABLE>
 
Note: The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of short-term and long-
term debt are before allocation of corporate debt to the Company from Tenneco.
See Note 5.
 
Asset and Liability Instruments
 
  The fair value of cash and temporary cash investments, receivables, accounts
payable, and short-term debt in the above table was considered to be the same
as or was not determined to be materially different from the carrying amount.
At December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, the Company's aggregate customer
and long-term receivable balance was concentrated by industry segment as
follows: Tenneco Automotive, 77% and 76%, respectively, and Tenneco Packaging,
23% and 24%, respectively.
 
  Long-term debt--The fair value of fixed-rate long-term debt was based on the
market value of debt with similar maturities and interest rates.
 
Instruments With Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
 
 Derivative
 
  The Company utilizes foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge certain
translation effects of the Company's investment in net assets in certain
foreign affiliated companies. Pursuant to these arrangements, the Company
recognized aggregate after-tax translation gains (losses) of $3 million, $(2)
million and $5 million for 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively, which have been
included in the balance sheet caption "Combined equity."
 
  The Company routinely enters into various foreign currency forward purchase
and sale contracts to hedge the transaction effect of exchange rate movements
on receivables and payables denominated in foreign currencies. These foreign
currency contracts generally mature in one year or less.
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  In managing its foreign currency exposures, the Company identifies naturally
occurring offsetting positions and then hedges residual exposures. The
following table summarizes by major currency the contractual amounts of
foreign currency contracts utilized by the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         NOTIONAL AMOUNT
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                      1995           1994
                                                  ------------- ---------------
      (MILLIONS)                                  PURCHASE SELL PURCHASE  SELL
      ----------                                  -------- ---- -------- ------
      <S>                                         <C>      <C>  <C>      <C>
      Foreign currency contracts (in US$):
        Australian Dollars.......................   $  1   $202  $   94  $   26
        British Pounds...........................     81    125     277     964
        Canadian Dollars.........................     23     50      81      74
        French Francs............................     44     16      94      15
        U.S. Dollars.............................    240     81     244     377
        Other....................................    127     83     274     123
                                                    ----   ----  ------  ------
                                                    $516   $557  $1,064  $1,579
                                                    ====   ====  ======  ======
</TABLE>
 
  Based on exchange rates at December 31, 1995 and 1994, the cost of replacing
these contracts in the event of non-performance by the counterparties would
not have been material.
 
 Non-derivative
 
  Guarantees--At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company had guaranteed
payment and performance of approximately $15 million and $20 million,
respectively, primarily with respect to letters of credit and other guarantees
supporting various financing and operating activities.
 
9. INCOME TAXES
 
  The domestic and foreign components of income from continuing operations
before income taxes are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)                         1995 1994 1993
      ----------------------------------                         ---- ---- ----
      <S>                                                        <C>  <C>  <C>
      U.S. income before income taxes........................... $361 $242 $169
      Foreign income before income taxes........................  151  110  111
                                                                 ---- ---- ----
      Income before income taxes................................ $512 $352 $280
                                                                 ==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
 
  Following is a comparative analysis of the components of combined income tax
expense applicable to continuing operations:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)                        1995 1994  1993
      ----------------------------------                        ---- ----  ----
      <S>                                                       <C>  <C>   <C>
      Current--
        U.S.................................................... $ 54 $ 42  $ 58
        State and local........................................   38   23    21
        Foreign................................................   64   30    35
                                                                ---- ----  ----
                                                                 156   95   114
                                                                ---- ----  ----
      Deferred--
        U.S....................................................   61   31    (9)
        Foreign................................................   14  (12)   10
                                                                ---- ----  ----
                                                                  75   19     1
                                                                ---- ----  ----
      Income tax expense....................................... $231 $114  $115
                                                                ==== ====  ====
</TABLE>
 
  Current U.S. income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994
and 1993, include tax benefits of $53 million, $33 million and $32 million,
respectively, related to the allocation of corporate interest expense to the
Company from Tenneco. See Note 5.
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  Following is a reconciliation of income taxes computed at the statutory U.S.
federal income tax rate (35% for all years presented) to the income tax
expense reflected in the Combined Statements of Income:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)                             1995 1994  1993
- ----------------------------------                             ---- ----  ----
<S>                                                            <C>  <C>   <C>
Tax expense computed at the statutory U.S. federal income tax
 rate......................................................... $179 $123  $ 98
Increases (reductions) in income tax expense resulting from:
  Foreign income taxed at different rates and foreign losses
   with no tax benefit........................................   17  (12)    7
  State and local taxes on income, net of U.S. federal income
   tax benefit................................................   25   16    13
  U.S. federal income tax rate change.........................   --   --     2
  Realization of unrecognized deferred tax assets.............   --  (12)   --
  Other.......................................................   10   (1)   (5)
                                                               ---- ----  ----
Income tax expense............................................ $231 $114  $115
                                                               ==== ====  ====
</TABLE>
 
  The components of the Company's net deferred tax liability at December 31,
1995 and 1994, were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      (MILLIONS)                                                     1995  1994
      ----------                                                     ----  ----
      <S>                                                            <C>   <C>
      Deferred tax assets--
        Tax loss carryforwards...................................... $ 83  $ 76
        Postretirement benefits other than pensions.................   41    39
        Other.......................................................   31    54
        Valuation allowance.........................................  (83)  (72)
                                                                     ----  ----
        Net deferred tax asset......................................   72    97
                                                                     ----  ----
      Deferred tax liabilities--
        Tax over book depreciation..................................  204   163
        Pension.....................................................  158   146
        Book versus tax gains and losses on asset disposals.........   63    49
        Other.......................................................    7     8
                                                                     ----  ----
        Total deferred tax liability................................  432   366
                                                                     ----  ----
      Net deferred tax liability.................................... $360  $269
                                                                     ====  ====
</TABLE>
 
  As reflected by the valuation allowance in the table above, the Company had
potential tax benefits of $83 million and $72 million at December 31, 1995 and
1994, respectively, which were not recognized in the Combined Statements of
Income when generated. These benefits resulted primarily from foreign tax loss
carryforwards which are available to reduce future foreign tax liabilities. At
December 31, 1995, the Company had tax benefits of $83 million from foreign
net operating loss carryforwards which will carry forward indefinitely.
 
10. MINORITY INTEREST
 
  At both December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company reported minority interest
in the balance sheet of $301 million. At December 31, 1995, $293 million of
minority interest resulted from the December 1994 sale of a 25% preferred
stock interest in Tenneco International Holding Corp. ("TIHC") to a financial
investor. TIHC holds certain assets including the capital stock of Tenneco
Canada Inc., Monroe Europe N.V., Monroe Australia Proprietary Limited, Walker
France S.A. and other subsidiaries included in the Tenneco Automotive segment.
For financial reporting purposes, the assets, liabilities and earnings of TIHC
and its subsidiaries are combined in the Company's financial statements, and
the investor's preferred stock interest has been recorded as "Minority
interest" in the Combined Balance Sheets.
 
                                     F-18
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  Dividends on the TIHC preferred stock are based on the issue price ($300
million) times a rate per annum equal to 1.12% over LIBOR and are payable
quarterly in arrears on the last business day of each quarter commencing on
March 31, 1995. For 1995, the weighted average rate paid on TIHC preferred
stock was 7.30%. Additionally, beginning in 1996, the holder of the 12,000,000
shares of preferred stock will be entitled to receive, when and if declared by
the Board of Directors of TIHC, participating dividends based on the operating
income growth rate of TIHC. For financial reporting purposes, dividends paid
by TIHC to its financial investors have been recorded in the Company's
Combined Statements of Income as "Minority interest."
 
11. POSTRETIREMENT AND POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
 
Postretirement Benefits
 
  The Company's employees participate in Tenneco's postretirement health care
and life insurance plans which cover the Company's employees who meet certain
eligibility requirements. For salaried employees, the plans cover employees
retiring from the Company on or after attaining age 55 who have had at least
10 years service with the Company after attaining age 45. For hourly
employees, the postretirement benefit plans generally cover employees who
retire pursuant to one of the Company's hourly employee retirement plans. All
of these benefits may be subject to deductibles, co-payment provisions and
other limitations, and Tenneco or the Company, as applicable, has reserved the
right to change these benefits. Tenneco's postretirement benefit plans are not
funded.
 
  Generally, the Company will retain liabilities with respect to welfare
benefits of its current and former employees and their dependents in
connection with the Distributions.
 
  The funded status of the postretirement benefit plans reconciles with
amounts recognized in the balance sheet at December 31, 1995 and 1994, as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS)                                                         1995   1994
- ----------                                                         -----  -----
<S>                                                                <C>    <C>
Actuarial present value of accumulated postretirement benefit ob-
 ligation at September 30:
  Retirees.......................................................  $  82  $  76
  Fully eligible active plan participants........................     19     20
  Other active plan participants.................................     33     27
                                                                   -----  -----
Total accumulated postretirement benefit obligation..............    134    123
Plan assets at fair value at September 30........................     --     --
                                                                   -----  -----
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation in excess of plan
 assets at September 30..........................................   (134)  (123)
Claims paid during the fourth quarter............................      2      2
Unrecognized reduction of prior service obligations resulting
 from plan amendments............................................    (12)   (13)
Unrecognized net loss resulting from plan experience and changes
 in actuarial assumptions........................................     30     22
                                                                   -----  -----
Accrued postretirement benefit cost at December 31...............  $(114) $(112)
                                                                   =====  =====
</TABLE>
Note: The accrued postretirement benefit cost has been recorded based upon
certain actuarial estimates as described below. Those estimates are subject to
revision in future periods given new facts or circumstances.
 
                                     F-19
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The net periodic postretirement benefit cost from continuing operations for
the years 1995, 1994 and 1993 consist of the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS)                                                        1995  1994  1993
- ----------                                                        ----  ----  ----
<S>                                                               <C>   <C>   <C>
Service cost for benefits earned during the year................. $ 3   $ 4   $ 3
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation...  10    10     9
Net amortization of unrecognized amounts.........................  (1)   (1)   --
                                                                  ---   ---   ---
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost......................... $12   $13   $12
                                                                  ===   ===   ===
</TABLE>
 
  The initial weighted average assumed health care cost trend rate used in
determining the 1995, 1994 and 1993 accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation was 7%, 8% and 9%, respectively, declining to 5% in 1997 and
remaining at that level thereafter.
 
  Increasing the assumed health care cost trend rate by one percentage-point
in each year would increase the 1995, 1994 and 1993 accumulated postretirement
benefit obligations by approximately $12 million, $10 million and $12 million,
respectively, and would increase the aggregate of the service cost and
interest cost components of the net postretirement benefit cost for 1995, 1994
and 1993 by approximately $1 million, $1 million and $2 million, respectively.
 
  The discount rates (which are based on long-term market rates) used in
determining the 1995, 1994 and 1993 accumulated postretirement benefit
obligations were 7.75%, 8.25% and 7.50%, respectively.
 
Postemployment Benefits
 
  The Company adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment
Benefits," in the first quarter of 1994. This new accounting rule requires
employers to account for postemployment benefits for former or inactive
employees after employment but before retirement on the accrual basis rather
than the "pay-as-you-go" basis. Implementation of this new rule reduced 1994
net income by $7 million, net of income tax benefits of $5 million, which was
reported as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.
 
12. PENSION PLANS
 
  The Company has various defined benefit plans which cover substantially all
of its employees. Benefits are based on years of service and, for most
salaried employees, on final average compensation. The Company's funding
policies are to contribute to the plans amounts necessary to satisfy the
funding requirements of federal laws and regulations. Plan assets consist of
listed equity and fixed income securities. Certain employees of the Company
participate in the Tenneco Inc. Retirement Plan (the "TRP"). Also, included in
the table below are pension obligations and assets related to certain former
employees of Tenneco which the Company will retain after the distributions.
 
  The Company will become the sole sponsor of the TRP after the Distributions.
The benefits accrued by Tenneco and Newport News employees in the TRP will be
frozen as of the last day of the calendar month including the Distributions
and the Company will amend the TRP to provide that all benefits accrued
through that day are fully vested and non-forfeitable.
 
                                     F-20
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The funded status of the plans reconcile with amounts on the Combined
Balance Sheets at December 31, 1995 and 1994, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            PLANS IN
                          WHICH ASSETS    PLANS IN WHICH
                             EXCEED         ACCUMULATED
                           ACCUMULATED    BENEFITS EXCEED     ALL PLANS
                            BENEFITS          ASSETS           (NOTE)
                          --------------  ----------------  -------------- 
(MILLIONS)                 1995    1994    1995     1994     1995    1994
- ----------                ------  ------  -------  -------  ------  ------
<S>                       <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>    
Actuarial present value
 of benefits based on
 service to date and
 present pay levels at
 September 30:
  Vested benefit obliga-
   tion.................  $1,793  $1,672  $    35  $    24  $1,828  $1,696
  Non-vested benefit ob-
   ligation.............      38      31        4        2      42      33
                          ------  ------  -------  -------  ------  ------
  Accumulated benefit
   obligation...........  $1,831  $1,703  $    39  $    26  $1,870  $1,729
Additional amounts re-
 lated to projected sal-
 ary increases..........      72      63        3        4      75      67
                          ------  ------  -------  -------  ------  ------
Total projected benefit
 obligation at September
 30.....................  $1,903  $1,766  $    42  $    30  $1,945  $1,796
Plan assets at fair
 value at September 30..   2,233   1,968        8        9   2,241   1,977
                          ------  ------  -------  -------  ------  ------
Plan assets in excess of
 (less than) total pro-
 jected benefit obliga-
 tion at September 30...  $  330  $  202  $   (34) $   (21) $  296  $  181
Contributions during the
 fourth quarter.........       4      14       --       --       4      14
Unrecognized net loss
 resulting from plan ex-
 perience and changes in
 actuarial assumptions..     142     234        2        3     144     237
Unrecognized prior serv-
 ice obligations result-
 ing from plan amend-
 ments..................      75      81        1        1      76      82
Remaining unrecognized
 net obligation (asset)
 at initial application.     (80)    (96)       1        1     (79)    (95)
Adjustment recorded to
 recognize minimum lia-
 bility.................      --      --       (2)      (2)     (2)     (2)
                          ------  ------  -------  -------  ------  ------
Prepaid (accrued) pen-
 sion cost at December
 31.....................  $  471  $  435  $   (32) $   (18) $  439  $  417
                          ======  ======  =======  =======  ======  ======
</TABLE>
Note: Assets of one plan may not be utilized to pay benefits of other plans.
Additionally, the prepaid (accrued) pension cost has been recorded based upon
certain actuarial estimates as described below. Those estimates are subject to
revision in future periods given new facts or circumstances.
 
  Net periodic pension costs (income) from continuing operations for the years
1995, 1994 and 1993 consist of the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS)                                   1995         1994         1993
- ----------                                -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                       <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>
Service cost--benefits earned during the
 year...................................        $  23        $  29        $  20
Interest accrued on prior years pro-
 jected benefit obligation..............          144          110           60
Expected return on plan assets--
  Actual (return) loss..................  (387)          16         (151)
  Unrecognized excess (deficiency) of
   actual return over expected return...   188         (175)          53
                                          ----         ----         ----
                                                 (199)        (159)         (98)
Net amortization of unrecognized
 amounts................................           (3)           1           (7)
                                                -----        -----        -----
Net pension income......................        $ (35)       $ (19)       $ (25)
                                                =====        =====        =====
</TABLE>
 
  The weighted average discount rates (which are based on long-term market
rates) used in determining the 1995, 1994 and 1993 actuarial present value of
the benefit obligations were 7.8%, 8.3% and 7.5%, respectively.
 
                                     F-21
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The rate of increase in future compensation was 5.1%, 5.1% and 4.9% for 1995,
1994 and 1993, respectively. The weighted average expected long-term rate of
return on plan assets was 10% for 1995, 1994 and 1993.
 
13. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA INFORMATION
 
  The Company is a global manufacturer with the following business segments:
 
Tenneco Automotive
 
  Manufacture and sale of exhaust and ride control systems, for both the
original equipment and replacement markets.
 
Tenneco Packaging
 
  Manufacture and sale of packaging materials, cartons, containers and
specialty packaging products for consumer and commercial markets.
 
                                     F-22
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The following tables summarize certain segment and geographic information of
the Company's businesses (Note):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         SEGMENT
                                --------------------------
                                                             RECLASS.
                                                                AND
(MILLIONS)                      AUTOMOTIVE PACKAGING OTHER  ELIMINATION COMBINED
- ----------                      ---------- --------- -----  ----------- --------
<S>                             <C>        <C>       <C>    <C>         <C>
AT DECEMBER 31, 1995, AND FOR
 THE YEAR THEN ENDED
Net sales and operating
 revenues.....................    $2,479    $2,752   $  --     $(10)     $5,221
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
Operating profit..............       248       440      44       --         732
Equity in net income of
 affiliated companies.........         1        --      --       --           1
General corporate expenses....        (9)      (10)    (42)      --         (61)
                                  ------    ------   -----     ----      ------
Income before interest
 expense, income taxes and
 minority interest............       240       430       2       --         672
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
Identifiable assets...........     1,874     3,405     925      (94)      6,110
Investment in affiliated
 companies....................         3         4      --       --           7
                                  ------    ------   -----     ----      ------
  Total assets................     1,877     3,409     925      (94)      6,117
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
Depreciation, depletion and
 amortization.................        84       110       2       --         196
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
Capital expenditures for
continuing operations.........       208       316      38       --         562
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
AT DECEMBER 31, 1994, AND FOR
 THE YEAR THEN ENDED
Net sales and operating
 revenues.....................    $1,989    $2,184   $  --     $ (7)     $4,166
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
Operating profit..............       231       217      35       --         483
Equity in net income of
 affiliated companies.........        --        --      --       --          --
General corporate expenses....        (8)       (8)    (11)      --         (27)
                                  ------    ------   -----     ----      ------
Income before interest
 expense, income taxes and
 minority interest............       223       209      24       --         456
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
Identifiable assets...........     1,472     1,537   1,082     (156)      3,935
Investment in affiliated
 companies....................         2         3      --       --           5
                                  ------    ------   -----     ----      ------
  Total assets................     1,474     1,540   1,082     (156)      3,940
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
Depreciation, depletion and
 amortization.................        51        89       2       --         142
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
Capital expenditures for
continuing operations.........       113       166       1       --         280
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
AT DECEMBER 31, 1993, AND FOR
 THE YEAR THEN ENDED
Net sales and operating
 revenues.....................    $1,785    $2,042   $  --     $ (7)     $3,820
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
Operating profit..............       230       146      24       --         400
Equity in net income of
 affiliated companies.........        --         2      --       --           2
General corporate expenses....        (8)       (9)     (4)      --         (21)
                                  ------    ------   -----     ----      ------
Income before interest
 expense, income taxes and
 minority interest............       222       139      20       --         381
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
Identifiable assets...........       987     1,433     576      (46)      2,950
Investment in affiliated
 companies....................         4         6      --       --          10
Identifiable assets related to
 discontinued operations......        70        --      --       (1)         69
                                  ------    ------   -----     ----      ------
  Total assets................     1,061     1,439     576      (47)      3,029
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
Depreciation, depletion and
 amortization.................        52        83       2       --         137
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
Capital expenditures for
continuing operations.........        93       124      --       --         217
                                  ======    ======   =====     ====      ======
</TABLE>
Note: Included in "other" above is the operations of Tenneco Business Services
("TBS"). TBS designs, implements and administers shared administrative service
programs for the Company as well as other Tenneco business entities.
 
                                     F-23
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  GEOGRAPHIC AREA(B)
                            -------------------------------
                                                             RECLASS.
                            UNITED         EUROPEAN  OTHER      AND
(MILLIONS)                  STATES  CANADA  UNION   FOREIGN ELIMINATION COMBINED
- ----------                  ------  ------ -------- ------- ----------- --------
<S>                         <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>     <C>         <C>
AT DECEMBER 31, 1995, AND
 FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED
Net sales and operating
 revenues:
  Sales to unaffiliated
   customers..............  $3,683   $149   $1,140   $249      $ --      $5,221
  Transfers among geo-
   graphic areas(a).......      75     43       27     21      (166)         --
                            ------   ----   ------   ----      ----      ------
    Total.................   3,758    192    1,167    270      (166)      5,221
                            ======   ====   ======   ====      ====      ======
Operating profit..........     585     20      102     25        --         732
Equity in net income
 (loss) of affiliated
 companies................       1     --        1     (1)       --           1
General corporate ex-
 penses...................     (61)    --       --     --        --         (61)
                            ------   ----   ------   ----      ----      ------
Income before interest ex-
 pense, income taxes and
 minority interest........     525     20      103     24        --         672
                            ======   ====   ======   ====      ====      ======
Identifiable assets.......   4,664    207    1,077    241       (79)      6,110
Investment in affiliated
 companies................       3     --        2      2        --           7
                            ------   ----   ------   ----      ----      ------
    Total assets..........   4,667    207    1,079    243       (79)      6,117
                            ======   ====   ======   ====      ====      ======
AT DECEMBER 31, 1994, AND
 FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED
Net sales and operating
 revenues:
  Sales to unaffiliated
   customers..............  $3,143   $165   $  624   $234      $ --      $4,166
  Transfers among geo-
   graphic areas(a).......      72     36       39     30      (177)         --
                            ------   ----   ------   ----      ----      ------
    Total.................   3,215    201      663    264      (177)      4,166
                            ======   ====   ======   ====      ====      ======
Operating profit..........     376     31       47     29        --         483
Equity in net income
 (loss) of affiliated
 companies................       1     --       --     (1)       --          --
General corporate ex-
 penses...................     (27)    --       --     --        --         (27)
                            ------   ----   ------   ----      ----      ------
Income before interest ex-
 pense, income taxes and
 minority interest........     350     31       47     28        --         456
                            ======   ====   ======   ====      ====      ======
Identifiable assets.......   2,729    141    1,149     17      (101)      3,935
Investment in affiliated
 companies................       4     --       --      1        --           5
                            ------   ----   ------   ----      ----      ------
  Total assets............   2,733    141    1,149     18      (101)      3,940
                            ======   ====   ======   ====      ====      ======
</TABLE>
 
See Notes on following page.
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  GEOGRAPHIC AREA(B)
                            -------------------------------
                                                             RECLASS.
                            UNITED         EUROPEAN  OTHER      AND
(MILLIONS)                  STATES  CANADA  UNION   FOREIGN ELIMINATION COMBINED
- ----------                  ------  ------ -------- ------- ----------- --------
<S>                         <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>     <C>         <C>
AT DECEMBER 31, 1993, AND
 FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED
Net sales and operating
 revenues:
  Sales to unaffiliated
   customers..............  $2,875   $176    $569    $200      $ --      $3,820
  Transfers among geo-
   graphic areas(a).......      67     32      35      19      (153)         --
                            ------   ----    ----    ----      ----      ------
    Total.................   2,942    208     604     219      (153)      3,820
                            ======   ====    ====    ====      ====      ======
Operating profit..........     293     28      56      23        --         400
Equity in net income of
 affiliated companies.....       1     --       1      --        --           2
General corporate ex-
 penses...................     (21)    --      --      --        --         (21)
                            ------   ----    ----    ----      ----      ------
Income before interest ex-
 pense, income taxes and
 minority interest........     273     28      57      23        --         381
                            ======   ====    ====    ====      ====      ======
Identifiable assets.......   2,154    111     583     139       (37)      2,950
Investment in affiliated
 companies................       5     --       2       3        --          10
Identifiable assets re-
 lated to discontinued op-
 erations.................      54     15       1      --        (1)         69
                            ------   ----    ----    ----      ----      ------
    Total assets..........   2,213    126     586     142       (38)      3,029
                            ======   ====    ====    ====      ====      ======
</TABLE>
Notes: (a) Products are transferred between geographic areas on a basis
intended to reflect as nearly as possible the "market value" of the products.
  (b) As reflected above, the Company's segments principally market their
products and services in the United States, with significant sales in the
European Union and other foreign countries.
 
  The Company is engaged in the sale of products for export from the United
States. Such sales are reflected in the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   (MILLIONS)
 GEOGRAPHIC AREA                PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS               1995 1994 1993
 ---------------    ------------------------------------------   ---- ---- ----
 <C>                <S>                                          <C>  <C>  <C>
 Canada             Paperboard products, molded and pressed      $ 87 $ 75 $ 80
                    pulp goods, corrugated boxes, aluminum and
                    plastics
 European Union     Molded and pressed pulp goods, paperboard     145   21   22
                    products, corrugated boxes, aluminum and
                    plastics
 Other Foreign      Ride control systems, molded and pressed      110   49   45
                    pulp goods, paperboard products,
                    corrugated boxes, aluminum and plastics
                                                                 ---- ---- ----
 Total Export Sales                                              $342 $145 $147
                                                                 ==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
 
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Capital Commitments
 
  The Company estimates that expenditures aggregating approximately $567
million will be required after December 31, 1995, to complete facilities and
projects authorized at such date, and substantial commitments have been made
in connection therewith.
 
                                     F-25
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
Lease Commitments
 
  The Company holds certain of its facilities and equipment under long-term
leases. The minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases
with lease terms in excess of one year are $134 million, $128 million, $128
million, $117 million and $121 million for the years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
and 2000, respectively, and $917 million for subsequent years. Of these
amounts, $81 million for 1996, $84 million for 1997, $93 million for 1998, $86
million for 1999, $92 million for 2000 and $689 million for subsequent years
are lease payment commitments to GECC, John Hancock, Metropolitan Life and
others (collectively, the "Lessors") for assets purchased by these companies
from Georgia-Pacific in January 1991 and leased to Tenneco Packaging.
 
  The Company has the right to purchase from the Lessors the various leased
assets under certain conditions as specified in the agreements. In the event
the purchase options are not exercised, and that no event of default, as
defined, exists at the renewal dates, the Company also has the right to extend
the various lease terms on a basis set forth in the agreements. Throughout the
lease terms, the Company is required to maintain the leased properties which
includes reforestation of the timberlands harvested.
 
  Commitments under capital leases were not significant to the accompanying
combined financial statements. Total rental expense for continuing operations
for the years 1995, 1994 and 1993, was $171 million, $161 million and $131
million, respectively, including minimum rentals under non-cancelable
operating leases of $148 million, $143 million and $138 million for the
corresponding periods.
 
  Tenneco Packaging's various lease agreements require that it comply with
certain covenants and restrictions, including financial ratios that, among
other things, place limitations on incurring additional "funded debt" as
defined by the agreements. Under the provisions of the lease agreements, in
order to incur funded debt, Tenneco Packaging must maintain a pretax cash flow
coverage ratio, as defined, on a cumulative four quarter basis of a minimum of
2.0, subsequently modified to 1.25 through December 31, 1995. Tenneco
Packaging was in compliance with all of its covenants at December 31, 1995.
 
Litigation
 
  The legal entities which comprise the Company are parties to various legal
proceedings arising from their operations. Management believes that the
outcome of these proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will have no
material effect on the financial position or results of operations of the
Company.
 
Environmental Matters
 
  The Company is subject to a variety of environmental and pollution control
laws and regulations in all jurisdictions in which it operates. The potential
costs related to the Company for various environmental matters are uncertain
due to such factors as the unknown magnitude of possible cleanup costs, the
complexity and evolving nature of governmental laws and regulations and their
interpretations, and the timing, varying costs and effectiveness of
alternative cleanup technologies. Liabilities recorded by the Company for
environmental contingencies are estimates of probable costs based upon
available information and assumptions. Because of these uncertainties,
however, the Company's estimates may change. The Company believes that any
additional costs identified as further information becomes available would not
have a material effect on the financial position or results of operations of
the Company.
 
                                     F-26
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
15. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          CUMULATIVE
                                    INCOME BEFORE                         EFFECT OF
                                      INTEREST                LOSS FROM   CHANGE IN
                          NET SALES   EXPENSE,      INCOME   DISCONTINUED ACCOUNTING
                             AND    INCOME TAXES     FROM     OPERATIONS  PRINCIPLE,
 QUARTER                  OPERATING AND MINORITY  CONTINUING    NET OF      NET OF    NET
(MILLIONS)                REVENUES    INTEREST    OPERATIONS  INCOME TAX  INCOMETAX  INCOME
- ----------                --------- ------------- ---------- ------------ ---------- ------
<S>                       <C>       <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>
1996 1st................   $1,539       $161         $ 60        $ --        $--      $ 60
  2nd...................    1,694        253          118          --         --       118
                           ------       ----         ----        ----        ---      ----
                           $3,233       $414         $178        $ --        $--      $178
                           ======       ====         ====        ====        ===      ====
1995 1st................   $1,237       $177         $ 76        $ --        $--      $ 76
  2nd...................    1,340        201           92          --         --        92
  3rd...................    1,263        173           73          --         --        73
  4th...................    1,381        121           17          --         --        17
                           ------       ----         ----        ----        ---      ----
                           $5,221       $672         $258        $ --        $--      $258
                           ======       ====         ====        ====        ===      ====
1994 1st................   $  954       $ 78         $ 51        $ (2)       $(7)     $ 42
  2nd...................    1,071        125           45         (23)        --        22
  3rd...................    1,071        149          117          --         --       117
  4th...................    1,070        104           25          (6)        --        19
                           ------       ----         ----        ----        ---      ----
                           $4,166       $456         $238        $(31)       $(7)     $200
                           ======       ====         ====        ====        ===      ====
</TABLE>
Notes: Reference is made to Notes 3, 4 and 6 and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" for items affecting
quarterly results.
 
 
      The preceding notes are an integral part of the foregoing financial
                                  statements.
 
                                     F-27
<PAGE>
 
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Board of Directors
Mobil Oil Corporation
 
  We have audited the accompanying combined statement of net assets of the
Mobil Plastics Division of Mobil Oil Corporation (the "Division") as of
November 17, 1995 and December 28, 1994 and the related combined statements of
operations before income taxes, changes in net assets and cash flows for the
period December 29, 1994 to November 17, 1995 and the year ended December 28,
1994. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Division's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  As described in Note 1, the accompanying financial statements were prepared
to present the net assets and operations before income taxes of the Division,
which does not have a separate legal status or existence, and are not intended
to be a complete presentation of the assets and liabilities or the results of
operations of Mobil Oil Corporation.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the combined net assets of the Division at November
17, 1995 and December 28, 1994 and the combined results of its operations
before income taxes and its cash flows before income taxes for the period
December 29, 1994 to November 17, 1995 and the year ended December 28, 1994 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
 
Buffalo, New York
August 9, 1996
 
                                     F-28
<PAGE>
 
                MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL OIL CORPORATION
 
                        COMBINED STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NOVEMBER 17, DECEMBER 28,
                                                           1995         1994
                                                       ------------ ------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>
Current assets:
  Accounts receivable--net............................   $114,219     $102,930
  Inventories.........................................     92,492       73,785
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets...........      1,232          552
                                                         --------     --------
Total current assets..................................    207,943      177,267
Properties, plants and equipment--net.................    330,269      306,078
Assets held for sale..................................      4,263        9,160
                                                         --------     --------
Total assets..........................................    542,475      492,505
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable....................................     53,788       53,503
  Accrued restructuring charges.......................      5,575       28,837
  Accrued expenses--other.............................     57,860       81,571
                                                         --------     --------
Total current liabilities.............................    117,223      163,911
                                                         --------     --------
Net assets............................................   $425,252     $328,594
                                                         ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
 
                  See notes to combined financial statements.
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>
 
                MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL OIL CORPORATION
 
              COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  FOR THE PERIOD     FOR THE
                                                 DECEMBER 29, 1994  YEAR ENDED
                                                        TO         DECEMBER 28,
                                                 NOVEMBER 17, 1995     1994
                                                 ----------------- ------------
<S>                                              <C>               <C>
Net sales.......................................     $994,686       $1,035,884
Other operating revenue.........................        1,028            1,050
                                                     --------       ----------
                                                      995,714        1,036,934
Operating expenses:
  Cost of goods sold............................      625,330          665,150
  Selling, distribution, general and administra-
   tive.........................................      259,323          281,544
  Research and development......................        7,879            8,612
  Restructuring and other charges...............        9,267           77,716
                                                     --------       ----------
                                                      901,799        1,033,022
                                                     --------       ----------
Operating income................................       93,915            3,912
Other income....................................        6,000              695
                                                     --------       ----------
Income before income taxes......................     $ 99,915       $    4,607
                                                     ========       ==========
</TABLE>
 
 
                  See notes to combined financial statements.
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>
 
                MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL OIL CORPORATION
 
                  COMBINED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                   <C>
Excess of combined assets over liabilities at December 29, 1993...... $ 432,150
Income before income taxes...........................................     4,607
Net change in foreign currency translation adjustment................      (239)
Net change in parent company advances................................  (107,924)
                                                                      ---------
Excess of combined assets over liabilities at December 28, 1994......   328,594
Income before income taxes...........................................    99,915
Net change in foreign currency transaction adjustment................      (179)
Net change in parent company advances................................    (3,078)
                                                                      ---------
Excess of combined assets over liabilities at November 17, 1995...... $ 425,252
                                                                      =========
</TABLE>
 
 
 
                  See notes to combined financial statements.
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>
 
                MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL OIL CORPORATION
 
                        COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      PERIOD ENDED  YEAR ENDED
                                                      NOVEMBER 17, DECEMBER 28,
                                                          1995         1994
                                                      ------------ ------------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Income before income taxes..........................    $99,915      $  4,607
Adjustments to reconcile income before income taxes
 to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation......................................     34,538        42,184
  Write down of properties, plants, equipment and
   inventory as a result of restructuring program...      4,842        34,386
  Gain (loss) on disposal of machinery and equip-
   ment.............................................        (20)        3,005
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable--net........................    (11,289)      (11,605)
    Inventories.....................................    (18,707)       52,431
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets.......       (680)        5,056
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses...........    (23,426)        9,749
    Accrued restructuring charges...................    (23,262)       28,837
    Other...........................................        197           462
                                                        -------      --------
Cash provided by operating activities...............     62,108       169,112
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures................................    (63,858)      (63,031)
Proceeds from sale of machinery and equipment.......      4,828         1,843
                                                        -------      --------
Cash used in investing activities...................    (59,030)      (61,188)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Change in parent company investment.................     (3,078)     (107,924)
                                                        -------      --------
Cash used in financing activities...................     (3,078)     (107,924)
                                                        -------      --------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents.............         --            --
Cash and cash equivalents:
  Beginning of period...............................         --            --
                                                        -------      --------
  End of period.....................................    $    --      $     --
                                                        =======      ========
</TABLE>
 
                  See notes to combined financial statements.
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>
 
               MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL OIL CORPORATION
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
  The accompanying combined financial statements present, on a historical cost
basis, the combined assets, liabilities, revenue and expense related to the
Mobil Plastics Division of Mobil Oil Corporation ("The Division" or the
"Plastics Division") as of November 17, 1995 and December 28, 1994. These
statements are presented as if the Division had existed as a separate entity
during the periods presented. Transactions between the businesses included in
these statements have been eliminated.
 
  On November 17, 1995, substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the
Division were purchased by Tenneco Inc. pursuant to the Asset Purchase
Agreement dated October 1, 1995 among Mobil Oil Corporation, Mobil Chemical
Canada, Ltd. and Tenneco Inc. (the "agreement"). In accordance with the
agreement, certain assets and liabilities of the Division were retained by
Mobil Oil Corporation; however, with the exception of income taxes, these
assets and liabilites are included in the accompanying combined financial
statements.
 
  The combined financial statements include the financial position and results
of operations of the Plastics Packaging and Consumer Products business groups,
which, prior to the sale to Tenneco Inc., were 100% owned by Mobil Corporation
("Mobil") through the legal entity, Mobil Oil Corporation ("Mobil Oil"). These
business groups have been organized as part of a division of Mobil Chemical
Company ("Mobil Chemical"), which is an operating entity of Mobil Oil.
 
  The Division incurs certain common costs which relate to both the Division
and other Mobil Chemical operations, and management has made allocations of
these costs to the Division. Also, in order to prepare these combined
financial statements, management has made certain allocations of liabilities
to the Division. Management of Mobil Chemical believes such allocations are
reasonable; however, the amounts could differ from amounts that would be
determined if the Division were operated on a stand-alone basis.
 
  Net assets reflect Mobil's historical cost basis investment in the Division,
accumulated earnings and losses of the Division, cumulative exchange
translation adjustments and intercompany activity with Mobil and other
affiliates which are not settled on a current basis.
 
  Income taxes have been excluded from the accompanying combined financial
statements as the responsibility for such taxes is being retained by Mobil
Oil.
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
  All cash and cash equivalents are transferred to Mobil Oil Corporation
through the intercompany account on a current basis and, with the exception of
petty cash, are excluded from assets on the accompanying combined statements
of net assets. The Division is part of a centralized cash management system of
Mobil Oil, whereby all cash disbursements of the Division are funded by, and
all cash receipts are transferred to, Mobil Oil.
 
Inventories
 
  Inventories are stated at cost, but not in excess of market. The cost of
substantially all product inventories is determined by the last-in, first-out
(LIFO) method. The cost of maintenance and supplies inventories is determined
by the first-in, first-out method.
 
Properties, Plants and Equipment
 
  Properties, plants and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is
computed principally using the straight-line and various accelerated methods
over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from 3 years to 11
 
                                     F-33
<PAGE>
 
               MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL OIL CORPORATION
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
years for machinery and equipment, and 25 years to 32 years for land
improvements and buildings. Expenditures for renewals and improvements that
extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Expenditures for routine
repairs and maintenance are charged to operations when incurred. Property
items retired or otherwise disposed of are removed from the property and
related accumulated depreciation accounts. Any profit or loss is included in
operations.
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
  Financial statements for the Canadian operations are translated into U.S.
dollars at period-end exchange rates as to assets and liabilities and weighted
average exchange rates as to revenues and expenses. The resulting translation
adjustments are recorded as part of net assets.
 
Use of Estimates
 
  The financial statements, which are prepared in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles, include amounts that are based, in part, on
management's best estimates and judgments.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
  The Division recognizes revenue at the point of passage of title, which is
at the time of shipment to the customer.
 
Promotional Programs
 
  The Division accrues for the costs of promotional programs, including cents-
off coupons and other trade related programs, at the time the program is made
available to customers. Any adjustments between the original estimate and
ultimate costs are recorded as a change in estimate in the period known. This
change in estimate in 1995 resulted in a reduction of expense of approximately
$9 million.
 
Environmental Liabilities
 
  The estimated future costs for known environmental remediation requirements
are accrued when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the
amount of remediation costs can be reasonably estimated. These amounts are the
undiscounted future estimated costs under existing regulatory requirements and
using existing technology.
 
Allocation of Expenses
 
  The Division shares certain services with other related business groups at
the Divisional level. Services are also performed by Mobil Chemical, Mobil Oil
and Mobil Corporation. These services are allocated to the Plastics Division
primarily on the basis of estimated usage of services. A summary of the
services and the amounts allocated to the Division are described in Note 10.
 
3. OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
  The Division is comprised of two primary business groups, Plastics Packaging
and Consumer Products. Plastics Packaging serves food service, supermarkets
and industrial segments while Consumer Products serves the packaged goods
segment of the retail industry. The Division's products include waste bags,
tableware, food bags, food service disposables, meat trays, clear containers,
grocery sacks and stretch film. The Division operates ten manufacturing
facilities in the United States and one in Canada. These facilities consist of
six polyethylene and five polystyrene fabricating plants. The Division
primarily markets its products to customers in North America. There are no
further geographic concentrations of customers, and, generally, collateral is
not required.
 
                                     F-34
<PAGE>
 
               MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL OIL CORPORATION
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
4. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
  Accounts receivable consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NOVEMBER 17, DECEMBER 28,
                                                           1995         1994
                                                       ------------ ------------
                                                              (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>
Accounts receivable--trade............................   $112,239     $101,911
Other receivables.....................................      3,067        2,108
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts.................     (1,087)      (1,089)
                                                         --------     --------
                                                         $114,219     $102,930
                                                         ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
5. INVENTORIES
 
  Major classes of inventories are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NOVEMBER 17, DECEMBER 28,
                                                           1995         1994
                                                       ------------ ------------
                                                              (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>
Raw material..........................................   $ 25,068     $24,443
In-process............................................     12,740      10,637
Finished product......................................     84,752      63,866
                                                         --------     -------
Product inventory at current cost.....................    122,560      98,946
Less: LIFO and other product inventory reserves.......    (43,895)    (44,893)
                                                         --------     -------
                                                           78,665      54,053
Other material and supplies...........................      6,427       6,274
Maintenance...........................................      7,400      13,458
                                                         --------     -------
                                                         $ 92,492     $73,785
                                                         ========     =======
</TABLE>
 
  As a result of the decrease in the level of inventories in 1994, a LIFO
layer liquidation occurred. The impact of the liquidation was approximately a
$7,340 thousand decrease to cost of goods sold for the year ended December 28,
1994. The reduction to cost of goods sold consists of a decrease of $8,640
thousand for the Consumer Products business group which is offset by an
increase of $1,300 thousand for the Plastics Packaging business group.
 
6. PROPERTIES, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT
 
  Major classes of properties, plants and equipment are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NOVEMBER 17, DECEMBER 28,
                                                           1995         1994
                                                       ------------ ------------
                                                              (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>
Land and land improvements............................  $  17,185    $  17,092
Buildings.............................................    112,218      111,262
Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures..........    591,343      561,596
Construction in progress..............................     50,642       31,580
                                                        ---------    ---------
Properties, plants and equipment--gross...............    771,388      721,530
Less accumulated depreciation.........................   (441,119)    (415,452)
                                                        ---------    ---------
Properties, plants and equipment--net.................  $ 330,269    $ 306,078
                                                        =========    =========
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-35
<PAGE>
 
               MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL OIL CORPORATION
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
7. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
 
  As part of the Division's reengineering program, as described in Note 15,
the Division closed two manufacturing plants and eliminated unprofitable
product lines which resulted in either the sale or disposal of the related
machinery and equipment. The restructuring charge recorded in 1995 and 1994
includes $4,713 thousand and $28,581 thousand to write-down the two plants,
machinery and equipment to their estimated realizable value. These items had
an original cost of approximately $108,700 thousand and accumulated
depreciation of approximately $66,000 thousand prior to the restructuring
charge. The Washington, New Jersey plant was closed in September 1994, and the
Woodland, California plant was closed in March 1995. The items that have not
been sold or disposed of are included as assets held for sale in the
accompanying combined statement of net assets at management's estimate of the
realizable value.
 
8. ACCRUED EXPENSES--OTHER
 
  Accrued expenses--other consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NOVEMBER 17, DECEMBER 28,
                                                           1995         1994
                                                       ------------ ------------
                                                              (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>
Promotional programs..................................   $28,861      $42,139
Vacation..............................................     6,752        7,993
Quantity discounts....................................     5,791        7,150
Freight...............................................     4,847        6,965
Sales force and other bonuses.........................     2,624        2,331
Benefits..............................................     2,310        3,442
Commissions...........................................     1,421        1,671
Relocation costs......................................     1,152          873
Sales and use tax.....................................     1,042          674
Workers compensation insurance........................       965        2,230
Insurance programs....................................       769          773
Advertising...........................................       446        1,219
Property taxes........................................       221          904
Salaries..............................................        --        2,067
Other accrued expenses................................       659        1,140
                                                         -------      -------
                                                         $57,860      $81,571
                                                         =======      =======
</TABLE>
 
9 FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
 
  The cumulative currency translation adjustment included in net assets
consists of the following unrealized gain (loss):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     (THOUSANDS)
                                                                     -----------
<S>                                                                  <C>
Balance at December 29, 1993........................................   $  (770)
  Exchange adjustments..............................................      (239)
                                                                       -------
Balance at December 28, 1994........................................    (1,009)
  Exchange adjustments..............................................      (179)
                                                                       -------
Balance at November 17, 1995........................................   $(1,188)
                                                                       =======
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-36
<PAGE>
 
               MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL OIL CORPORATION
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
  Mobil Chemical Company, Mobil Oil Corporation, and Mobil Corporation have
provided the Plastics Division with various administrative and financial
services. Mobil Chemical Company services include computer systems,
accounting, legal and purchasing functions. Mobil Oil Corporation and Mobil
Corporation services include computer mainframe and networking charges,
payroll and employee benefits administration, health, safety and environmental
compliance programs, and plastics industry trade dues. It is Mobil's policy to
allocate centrally incurred costs primarily on the basis of usage or on
estimated time spent. Management believes these allocations and charges have
been made on a reasonable basis; however, they are not necessarily indicative
of the level of expenses which might have been incurred had the Division been
operating as a stand-alone entity.
 
  Charges allocated to the Division from the above-mentioned sources amounted
to approximately $21,110 thousand and $24,980 thousand for the period December
29, 1994 to November 17, 1995 and the year ended December 28, 1994,
respectively. In addition to the above charges, the Division is allocated a
surcharge based on payroll for various employee benefits, including those
mandated by statute. For U.S. operations these charges amounted to $36,606
thousand and $46,591 thousand, and for Canadian operations these charges
amounted to $502 thousand and $610 thousand for the periods ended November 17,
1995 and December 28, 1994, respectively. In addition, workers' compensation
costs were allocated to the Division from Mobil Oil based on payroll, state
mandated rates, and experience ratings. Workers' compensation costs allocated
to the Division for the periods ended November 17, 1995 and December 28, 1994,
amounted to approximately $4,811 thousand and $7,300 thousand, respectively.
 
  The Division obtains general liability and fire and extended property
insurance coverage from a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mobil Corporation. The
Division is self-insured up to deductible limits; these limits for fire and
extended property insurance were increased effective January 1, 1995.
Insurance premiums charged to the Division were approximately $382 thousand
and $801 thousand for the periods ended November 17, 1995 and December 28,
1994, respectively.
 
  The Division purchased approximately 7% and 10% of its polyethylene resin
raw material from Mobil affiliates during the period ended November 17, 1995
and the year ended December 28, 1994, respectively. These purchases, which
were made at market rates, amounted to approximately $12,240 thousand and
$16,600 thousand for the periods ended November 17, 1995 and December 28,
1994, respectively.
 
11. DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLANS
 
  The majority of the Division's U.S. employees are covered by funded
noncontributory pension plans sponsored by Mobil Oil. These plans are
primarily final average pay plans. Funding for these plans, at the Corporate
level, is based on the projected unit credit actuarial cost method. The assets
of these plans consist primarily of equity and fixed income securities.
 
  The Division receives an intercompany allocation of pension costs from Mobil
or its subsidiaries. The net pension obligation is maintained on Mobil's books
and no amount has been included in the accompanying combined statement of net
assets for the Division's share of the obligation.
 
  Net pension costs allocated by Mobil Oil to the Plastics Division
approximated a credit of $983 thousand for the period December 29, 1994 to
November 17, 1995 and a charge of $4,619 thousand for the year ended December
28, 1994. Amounts allocated are principally determined based on payroll. These
credits and charges are included in the payroll surcharge amount disclosed in
Note 10.
 
                                     F-37
<PAGE>
 
               MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL OIL CORPORATION
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
11. DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLANS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The Division also provides retirement benefits for its Canadian employees
under pension plans sponsored by a Canadian subsidiary of Mobil Corporation.
Net pension costs allocated to the Plastics Division amounted to approximately
$99 thousand and $170 thousand for the periods ended November 17, 1995 and
December 28, 1994, respectively. These charges are included in the payroll
surcharge amount disclosed in Note 10.
 
  In accordance with certain reporting requirements, actuarial valuations for
the defined benefit retirement plans are performed on an annual basis. Mobil
Oil performed actuarial valuations as of December 31, 1995 and 1994. The
primary assumptions used for the U.S. and Canadian plans actuarial valuations
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        YEAR ENDED   YEAR ENDED
                                                       DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 28,
                                                           1995         1994
                                                       ------------ ------------
                                                                Percent
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>
Discount rate.........................................   7.0--7.3     7.5--8.5
Rate of salary increase...............................   4.0--5.3     4.0--5.6
Expected return on plan assets........................   8.7--9.0     8.2--8.5
</TABLE>
 
12. OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
  The Division, through Mobil Oil, provides certain health care and life
insurance benefits for U.S. retired employees who meet eligibility
requirements. The cost of these benefits is allocated to the Division by Mobil
Oil. The net obligation for these benefits is maintained by Mobil Oil and no
amount has been recorded in the accompanying combined statement of net assets
for the Division's share of the obligation. Premium costs are shared on a
plan-by-plan basis between Mobil Oil and the participants. Postretirement
health care benefits are provided both before and after eligibility for
Medicare. The life insurance plans provide for a single lump-sum payment to a
designated beneficiary.
 
  Charges for postretirement health care and life insurance plans allocated to
the Division by Mobil Oil were $951 thousand and $3,460 thousand for the
period December 28, 1994 to November 17, 1995 and the year ended December 28,
1994, respectively. Amounts allocated are principally determined based on the
Division's payroll and the number of employees. These charges are included in
the payroll surcharge amount disclosed in Note 10.
 
  In accordance with certain reporting requirements, actuarial valuations for
postretirement health care and life insurance plans are performed on an annual
basis. Mobil Oil performed actuarial valuations as of December 31, 1995 and
1994.
 
  The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation is based on a weighted-
average assumed discount rate of 7% and 8.5% as of December 31, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. At December 31, 1995, the health care cost trend used to
calculate the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation is 9.7% for 1996,
and is assumed to decrease generally over 9 years to 5.5%. At December 31,
1994, the health care cost trend rate was assumed to be 10.3% for 1995,
declining to 5.5% after 10 years. The effect of a one percentage point
increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate for each year would
increase the Division's postretirement benefit charge by approximately 15%.
 
  Mobil Corporation's policy is to make contributions to funded plans and
provide book reserves for unfunded plans.
 
  The Division does not provide postretirement benefits for its Canadian
employees because they are covered primarily by local government programs.
 
 
                                     F-38
<PAGE>
 
               MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL OIL CORPORATION
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
13. EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLAN
 
  The Division, through Mobil Oil, sponsors an Employee Savings Plan, which
covers most U.S. employees. The Plan includes a savings plan, which consists
primarily of an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and a 401(k) plan. The
ESOP consists of contributions made by Mobil Oil of 4% of eligible employees'
annual base salary. The 401(k) plan consists of Mobil Oil's contribution of 2%
of eligible employees' annual base salary and employee contributions of 1% to
10% of their base salary subject to IRS limitations. Mobil Oil contributions
to the ESOP are invested in Mobil ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock. Employee
contributions to the savings plan are invested at the employees' discretion in
Mobil Corporation common stock or a variety of mutual funds. The Division was
charged approximately $4,348 thousand and $6,506 thousand for the period
December 29, 1994 to November 17, 1995 and the year ended December 28, 1994,
respectively, for their allocated costs of these plans. These charges are
included in the payroll surcharge amount disclosed in Note 10.
 
  The Division also sponsors, through a Canadian subsidiary of Mobil
Corporation, an Employee Savings Plan for its Canadian employees. For salaried
employees the plan consists of a 3-5% contribution by Mobil (depending on
years of service). This contribution is made only if an employee also
contributes a minimum of 5%. An employee may contribute up to 25% of their
salary. For non-salaried workers the employee has a choice of 2% of additional
wages, or a 2% contribution to the Savings Plan. All contributions are
invested at the employees' discretion in Mobil Corporation common stock or a
variety of mutual funds. Employee Savings Plan contributions allocated to the
Division amounted to approximately $65 thousand and $73 thousand for the
periods ended November 17, 1995 and December 28, 1994, respectively. These
charges are included in the payroll surcharge amount disclosed in Note 10.
 
14. LEASE COMMITMENTS AND RENTALS
 
  The Division rents certain property and equipment under various operating
leases. Total rental expense for the period December 29, 1994 to November 17,
1995 and the year ended December 28, 1994, amounted to approximately $3,518
thousand and $8,169 thousand, respectively.
 
  Future minimum lease payments under all non-cancelable operating leases
having a remaining term in excess of one year are as follows for the next five
calendar years:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     (THOUSANDS)
                                                                     -----------
<S>                                                                  <C>
1996................................................................   $2,098
1997................................................................    1,415
1998................................................................      930
1999................................................................       --
2000................................................................       --
</TABLE>
 
15. RESTRUCTURING CHARGE
 
  During 1994, the Division implemented a major reengineering program intent
on reducing the Division's cost structure through a comprehensive redesign of
operating practices and major business processes. The program included the
closing of two manufacturing plants, equipment consolidation, elimination of
unprofitable product lines, closure of outside warehouses, and manpower
reductions made possible by improved processes and consolidating accounting
and other administrative functions. As a result of the reengineering program,
the Division's headcount was reduced by approximately 25% or 1,200 positions.
 
  Included in operating results is a charge of $7,267 and $74,809 thousand
relating to the cost of this program for the period December 29, 1994 to
November 17, 1995 and for the year ended December 28, 1994, respectively.
 
                                     F-39
<PAGE>
 
               MOBIL PLASTICS DIVISION OF MOBIL OIL CORPORATION
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
15. RESTRUCTURING CHARGE--(CONTINUED)
 
  The restructuring charge consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      NOVEMBER 17, DECEMBER 28,
                                                          1995         1994
                                                      ------------ ------------
                                                             (THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>
Employee severance packages.........................     $1,102      $37,375
Write-down of equipment and inventory and related
 costs of discontinued product lines................      3,896       27,190
Charges to record closed manufacturing facilities at
 estimated realizable value and related closure and
 selling costs......................................        946        9,113
Other...............................................      1,323        1,131
                                                         ------      -------
                                                         $7,267      $74,809
                                                         ======      =======
</TABLE>
 
  The Division's combined statements of net assets includes accruals for
restructuring of $5,575 thousand and $28,837 thousand at November 17, 1995 and
December 28, 1994, respectively. These accruals consist primarily of employee
severance packages which are paid on an ongoing basis; it is anticipated that
payments relating to this program will be completed in 1996.
 
  The Division also incurred consulting charges relating to the restructuring
program of $2,000 thousand and $2,907 thousand for the period December 29,
1994 to November 17, 1995 and the year ended December 28, 1994, respectively.
 
16. CONTINGENCIES
 
Environmental Matters
 
  The Division is subject to loss contingencies pursuant to various federal,
state and local environmental laws and regulations. These include possible
obligations to remove or mitigate the effects on the environment of the
placement, storage, disposal or release of certain chemical or other
substances by the Division or by other parties.
 
  The Division is not aware of any significant environmental obligations and
accordingly has not made any provisions for such obligations related to its
current operating facilities. The Division may, in the future, be involved in
environmental assessments or clean-ups. While the ultimate requirement for any
such remediation, and its cost, is presently not known, the management of the
Division does not expect these costs, based upon currently known information
and existing requirements, to have a material adverse effect on its net assets
and future operating results.
 
17. PATENT INFRINGEMENT SETTLEMENT
 
  In March 1995 the Division received a $6,000 thousand settlement relating to
a patent infringement suit. This amount is recorded as other income during the
period ended November 17, 1995.
 
                                     F-40
<PAGE>
 
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEW TENNECO
 
                 SCHEDULE II--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                   (MILLIONS)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COLUMN A                   COLUMN B        COLUMN C         COLUMN D  COLUMN E
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ADDITIONS
                                     ---------------------
                          BALANCE AT CHARGED TO CHARGED TO            BALANCE
                          BEGINNING  COSTS AND    OTHER                AT END
DESCRIPTION                OF YEAR    EXPENSES   ACCOUNTS  DEDUCTIONS OF YEAR
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Allowance for Doubtful
 Accounts Deducted from
 Assets to Which it
 Applies:
  Year Ended December 31,
   1995..................    $15        $20        $--        $11       $24
                             ===        ===        ===        ===       ===
  Year Ended December 31,
   1994..................    $15        $ 5        $--        $ 5       $15
                             ===        ===        ===        ===       ===
  Year Ended December 31,
   1993..................    $17        $10        $--        $12       $15
                             ===        ===        ===        ===       ===
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-1
<PAGE>

                                  APPENDIX D
 
                             INFORMATION STATEMENT
 
                        NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING INC.
                                 COMMON STOCK
                          (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)
[LOGO OF NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING APPEARS HERE]
 
 
  This Information Statement is being furnished to stockholders of Tenneco
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Tenneco"), in connection with the distribution
(the "Shipbuilding Distribution") by Tenneco to holders of its Common Stock,
par value $5.00 per share ("Tenneco Common Stock"), of all the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share ("NNS Common Stock"), of its
wholly owned subsidiary, Newport News Shipbuilding Inc., a Delaware
corporation. Concurrently with the Shipbuilding Distribution, Tenneco will
also distribute to holders of Tenneco Common Stock (individually, the
"Industrial Distribution" and together with the Shipbuilding Distribution, the
"Distributions") all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value
per share ("New Tenneco Common Stock"), of New Tenneco Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("New Tenneco"). The Distributions will occur immediately prior to
the effective time (the "Merger Effective Time") of the proposed merger (the
"Merger"), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 19,
1996, as amended (the "Merger Agreement"), of a wholly-owned subsidiary of El
Paso Natural Gas Company, a Delaware corporation ("El Paso"), with and into
Tenneco (which will be renamed El Paso Tennessee Pipeline Co.) Pursuant to the
Merger, holders of Tenneco Common Stock will receive Common Stock, $3.00 par
value per share, of El Paso ("El Paso Common Stock") and, under certain
circumstances, depositary shares each representing a 1/25th fractional
interest in a share of Preferred Stock of El Paso (the "El Paso Preferred
Depositary Shares"). The Distributions, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated thereby are collectively referred to herein as the "Transaction."
 
  Unless the context otherwise requires, as used herein the term "Company" or
"NNS" refers: (i) for periods prior to the Shipbuilding Distribution, to
Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company ("Newport News") and the other
consolidated subsidiaries through which Tenneco conducted its shipbuilding
business (the "Shipbuilding Business") during such periods, and (ii) for
periods after the Shipbuilding Distribution, to Newport News Shipbuilding Inc.
(formerly known as Tenneco InterAmerica Inc.) and its consolidated
subsidiaries, including Newport News.
 
  The consummation of the Transaction is conditioned upon, among other things,
approval thereof by Tenneco stockholders. The consummation of the
Distributions is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of other
conditions as described under "The Shipbuilding Distribution--Conditions to
Consummation of the Shipbuilding Distribution" in this Information Statement.
 
  It is expected that the Shipbuilding Distribution will be made on or about
December   , 1996, to holders of record of Tenneco Common Stock on such date
on the basis of one share of NNS Common Stock, for every five shares of
Tenneco Common Stock held of record. In addition, the Board of Directors of
the Company will adopt a stockholder rights plan and cause to be issued, with
each share of NNS Common Stock to be distributed in the Shipbuilding
Distribution, one Right (as defined herein), entitling the holder thereof to,
among other things, purchase under certain circumstances, and as described
more fully herein, one one-hundredth of a share of NNS Junior Preferred Stock
(as defined herein). No consideration will be required to be paid by holders
of Tenneco Common Stock for the shares of NNS Common Stock to be distributed
in the Shipbuilding Distribution or the Rights to be issued in connection
therewith, nor will holders of Tenneco Common Stock be required to surrender
or exchange their shares of Tenneco Common Stock in order to receive such
shares of NNS Common Stock and the Rights associated therewith.
 
  There is no current public market for NNS Common Stock, although a "when
issued" market is expected to develop prior to the effective date of the
Shipbuilding Distribution (the "Distribution Date"). On    , 1996, the New
York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") approved the listing of the NNS Common Stock
upon notice of issuance.
 
  RECIPIENTS OF NNS COMMON STOCK SHOULD NOTE THE FACTORS DISCUSSED IN "RISK
FACTORS."
 
                               ----------------
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR BY  ANY STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION, NOR HAS  THE
    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
     PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY  OR ADEQUACY OF THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT.
       ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
            THE DATE OF THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT IS      , 1996.
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION.....................................................    1
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION............................................    3
INTRODUCTION..............................................................   13
THE SHIPBUILDING DISTRIBUTION.............................................   14
  Manner of Distribution..................................................   14
  Corporate Restructuring Transactions....................................   14
  Debt and Cash Realignment...............................................   15
  Relationships Among the Company, Tenneco and New Tenneco after the
   Distributions..........................................................   16
  Reasons for the Distributions...........................................   21
  Conditions to Consummation of the Shipbuilding Distribution.............   21
  Amendment or Termination of the Distributions...........................   22
  Trading of NNS Common Stock.............................................   22
  Certain Federal Income Tax Aspects of the Shipbuilding Distribution.....   22
  Reasons for Furnishing the Information Statement........................   25
RISK FACTORS..............................................................   26
  Reliance on Major Customer and Uncertainty of Future Work...............   26
  Profit Recognition; Government Contracting..............................   27
  Competition and Regulation..............................................   28
  Uncertainty of Other Income Sources.....................................   29
  Lack of Operating History as a Separate Entity..........................   29
  Company Debt after the Transaction......................................   30
  Fraudulent Transfer Considerations; Legal Dividend Requirements;
   Allocation of Liabilities..............................................   30
  Government Claims and Investigations....................................   31
  Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations...............................   32
  No Current Public Market for NNS Common Stock...........................   33
  Changes in Trading Prices of Stock Following the Transaction............   33
  Dividends...............................................................   33
  Dependence on Key Personnel.............................................   34
  Collective Bargaining Agreements........................................   34
  Environmental Matters...................................................   34
  Certain Antitakeover Features...........................................   35
FINANCING.................................................................   36
CAPITALIZATION............................................................   37
FINANCIAL INFORMATION.....................................................   38
  Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements of the Company........   38
COMBINED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA..........................................   42
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
 OPERATIONS...............................................................   43
  Business Overview.......................................................   43
  Business Outlook........................................................   43
  Backlog.................................................................   45
  Results of Operations--Overview.........................................   46
  Results of Operations for the Years 1995, 1994, and 1993................   46
  Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and 1995...   48
  Liquidity and Capital Resources.........................................   49
  Debt and Interest Allocation............................................   51
</TABLE>
 
                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
  Income Taxes............................................................  51
  Changes in Accounting Principles........................................  52
  Other...................................................................  52
BACKGROUND OF THE COMPANY.................................................  54
BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES...................................................  54
  General.................................................................  54
  Construction............................................................  55
  Repairs and Overhauls...................................................  57
  Engineering and Design..................................................  58
  Other...................................................................  59
  Marketing...............................................................  59
  Backlog.................................................................  59
  Materials and Supplies..................................................  60
  Capital Expenditures....................................................  60
  Health, Safety and Environmental........................................  60
  Properties..............................................................  61
  Investigations and Legal Proceedings....................................  61
MANAGEMENT................................................................  64
  Board of Directors......................................................  64
  Executive Directors.....................................................  65
  Stock Ownership.........................................................  66
  Committees of the Board of Directors....................................  67
  Executive Compensation..................................................  68
  Compensation of Directors...............................................  72
  Benefit Plans Following the Shipbuilding Distribution...................  73
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK..............................................  74
  Authorized Capital Stock................................................  74
  NNS Common Stock........................................................  74
  NNS Preferred Stock.....................................................  75
ANTITAKEOVER EFFECTS OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS................................  75
  Classified Board of Directors...........................................  75
  Number of Directors; Removal; Filling Vacancies.........................  76
  Special Meetings........................................................  76
  Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder
   Proposals..............................................................  76
  NNS Preferred Stock.....................................................  77
  Rights..................................................................  78
  Antitakeover Legislation................................................  80
  Comparison with Rights of Holders of Tenneco Common Stock...............  81
LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS...................  84
  Elimination of Liability of Directors...................................  84
  Indemnification of Directors and Officers...............................  84
INDEX TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE....................... F-1
</TABLE>
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  Tenneco is (and, following the Shipbuilding Distribution, the Company will
be) subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files
(and the Company will file) reports, proxy statements and other information
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by Tenneco (and to be filed by the
Company) with the SEC may be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the SEC at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as at the SEC's Regional Offices, including
the following: Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York,
New York 10048. Copies of such information may be obtained by mail at
prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
 
  The Company intends to furnish holders of NNS Common Stock with annual
reports containing consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance
with United States generally accepted accounting principles and audited and
reported on, with an opinion expressed, by an independent public accounting
firm, as well as quarterly reports for the first three quarters of each fiscal
year containing unaudited financial information.
 
  The Company has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form 10 (as
amended, the "Registration Statement") under the Exchange Act covering NNS
Common Stock and the associated Rights.
 
  This Information Statement does not contain all of the information in the
Registration Statement and the related exhibits and schedules. Statements in
this Information Statement as to the contents of any contract, agreement or
other document are summaries only and are not necessarily complete. For
complete information as to these matters, refer to the applicable exhibit or
schedule to the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement and the
related exhibits filed by the Company with the SEC may be inspected at the
public reference facilities of the SEC listed above.
 
  NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE MATTERS DESCRIBED IN THIS INFORMATION
STATEMENT OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED
BY REFERENCE HEREIN AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR TENNECO.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT NOR CONSUMMATION OF THE
SHIPBUILDING DISTRIBUTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY OR TENNECO SINCE THE DATE HEREOF, OR THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
     CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE
               PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
 
  This Information Statement contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning,
among other things, the Company's prospects, developments and business
strategies for its operations, all of which are subject to risks and
uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of
such terms and phrases as "intends," "goal," "expects," "expect," "expected,"
"plans," "anticipates," "should," "designed to," "foreseeable future" and
"believes" and are generally followed by a cross reference to "Risk Factors."
 
  When a forward-looking statement includes a statement of the assumptions or
basis underlying the forward-looking statement, the Company cautions that,
while it believes such assumptions or basis to be reasonable and makes them in
good faith, assumed facts or basis almost always vary from actual results, and
the differences between assumed facts or basis and actual results can be
material, depending upon the circumstances. Where, in any forward-looking
statement, the Company or its management expresses an expectation or belief as
to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and
believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the
statement of expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished.
<PAGE>
 
  The Company's actual results may differ significantly from the results
discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a
difference include (i) the factors discussed in the section or sections under
"Risk Factors" that are referred to in a cross reference that follows the
forward-looking statement as well as other factors discussed under "Risk
Factors", (ii) the factors discussed under "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Business Outlook"
and "Business and Properties", and (iii) the following factors: (a) the
general political, economic and competitive conditions in the United States
and other markets where the Company operates; (b) initiatives to reduce the
federal budget deficit and reductions in defense spending; (c) reductions in
the volume of U.S. Navy contracts awarded to the Company; (d) unanticipated
events affecting designs and manufacturing processes thus impairing the
Company's efforts to reduce production costs and cycle time; (e) changes in
capital availability or costs, such as changes in interest rates, market
perceptions of the industry in which the Company operates, or security
ratings; (f) employee workforce factors, including issues relating to
collective bargaining agreements or work stoppages; and (g) authoritative
generally accepted accounting principles or policy changes from such standard
setting bodies as the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                         SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
 
  This Summary is qualified by the more detailed information set forth
elsewhere in this Information Statement, which should be read in its entirety.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Summary are defined elsewhere in
this Information Statement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term
"Company" or "NNS" refers (i) for periods prior to the Shipbuilding
Distribution, to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company ("Newport
News") and the other consolidated subsidiaries through which Tenneco conducted
its Shipbuilding Business during such periods, and (ii) for periods after the
Shipbuilding Distribution, to Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. (formerly known as
Tenneco InterAmerica Inc.) and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Newport
News.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  Upon completion of the Shipbuilding Distribution, the Company will be an
independent, publicly-held (symbol "NNS") company which will conduct
substantially all of its operations through its direct and indirect
consolidated subsidiaries, including Newport News.
 
  The Company has been in the business of building ships since its founding in
1886 and is America's largest non-government-owned shipyard. Its primary
business is the design, construction, repair and overhauling of nuclear-powered
aircraft carriers and submarines for the United States Navy. The Company
believes it currently is (i) the only shipyard capable of building the Navy's
nuclear powered aircraft carriers, (ii) the only non-government-owned shipyard
capable of refueling and overhauling the Navy's nuclear powered aircraft
carriers and (iii) one of only two shipyards capable of building nuclear
powered submarines. With over 100 years of experience, the Company has
developed a preeminent reputation through the construction of 264 naval ships
and 542 merchant vessels including aircraft carriers, submarines, guided
missile cruisers, cargo ships, passenger cruise liners, tankers, large crude
carriers, liquefied gas carriers and tug boats. In addition to these major
vessels, the Company has built barges, caisson ships, car floats (ferries) and
pilot boats.
 
  The Company's facilities are located in Newport News, Virginia on
approximately 550 acres owned by the Company at the mouth of the James River,
which is part of Chesapeake Bay, the premier deep water harbor on the east
coast of the United States. The Company's shipyard is one of the most
technically advanced in the world. Its facilities include seven graving docks,
a floating dry dock, two outfitting berths and five outfitting piers. The
Company's shipyard also has a wide variety of other facilities, including an
11-acre all weather on-site steel fabrication shop; a module outfitting
facility which enables the Company to assemble a ship's base structural modules
indoors and on land; machine shops totaling 300,000 square feet; and its own
school which provides a four-year accredited apprenticeship program that trains
shipbuilders. Dry Dock 12, the largest in the Western Hemisphere, was recently
expanded to allow the building of both aircraft carriers and commercial vessels
simultaneously. The Company is also making new investments in robotics,
automation and computer integration in its new state-of-the-art automated steel
factory, expected to be completed in 1997. This factory should contribute
significantly to reducing the Company's manufacturing cost and cycle time on
ship construction projects. The Company also recently constructed an aircraft
carrier refueling complex strategically located next to the dry docks used to
overhaul nuclear-powered ships. In the last five years, the Company has
invested $241 million in modernizing its facilities. See "Business and
Properties--General."
 
                               BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
  The key components of the Company's strategy include (i) maintaining focus on
its core business, (ii) reducing cost structure, (iii) reducing cycle time,
(iv) diversifying into related products and markets that build on its core
competencies; and (v) entering into strategic partnerships.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
 
  MAINTAIN FOCUS ON CORE BUSINESS. The U.S. Navy has been, and for the
foreseeable future is expected to be, the Company's largest customer,
accounting for approximately 97% and 94% of the Company's net sales for the
year ended December 31, 1995 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996,
respectively. The Company plans to maintain its leadership position in its core
business of carrier and submarine construction, continuing its unique role as
the only U.S. manufacturer of nuclear powered aircraft carriers and serving as
one of only two U.S. manufacturers of nuclear powered submarines. The Company
is currently performing design concept studies for the next generation of
aircraft carriers and expects to construct two of the first four of the Navy's
New Attack Submarines ("NSSNs"). See "Risk Factors--Reliance on Major Customer
and Uncertainty of Future Work."
 
  Additionally, although the Company's primary Navy business has focused on
nuclear ships and submarines, the Company is attempting to expand its naval
portfolio to include non-nuclear ships. The Company has formed an alliance with
Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc., a subsidiary of Litton Industries, Inc. ("Ingalls
Shipbuilding"), Lockheed Martin Corporation ("Lockheed Martin") and National
Steel and Shipbuilding Co. ("National Steel") to bid on the design and
construction of the LPD-17 non-nuclear amphibious assault ship. According to
current Navy estimates, twelve ships are expected to be built in the LPD-17
program. The U.S. Navy has stated that it currently expects that the LPD-17
vessels will be a mainstay of the U.S. Navy over the next two decades,
replacing a number of vessels nearing the end of their useful lives. The
Company has also entered into an alliance with Ingalls Shipbuilding and
Lockheed Martin to develop design concepts for the Navy's new "Arsenal Ship"
and to pursue an award to construct the Arsenal Ship. See "Risk Factors--
Reliance on Major Customer and Uncertainty of Future Work."
 
  REDUCE COST STRUCTURE. In 1991, the Company embarked on a program to reduce
its cost structure and increase productivity in order to remain competitive in
its core business as well as to facilitate entry into new commercial markets.
Management initiatives to reduce the overall cost structure of the Company have
included workforce reductions of 38% (from 29,000 to 18,000 employees),
overhead and other cost reductions, monetizing assets, the successful
negotiation of a long-term labor agreement that stabilizes wages from February
1995 through April 4, 1999, and the closing of certain facilities.
 
  REDUCE CYCLE TIME. The Company plans to reduce the cycle times for product
development and ship delivery by reengineering key production processes
including design, production planning, materials management, steel fabrication
and outfitting. Process innovation teams have been assigned to each key
production process to implement this strategy. See "Risk Factors--Competition
and Regulation."
 
  DIVERSIFY INTO RELATED PRODUCTS AND MARKETS. Since spending by the U.S. Navy
has declined significantly from Cold War levels and the Navy accounts for over
90% of the Company's net sales, the Company has begun diversifying into
commercial and other shipbuilding projects. The Company believes that this
diversification should reduce per-ship costs and create additional
opportunities. In addition, by allowing for increased economies of scale, the
Company's diversification initiatives should make it more competitive in its
core U.S. Navy business. See "Risk Factors--Competition and Regulation."
 
  As part of this diversification effort, the Company recently secured
contracts with two purchasers for a total of nine of its new "Double Eagle"
tankers. The Double Eagle tankers represent a new line of double-hulled product
tankers which meet all of the stringent domestic and international shipping
specifications. The Company is in the early stages of construction and these
nine tankers are being produced at a loss on an aggregate basis; however, the
Company has undertaken major initiatives to reduce production costs and cycle
times and based on current estimates expects to be able to produce Double Eagle
tankers at a profit upon completion of ships later in the program. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Other--Significant Estimates."
 
  The Company is also pursuing orders for several versions of its international
frigate, the FF-21, from foreign navies and is currently focusing on naval
modernization programs presently underway in the United Arab
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Emirates, the Philippines, Norway and Kuwait. The Company and four other
international shipbuilders have been selected to submit competing bids for the
construction of fast frigates for the United Arab Emirates. In 1995, the
Company subscribed to purchase a 40% interest in the Abu Dhabi Ship Building
Company ("ADSB"). ADSB is located in the United Arab Emirates and is currently
renovating an existing shipyard and designing a new shipyard which it plans to
construct to replace the existing one. Each is to service shipbuilding and
repair demands of the United Arab Emirates military and regional maritime
fleets. The Company believes that its investment in ADSB will help position it
for work in the United Arab Emirates. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Other Investing Cash Flows"
and "Business and Properties--Construction--Foreign Military."
 
  Additionally, drawing on its nearly four decades of safe fuel handling and
reactor services for the U.S. Navy, the Company is pursuing spent nuclear fuel
management projects for the U.S. Department of Energy. The Company won a
contract from the Department of Energy last year to construct a facility at the
Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. This facility is being built to store
damaged fuel from Three Mile Island. The Company is pursuing bids on additional
projects from the Department of Energy.
 
  STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS. The Company is continuing to develop strategic
partnerships that could allow the Company to accelerate the advancement of
production technology, share research and development costs or gain access to
established purchasing and marketing networks.
 
  The financial success of the Company is highly dependent upon its ability to
implement its business strategy and to obtain awards on the bids and projects
described above or other projects. See "Risk Factors" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--
Business Outlook."
 
                                ----------------
 
  The Company's principal executive offices are located at 4101 Washington
Avenue, Newport News, Virginia 23607; telephone: (757) 380-2000.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
    SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA OF THE COMPANY
 
  The summary combined financial data as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for
the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were derived from the audited
Combined Financial Statements of the Company. The summary combined financial
data as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December
31, 1992 and 1991 are unaudited and were derived from the accounting records of
Tenneco. The summary combined financial data as of and for each of the six-
month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 were derived from the unaudited
Combined Financial Statements of the Company. In the opinion of the Company's
management, the summary combined financial data of the Company as of December
31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December 31, 1992 and 1991 and
as of and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 include all adjusting
entries (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present
fairly the information set forth therein. The results of operations for the six
months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 should not be regarded as indicative of the
results that may be expected for the full year.
 
  The summary pro forma combined financial data as of and for the six months
ended June 30, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1995, have been
prepared to reflect: (i) borrowings of $610 million under the Company Credit
Facilities; (ii) the cash dividend of $600 million to be paid by the Company to
Tenneco or one of its subsidiaries pursuant to the Debt Realignment; (iii) the
payment of $10 million of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
Company Credit Facilities; and (iv) the issuance of Company Common Stock
pursuant to the Shipbuilding Distribution. The summary pro forma combined
financial data does not give effect to any transactions other than the
Transaction. The unaudited pro forma combined Statements of Earnings Data has
been prepared as if the Transaction occurred on January 1, 1995; the unaudited
pro forma combined Balance Sheet Data has been prepared as if the Transaction
occurred on June 30, 1996. The summary pro forma combined financial data are
not necessarily indicative of the results of operations of the Company had the
transactions reflected therein actually been consummated on the dates assumed
and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for any future
period.
 
  This information should be read in conjunction with the "Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Financial Statements," "Combined Selected Financial Data,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the Combined Financial Statements, and notes thereto, included
elsewhere in this Information Statement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                         ------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------
                         PRO FORMA                 PRO FORMA
(MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER      1996    1996(a) 1995(a)   1995    1995(a)  1994(a)     1993(a)      1992       1991
SHARE AMOUNTS)           --------- ------- ------- --------- -------  -------     -------     ------     ------
<S>                      <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
EARNINGS STATEMENT DATA
 Net sales..............    $915    $ 915  $  845   $1,756   $1,756   $1,753      $1,861      $2,265     $2,216
                           =====    =====  ======   ======   ======   ======      ======      ======     ======
 Operating earnings.....   $  81    $  81  $   90   $  157   $  157   $  201      $  210      $  249     $  224
                           =====    =====  ======   ======   ======   ======      ======      ======     ======
 Earnings before
  cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principles............   $  29    $  37  $   41   $   54   $   73     $ 95      $  111 (b)  $  143      $ 135
 Cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principles, net of
  tax...................     --       --      --       --       --        (4)(c)     --          (93)(c)    --
                           -----    -----  ------   ------   ------   ------      ------      ------     ------
 Net earnings...........   $  29    $  37  $   41   $   54   $   73   $   91      $  111      $   50     $  135
                           =====    =====  ======   ======   ======   ======      ======      ======     ======
 Earnings per share.....   $ .85                    $ 1.55
                           =====                    ======
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Working capital........   $(197)   $  41  $    4      N/A   $  (19)  $  (75)     $ (121)     $  (89)    $ (470)
 Total assets...........   1,466    1,452   1,337      N/A    1,380    1,263       1,235       1,450      1,412
 Short-term debt(d).....     410       95      54      N/A       68       30          34          83         36
 Long-term debt(d)......     200      282     326      N/A      292      287         423         761        364
 Combined equity........     203      349     236      N/A      272      199         105        (173)       (30)
</TABLE>
 
  (a) For a discussion of significant items affecting comparability of the
financial information for 1995, 1994 and 1993 and for the six months ended June
30, 1996 and 1995, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," included elsewhere in this Information
Statement.
  (b) Includes a gain of $15 million related to the sale of Sperry Marine
businesses.
  (c) In 1994, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("FAS") No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits." In 1992,
the Company adopted FAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement
Benefits Other Than Pensions," and FAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
  (d) Historical amounts represent debt allocated to the Company from Tenneco
based on the portion of Tenneco's investment in the Company which is deemed to
be debt, generally based upon the ratio of the Company's net assets to Tenneco
consolidated net assets plus debt. Tenneco's historical practice has been to
incur indebtedness for its consolidated group at the parent company level or at
a limited number of subsidiaries, rather than at the operating company level,
and to centrally manage various cash functions. See the Combined Financial
Statements, and notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Information
Statement.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                         THE SHIPBUILDING DISTRIBUTION
 
Distributing Company........  Tenneco Inc. (which will be renamed El Paso
                              Tennessee Pipeline Co. upon consummation of the
                              Merger).
 
Distributed Company.........  Newport News Shipbuilding Inc. (a wholly-owned
                              subsidiary of Tenneco and formerly known as
                              Tenneco InterAmerica Inc.) which will, upon
                              consummation of the Shipbuilding Distribution,
                              directly and indirectly through its consolidated
                              subsidiaries (including Newport News), own and
                              operate the Shipbuilding Business. Immediately
                              following consummation of the Shipbuilding
                              Distribution, Tenneco will have an ownership
                              interest in the Company.
 
Distribution Ratio..........  One share of NNS Common Stock for every five
                              shares of Tenneco Common Stock held of record on
                              the Distribution Date.
 
Securities to be             
 Distributed................  Based on 170,644,461 shares of Tenneco Common     
                              Stock outstanding on July 31, 1996, approximately 
                              34,128,892 shares of NNS Common Stock (and Rights 
                              associated therewith) will be distributed. NNS    
                              Common Stock to be distributed in the             
                              Shipbuilding Distribution will constitute all of  
                              the outstanding NNS Common Stock after the        
                              Shipbuilding Distribution. See "Description of    
                              Capital Stock--NNS Common Stock" and              
                              "Antitakeover Effect of Certain Provisions--      
                              Rights."     
 
Fractional Share Interests..  Fractional shares of NNS Common Stock will not be
                              distributed. Fractional shares of NNS Common
                              Stock will be aggregated and sold in the public
                              market by the Distribution Agent and the
                              aggregate net cash proceeds will be distributed
                              ratably to those stockholders entitled to
                              fractional interests. See "The Shipbuilding
                              Distribution--Manner of Distribution."
 
Distribution Date...........  December   , 1996.
 
Distribution Agent and
 Transfer Agent for the
 Shares.....................  First Chicago Trust Company of New York.  
                             
 
Mailing Date................  Certificates representing the shares of NNS
                              Common Stock to be distributed pursuant to the
                              Shipbuilding Distribution will be delivered to
                              the Distribution Agent on the Distribution Date.
                              The Distribution Agent will mail certificates
                              representing the shares of NNS Common Stock to
                              holders of Tenneco Common Stock as soon as
                              practicable thereafter. Holders of Tenneco Common
                              Stock should not send stock certificates to
                              Tenneco, the Company or the
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                              Distribution Agent in connection with the
                              Shipbuilding Distribution (however, holders of
                              Tenneco Common Stock will receive instructions
                              from the Distribution Agent with respect to the
                              disposition of their certificates in connection
                              with the Merger). See "The Shipbuilding
                              Distribution--Manner of Distribution."
 
Conditions to the
 Shipbuilding Distribution..  The Transaction (and accordingly the Shipbuilding
                              Distribution) is conditioned upon, among other  
                              things, declaration of the special distributions
                              by the Board of Directors of Tenneco (the       
                              "Tenneco Board") authorizing the Distributions, 
                              receipt of a private letter ruling from the     
                              Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") in form and
                              substance satisfactory to the Tenneco Board (see
                              "The Shipbuilding Distribution--Certain Federal 
                              Income Tax Aspects of the Shipbuilding          
                              Distribution") and approval by the stockholders 
                              of Tenneco of the Transaction. The Distributions
                              and the Merger are part of a unified transaction
                              and will not be effected separately (although   
                              Tenneco may elect subsequently to proceed with  
                              one or more of the transactions included in the 
                              Transaction which do not require stockholder    
                              approval if the Transaction is not approved by  
                              Tenneco stockholders). See "Introduction," "The 
                              Shipbuilding Distribution--Conditions to        
                              Consummation of the Shipbuilding Distribution"  
                              and "The Shipbuilding Distribution--Amendment or
                              Termination of the Distributions."               
                              
Reasons for the               
 Distributions..............  The Distributions and the Merger are designed to  
                              separate three types of businesses, namely the    
                              Shipbuilding Business, the Industrial Business    
                              (as defined below) and the Energy Business (as    
                              defined below), which have distinct financial,    
                              investment and operating characteristics, so that 
                              each can adopt strategies and pursue objectives   
                              appropriate to its specific needs. The            
                              Distributions will (i) enable the management of   
                              each company to concentrate its attention and     
                              financial resources on the core businesses of     
                              such company, (ii) permit investors to make more  
                              focused investment decisions based on the         
                              specific attributes of each of the three          
                              businesses, (iii) facilitate employee             
                              compensation programs custom-tailored to the      
                              operations of each business, including stock-     
                              based and other incentive programs, which will    
                              more directly reward employees of each business   
                              based on the success of that business and (iv)    
                              tailor the assets of Tenneco to facilitate        
                              acquisition of the Energy Business by El Paso.    
                              Upon consummation of the Shipbuilding             
                              Distribution, NNS will, primarily through its     
                              consolidated subsidiaries (including Newport      
                              News), own and operate the Shipbuilding Business. 
                              New Tenneco will, primarily through its           
                              consolidated subsidiaries, own and operate the    
                              Tenneco Automotive, Tenneco Packaging and Tenneco 
                              Business Services businesses of Tenneco           
                              (collectively, the "Industrial Business").        
                              Immediately following consummation of the         
                              Distributions, a subsidiary of El Paso will be    
                              merged with and into Tenneco, and thereafter the  
                              energy and other remaining businesses and         
                              operations of Tenneco, including liabilities and  
                              assets relating to discontinued     

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                              Tenneco operations not related to the
                              Shipbuilding Business and the Industrial Business
                              (collectively, the "Energy Business"), will be
                              owned and operated by El Paso. See "The
                              Shipbuilding Distribution--Reasons for the
                              Distributions."
 
Federal Income Tax            
 Consequences...............  The Tenneco Board has conditioned the            
                              Shipbuilding Distribution on receipt of a ruling 
                              from the IRS substantially to the effect, among  
                              other things, that the Shipbuilding Distribution 
                              and the receipt of shares of NNS Common Stock by 
                              holders of Tenneco Common Stock will be tax-free 
                              to Tenneco and its stockholders (except with     
                              respect to cash received for fractional shares as
                              discussed above), respectively, for federal
                              income tax purposes. Tenneco has requested a
                              ruling from the IRS as to the foregoing, as well
                              as to the tax-free treatment of certain
                              transactions to be effected as part of the
                              Corporate Restructuring Transactions (as defined
                              herein) and the Merger. See "The Shipbuilding
                              Distribution--Certain Federal Income Tax Aspects
                              of the Shipbuilding Distribution," and "Risk
                              Factors--Certain Federal Income Tax
                              Considerations."
 
Trading Market..............  There is currently no public market for NNS
                              Common Stock, although a "when issued" market is
                              expected to develop prior to the Distribution
                              Date. On     , 1996, the New York Stock Exchange
                              ("NYSE") approved the listing of NNS Common Stock
                              upon notice of issuance. Holders of Tenneco
                              Common Stock should be aware that there can be no
                              assurance that the combined market value/trading
                              prices of (i) El Paso Common Stock and, under
                              certain circumstances, El Paso Preferred
                              Depositary Shares, (ii) New Tenneco Common Stock
                              and (iii) NNS Common Stock (plus any cash
                              received in lieu of fractional shares or any
                              fractional El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares)
                              received in respect of their shares of Tenneco
                              Common Stock pursuant to the Transaction will be
                              equal to or greater than the market value/trading
                              prices of their shares of Tenneco Common Stock
                              immediately prior to the Transaction. See "The
                              Shipbuilding Distribution--Trading of NNS Common
                              Stock" and "Risk Factors--No Current Public
                              Market for the NNS Common Stock."
 
Dividends...................  The Company's dividend policy will be established
                              by the Board of Directors of the Company (the
                              "Company Board") from time to time based on the
                              results of operations and financial condition of
                              the Company and such other business
                              considerations as the Company Board considers
                              relevant. There can be no assurance that the
                              combined annual dividends on (i) El Paso Common
                              Stock and, under certain circumstances, El Paso
                              Preferred Depositary Shares, (ii) New Tenneco
                              Common Stock and (iii) NNS Common Stock after the
                              Transaction will be equal to the annual dividends
                              on Tenneco Common Stock prior to the Transaction
                              (and it is unlikely that the dividends would be
                              greater than the annual dividends on Tenneco
                              Common Stock prior to the Transaction). See "Risk
                              Factors--Dividends" and "Description of Capital
                              Stock--NNS Common Stock."
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
 
Antitakeover Provisions.....  The Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the
                              Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company, as
                              well as the Company's stockholder rights plan
                              (which rights will expire on June 10, 1998 unless
                              amended with stockholder approval) and Delaware
                              statutory law, contain provisions that may have
                              the effect of discouraging an acquisition of
                              control of the Company in a transaction not
                              approved by the Company Board. These provisions
                              should better enable the Company to develop its
                              business and foster its long-term growth without
                              the disruptions that can be caused by the threat
                              of certain types of takeovers not deemed by the
                              Company Board to be in the best interests of the
                              Company and its stockholders. Such provisions may
                              also have the effect of discouraging third
                              parties from making proposals involving an
                              acquisition or change of control of the Company,
                              although such proposals, if made, might be
                              considered desirable by a majority of the
                              Company's stockholders. Such provisions could
                              further have the effect of making it more
                              difficult for third parties to cause the
                              immediate removal and replacement of the members
                              of the then current Company Board or the then
                              current management of the Company without the
                              concurrence of the Company Board. See "Risk
                              Factors--Certain Antitakeover Features,"
                              "Description of Capital Stock," and "Antitakeover
                              Effects of Certain Provisions."
 
Risk Factors................  See "Risk Factors" for a discussion of factors
                              that should be considered in connection with NNS
                              Common Stock to be received in the Shipbuilding
                              Distribution and that might adversely impact the
                              Company's results of operations and financial
                              condition following the Shipbuilding
                              Distribution.
 
Corporate Restructuring       
 Transactions...............  Prior to the consummation of the Shipbuilding    
                              Distribution, Tenneco and its subsidiaries will  
                              undertake various intercompany transfers and     
                              distributions designed to restructure Tenneco's  
                              existing businesses, assets and liabilities so   
                              that all of the assets, liabilities and          
                              operations of (i) the Shipbuilding Business will 
                              be directly and indirectly owned and operated by 
                              the Company, (ii) the Industrial Business will be
                              directly and indirectly owned and operated by New
                              Tenneco and (iii) the Energy Business will be    
                              directly and indirectly owned by Tenneco which   
                              will, following the Merger, be a subsidiary of El
                              Paso and be renamed El Paso Tennessee Pipeline   
                              Co. (the "Corporate Restructuring Transactions").
                              See "The Shipbuilding Distribution--Corporate    
                              Restructuring Transactions." Newport News        
                              Shipbuilding Inc. will acquire all of the assets 
                              and liabilities of Newport News Industrial       
                              Corporation as part of the Corporate             
                              Restructuring Transactions.                       
 
Debt and Cash Realignment;
 Credit/Financing...........  The Merger Agreement, the Distribution Agreement 
                              to be entered into pursuant to the Merger        
                              Agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") and the 
                              other agreements and documents attached as       
                              exhibits to the Merger Agreement or the          
                              Distribution Agreement                            
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                              (the "Ancillary Agreements") provide for (i) the
                              restructuring (through debt tender and exchange
                              offers, defeasances, prepayments, refinancings
                              and the like), immediately prior to the
                              Distributions, of the outstanding indebtedness
                              for money borrowed (the "Tenneco Consolidated
                              Debt") of Tenneco and certain of its consolidated
                              subsidiaries (the "Debt Realignment") and (ii)
                              the allocation of cash and cash equivalents of
                              Tenneco and its consolidated subsidiaries (the
                              "Cash Realignment"). See "The Shipbuilding
                              Distribution--Debt and Cash Realignment."
 
                              In connection with the Debt Realignment and to
                              provide for working capital needs, the Company
                              will enter into credit facilities (the "Company
                              Credit Facilities") in an aggregate principal
                              amount of approximately $700 million. The Company
                              will initially borrow $610 million under the
                              Company Credit Facilities and distribute: (i)
                              $600 million to Tenneco as a dividend for use by
                              Tenneco in retiring certain Tenneco Consolidated
                              Debt; and (ii) $10 million in payment of certain
                              fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
                              Company Credit Facilities. The Company
                              anticipates that the Company Credit Facilities
                              will consist of: (i) a $200 million five-year
                              revolving credit facility, (ii) a $400 million
                              subordinated bridge loan facility, and (iii) a
                              $100 million working capital facility.
                              [description of credit facility to come] The
                              Company expects that it will subsequently
                              refinance the bridge loan facility through the
                              offering of high-yield debt securities in a
                              private placement or public offering. See
                              "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                              Financial Condition and Results of Operations--
                              Liquidity and Capital Resources", "Risk Factors--
                              Company Debt After the Transaction" and "The
                              Shipbuilding Distribution--Debt and Cash
                              Realignment."
 
                              Pursuant to the Cash Realignment, the Company
                              will be allocated $5 million of cash and cash
                              equivalents, Tenneco will be allocated $25
                              million of cash and cash equivalents and New
                              Tenneco will be allocated all remaining cash and
                              cash equivalents on hand as of the Merger
                              Effective Time which would total approximately
                              $200 million if the Transaction had been
                              consummated as of June 30, 1996. A post-
                              Distribution audit will be conducted and
                              following such audit, New Tenneco will be
                              required to pay to each of the Company or
                              Tenneco, as the case may be, the amount by which
                              such company's total cash and cash equivalents on
                              hand as of the Merger Effective Time is less than
                              its above-described allocation to such company.
                              Likewise, Tenneco and the Company will each be
                              required to pay to New Tenneco the amount of any
                              excess as of the Merger Effective Time from the
                              above-described allocation. See "The Shipbuilding
                              Distribution--Debt and Cash Realignment."
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
 
Relationships with Tenneco
 and New Tenneco after the
 Shipbuilding Distribution..  Tenneco will have no stock ownership in the      
                              Company upon consummation of the Shipbuilding    
                              Distribution. The Company, New Tenneco and       
                              Tenneco will enter into the Distribution         
                              Agreement prior to the Shipbuilding Distribution,
                              for the purposes of governing certain ongoing    
                              relationships among the Company, New Tenneco and 
                              Tenneco after the Shipbuilding Distribution and  
                              to provide for an orderly transition in the      
                              disaffiliation of the Shipbuilding Business, the 
                              Energy Business and the Industrial Business. The 
                              Distribution Agreement provides for, among other 
                              things, the Distributions and the allocation     
                              among the Company, Tenneco and New Tenneco of    
                              assets and liabilities. The parties will also    
                              enter into the Ancillary Agreements, including:  
                              (i) the Benefits Agreement, providing for        
                              allocations of responsibilities with respect to  
                              employee compensation, benefit and labor matters;
                              (ii) the Tax Sharing Agreement pursuant to which 
                              the Company, New Tenneco and Tenneco will        
                              allocate liabilities for taxes arising prior to, 
                              as a result of, and subsequent to the            
                              Distribution Date; (iii) the Debt Realignment    
                              Plan pursuant to which the Tenneco Consolidated  
                              Debt will be restructured, paid and/or refinanced
                              by the Company, New Tenneco and Tenneco; (iv) the
                              Debt and Cash Allocation Agreement providing for,
                              among other things, the allocation of cash among,
                              and the restructuring and refinancing of certain 
                              of the debt of Tenneco existing prior to the     
                              Distributions by (or with funds provided by), the
                              Company, New Tenneco and Tenneco; (v) the TBS    
                              Services Agreement pursuant to which Tenneco     
                              Business Services Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary
                              of New Tenneco) will continue to provide certain 
                              administrative and other services to the Company;
                              (vi) the Shipbuilding Transition Trademark       
                              License allowing the Company to use the          
                              trademarks and tradenames of New Tenneco for     
                              certain specified periods of time for certain    
                              purposes; and (vii) the Insurance Agreement,     
                              providing for, among other things, coverage      
                              arrangements for Tenneco, the Company and New    
                              Tenneco in respect of various insurance policies. 
                              
                              In addition, the Company and New Tenneco will
                              share one common director, Dana G. Mead. The
                              Company and New Tenneco will adopt policies and
                              procedures to be followed by the Board of
                              Directors of each company to limit the
                              involvement of Mr. Mead in situations that could
                              give rise to potential conflicts of interest,
                              including requesting him to abstain from voting
                              as a director of either the Company or New
                              Tenneco on certain matters which present a
                              conflict of interest between the two companies.
                              The Company believes that such conflict
                              situations will be minimal.
 
                              See "The Shipbuilding Distribution--Debt and Cash
                              Realignment" and "The Shipbuilding Distribution--
                              Relationships Among Tenneco, the Company, and New
                              Tenneco after the Distributions."
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                                 INTRODUCTION
 
  This Information Statement is being furnished to stockholders of Tenneco in
connection with the Shipbuilding Distribution, pursuant to which Tenneco
intends to distribute to holders of Tenneco Common Stock, all the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share ("NNS Common Stock"), of the
Company. Concurrently with the Shipbuilding Distribution, Tenneco will also
distribute to holders of Tenneco Common Stock (individually, the "Industrial
Distribution" and together with the Shipbuilding Distribution, the
"Distributions") all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value
per share ("New Tenneco Common Stock"), of New Tenneco. The Distributions will
occur prior to the effective time of the "Merger"), of a subsidiary of El Paso
Natural Gas Company, a Delaware corporation ("El Paso"), with and into Tenneco
(which will, upon consummation of the Merger, be renamed El Paso Tennessee
Pipeline Co.) and Tenneco will become a subsidiary of El Paso. Pursuant to the
Merger, holders of Tenneco Common Stock will receive El Paso Common Stock and,
under certain circumstances, El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares. The
Distributions, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby are
collectively referred to herein as the "Transaction".
 
  It is expected that the Shipbuilding Distribution will be made on or about
December  , 1996 (the "Distribution Date"), to holders of record of Tenneco
Common Stock on such date, on the basis of one share of NNS Common Stock, for
every five shares of Tenneco Common Stock. In addition, the Company Board will
adopt a stockholder rights plan and cause to be issued, with each share of NNS
Common Stock to be distributed in the Shipbuilding Distribution, one Right,
entitling the holder thereof to, among other things, purchase under certain
circumstances, and as described more fully herein, one one-hundredth of a
share of NNS Junior Preferred Stock. No consideration will be required to be
paid by holders of Tenneco Common Stock for the shares of NNS Common Stock to
be distributed in the Shipbuilding Distribution or the Rights to be issued in
connection therewith, nor will holders of Tenneco Common Stock be required to
surrender or exchange their shares of Tenneco Common Stock in order to receive
such shares of NNS Common Stock and the Rights associated therewith.
 
  Upon consummation of the Distributions and the Merger (i) holders of Tenneco
Common Stock as of the Distribution Date and Merger Effective Time will
receive the securities of three publicly held companies--the Company, New
Tenneco and El Paso and (ii) holders of Tenneco Preferred Stock (as defined
herein) as of the Merger Effective Time will receive El Paso Common Stock.
Thereafter, the Company will own and operate the Shipbuilding Business, New
Tenneco will own and operate the Industrial Business, and El Paso will own and
operate the Energy Business.
 
  The Shipbuilding Distribution, the Industrial Distribution and the Merger
are separate components of the Transaction. The Shipbuilding Distribution, the
Industrial Distribution and the Merger, however, as described herein will not
be consummated unless the Transaction as a whole is approved at a special
meeting of the Tenneco stockholders (although Tenneco may elect subsequently
to proceed with one or more of the transactions included in the Transaction
which do not require stockholder approval if the Transaction is not approved
by Tenneco stockholders). Furthermore, the Shipbuilding Distribution will not
be consummated until all other conditions to the Merger have been satisfied
(or can be contemporaneously satisfied) other than the filing of a Certificate
of Merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware. See "The Shipbuilding
Distribution--Conditions to Consummation at the Shipbuilding Distribution" and
"The Shipbuilding Distribution--Amendment or Termination of the
Distributions."
 
  Stockholders of Tenneco with inquiries relating to the Shipbuilding
Distribution or the other components of the Transaction should contact the
Distribution Agent at (212)           , or Tenneco Inc., Shareholders
Services, 1275 King Street, Greenwich, Connecticut 06831, telephone number
(203) 863-1170. After the Distribution Date, stockholders of the Company with
inquiries relating to their investment in NNS should contact Newport News
Shipbuilding Inc., Shareholder Services, 4101 Washington Avenue, Newport News,
Virginia 23607; telephone: (757) 380-2000.
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
                         THE SHIPBUILDING DISTRIBUTION
 
  The following descriptions of certain provisions of the Distribution
Agreement and certain of the Ancillary Agreements are only summaries and do
not purport to be complete. These descriptions are qualified in their entirety
by reference to the complete text of the Distribution Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements. A copy of the Distribution Agreement and each of the
Ancillary Agreements as currently agreed to is included as an exhibit to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 10 under the Exchange Act, relating
to NNS Common Stock, and the following discussion with respect to such
agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to the subject agreement
as filed.
 
MANNER OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Tenneco Board will declare the
special distribution necessary to effect the Shipbuilding Distribution and
will set the Distribution Date (which will be prior to the Merger Effective
Time). Subject to the conditions summarized below, on the Distribution Date
Tenneco will distribute pro rata to all holders of record of Tenneco Common
Stock as of such date, one share of NNS Common Stock for every five shares of
Tenneco Common Stock so held (including the Rights associated therewith).
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, as soon as practicable on or after the
Distribution Date, Tenneco will deliver to the Distribution Agent, as agent
for holders of Tenneco Common Stock as of such date, certificates representing
such shares of NNS Common Stock as are required for the Shipbuilding
Distribution.
 
  Beneficial holders of Tenneco Common Stock who would be entitled to receive
fractional shares of NNS Common Stock will receive cash in the Shipbuilding
Distribution, in lieu of such fractional shares. To accomplish this, the
Distribution Agreement requires that the Distribution Agent determine the
number of whole and fractional shares of NNS Common Stock to which each
beneficial holder of Tenneco Common Stock as of the Distribution Date is
entitled immediately following the Shipbuilding Distribution. Next, the
Distribution Agent will aggregate these fractional share interests and sell
them on the open market at then-prevailing prices. The Distribution Agent will
distribute to each holder of Tenneco Common Stock its ratable share of such
proceeds after deducting appropriate amounts for federal income tax
withholding purposes and any applicable transfer taxes. All brokers' fees and
commissions incurred in connection with such sales shall be paid by Tenneco.
 
  If any shares of NNS Common Stock are returned to the Distribution Agent as
unclaimed or cannot be distributed by the Distribution Agent, any post-
Distribution dividends or distributions thereon will be paid to the
Distribution Agent (or set aside and retained by the Company). On the 180th
day following the Distribution Date, the Distribution Agent will return to
Tenneco all unclaimed shares of NNS Common Stock, cash in lieu of fractional
shares and dividends or other distributions with respect thereto. Thereafter,
holders of Tenneco Common Stock as of the Distribution Date will be entitled
to look only to Tenneco for such amounts to which they are entitled, subject
to applicable escheat or other abandoned property laws.
 
  NO HOLDER OF TENNECO COMMON STOCK WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY CASH OR OTHER
CONSIDERATION FOR THE SHARES OF NNS COMMON STOCK (OR THE CASH IN LIEU OF
FRACTIONAL SHARES) TO BE RECEIVED IN THE SHIPBUILDING DISTRIBUTION, OR TO
SURRENDER OR EXCHANGE SHARES OF TENNECO COMMON STOCK IN ORDER TO RECEIVE NNS
COMMON STOCK (OR THE CASH IN LIEU OF FRACTIONAL SHARES).
 
CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS
 
  Prior to consummation of the Distributions (and pursuant to the Distribution
Agreement), Tenneco will effect the Corporate Restructuring Transactions. Upon
completion of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions, Tenneco's existing
businesses and assets will be restructured so that, in general, all of the
assets, liabilities and operations of (i) the Shipbuilding Business will be
owned and operated, directly and indirectly, by the Company and (ii) the
Industrial Business will be owned and operated, directly and indirectly, by
New Tenneco. The remaining assets, liabilities and operations of Tenneco and
its remaining subsidiaries will then consist solely of those related to the
Energy Business, which includes liabilities and limited assets relating to
discontinued Tenneco operations not related to the Industrial Business or the
Shipbuilding Business.
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
  The assets which will be owned by the Company upon consummation of the
Corporate Restructuring Transactions (the "Shipbuilding Assets") are generally
those related to the conduct of the past and current Shipbuilding Business, as
reflected on the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet of the Company as
of June 30, 1996 included herein under "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements of the Company" which is also attached as an exhibit to the
Distribution Agreement (the "Pro Forma Balance Sheet") (plus any subsequently
acquired asset which is of a nature or type that would have resulted in such
asset being included on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet had it been acquired prior
to the date thereof), plus all rights expressly allocated to the Company and
its subsidiaries under the Distribution Agreement or any of the Ancillary
Agreements. The assets which will be owned by New Tenneco upon consummation of
the Corporate Restructuring Transactions (the "Industrial Assets") are
generally those related to the conduct of the past and current Industrial
Business, as reflected on the New Tenneco pro forma balance sheet (plus any
subsequently acquired asset which is of a nature or type that would have
resulted in such asset being included on the New Tenneco pro forma balance
sheet had it been acquired prior to the date thereof), plus all rights
expressly allocated to New Tenneco and its subsidiaries under the Distribution
Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. As part of the Corporate Restructuring
Transactions, New Tenneco will acquire various corporate assets of Tenneco
such as the "Tenneco" trademark and associated rights. The remaining assets
(the "Energy Assets") will continue to be owned and operated by Tenneco (as a
subsidiary of El Paso) following the Transaction.
 
  The liabilities to be assumed by the Company and for which the Company will
be responsible pursuant to the Distribution Agreement (the "Shipbuilding
Liabilities") generally include (i) those liabilities related to the
Shipbuilding Assets and the current and past conduct of the Shipbuilding
Business, including liabilities reflected on the Pro Forma Balance Sheet which
remain outstanding as of the Distribution Date (plus subsequently incurred or
accrued liabilities determined on a basis consistent with the determination of
liabilities thereon), and (ii) those liabilities expressly allocated to the
Company or its subsidiaries under the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary
Agreement.
 
  The liabilities to be assumed by New Tenneco and for which New Tenneco will
be responsible pursuant to the Distribution Agreement (the "Industrial
Liabilities") generally include (i) those liabilities related to the
Industrial Assets and the current and past conduct of the Industrial Business,
including liabilities reflected on the New Tenneco pro forma balance sheet
which remain outstanding as of the Distribution Date (plus subsequently
incurred or accrued liabilities determined on a basis consistent with the
determination of liabilities thereon) and (ii) those liabilities expressly
allocated to New Tenneco or its subsidiaries under the Distribution Agreement
or any Ancillary Agreement.
 
  The liabilities to be retained or assumed by Tenneco and for which Tenneco
will be responsible pursuant to the Distribution Agreement (the "Energy
Liabilities") generally include (i) those liabilities related to the Energy
Assets and the current and past conduct of the Energy Business, including
liabilities reflected on the Tenneco pro forma balance sheet attached as an
exhibit to the Distribution Agreement which remain outstanding as of the
Distribution Date (plus subsequently incurred or accrued liabilities
determined on a basis consistent with the determination of liabilities
thereon), (ii) those liabilities expressly allocated to Tenneco or its
subsidiaries under the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and
(iii) all other liabilities of Tenneco or any other member of the Energy Group
which do not constitute Industrial Liabilities or Shipbuilding Liabilities.
 
  For a description of certain liabilities that will be expressly allocated
among Tenneco, the Company and New Tenneco by the Distribution Agreement and
Ancillary Agreements, including liability for the Tenneco Consolidated Debt,
taxes and certain employee benefits, see "--Debt and Cash Realignment" and "--
Relationships Among Tenneco, the Company and New Tenneco After the
Distributions."
 
DEBT AND CASH REALIGNMENT
 
  From and after the Distributions, each of the Company, Tenneco and New
Tenneco will, in general, be responsible for the debts, liabilities and
obligations related to the business or businesses that its owns and operates
following consummation of the Corporate Restructuring Transactions. See "--
Corporate Restructuring Transactions." Tenneco's historical practice, however,
has been to incur indebtedness for its consolidated group at the parent
company level or at a limited number of subsidiaries, rather than at the
operating company level, and to centrally manage various cash functions.
Accordingly, the Distribution Agreement, the Merger Agreement
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
and the Anciliary Agreements provide for (i) the pre-Distribution
restructuring of the Tenneco Consolidated Debt pursuant to the Debt
Realignment, (ii) the allocation among each of Tenneco, the Company and New
Tenneco of the total amount of cash and cash equivalents on hand as of the
Merger Effective Time pursuant to the Cash Realignment and (iii) settlement
payments with respect to certain capital expenditures related to the Energy
Business, all as described below.
 
  The Merger Agreement contemplates that Tenneco, in its discretion, will, or
will cause its relevant subsidiaries to, tender for, defease, mature, redeem,
exchange or prepay the Tenneco Consolidated Debt prior to the Distributions
(the "Tenneco Debt Tender Offers"). As of June 30, 1996, there was outstanding
approximately $4,443 million of Tenneco Consolidated Debt.
 
  In connection with the Debt Realignment and to provide for working capital
needs, the Company will enter into the Company Credit Facilities in an
aggregate principal amount of approximately $700 million. The Company will
initially borrow $610 million under the Company Credit Facilities and
distribute: (i) $600 million to Tenneco as a dividend for use by Tenneco in
retiring certain Tenneco Consolidated Debt; and (ii) $10 million in payment of
certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Company Credit
Facilities. The Company anticipates that the Company Credit Facilities will
consist of: (i) a $200 million five-year revolving credit facility, (ii) a
$400 million subordinated bridge loan facility, and (iii) a $100 million
working capital facility. [description of credit facility to come] The Company
expects that it will subsequently refinance the bridge loan facility through
the offering of high-yield debt securities in a private placement or public
offering. See "Risk Factors--Company Debt After the Transaction" and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
  Pursuant to the Cash Realignment, as of the Merger Effective Time the
Company will be allocated $5 million of cash and cash equivalents. Tenneco
will be allocated $25 million of cash and cash equivalents and New Tenneco
will be allocated all remaining cash and cash equivalents on hand (which would
total approximately $200 million if the Transaction had been consummated as of
June 30, 1996). A post-Distribution audit will be conducted and following the
post-Distribution audit, New Tenneco will be required to pay to each of
Tenneco or the Company, as the case may be, the amount by which such company's
total cash and cash equivalents on hand as of the Merger Effective Time is
less than the above-described allocation. Likewise, Tenneco and the Company
will each be required to pay to New Tenneco any excess cash and cash
equivalents as of the Merger Effective Time from the above-described
allocation determined pursuant to such audit.
 
RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THE COMPANY, TENNECO AND NEW TENNECO AFTER THE
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  The Shipbuilding Business to be owned and operated by the Company has
historically been included in Tenneco's consolidated financial results. After
the Transaction, neither Tenneco nor New Tenneco will have an ownership
interest in the Shipbuilding Business and the Company will not have an
ownership interest in either the Energy Business or the Industrial Business.
The Company and New Tenneco will be independent public companies, and Tenneco
will become a subsidiary of El Paso.
 
  Prior to the Distributions, the Company, Tenneco and New Tenneco will enter
into the Distribution Agreement which governs certain aspects of their
relationships both prior to and following the Distributions. In addition,
prior to the Distributions, the Company, Tenneco and/or New Tenneco (and their
appropriate subsidiaries) will enter into the Ancillary Agreements which are
intended to further effect the disaffiliation of the Shipbuilding Business,
the Energy Business and the Industrial Business and to govern certain
additional aspects of their ongoing relationships.
 
Terms of the Distribution Agreement
 
  In addition to providing for the terms of the Distributions and the various
actions to be taken prior to the Distributions, the Distribution Agreement
contains other provisions governing the relationship among the Company,
Tenneco and New Tenneco prior to and following the Distributions.
 
  The Distribution Agreement provides that from and after the Distribution
Date: (i) Tenneco will, and will cause its affiliates engaged in the Energy
Business (collectively with Tenneco, the "Energy Group") to, assume, pay,
perform and discharge all Energy Liabilities in accordance with their terms,
(ii) the Company will assume,
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
pay, perform and discharge all Shipbuilding Liabilities except as described
below in accordance with their terms, and (iii) New Tenneco will, and will
cause its affiliates engaged in the Industrial Business (collectively with New
Tenneco, the "Industrial Group") to, assume, pay, perform and discharge all
Industrial Liabilities in accordance with their terms.
 
  In addition, the Distribution Agreement provides for cross-indemnities under
which (i) Tenneco must indemnify the Company and New Tenneco (and their
respective subsidiaries and certain other related parties) against all losses
arising out of or in connection with the Energy Liabilities or the breach of
the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement by Tenneco, (ii) the
Company must indemnify Tenneco and New Tenneco (and their respective
subsidiaries and certain other related parties) against all losses except as
described below arising out of or in connection with the Shipbuilding
Liabilities or the breach of the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary
Agreement by the Company, and (iii) New Tenneco must indemnify Tenneco and the
Company (and their respective subsidiaries and certain other related parties)
against all losses arising out of or in connection with the Industrial
Liabilities or the breach of the Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary
Agreement by New Tenneco. Additionally, Tenneco and the Company have received
letters from the Defense Contract Audit Agency (the "DCAA"), inquiring about
certain aspects of the Distributions, including the disposition of the Tenneco
Inc. Retirement Plan (the "TRP"), which covers salaried employees of the
Company and other Tenneco divisions. The Company and New Tenneco have agreed
to certain indemnities regarding such inquiries. See "Business and
Properties--Investigations and Legal Proceedings--Retirement Plan."
 
  Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, each of the parties has agreed to
use all reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all action, and do or
cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to
consummate the transactions contemplated by, and carry out the purposes of,
the Distribution Agreement. As such, the Distribution Agreement provides that
if any contemplated pre-Distribution transfers and assignments have not been
effected on or prior to the Distribution Date, the parties will cooperate to
effect such transfers as quickly thereafter as practicable. The entity
retaining any asset or liability which should have been transferred
prior to the Distribution Date will continue to hold that asset for the
benefit of the party entitled thereto or that liability for the account of the
party required to assume it, and must take such other action as may be
reasonably requested by the party to whom such asset was to be transferred or
by whom such liability was to be assumed in order to place such party, insofar
as reasonably possible, in the same position as would have existed had such
asset or liability been transferred or assumed as contemplated by the
Distribution Agreement.
 
  The Distribution Agreement provides for the transfer of books and records
among Tenneco, the Company and New Tenneco and their respective subsidiaries
and grants to each party access to certain information in the possession of
the others (subject to certain confidentiality requirements). In addition, the
Distribution Agreement provides for the allocation of shared privileges with
respect to certain information and requires each party to obtain the consent
of the others prior to waiving any shared privilege.
 
Terms of the Ancillary Agreements
 
  Below are descriptions of the principal Ancillary Agreements to be entered
into by Tenneco, the Company, New Tenneco and/or El Paso prior to consummation
of the Distributions, as required under the terms of the Distribution
Agreement. The Ancillary Agreements are intended to further effectuate the
disaffiliation of the Shipbuilding Business and the Industrial Business from
the Energy Business and to facilitate the operation of each of the Company and
New Tenneco as a separate entity.
 
  Benefits Agreement. The Benefits Agreement to be entered into by and among
the Company, Tenneco and New Tenneco (the "Benefits Agreement") will define
certain labor, employment, compensation and benefit matters in connection with
the Distributions and the transactions contemplated thereby. Pursuant to the
Benefits Agreement, from and after the Distribution Date each of the Company,
Tenneco and New Tenneco will continue employment of each of their respective
retained employees (subject to their rights to terminate said employees) with
the same compensation as prior to the Distribution Date, continue to honor all
related existing collective bargaining agreements, recognize related incumbent
labor organizations and continue sponsorship of hourly
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
employee benefit plans. New Tenneco will become the sole sponsor of the TRP
and of the Tenneco Inc. Thrift Plan ("Tenneco Thrift Plan") from and after the
Distribution Date, and the Company and Tenneco will establish defined
contribution plans for the benefit of each of their respective employees to
which the account balances of retained and former employees of the Company and
Tenneco in the Tenneco Thrift Plan will be transferred. The benefits accrued
by the Company and Tenneco employees in the TRP will be frozen as of the last
day of the calendar month including the Distribution Date, and New Tenneco
will amend the TRP to provide that all benefits accrued through that day are
fully vested and non-forfeitable. Tenneco will retain and assume employment
contracts with certain individuals. All liabilities under the Tenneco Inc.
Benefit Equalization Plan and the Tenneco Inc. Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan will be assumed by New Tenneco pursuant to the Benefits
Agreement; however, New Tenneco is entitled to reimbursement for certain
payments thereunder from the Company and Tenneco. Generally, each of the
Company, Tenneco and New Tenneco will retain liabilities with respect to the
welfare benefits of its current and former employees and their dependents, but
Tenneco will assume all liabilities for retiree medical benefits of the
employees of discontinued operations and their dependents. In addition, as of
the Distribution Date, participation by retained and former employees of the
Company and Tenneco in the Tenneco Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan and the
Tenneco Inc. 1993 Deferred Compensation Plan will be discontinued.
 
  Debt and Cash Allocation Agreement. The Debt and Cash Allocation Agreement
will govern the allocation among the parties of the cash and cash equivalents
of Tenneco and its subsidiaries on hand as of the Merger Effective Time, the
Tenneco Consolidated Debt and responsibility for certain capital expenditures
related to the Energy Business pursuant to the Cash Realignment and the Debt
Realignment, as described above. See "--Debt and Cash Realignment."
 
  Insurance Agreement. Tenneco has historically maintained at the parent-
company level various insurance policies for the benefit or protection of
itself and its subsidiaries. The Insurance Agreement to be entered into among
Tenneco, the Company and New Tenneco (the "Insurance Agreement") will provide
for the respective continuing rights and obligations from and after the
Distributions of the parties with respect to these insurance policies (other
than directors' and officers' liability insurance policies which are addressed
by the Merger Agreement).
 
  In general, following consummation of the Transaction, policies which relate
exclusively to the Shipbuilding Business will be retained by the Company,
policies which relate exclusively to the Energy Business or the Energy Group
will be retained by Tenneco, and policies which relate exclusively to the
Industrial Business or the Industrial Group will be retained by New Tenneco.
 
  Any non-exclusive Tenneco policies which are in effect as of the
Distribution Date (other than those which are cost plus, fronting, high
deductible or retrospective premium programs, as described below) will either
be transferred into the name of New Tenneco or cancelled, at New Tenneco's
option. In general, "go-forward" coverage under these policies for the Energy
Business and Shipbuilding Business (and certain related persons) will be
terminated as follows: (i) coverage under "claims-made" policies (i.e., those
policies which provide coverage for claims made during a specified period)
will be terminated on the Distribution Date for any claims not made prior
thereto and (ii) coverage under "occurrence-based" policies (i.e., those
policies which provide coverage for acts or omissions occurring during a
specified period) will be terminated on the Distribution Date for acts or
omissions occurring thereafter. However, the Energy Business, Shipbuilding
Business and Industrial Business (and certain related persons) will all
continue to have access to these policies ("go-backward" coverage) and for
claims made prior to the Distribution Date, in the case of claims-made
policies, and for acts or omissions which occurred prior to the Distribution
Date, in the case of occurrence-based policies (subject to certain obligations
to replace any policy limits exhausted by it). Each respective group will be
liable for premiums, costs and charges under these policies that relate to its
coverage thereunder (and will likewise get the benefit of any refunded
amounts).
 
  Policies which are cost plus, fronting, high deductible or retrospective
premium programs will be retained by the Energy Business following the
Distributions and will provide no go-forward coverage to the Shipbuilding
Business or Industrial Business. However, go-backward coverage will continue
to be available to these groups,
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
subject to an obligation to reimburse Tenneco for premiums, costs and charges
under these policies related to their respective coverages following the
Distributions. Following the Transaction, Tenneco will be required to maintain
in place certain letters of credit and surety bonds securing obligations under
these policies.
 
  Tax Sharing Agreement. The Tax Sharing Agreement to be entered into among the
Company, Tenneco, New Tenneco and El Paso (the "Tax Sharing Agreement") will
provide for the allocation of tax liabilities among the parties arising prior
to, as a result of, and subsequent to the Distributions. As a general rule,
Tenneco will be liable for all taxes not specifically allocated to the Company
or New Tenneco under the specific terms of the Tax Sharing Agreement.
Generally, the Company will be liable for taxes imposed exclusively on the
Company (including for pre-distribution periods, taxes imposed on Tenneco
InterAmerica Inc.) and New Tenneco will be liable for taxes imposed exclusively
on the Industrial Group. Federal income taxes imposed on the combined
activities of the Company, Tenneco and the Industrial Group will be allocated
among the Company and the other business groups according to their respective
shares of consolidated taxable income, except that (i) tax benefits
attributable to the Debt Realignment ("Debt Discharge Items"), presently
anticipated to total approximately $120 million will be specifically allocated
to the Industrial Group and Tenneco will make a cash payment to New Tenneco
equal to the amount of such tax benefits when and to the extent realized by
Tenneco, and (ii) tax benefits attributable to certain items included in the
computation of the Base Amount (as defined in the Merger Agreement) ("Base
Amount Adjustment Items") will be specifically allocated to Tenneco. In the
case of state income taxes imposed on the combined activities of the Company
and the other business groups, Tenneco will be responsible for payment of the
combined tax to the state tax authority, and the Company and New Tenneco will
pay Tenneco a deemed tax equal to the tax that would be imposed if the Company
and the Industrial Group had filed combined returns for their respective
groups, except that Debt Discharge Items and Base Amount Adjustment Items will
be specifically allocated to New Tenneco and Tenneco, respectively.
 
  In general, Tenneco will be responsible for any taxes imposed on or resulting
from the Transaction ("Transaction Taxes"). New Tenneco will be responsible for
any Transaction Taxes resulting from any inaccuracy in factual statements or
representations in connection with the IRS letter ruling or the opinion of
counsel contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the "Tax Opinion") to the extent
attributable to facts in existence prior to the Merger, but excluding facts
relating to the Company or El Paso. The Company and El Paso will each be
responsible for the accuracy of any factual statements or representations
relating to them or their respective affiliates. Each of the Company, New
Tenneco and El Paso will be responsible for any Transaction Tax to the extent
such tax is attributable to action taken by that entity which is inconsistent
with tax treatment contemplated in the IRS letter ruling received in the
Transaction or the Tax Opinion. If between the date of the Merger Agreement and
the Merger Effective Time, there is a change in law (as defined in the Tax
Sharing Agreement) and as a result of such change in law Tenneco is required to
restore certain deferred gains to income, then any resulting tax will be shared
equally between New Tenneco and Tenneco.
 
  TBS Services Agreement. Tenneco Business Services Inc. ("TBS") has entered
into a series of separate services agreements ("Service Agreements"), as
described below, with the Company, New Tenneco (and its subsidiaries other than
TBS) and Tenneco (and its subsidiaries) which, together, constitute the "TBS
Services Agreement" which is to be delivered as an Ancillary Agreement under
the Distribution Agreement.
 
  One of the Service Agreements between TBS and the Company is for mainframe
data processing services (the "NNS Processing Services Agreement"). Under the
NNS Processing Services Agreement, TBS will supply, as a vendor, mainframe data
processing services to the Company for a period from the Merger Effective Time
through December 31, 1998, and thereafter only by mutual agreement. The rate of
compensation to TBS for services will be $9.1 million in 1997 and $9.6 million
in 1998, payable in monthly installments, subject to adjustment if the Company
requests a change in the scope of services. TBS will lease the space currently
used by it at the Company's headquarters in Newport News, Virginia for the
period from the Merger Effective Time through December 31, 1998, with an option
for TBS to extend for one month periods for up to 12 months per continued use
by TBS as its mainframe data processing facility. The rent under such lease
will be approximately $1.2 million per year, plus pass-throughs of certain
occupancy-related costs.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
 
  TBS has also entered into a Supplier Participation Agreement (the "NNS
Supplier Participation Agreement") with the Company to govern the procedures
under which the Company will continue to participate with New Tenneco in vendor
purchase agreements between TBS and various suppliers of goods and services.
The NNS Supplier Participation Agreement provides for continued participation
of the Company in various purchase programs, absent a termination for cause,
for the duration of the agreements with each such vendor. Under this Agreement,
as is the case currently, purchases of goods and services will be made directly
by the Company at prices negotiated by TBS which are applicable to all
participating purchasers. TBS will charge the Company a fixed fee of $5,000 per
month for contract administration services including data collection,
negotiations, progress reporting, benefits reporting, follow-up and consulting
in connection with the vendor agreements.
 
  Trademark Transition License Agreements. Upon consummation of the Corporate
Restructuring Transactions New Tenneco will hold the rights to various
trademarks, servicemarks, tradenames and similar intellectual property,
including rights in the marks "Tenneco", "Ten" and "Tenn" (but not
"Tennessee"), alone and in combination with other terms and/or symbols and
variations thereof (collectively, the "Trademarks"), in the United States and
elsewhere throughout the world. In connection with the Distributions, Trademark
Transition License Agreements will be entered into as of the Distribution Date
between both (i) New Tenneco and the Company ("Trademark Transition License
Agreement") and (ii) New Tenneco and Tenneco. Pursuant to these agreements New
Tenneco will grant to each of the Company and Tenneco a limited, non-exclusive,
royalty-free license to use the Trademarks with respect to specified goods and
services as follows: (a) Tenneco and the Company will be permitted to use the
Trademarks in their corporate names for 30 days after the date of the
agreements (and, pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, each have agreed to
remove the Trademarks from such corporate names within 30 days after the
Distribution Date), (b) Tenneco and the Company will be permitted to use their
existing supplies and documents which have the Trademarks imprinted on them for
six months after the date of the agreements and (c) Tenneco and the Company
will be permitted to use the Trademarks on existing signs, displays or other
identifications for a period of two years (in the case of Tenneco) and one year
(in the case of the Company). However, so long as Tenneco or the Company
continues to use the Trademarks, it must maintain certain quality standards
prescribed by New Tenneco in the conduct of business operations in which the
Trademarks are used. In addition, under these agreements each of Tenneco and
the Company will agree to indemnify New Tenneco from any claims that arise as a
result of its use of the Trademarks or any breach of its agreement and neither
Tenneco nor the Company may adopt or use at any time a word or mark likely to
be similar to or confused with the Trademarks. Each Transition Trademark
License Agreement will be immediately terminable by New Tenneco upon a material
breach of the agreement by Tenneco or the Company, as the case may be.
 
Directors
 
  After the Distribution Date, the Company and New Tenneco will share one
common director, Dana G. Mead. The Company and New Tenneco will adopt policies
and procedures to be followed by the Board of Directors of each company to
limit the involvement of Mr. Mead in situations that could give rise to
potential conflicts of interest, including requesting him to abstain from
voting as a director of either the Company or New Tenneco on certain matters
which present a conflict of interest between the Company and New Tenneco. The
Company believes that such conflict situations will be minimal. See
"Management."
 
Expenses
 
  In general, and except for certain environmental costs and expenses, Tenneco
is responsible for all fees and expenses incurred by Tenneco in connection with
the Transaction for periods prior to the Distribution Date. Any such fees and
expenses which are unpaid as of the Merger Effective Time will be allocated to
and remain the responsibility of Tenneco pursuant to the Debt Realignment and
El Paso has agreed to pay or cause to be paid all such amounts. However,
because the aggregate amount of debt to be allocated upon consummation of the
Merger to Tenneco is limited to $2.65 billion (subject to certain adjustments)
the amount of unpaid Tenneco transaction fees and expenses as of the Merger
Effective Time may impact the amount of debt allocated to the
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
 
Company in connection with the Transaction. See "--Debt and Cash Realignment."
Each party has agreed to bear its own respective fees and expenses incurred
after consummation of the Transaction.
 
Settlement of Intercompany Accounts
 
  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the Distribution Agreement, all
intercompany receivables, payables and loans (unless specifically provided for
in any Ancillary Agreement) among the Energy Business, the Industrial Business
and the Shipbuilding Business will be settled, capitalized or converted into
ordinary trade accounts as of the close of business on the Distribution Date.
Further, all intercompany agreements among such businesses (other than those
contemplated by the Transaction) will be terminated.
 
REASONS FOR THE DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  The Distributions and the Merger are designed to separate three types of
businesses, namely the Shipbuilding Business, the Industrial Business and the
Energy Business, which have distinct financial, investment and operating
characteristics, so that each can adopt strategies and pursue objectives
appropriate to its specific needs. The Distributions will (i) enable the
management of each company to concentrate its attention and financial resources
on the core business of such company, (ii) permit investors to make more
focused investment decisions based on the specific attributes of each of the
three businesses, (iii) facilitate employee compensation programs custom-
tailored to the operations of each business, including stock-based and other
incentive programs, which will more directly reward employees of each business
based on the success of that business and (iv) tailor the assets of Tenneco to
facilitate acquisition of the Energy Business by El Paso. Upon consummation of
the Shipbuilding Distribution, NNS will, primarily through its consolidated
subsidiaries (including Newport News), own and operate the Shipbuilding
Business. New Tenneco will, primarily through its consolidated subsidiaries,
own and operate the Industrial Business. Immediately following consummation of
the Distributions, a subsidiary of El Paso will be merged with and into
Tenneco, and thereafter the Energy Business, including liabilities and assets
relating to discontinued Tenneco operations not related to the Shipbuilding
Business and the Industrial Business, will be owned and operated by El Paso.
 
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE SHIPBUILDING DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Shipbuilding Distribution is conditioned on, among other things,
stockholder approval of the Distributions (to be submitted as components of the
Transaction) at a special meeting of Tenneco stockholders and formal
declaration of the Distributions by the Tenneco Board. Other conditions to the
Shipbuilding Distribution include (i) execution and delivery of certain of the
Ancillary Agreements and consummation of the various pre-distribution
transactions (such as the Corporate Restructuring Transactions, the Debt
Realignment and the Cash Realignment), (ii) receipt of a ruling from the IRS to
the effect that for federal income tax purposes the Distributions qualify as
tax-free distributions to Tenneco and its stockholders under Section 355 of the
Code (as defined herein) and that certain internal spin-off transactions
included in the Corporate Restructuring Transactions will also be tax-free,
(iii) approval of NNS Common Stock and New Tenneco Common Stock to be
distributed for listing on the NYSE, (iv) registration of NNS Common Stock and
New Tenneco Common Stock under the Exchange Act, (v) receipt of all material
consents to the Corporate Restructuring Transactions, the Distributions and
transactions contemplated in the Distribution Agreement, (vi) performance of
the various covenants required to be performed prior to the Distribution Date
(see "--Corporate Restructuring Transactions", "--Debt and Cash Realignment"
and "--Relationships Among Tenneco, the Company and New Tenneco After the
Distributions"), and (vii) lack of prohibition of the Distributions by any law
or governmental authority. Even if all the conditions to the Distributions are
satisfied, Tenneco has reserved the right, under certain circumstances, to
amend or terminate the Distribution Agreement and to modify or abandon the
transactions contemplated thereby. The Tenneco Board has not attempted to
identify or establish objective criteria for evaluating the particular types of
events or conditions that would cause the Tenneco Board to consider amending or
terminating the Distributions. See "--Amendments or Termination of the
Distributions." Although the foregoing conditions (other than declaration of
the Distributions) may be waived by Tenneco (to the extent permitted by law),
the Tenneco Board presently has no intention to proceed with either of the
Distributions unless each of these conditions is satisfied. See "Introduction."
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
 
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE DISTRIBUTIONS
 
  At any time prior to the Distributions, the Distribution Agreement may be
terminated and the Distributions may be amended, modified or abandoned by and
in the sole discretion of Tenneco without the approval of the Company or New
Tenneco or the stockholders of Tenneco. However, if any amendment or
modification prior to the termination of the Merger Agreement or consummation
of the Merger adversely affects the Energy Business (other than to a de
minimis extent) or materially delays or prevents the consummation of the
Merger, such amendment can only be effectuated with the prior consent of El
Paso. Termination prior to the termination of the Merger Agreement or
consummation of the Merger can only be effectuated with the prior written
consent of El Paso.
 
  After the Distributions, the Distribution Agreement may only be amended or
terminated by a written agreement signed by Tenneco, the Company and New
Tenneco. Certain amendments or terminations after the Distributions also
require the consent of third party beneficiaries to the extent that the
Distribution Agreement has expressly granted them such rights.
 
TRADING OF NNS COMMON STOCK
 
  See "Risk Factors--No Current Market for NNS Common Stock" and "Risk
Factors--Changes in Trading Price of Stock Following the Transaction" for a
discussion of certain considerations relating to the market for and trading
prices of NNS Common Stock following the Distribution.
 
  Shares of NNS Common Stock received by shareholders of Tenneco pursuant to
the Shipbuilding Distribution will be freely transferable, except for shares
received by persons who may be deemed to be "affiliates" of the Company under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Persons who are
affiliates of the Company will be permitted to sell their shares of NNS Common
Stock only pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act. There would not, however, be any 90-day waiting period before
sales could be made by affiliates under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, as
long as the other provisions of Rule 144 are met.
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX ASPECTS OF THE SHIPBUILDING DISTRIBUTION
 
 General
 
  The following is a summary description of the material federal income tax
aspects of the Shipbuilding Distribution. This summary is for general
informational purposes only and is not intended as a complete description of
all the tax consequences of the Shipbuilding Distribution, the Industrial
Distribution, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated as part of the
Transaction and does not discuss tax consequences under the laws of state or
local governments or any other jurisdiction. Moreover, the tax treatment of a
stockholder may vary depending upon his, her or its particular situation. In
this regard, certain stockholders (including insurance companies, tax-exempt
organizations, financial institutions or broker-dealers, persons who are not
citizens or residents of the United States or who are foreign corporations,
foreign partnerships or foreign trusts or estates, as defined for United
States federal income tax purposes, stockholders that hold shares as part of a
position in a "straddle" or as part of a "hedging" or "conversion" transaction
for United States federal income tax purposes and stockholders with a
"functional currency" other than the United States dollar) may be subject to
special rules not discussed below. In addition, this summary applies only to
shares which are held as capital assets. The following discussion may not be
applicable to a stockholder who acquired his, her or its shares pursuant to
the exercise of stock options or otherwise as compensation.
 
  THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS BASED ON CURRENTLY EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE"), EXISTING, PROPOSED AND
TEMPORARY TREASURY REGULATIONS THEREUNDER AND CURRENT ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS
AND COURT DECISIONS. ALL OF THE FOREGOING ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, WHICH MAY OR
MAY NOT BE RETROACTIVE, AND ANY SUCH CHANGES COULD AFFECT THE VALIDITY OF THE
FOLLOWING DISCUSSION. SEE "--POSSIBLE FUTURE LEGISLATION" BELOW.
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
  EACH STOCKHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS, HER OR ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO
THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM, HER OR IT OF THE TRANSACTION DESCRIBED
HEREIN, INCLUDING, THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN
TAX LAWS, AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES OF APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
 
 Tax Rulings
 
  Consummation of the Shipbuilding Distribution is conditioned upon the
receipt of a ruling or rulings from the IRS, reasonably acceptable to Tenneco
and El Paso, to the effect that:
 
    (i) the Shipbuilding Distribution will be tax-free for federal income tax
  purposes to Tenneco under Section 355(c)(1) of the Code and the
  stockholders of Tenneco under Section 355(a) of the Code;
 
    (ii) the Industrial Distribution will be tax-free for federal income tax
  purposes to Tenneco under Section 355(c)(1) of the Code and the
  stockholders of Tenneco under Section 355(a) of the Code; and
 
    (iii) the following distributions to be effected as part of the Corporate
  Restructuring Transactions will be tax-free for federal income tax purposes
  to the respective transferor corporations under Section 355(c)(1) or 361
  (a) of the Code and to the respective stockholders of the transferor
  corporations under Section 355(a) of the Code: (a) the distribution by the
  Company of the capital stock of Tenneco Packaging Inc. to Tenneco
  Corporation; (b) the distribution by Tenneco Corporation of the capital
  stock of the Company and New Tenneco to Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company
  ("TGP"); and (c) the distribution by TGP of the capital stock of the
  Company and New Tenneco to Tenneco.
 
  A ruling from the IRS, while generally binding on the IRS, may under certain
circumstances be retroactively revoked or modified by the IRS. The rulings
obtained from the IRS will be based on certain facts and representations, some
of which will have been made by El Paso. Generally, the IRS private letter
ruling would not be revoked or modified retroactively provided that (i) there
has been no misstatement or omission of material facts, (ii) the facts at the
time of the Transaction are not materially different from the facts upon which
the IRS private letter ruling was based and (iii) there has been no change in
the applicable law.
 
 The Distributions
 
  It is expected that the Distributions will qualify as tax-free distributions
under Section 355 of the Code. Assuming that the Distributions so qualify, (i)
the holders of Tenneco Common Stock will not recognize gain or loss upon
receipt of shares of NNS Common Stock or shares of New Tenneco Common Stock,
(ii) each holder of Tenneco Common Stock will allocate his, her or its
aggregate tax basis in the Tenneco Common Stock immediately before the
Distributions among Tenneco Common Stock, NNS Common Stock and New Tenneco
Common Stock in proportion to their respective fair market values, (iii) the
holding period of each holder of Tenneco Common Stock for NNS Common Stock and
New Tenneco Common Stock will include the holding period for his, her or its
Tenneco Common Stock, provided that Tenneco Common Stock is held as a capital
asset at the time of the Distributions and (iv) Tenneco will not recognize any
gain or loss on its distribution of NNS Common Stock or New Tenneco Common
Stock to its stockholders.
 
  No fractional shares of NNS Common Stock or New Tenneco Common Stock will be
distributed in the Distributions. A holder of Tenneco Common Stock who,
pursuant to the Distributions, receives cash in lieu of fractional shares of
NNS Common Stock will be treated as having received such fractional shares of
NNS Common Stock pursuant to the Distributions and then as having received
such cash in a sale of such fractional shares of NNS Common Stock. Such
holders will generally recognize capital gain or loss pursuant to such deemed
sale equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and such
holders' adjusted tax basis in the fractional share of NNS Common Stock
received. Such gain or loss will be capital (provided the Tenneco Common Stock
is held as a capital asset at the time of the Distributions) and will be
treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period for the
fractional shares of NNS Common Stock deemed to be received and then sold is
more than one year.
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
  If the Distributions were not to qualify as tax-free distributions under
Section 355 of the Code, then in general a corporate level federal income tax
would be payable by the consolidated group of which Tenneco is the common
parent, which tax (assuming the internal spin-off transactions included in the
Corporate Restructuring Transactions also failed to qualify under Code Section
355) would be based upon the gain (computed as the difference between the fair
market value of the stock distributed and the distributing corporation's
adjusted basis in such stock) realized by each of the distributing
corporations upon its distribution of the stock of one or more controlled
corporations to its shareholders in the Transaction. The corporate level
federal income tax would be payable by Tenneco. Under the terms of the Tax
Sharing Agreement, the Company will not be liable to indemnify Tenneco for any
additional taxes incurred by reason of the Distributions being taxable, unless
the Distributions fail to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of
the Code as a result of the inaccuracy of certain factual statements or
representations made by the Company in connection with the requests for the
IRS private letter ruling or Tax Opinion or the Company takes any action which
is inconsistent with any factual statements or representations or the tax
treatment of the Transaction as contemplated in the IRS private letter ruling
request or the Tax Opinion. See the discussion of the Tax Sharing Agreement
under "--Relationships among Tenneco, the Company and New Tenneco After the
Distributions."
 
  Furthermore, if the Distributions do not qualify as tax-free distributions
under Section 355 of the Code then each holder of Tenneco Common Stock who
receives shares of NNS Common Stock and New Tenneco Common Stock in the
Distributions would be treated as if such stockholder received taxable
distributions in an amount equal to the fair market value of NNS Common Stock
and New Tenneco Common Stock received which would result in: (i) a dividend to
the extent paid out of Tenneco's current and accumulated earnings and profits;
then (ii) a reduction in such stockholder's basis in Tenneco Common Stock to
the extent the amount received exceeds the amount referenced in clause (i);
and then (iii) gain from the sale or exchange of Tenneco Common Stock to the
extent the amount received exceeds the sum of the amounts referenced in
clauses (i) and (ii). Each stockholder's basis in his, her or its NNS Common
Stock and New Tenneco Common Stock would be equal to the fair market value of
such stock at the time of the Distributions.
 
 Possible Future Legislation
 
  The Administration's Budget Proposal issued March 19, 1996 contains several
revenue proposals, including a proposal (the "Anti-Morris Trust Proposal")
which would require a distributing corporation in a transaction otherwise
qualifying as a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the Code to
recognize gain on the distribution of the stock of the controlled corporation
unless the direct and indirect stockholders of the distributing corporation
own more than 50% of the distributing corporation and controlled corporations
at all times during the four-year period commencing two years prior to the
distribution. The Anti-Morris Trust Proposal would apply to any distributions
occurring after March 19, 1996, unless such distribution was (i) pursuant to a
binding contract on such date, (ii) described in a ruling request submitted to
the IRS on or before such date, or (iii) described in a public announcement or
SEC filing on or before such date.
 
  On March 29, 1996, Senator William V. Roth, Chairman of the Senate Finance
Committee and Congressman Bill Archer, Chairman of the House Ways and Means
Committee, issued a joint statement (the "Roth-Archer Statement") to the
effect that should certain of the revenue proposals included in the
Administration's Budget Proposal including the Anti-Morris Trust Proposal, be
enacted, the effective date will be no earlier than the date of "appropriate
Congressional action." As of the date of this Information Statement, no
legislation has been introduced relating to the Anti-Morris Trust Proposal. On
June 27, 1996, Tenneco submitted its request for rulings (including rulings on
the tax-free treatment of the Distributions) to the IRS. Accordingly, in view
of the Roth-Archer Statement, any future Anti-Morris Trust legislation should
not apply to the Distributions assuming that the effective date of such
legislation contains a grandfather clause for transactions for which a ruling
request has been filed with the IRS prior to the date of "appropriate
Congressional action." Nevertheless, there can be no assurances that Congress
will not adopt Anti-Morris Trust legislation which would apply retroactively
to the Distributions. In the event such legislation is announced or introduced
prior to the consummation of the Transaction, under the terms of the Merger
Agreement El Paso may elect not to proceed with the Merger if it reasonably
determines that there exists a reasonable likelihood that the Distributions or
the Merger would not be tax-free for federal income tax purposes. If El Paso
elects to proceed with the Merger
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
notwithstanding the announcement or introduction of Anti-Morris Trust
legislation, the Distributions, if ultimately subject to such legislation, may
result in significant taxable gain to the Tenneco consolidated group under
Section 355(c) of the Code. Although Tenneco stockholders would not recognize
taxable gain or loss on the receipt of the stock of the Company and New
Tenneco under the current Anti-Morris Trust Proposal, the taxable gain
required to be recognized by the Tenneco consolidated group under Code Section
355(c) would significantly reduce the value of the El Paso Common Stock and
any El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares received by the Tenneco stockholders
in the Merger.
 
 Back-up Withholding Requirements
 
  United States information reporting requirements and backup withholding at
the rate of 31% may apply with respect to dividends paid on, and proceeds from
the taxable sale, exchange or other disposition of NNS Common Stock, unless
the stockholder (i) is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt
categories, and, when required, demonstrates these facts or (ii) provides a
correct taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption
from backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of
the backup withholding rules. A stockholder who does not supply the Company
with his, her or its correct taxpayer identification number may be subject to
penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount withheld under these rules will be
creditable against the stockholder's federal income tax liability.
Stockholders should consult their tax advisers as to their qualification for
exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an
exemption. If information reporting requirements apply to a stockholder, the
amount of dividends paid with respect to such shares will be reported annually
to the IRS and to such stockholder.
 
  These backup withholding tax and information reporting rules currently are
under review by the United States Treasury Department and proposed Treasury
Regulations issued on April 15, 1996 would modify certain of such rules
generally with respect to payments made after December 31, 1997. Accordingly,
the application of such rules could be changed.
 
REASONS FOR FURNISHING THE INFORMATION STATEMENT
 
  This Information Statement is being furnished by Tenneco and the Company
solely to provide information to Tenneco stockholders who will receive NNS
Common Stock in the Shipbuilding Distribution. It is not, and is not to be
construed as, an inducement or encouragement to buy or sell any securities of
Tenneco or the Company. The information contained in this Information
Statement is believed by Tenneco and the Company to be accurate as of the date
set forth on its cover. Changes may occur after that date, and neither the
Company nor Tenneco will update the information except in the normal course of
their respective public disclosure practices.
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  Stockholders of Tenneco should be aware that the Shipbuilding Distribution
and ownership of NNS Common Stock involves certain risk factors, including
those described below and elsewhere in this Information Statement, which could
adversely affect the value of their holdings. Neither the Company nor Tenneco
makes, nor is any other person authorized to make, any representation as to
the future market value of NNS Common Stock.
 
RELIANCE ON MAJOR CUSTOMER AND UNCERTAINTY OF FUTURE WORK
 
  The Company's business is primarily dependent upon the construction, repair
and overhaul of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the U.S.
Navy, with approximately 85% of its backlog consisting of contracts to build,
repair or overhaul nuclear powered aircraft carriers as of June 30, 1996.
Although U.S. Government cuts in naval shipbuilding have continued to put
pressure on the Company's backlog, the Company was successful in adding $1.0
billion in new work during 1995 and $443 million during the first six months
of 1996. The Company's total backlog, however, decreased from $5.6 billion at
December 31, 1994 to $4.6 billion at December 31, 1995 and, as of June 30,
1996, was $4.1 billion. The Company's total backlog anticipated at December
31, 1996 is $3.4 billion. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Backlog." Because much of the
Company's business consists of constructing aircraft carriers, which
historically have been purchased by the Navy every 4 to 6 years, the Company's
backlog has typically declined following each carrier contract, and peaked
again when the Navy orders a new carrier. For example, the Company's backlog
dropped well below $3 billion in late 1994, then peaked at $5.6 billion with
the signing of the CVN 76 contract. The continuing effort of the U.S.
Government to reduce the federal budget deficit and the restructuring of U.S.
Naval forces in a post cold war environment will affect the level of funding
for shipbuilding programs. The Report on the Bottom-Up Review by the U.S.
Department of Defense in 1993 stated a need for a fleet of twelve aircraft
carriers, creating demand for a new carrier every 4 to 6 years. Re-evaluation
of this need will continue by both the Department of Defense and the Congress.
Current Navy plans call for the construction of a new aircraft carrier (CVN-
77) beginning in 2002. For the year ended December 31, 1995 and for the first
six months of 1996, aircraft carrier construction accounted for approximately
40.5% and 41% of the Company's revenues, respectively. Aircraft carrier
programs and other government projects can also be delayed, and such delays
typically cause loss of income during the period of delay and retraining costs
when work resumes. Any significant reduction in the level of government
appropriations for aircraft carrier or other shipbuilding programs, or a
significant delay of such appropriations, would have a material adverse effect
on the Company.
 
  The prospects of U.S. shipyards, including the Company, can be materially
affected by their success in securing significant U.S. Navy contract awards.
In 1987, the Company was awarded the lead design contract for the Seawolf
submarine. However, due to the end of the Cold War there was a dramatic
cutback in the Seawolf program (to three submarines) and the Company did not
construct any Seawolf submarines. Construction of the three Seawolf submarines
was awarded to Electric Boat Corporation, a competitor of the Company and
wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation ("Electric Boat").
More recently, Congress preliminarily approved authorization legislation to
have the Company construct one of the Navy's New Attack Submarines ("NSSNs",
the class of submarines following the Seawolf) beginning in 1999 and another
NSSN beginning in 2001, although there can be no assurance that the NSSN
program will continue to be funded or proceed on schedule. Two NSSN contracts
were also authorized to be built by Electric Boat. Electric Boat has also been
designated as the lead design yard for NSSN submarines. Future contract awards
(after the fourth ship) for the construction of NSSNs, if made, are expected
to be determined by competitive bidding.
 
  The Company has entered into an alliance with Ingalls Shipbuilding (the
prime contractor), Lockheed Martin and National Steel to bid on the LPD-17
non-nuclear amphibious assault ship program, for which approximately $974
million was recently appropriated for construction of the first vessel. The
U.S. Navy currently anticipates that 12 vessels will be built for the LPD-17
program. The Navy has stated that it currently expects that the LPD-17 vessels
will be a mainstay of the Navy over the next two decades, replacing a number
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
of vessels nearing the end of their useful lives. Funds for the construction of
the first LPD-17 vessel have been appropriated as part of the overall
Department of Defense appropriations for 1996. However, there can be no
assurance that the Department of Defense and Congress will fund the twelve
vessels. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the Company's alliance
will be awarded, assuming the appropriated funds are released, the LPD-17
contract or that Congress will appropriate funds for any additional LPD-17
vessels. It is possible that the U.S. Navy may award the program to a competing
bidder or it may allocate the vessels between competing bidders. It could also
delay implementation of the LPD-17 program. Even if the LPD-17 project is
awarded to the Company's alliance, the U.S. Navy may decide to award other work
to competitors in order to sustain some level of work at various shipyards.
 
  The Company, again in alliance with Ingalls Shipbuilding and Lockheed Martin,
was recently awarded a contract to develop design concepts for the U.S. Navy's
"Arsenal Ship." The Company's alliance was one of five alliances to receive
such an award. Current U.S. Navy plans call for a downselect to two alliances
following evaluation of submitted concepts. Ultimately, one alliance is
expected to prevail in the award of a construction contract. The members of the
Company's alliance initially designated Lockheed Martin as the prime
contractor. Although the Company's alliance was selected to develop design
concepts, there can be no assurance that it will be awarded the construction
work or other aspects of the project. The allocation of responsibilities among
members of the Company's LPD-17 alliance and the Company's Arsenal Ship
alliance is subject to future negotiation among such members, and thus there
has not been a determination of the level of work which may ultimately be
assigned to the Company if its alliances are awarded these projects. With a
substantial portion of the Company's current firm backlog scheduled for
completion in 1998 and 2002, it is important that the Company receive a
substantial portion of the work for the LPD-17 vessels, the Arsenal Ship or
other U.S. Navy or commercial work, that the work is not significantly delayed,
and that CVN-77 is authorized and purchased as currently planned, if the
Company is to maintain a profitable level of shipbuilding activity. See
"Business and Properties."
 
PROFIT RECOGNITION; GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING
 
  Similar to other companies principally engaged in long-term construction
projects, the Company recognizes profits under the percentage of completion
method of accounting, with profit recognition commencing when progress under
the contract is sufficient to estimate final results with reasonable accuracy,
and loss recognition commencing immediately upon identification of such loss
without regard to percentage of completion. Because contract profit recognition
is dependent upon reliable estimates of the costs to complete the contract,
profits recognized upon completion of the contract may be significantly less
than anticipated, or the Company may incur a loss with respect to the contract,
if it proves necessary to revise cost estimates.
 
  Moreover, the Company's principal U.S. Government business is currently being
performed under fixed price ("FP"), fixed-price plus incentive fee ("FPIF"),
cost plus incentive fee ("CPIF"), and cost plus fixed fee ("CPFF") contracts.
The risk to the Company of not being reimbursed for its costs varies with the
type of contract. Under FP contracts, the contractor retains all costs savings
on completed contracts but is liable for the full amount of all expenditures in
excess of the contract price. FPIF contracts, on the other hand, provide for
sharing between the U.S. Government and the contractor. The contractor's fee is
increased or decreased according to a formula set forth in the contract which
generally compares the amount of costs incurred to the contract target cost.
The Government is liable for all allowable costs up to a ceiling price.
However, the contractor is responsible for all costs incurred in excess of such
contract ceiling price. In addition, FPIF contracts generally provide for the
U.S. Government to pay escalation based on published indices relating to the
shipbuilding industry in order to shift the primary risk of inflation to the
Government. Under both CPIF and CPFF contracts, generally the contractor is
only required to perform the contract to the extent the government makes funds
available. Under the former, the contractor's profit is determined by a
contractually specified formula which essentially compares allowable incurred
costs to the contract target cost. Under the latter, with few exceptions, the
fee is the same without regard to the amount of cost incurred.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
 
  The Company currently constructs aircraft carriers pursuant to FPIF
contracts but it performs work for the U.S. Government under all of the types
of contracts described above. For example, most of its contracts for ship
design are of the cost type and some of its ship repair contracts are of the
fixed-price type.
 
  The costs of performing all such types of contracts include those for labor,
material and overhead. Therefore, unanticipated increases in any such costs as
well as delays in product delivery, poor workmanship requiring correction, and
all other factors which affect the cost of performing contracts, many of which
are long term in nature, affect the profitability of most contracts held or
anticipated by the Company.
 
  In certain circumstances, the Company may submit Requests for Equitable
Adjustment ("REAs") to the U.S. Navy seeking adjustments to contract prices to
compensate the Company when it incurs costs for which it believes the U.S.
Government is responsible. For example, in June, 1996, the Company settled
REAs relating to U.S. Government initiated changes in the requirements for
renovating the Sealift ships. As part of the settlement, the Sealift contract
was converted from a fixed price incentive contract to a fixed-price contract
and the contract price was increased. See Note 13 to the Combined Financial
Statements of the Company. Although the Company pursues REAs and all other
contractual disputes vigorously, there is no assurance that the U.S. Navy will
resolve the REAs or any of these disputes in a manner favorable to the
Company. Under U.S. Government regulations, certain costs, including certain
financing costs and marketing expenses, are not allowable contract costs.
These costs can be substantial. The Government also regulates the methods by
which all costs, including overhead, are allocated to government contracts.
 
  In cases where there are multiple suppliers, contracts for the construction
and conversion of U.S. Navy ships and submarines are subject to competitive
bidding. As a safeguard to anti-competitive bidding practices, the U.S. Navy
sometimes employs the concept of "cost realism," which requires that each
bidder submit information on pricing, estimated costs of completion and
anticipated profit margins. The U.S. Navy uses this and other data to
determine an estimated cost for each bidder. The U.S. Navy then re-evaluates
the bids by using the higher of the bidder's and the U.S. Navy's cost
estimates.
 
  The U.S. Government has the right to suspend or debar a contractor from
government contracting for violations of statute or government procurement
regulations. See "--Government Claims and Investigations." The U.S. Government
may also unilaterally terminate contracts at its convenience with compensation
for work completed.
 
COMPETITION AND REGULATION
 
  In the Company's opinion, programs currently planned by the U.S. Navy over
the next several years will not be sufficient to support all the U.S.
shipyards presently engaged in ship construction. The reduced level of
shipbuilding activity by the U.S. Navy during the past decade has resulted in
significant headcount reductions in the industry, but almost no other
significant consolidation. The general result has been fewer contracts awarded
to the same fixed number of large shipyards. The Company believes it currently
is (i) the only shipyard capable of building the Navy's nuclear-powered
aircraft carriers, (ii) the only non-government-owned shipyard capable of
refueling and overhauling the Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and
(iii) one of only two U.S. shipyards capable of building nuclear-powered
submarines. However, with respect to the market for U.S. military contracts
for other types of vessels, there are principally five major private U.S.
shipyards, including the Company, that compete for contracts to construct,
overhaul or convert other types of surface combatant vessels. Competition for
these vessels, including the LPD-17 and the Arsenal Ship, is extremely
intense. Additionally the Company's products, such as carriers, submarines and
other ships, compete with each other for defense monies.
 
  With respect to the domestic commercial shipbuilding market, currently the
Jones Act requires that all vessels transporting products between U.S. ports
be constructed by U.S. shipyards. There are approximately 16 private U.S.
shipyards that can accommodate the construction of vessels up to 400 feet in
length, six of which the Company considers to be its direct competitors for
commercial contracts. Although the commercial market is growing, a current
overcapacity of suppliers has favored buyers and hindered the profitability of
shipyards. With
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
respect to the international shipbuilding market, the Company competes with
numerous shipyards in several countries. Overseas firms control almost all of
the international commercial shipbuilding market. In 1995, Japanese, South
Korean and European yards each controlled approximately 30% of this market.
Chinese firms held approximately four percent and the yards in the remaining
countries held the remaining six percent. Many foreign shipyards are heavily
subsidized by their governments, and a number of overseas yards presently
construct ships at a cost and over a period which is substantially less than
the cost and period applicable to the Company. Although there can be no
guarantees, the Company has undertaken major initiatives to reduce its cost
structure and cycle times for product development and ship delivery. See
"Summary of Certain Information--Business Strategy" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--
Other--Significant Estimates." While the percentage of the Company's total
business for commercial shipbuilding could increase, the U.S. Navy has
historically been and for the foreseeable future is expected to continue to be
the Company's primary customer. See "Business and Properties."
 
  The termination of the U.S. construction-differential subsidy program in
1981 significantly curtailed the ability of U.S. shipyards to compete
successfully for international commercial shipbuilding contracts with foreign
shipyards. Currently, the Company's future commercial shipbuilding
opportunities are dependent in part on certain U.S. laws and regulations,
including (i) the Jones Act, which, as noted above, currently requires that
all vessels transporting products between U.S. ports be constructed by U.S.
shipyards, (ii) the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which requires the phased-in
transition of single-hulled tankers and product carriers to double-hulled
vessels beginning January 1, 1995 and (iii) the 1993 amendments to the loan
guarantee program under Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, which
permit the U.S. Government to guarantee loan obligations of foreign vessel
owners for foreign-flagged vessels built in U.S. shipyards. In connection with
U.S. efforts to implement a 1994 multilateral agreement designed in part to
eliminate foreign government subsidies to overseas commercial shipbuilders,
Congress is currently considering legislation that would eliminate the
competitive advantage afforded to U.S. shipyards under the 1993 amendments to
the Title XI loan guarantee program. In addition, legislative bills seeking to
rescind or substantially modify the provisions of the Jones Act mandating the
use of U.S.-built ships for coastwide trade are introduced from time to time,
and are expected to be introduced in the future. Changes in these laws could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and
results of operations. See "Business and Properties."
 
  The Company is also directly dependent upon allocation of defense monies to
the U.S. Navy. In addition to competition from other shipyards, the Company
competes with firms providing other defense products and services, such as
tanks and aircraft, to other branches of the armed forces, and with other,
non-defense demands on the U.S. budget.
 
UNCERTAINTY OF OTHER INCOME SOURCES
 
  The financial success of the Company is also dependent upon its ability to
obtain revenue from new projects outside of its traditional nuclear carrier
and submarine work for the Navy. As described above, the Company (with others
in an alliance) has submitted a bid on the LPD-17 non-nuclear amphibious ship
program. As part of its diversification effort, the Company is pursuing orders
for commercial ships. It has also submitted bids on the fast frigate (FF-21)
military ships to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, and is in the process
of developing bids for the Philippines and Norway. With respect to the
commercial nuclear market, the Company is preparing to bid (also with others
in an alliance) on several U.S. Department of Energy site management
contracts. Receiving contracts and awards for these ships, projects or other
work is very important for the strategic and financial success of the Company.
Competition for these contracts and projects is intense and there can be no
assurance that the Company will be successful with its initiatives in these
areas. Failure to receive a substantial amount of revenue from these
contracts, projects or other work could have an adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition and results of operations.
 
LACK OF OPERATING HISTORY AS A SEPARATE ENTITY
 
  Upon being acquired by Tenneco in 1968, the Company became a subsidiary of
Tenneco. Since that time the business of the Company has been conducted by
Tenneco as a separate segment of Tenneco and has not had
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
an operating history as a separate entity without the financial and other
support of Tenneco. Upon consummation of the Shipbuilding Distribution, the
Company, through Newport News and its other consolidated subsidiaries, will
own and conduct the Shipbuilding Business. Management of the Shipbuilding
Business has historically relied upon Tenneco for working capital requirements
on a short-term basis and certain administrative services. After the
Distribution Date, the Company will be responsible (i) for maintaining its own
administrative functions, except for certain services provided by Tenneco
Business Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of New Tenneco ("TBS"),
pursuant to agreements between the Company and TBS and (ii) for servicing debt
and obtaining sufficient working capital. See "--Company Debt after the
Transaction," "The Shipbuilding Distribution--Relationships Among Tenneco, the
Company and New Tenneco After the Distributions" and "Business and
Properties."
 
COMPANY DEBT AFTER THE TRANSACTION
 
  Following the consummation of the Transaction, including the Debt
Realignment and the Shipbuilding Distribution, the Company will be
substantially more leveraged than Tenneco prior to the Transaction, although
the Company will have significantly less debt than Tenneco.
 
  Following consummation of the Transaction, the Company will not be able to
rely on the earnings, assets or cash flow of either Tenneco or New Tenneco and
the capital requirements of the Company will be satisfied solely on the basis
of its ability to generate its own funds either internally or externally. The
Company's debt after the Transaction will include: (i) a $200 million five-
year revolving credit facility, (ii) a $400 million subordinated bridge loan
facility, and (iii) a $100 million working capital facility. The Company
expects that it will subsequently refinance the bridge loan facility through
the offering of high-yield debt securities in a private placement or public
offering. See "Financing." There can be no assurance, however, that the
Company will be able to refinance its bridge loan or other facilities or
obtain terms which are favorable to the Company.
 
  The Company's ability to satisfy its debt obligations and maintain
profitability will be dependent upon its future performance, which will be
subject to prevailing economic and market conditions and to political,
financial, business and other factors affecting the business and operations of
the Company, including factors beyond the control of the Company.
 
FRAUDULENT TRANSFER CONSIDERATIONS; LEGAL DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS; ALLOCATION OF
LIABILITIES
 
  Prior to the Shipbuilding Distribution the Tenneco Board will obtain an
opinion regarding the solvency of the Company and Tenneco and the
permissibility of the Transaction, including the Debt Realignment and the
Shipbuilding Distribution, under Section 170 of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"). The Tenneco Board and management believe
that, in accordance with this opinion which is expected to be rendered in
connection with the Shipbuilding Distribution, (i) the Company and Tenneco
each will be solvent at the time of the Transaction, will be able to repay its
debts as they mature following the Transaction and will have sufficient
capital to carry on its businesses and (ii) the Shipbuilding Distribution will
be made entirely out of surplus in accordance with Section 170 of the DGCL.
There is no certainty, however, that a court would find the solvency opinion
rendered by Tenneco's financial advisor to be binding on creditors of the
Company or Tenneco or that a court would reach the same conclusions set forth
in such opinion in determining whether the Company or Tenneco was insolvent at
the time of, or after giving effect to, the Transaction, including the Debt
Realignment and the Shipbuilding Distribution or whether lawful funds were
available for the Shipbuilding Distribution.
 
  If a court reached conclusions contrary to such opinion, then such court
could order the holders of NNS Common Stock to return the value of the stock
and any dividends paid thereon, bar future dividends and redemption payments
on the stock, and invalidate, in whole or part, the Shipbuilding Distribution
as a fraudulent conveyance.
 
  The Distribution Agreement and the Merger Agreement provide for the
allocation, immediately prior to the Distributions of the Tenneco Consolidated
Debt remaining following consummation of the Corporate
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
Restructuring Transactions. Further, pursuant to the Distribution Agreement,
from and after the Distributions, each of Tenneco, the Company and New Tenneco
will be responsible for the debts, liabilities and other obligations related
to the business or businesses which it owns and operates following the
consummation of the Transaction. Although the Company does not expect to be
liable for any such obligations not expressly assumed by it pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement and the Debt Realignment, it is possible that a court
would disregard the allocation agreed to among the parties, and require the
Company to assume responsibility for obligations allocated to Tenneco or New
Tenneco (for example, tax and/or environmental liabilities), particularly if
one of such other parties were to refuse or were to be unable to pay or
perform the subject allocated obligations. See "The Shipbuilding
Distribution--Relationships Among Tenneco, the Company and New Tenneco After
the Distributions."
 
GOVERNMENT CLAIMS AND INVESTIGATIONS
 
  As a general practice within the defense industry, the Defense Contract
Audit Agency ("DCAA") continually reviews the cost accounting practices of
government contractors. In the course of those reviews, cost accounting issues
are identified, discussed and settled, or resolved through legal proceedings.
In addition, various governmental agencies may at any time be conducting
various other investigations or making specific inquiries concerning the
Company. See "Business and Properties--Investigations and Legal Proceedings."
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
  The Shipbuilding Distribution is conditioned upon the receipt of a favorable
ruling from the IRS to the effect, among other things, that the Shipbuilding
Distribution will qualify as a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the
Code. See "The Shipbuilding Distribution--Certain Federal Income Tax Aspects
of the Shipbuilding Distribution." Such a ruling, while generally binding upon
the IRS, is based upon certain factual representations and assumptions. If any
such factual representations and assumptions were incomplete or untrue in a
material respect, or the facts upon which such ruling was based are materially
different from the facts at the time of the Distributions, the IRS could
modify or revoke such ruling retroactively. Tenneco is not aware of any facts
or circumstances which would cause any of such representations and assumptions
to be incomplete or untrue. The Company, Tenneco, New Tenneco and El Paso have
each agreed to certain covenants on its future actions to provide further
assurances that the Shipbuilding Distribution will be tax-free for federal
income tax purposes. See "The Shipbuilding Distribution--Relationships among
Tenneco, the Company and New Tenneco After the Distributions."
 
  If the Distributions were not to qualify as tax-free distributions under
Section 355 of the Code, then in general a corporate level federal income tax
would be payable by the consolidated group of which Tenneco is the common
parent, which tax (assuming the internal spin-off transactions included in the
Corporate Restructuring Transactions also failed to qualify under Code Section
355) would be based upon the gain (computed as the difference between the fair
market value of the stock distributed and the distributing corporation's
adjusted basis in such stock) realized by each of the distributing
corporations upon its distribution of the stock of one or more controlled
corporations to its stockholders in the Transaction. In this regard, the
failure of the Merger to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of
Code Section 368(a)(1)(B) could cause the Shipbuilding Distribution to be
taxable to Tenneco and its stockholders. The corporate level federal income
tax would be payable by Tenneco. Under certain limited circumstances, however,
the Company has agreed to indemnify Tenneco for a defined portion of such tax
liabilities. See "The Shipbuilding Distribution--Relationships Among Tenneco,
the Company and New Tenneco After the Distributions--Terms of the Ancillary
Agreements--Tax Sharing Agreement." In addition, under IRS regulations, each
member of the consolidated group (including the Company) is severally liable
for such tax liability.
 
  Furthermore, if the Shipbuilding Distribution were not to qualify as a tax-
free distribution under Section 355 of the Code, then each holder of Tenneco
Common Stock who receives shares of NNS Common Stock and New Tenneco Common
Stock in the Distributions would be treated as if such stockholder received a
taxable
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of NNS Common Stock
and New Tenneco Common Stock received, which would result in: (i) a dividend
to the extent paid out of Tenneco's current and accumulated earnings and
profits; then (ii) a reduction in such stockholder's basis in Tenneco Common
Stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the amount referenced in
clause (i); and then (iii) gain from the sale or exchange of Tenneco Common
Stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the sum of the amounts
referenced in clauses (i) and (ii). See "The Shipbuilding Distribution--
Certain Federal Income Tax Aspects of the Shipbuilding Distribution."
 
NO CURRENT PUBLIC MARKET FOR NNS COMMON STOCK
 
  There is not currently a public market for NNS Common Stock, although a
"when issued" market is expected to develop prior to the Distribution Date.
There can be no assurance as to the prices at which trading in NNS Common
Stock will occur after the Shipbuilding Distribution. Until NNS Common Stock
is fully distributed and an orderly market develops, the prices at which
trading in such stock occurs may fluctuate significantly. On    , 1996, the
NYSE approved the listing of NNS Common Stock upon notice of issuance. See
"The Shipbuilding Distribution--Trading of NNS Common Stock."
 
CHANGES IN TRADING PRICES OF STOCK FOLLOWING THE TRANSACTION
 
  Upon consummation of the Transaction, (i) in connection with the Merger, the
then outstanding shares of Tenneco Common Stock will be cancelled and holders
of Tenneco Common Stock will receive shares of El Paso Common Stock and, under
certain circumstances, El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares and (ii) in
connection with the Distributions, New Tenneco Common Stock and NNS Common
Stock. Tenneco Common Stock is currently listed and traded, and following the
Distributions, New Tenneco Common Stock is expected to be listed and traded,
on the New York, Chicago, Pacific, Toronto and London Stock Exchanges. El Paso
Common Stock, El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, if any, and NNS Common
Stock will be listed and traded on the NYSE. There can be no assurance that
the combined market value/trading prices of (i) El Paso Common Stock and any
El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares, (ii) New Tenneco Common Stock and (iii)
NNS Common Stock (plus any cash received in lieu of fractional shares or any
fractional El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares) received in respect of shares
of Tenneco Common Stock pursuant to the Transaction will be equal to or
greater than the market value/trading prices of shares of Tenneco Common Stock
immediately prior to the Transaction. See "The Shipbuilding Distribution--
Trading of NNS Common Stock."
 
DIVIDENDS
 
  The Company's dividend policy will be established by the Company Board from
time to time based on the results of operations and financial condition of the
Company and such other business considerations as the Company Board considers
relevant, dependent on distributions from its subsidiaries to pay dividends.
Additionally, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries may be subject to
certain restrictions on the payment of dividends pursuant to its financing and
similar arrangements. There can be no assurance that the combined annual
dividends on El Paso Common Stock and any El Paso Preferred Depositary Shares,
New Tenneco Common Stock and NNS Common Stock after the Transaction will be
equal to the annual dividends on Tenneco Common Stock prior to the Transaction
(and it is unlikely that the dividends would be greater than the annual
dividends on Tenneco Common Stock prior to the Transaction). See "Financing."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
  The success of the Company's business and strategic plan may materially
depend upon the efforts and abilities of certain of its key executives and
officers. While the Company is not presently aware of any intention by any of
its key personnel to leave the Company, it believes that its future success is
dependent, in part, on its ability to continue to attract and retain qualified
personnel. See "Management."
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
 
  The Company has entered into four collective bargaining agreements covering
all of the Company's approximately 10,770 hourly employees. The agreement with
the United Steelworkers of America covers approximately 10,520 employees and
expires April 4, 1999. The agreement with the United Plant Guard Workers of
America and its Amalgamated Local No. 451 covers approximately 100 employees
and expires February 11, 2001. The agreement with the International
Association of Fire Fighters, Local I-45 covers approximately 30 employees and
expires September 24, 2000. The Idaho General President's Project Maintenance
Agreement (a master agreement with approximately twelve craft unions) covers
approximately 130 employees of Newport News Reactor Services, a subsidiary of
the Company, working in Idaho. This agreement expires upon completion of the
project. Although the Company believes that its relationships with these
unions are good, there can be no assurance that the Company will not
experience labor disruptions associated with these collective bargaining
agreements. See "Business and Properties."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  The Company is subject to various federal, state and local environmental
laws and regulations that impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants
into the environment and establish standards for the transportation, storage
and disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes. Stringent fines and penalties may
be imposed for non-compliance and certain environmental laws impose joint and
several "strict liability" for remediation of spills and releases of oil and
hazardous substances rendering a person liable for environmental damage,
without regard to negligence or fault on the part of such person. Such laws
and regulations may expose the Company to liability for the conduct of or
conditions caused by others, including, without limitation, Tenneco and New
Tenneco, or for acts of the Company which are or were in compliance with all
applicable laws at the time such acts were performed.
 
  The nature of shipbuilding operations requires the use of hazardous
materials. The Company's shipyard also generates significant quantities of
wastewater which it treats before discharging pursuant to various permits. In
order to handle these materials, the shipyard has an extensive network of
above-ground and underground storage tanks, some of which have leaked and
required remediation in the past. In addition, the extensive handling of these
materials sometimes results in spills on the shipyard and occasionally in the
adjacent James River. The shipyard also has extensive waste handling programs
which it maintains and, periodically, must close in accordance with applicable
regulations. The cumulative cost of these normal operations are not expected
to cause any significant impact to the Company's financial condition or
results of operations. See "Business and Properties--Health, Safety and
Environmental."
 
CERTAIN ANTITAKEOVER FEATURES
 
  Upon consummation of the Shipbuilding Distribution, certain provisions of
the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate") and
its Amended and Restated By-laws ("By-laws"), along with the Company's
stockholder rights plan and Delaware statutory law, could discourage potential
acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control of the
Company. Such provisions could diminish the opportunities for a stockholder to
participate in tender offers, including tender offers at a price above the
then current market value of NNS Common Stock. Such provisions may also
inhibit fluctuations in the market price of NNS Common Stock that could result
from takeover attempts. The provisions could also have the effect of making it
more difficult for third parties to cause the immediate removal and
replacement of the members of the then current Company Board or the then
current management of the Company without the concurrence of the Company
Board. See "Antitakeover Effects of Certain Provisions."
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
                                   FINANCING
 
  In connection with the Debt Realignment and to provide for working capital
needs, the Company will enter into the Company Credit Facilities in an
aggregate principal amount of approximately $700 million. The Company will
initially borrow $610 million under the Company Credit Facilities and
distribute: (i) $600 million to Tenneco as a dividend for use by Tenneco in
retiring certain Tenneco Consolidated Debt; and (ii) $10 million in payment of
certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Company Credit
Facilities. The Company anticipates that the Company Credit Facilities will
consist of: (i) a $200 million five-year revolving credit facility, (ii) a
$400 million subordinated bridge loan facility, and (iii) a $100 million
working capital facility. [description of credit facility to come] The Company
expects that it will subsequently refinance the bridge loan through the
offering of high-yield debt securities in a private placement or public
offering. See "Risk Factors--Company Debt After the Transaction",
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "The Shipbuilding
Distribution--Debt and Cash Realignment".
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
  The following tables set forth the unaudited historical capitalization of the
Company as of June 30, 1996, and unaudited pro forma capitalization as of June
30, 1996, after giving effect to the transactions described in the "Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements." The capitalization of the Company
should be read in conjunction with the Combined Financial Statements, and the
notes thereto, the "Combined Selected Financial Data" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," each
contained elsewhere in this Information Statement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               JUNE 30, 1996
                                                            --------------------
                                                            HISTORICAL PRO FORMA
                                                            ---------- ---------
                                                               (IN MILLIONS)
      <S>                                                   <C>        <C>
      Short-term debt
        Allocated from Tenneco.............................    $ 95(a)   $--
        Subordinated bridge loan facility..................     --        400
        Working capital facility...........................     --         10
      Long-term debt
        Allocated from Tenneco.............................     282(a)    --
        Five-year revolving facility.......................     --        200
                                                               ----      ----
          Total debt.......................................     377       610
                                                               ----      ----
      Common stock.........................................     --          1
      Paid in capital......................................     --        202
      Retained earnings....................................     --        --
      Combined equity......................................     349       --
                                                               ----      ----
          Total equity.....................................     349       203
                                                               ----      ----
      Total capitalization.................................    $726      $813
                                                               ====      ====
</TABLE>
     --------
     (a) Represents debt allocated to the Company from Tenneco. Tenneco's
         historical practice has been to incur indebtedness for its
         consolidated group at the parent company level or at a limited
         number of subsidiaries, rather than at the operating company
         level, and to centrally manage various cash functions.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
 
                             FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
        UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY
 
  The following Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet of the Company as of
June 30, 1996 and Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statements of Earnings for the
six months ended June 30, 1996 and the year ended December 31, 1995 have been
prepared to reflect: (i) borrowings of $610 million under the Company Credit
Facilities; (ii) the cash dividend of $600 million to be paid by the Company to
Tenneco or one of its subsidiaries pursuant to the Debt Realignment; (iii) the
payment of $10 million of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
Company Credit Facilities, and (iv) the issuance of NNS Common Stock pursuant
to the Shipbuilding Distribution.
 
  The historical Combined Financial Statements reflect the financial position
and results of operations of the Shipbuilding Business whose net assets will be
transferred to the Company pursuant to the Corporate Restructuring
Transactions. The accounting for the transfer of assets and liabilities
pursuant to the Corporate Restructuring Transactions represents a
reorganization of companies under common control and, accordingly, all assets
and liabilities are reflected at their historical cost basis in the Combined
Financial Statements.
 
  The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet has been prepared as if the
Transaction occurred on June 30, 1996; the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Statements of Earnings have been prepared as if the Transaction occurred as of
January 1, 1995. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements do not
give effect to any transactions other than the Transaction. The Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Financial Statements set forth on the following pages are
unaudited and not necessarily indicative of the results that would have
actually occurred if the Transaction had been consummated as of June 30, 1996,
or January 1, 1995, or results which may be attained in the future.
 
  The pro forma adjustments, as described in the Notes to the Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Financial Statements, are based upon available information and
upon certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable. The Unaudited
Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the
Combined Financial Statements, and notes thereto, included elsewhere in this
Information Statement.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
 
                   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
                                 JUNE 30, 1996
                                   (MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                COMPANY    PRO FORMA   PRO FORMA
                    ASSETS                     HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS  COMBINED
                    ------                     ---------- -----------  ---------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>          <C>
CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents...................   $    1      $   4 (c)  $    5
                                                               610 (d)
                                                              (610)(e)
  Contracts in process........................      282                    282
  Other current assets........................      190                    190
                                                 ------      -----      ------
    Total current assets......................      473          4         477
                                                 ------      -----      ------
NONCURRENT ASSETS
  Property, plant and equipment, net..........      824                    824
  Other assets................................      155         10 (e)     165
                                                 ------      -----      ------
    Total noncurrent assets...................      979         10         989
                                                 ------      -----      ------
                                                 $1,452      $  14      $1,466
                                                 ======      =====      ======
<CAPTION>
            LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
            ----------------------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>          <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Accounts payable............................   $  177      $ (73)(a)  $  104
  Short-term debt.............................       95        (95)(b)     410
                                                               410 (d)
  Other accrued liabilities...................      160                    160
                                                 ------      -----      ------
    Total current liabilities.................      432        242         674
                                                 ------      -----      ------
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
  Long-term debt..............................      282       (282)(b)     200
                                                               200 (d)
  Deferred income taxes.......................      140                    140
  Other long-term liabilities.................      249                    249
                                                 ------      -----      ------
    Total noncurrent liabilities..............      671        (82)        589
                                                 ------      -----      ------
EQUITY
  Common stock................................                   1 (f)       1
  Paid in capital.............................                 202 (f)     202
  Retained earnings...........................                 --  (f)     --
  Combined equity.............................      349         73 (a)     --
                                                               377 (b)
                                                                 4 (c)
                                                              (600)(e)
                                                              (203)(f)
                                                 ------      -----      ------
    Total equity..............................      349       (146)        203
                                                 ------      -----      ------
                                                 $1,452      $  14      $1,466
                                                 ======      =====      ======
</TABLE>
 
      See the accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
                                  Statements.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
 
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                      (MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995        SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                          ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
                           COMPANY   PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA   COMPANY    PRO FORMA     PRO FORMA
                          HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS     COMBINED  HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS     COMBINED
                          ---------- -----------    ---------- ---------- -----------    ----------
<S>                       <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>
Net sales...............    $1,756    $             $    1,756    $915     $             $      915
Operating costs and
 expenses...............     1,599                       1,599     834                          834
                            ------    --------      ----------    ----     --------      ----------
Operating earnings......       157                         157      81                           81
Interest expense........        29         (29)(b)          58      17          (17)(b)          29
                                            58 (d)                               29 (d)
Other income, net.......         3                           3      --                           --
                            ------    --------      ----------    ----     --------      ----------
Earnings before income
 taxes..................       131         (29)            102      64          (12)             52
Provision for income
 taxes..................        58          10 (b)          48      27            6 (b)          23
                                           (20)(d)                              (10)(d)
                            ------    --------      ----------    ----     --------      ----------
Net earnings............    $   73    $    (19)     $       54    $ 37     $     (8)     $       29
                            ======    ========      ==========    ====     ========      ==========
Average number of common
 shares outstanding.....                            34,799,188                           34,070,348
                                                    ==========                           ==========
Earnings per share......                            $     1.55                           $      .85
                                                    ==========                           ==========
</TABLE>
 
 
See the accompanying notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
 
           NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(a) To reflect the settlement or capitalization of intercompany accounts
    payable with Tenneco affiliates pursuant to the Corporate Restructuring
    Transactions.
 
(b) To reflect the elimination of corporate debt and related interest expense
    allocated by Tenneco to the Company.
 
(c) To reflect a cash contribution from Tenneco to the Company pursuant to the
    Cash Realignment provisions in the Distribution Agreement.
 
(d) To reflect $610 million in borrowings under the Company Credit Facilities
    which borrowings will consist of (i) a $200 million five-year revolving
    credit facility with estimated interest of 6 3/4%, (ii) a $400 million
    subordinated bridge loan with estimated interest of 10 1/2%, and (iii) $10
    million borrowing under the $100 million working capital facility for
    payment of certain fees and expenses described in (e) below. The Unaudited
    Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements do not reflect any borrowings under
    an additional credit facility to be used for working capital purposes. A
    1/8% change in these assumed interest rates would change annual pro forma
    interest expense by $0.8 million, before the effect of income taxes.
 
(e) To reflect: (i) a cash dividend of $600 million to be paid by the Company
    to Tenneco or one or more of its subsidiaries principally using borrowings
    under the Company Credit Facilities pursuant to the Debt Realignment and
    (ii) a payment of $10 million for certain fees and expenses in connection
    with the Company Credit Facilities.
 
(f) To reflect the distribution of NNS Common Stock to holders of Tenneco
    Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of NNS Common Stock for five
    shares of Tenneco Common Stock.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
 
                        COMBINED SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The following combined selected financial data as of December 31, 1995 and
1994 and for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were derived from
the audited Combined Financial Statements of the Company. The combined selected
financial data as of December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended
December 31, 1992 and 1991 are unaudited and were derived from the accounting
records of Tenneco. The combined selected financial data as of and for each of
the six-month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 were derived from the
unaudited Combined Financial Statements of the Company. In the opinion of the
Company's management, the combined selected financial data of the Company as of
December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991 and for the years ended December 31, 1992 and
1991 and as of and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 include all
adjusting entries (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary
to present fairly the information set forth therein. The results of operations
for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 should not be regarded as
indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. This
information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Combined
Financial Statements, and notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Information
Statement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            SIX MONTHS
                          ENDED JUNE 30,          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                          ----------------  --------------------------------------------------
                          1996(A)  1995(A)  1995(A)  1994(A)     1993(A)      1992       1991
                          -------  -------  -------  -------     -------     ------     ------
(MILLIONS)
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
EARNINGS STATEMENT DATA:
 Net sales..............  $  915   $  845   $1,756   $1,753      $1,861      $2,265     $2,216
                          ======   ======   ======   ======      ======      ======     ======
 Operating earnings.....  $   81   $   90   $  157   $  201      $  210      $  249     $  224
 Interest expense (net
  of interest
  capitalized)..........     (17)     (20)     (29)     (30)        (36)        (42)       (23)
 Other..................      --       --        3       (1)         15 (b)      --          2
 Provision for income
  taxes.................     (27)     (29)     (58)     (75)        (78)        (64)       (68)
                          ------   ------   ------   ------      ------      ------     ------
 Earnings before
  cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principle.............      37       41       73       95         111         143        135
 Cumulative effect of
  changes in accounting
  principle, net of tax.      --       --       --       (4)(c)      --         (93)(c)     --
                          ------   ------   ------   ------      ------      ------     ------
 Net earnings...........  $   37   $   41   $   73   $   91      $  111      $   50     $  135
                          ======   ======   ======   ======      ======      ======     ======
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Working capital........  $   41   $    4   $  (19)  $  (75)     $ (121)     $  (89)    $ (470)
 Total assets...........   1,452    1,337    1,380    1,263       1,235       1,450      1,412
 Short-term debt(d).....      95       54       68       30          34          83         36
 Long-term debt(d)......     282      326      292      287         423         761        364
 Combined equity........     349      236      272      199         105        (173)       (30)
COMBINED STATEMENT OF
 CASH FLOWS DATA:
 Net cash provided
  (used) by operating
  activities............  $   (1)  $  (18)  $   63   $  182      $  215      $ (174)    $  352
 Capital expenditures...      36       29       77       29          35          35         64
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) For a discussion of significant items affecting comparability of the
    financial information for 1995, 1994 and 1993 and for the six months ended
    June 30, 1996 and 1995, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations," included elsewhere in this
    Information Statement.
(b) Includes a gain of $15 million related to the sale of Sperry Marine
    businesses.
(c) In 1994, the Company adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for
    Postemployment Benefits." In 1992, the Company adopted FAS No. 106,
    "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,"
    and FAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
(d) Historical amounts represent debt allocated to the Company from Tenneco
    based on the portion of Tenneco's investment in the Company which is deemed
    to be debt, generally based upon the ratio of the Company's net assets to
    Tenneco consolidated net assets plus debt. Tenneco's historical practice
    has been to incur indebtedness for its consolidated group at the parent
    company level or at a limited number of subsidiaries, rather than at the
    operating company level, and to centrally manage various cash functions.
    See the Combined Financial Statements, and notes thereto, included
    elsewhere in this Information Statement.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
 
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following should be read in conjunction with the Combined Selected
Financial Data and Combined Financial Statements of the Company and, notes
thereto, presented on pages F-1 to F-20. Reference is made to the "Basis of
Presentation and Description of Business" section of Note 1 to such Combined
Financial Statements for the definition of the "Company" as utilized herein.
 
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
 
  Upon consummation of the Transaction, the Company will be the parent of
Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company ("Newport News"). Newport News
was acquired by Tenneco in 1968 and since that time has represented the
Shipbuilding Business segment of Tenneco's diversified businesses. As a result
of the Shipbuilding Distribution, the Company will become a separate, publicly-
held corporation. See "The Shipbuilding Distribution" and Note 1 to the
Combined Financial Statements for further discussion.
 
  The Company's primary business is the design, construction, refueling and
repair and overhaul of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the
U.S. Navy. The Company also provides ongoing maintenance for other U.S. Navy
vessels through work in overhauling, lifecycle engineering and repair. The U.S.
Navy accounted for approximately 97% and 94% of the Company's net sales for the
year ended December 31, 1995 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996,
respectively.
 
  The Company's primary activity is constructing ships. Similar to other
companies principally engaged in long-term construction projects, the Company
recognizes profits under the percentage of completion method of accounting,
with profit recognition commencing when progress under the contract is
sufficient to estimate final results with reasonable accuracy, and loss
recognition commencing immediately upon identification of such loss without
regard to percentage of completion. Because contract profit recognition is
dependent upon reliable estimates of the costs to complete the contract,
profits recognized upon completion of the contract may be significantly less
than anticipated, or the Company may incur a loss with respect to the contract,
if it proves necessary to revise cost estimates. Moreover, the Company's
principal U.S. Government business is currently being performed under fixed-
price or fixed-price incentive contracts, which wholly or partially shift the
risk of construction costs that exceed the contract price to the Company. See
"Risk Factors--Profit Recognition; Government Contracting." In addition to ship
construction, the Company also provides repair and overhaul services and
engineering and design services. During 1993, the "Other" captions presented
herein included Sperry Marine, a manufacturer of advanced electronics for
maritime and other applications, prior to the sale of such business. See
"Divestiture" below.
 
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
 
  The Company believes it is currently the only shipyard in the United States
capable of building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. There are currently two
Nimitz-class carriers under construction which are scheduled to be delivered in
1998 and 2002. Based on current statements by the U.S. Navy, the Company
anticipates the award of the last Nimitz-class carrier (CVN-77) in 2002, which
should be delivered in 2010. The Company is currently performing design concept
studies for the generation of aircraft carriers to follow the Nimitz-class. The
Company anticipates the demand for a new carrier every four to six years,
however, re-evaluation of this need will continue by both the Department of
Defense and the Congress. See "Risk Factors--Reliance on Major Customer and
Uncertainty of Future Work."
 
  The final Los Angeles-class submarine was delivered on August 15, 1996. In
1987, the Company was awarded the lead design contract for the Seawolf
submarine. However, due to the end of the Cold War there was a dramatic cutback
in the Seawolf program (to three submarines) and the Company did not construct
any Seawolf submarines. Construction of the three Seawolf submarines was
awarded to Electric Boat Corporation, a competitor of the Company and wholly-
owned subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation ("Electric Boat").
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
 
See "Risk Factors --Reliance on Major Customer and Uncertainty of Future Work."
More recently, directives from the U.S. Congress call for the first four New
Attack Submarines ("NSSNs", the class of submarines following the Seawolf) to
be equally allocated between the Company and Electric Boat, with competition on
subsequent NSSNs. The Company's bid to be one of two suppliers for the U.S.
Navy's $71 billion NSSN business was affirmed during the first quarter of 1996
when legislation directing the second NSSN to the Company became law. See "Risk
Factors--Reliance on Major Customer and Uncertainty of Future Work."
 
  To diversify its base of nuclear powered carriers and submarines, the Company
is currently marketing a number of new products and services to both the U.S.
and foreign governments and commercial customers. These products include a new
class of amphibious assault ships (LPD-17), surface combatant ships like the
Company's fast frigate (FF-21) and the Double Eagle commercial product tankers.
Although the Company is currently pursuing opportunities with respect to both
LPD-17 and FF-21 sales, there can be no assurance that the Company will be
successful in these pursuits. See "Risk Factors--Reliance on Major Customer and
Uncertainty of Future Work." To better position itself for international sales
of these products, the Company subscribed to purchase a 40% equity interest in
the Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company ("ADSB"), located in the United Arab
Emirates in 1995. The Company is obligated to complete its payment for its
subscription in 1996. See "--Liquidity and Capital Resources--Other Investing
Cash Flows." ADSB is currently renovating an existing shipyard and designing a
new shipyard which it plans to construct to replace the existing one. Each is
intended to service shipbuilding and repair demands of the United Arab Emirates
military and regional maritime fleets. The Company believes that its interest
in ADSB will provide the Company with a presence in the heavily navigated
Persian Gulf. The Company believes that its equity investment in ADSB may also
serve as a means for the Company to satisfy offset obligations to the United
Arab Emirates, if any, arising from contracts for sales of FF-21s or other
ships. Typically, offset obligations, when applicable, require an investment,
capital expenditure, training commitment or other benefit for the country
making the purchase. Under the terms of the Founders Agreement relating to the
Company's investment, the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (the "Abu
Dhabi Government") will have an option to purchase the Company's interest upon
consummation of the Shipbuilding Distribution. See "Business and Properties--
Construction--Foreign Military Sales."
 
  Additionally, the Company currently has contracts with two purchasers for
nine of its Double Eagle commercial product tankers. The Double Eagle tankers
represent a new line of double-hulled product tankers that meet all of the new
stringent domestic and international shipping specifications. The Company is in
the early stages of construction of this series of tankers. Having secured
these contracts in highly competitive commercial markets, the Company has made
significant investments with respect to this product line and has initiated
process innovation programs designed to reduce production costs and cycle time.
Although the nine Double Eagle tankers are being produced at a loss on an
aggregate basis, based on current estimates, the Company expects that upon
completion of ships later in the program it will be able to manufacture Double
Eagle tankers at a profit. See Note 13 to the Combined Financial Statements of
the Company. Additional services being developed include the management and
operation of Department of Energy nuclear sites in the U.S. The Company hopes
to capitalize on its nearly four decades of experience in handling nuclear
materials and is teaming with other companies with complementary experiences to
bid on these site management contracts.
 
  Management has undertaken a number of initiatives to reduce the overall cost
structure at the Company. These initiatives have included a 38% workforce
reduction (from 29,000 to 18,000 employees), overhead and other cost
reductions, monetizing assets, the successful negotiation of a labor agreement
that stabilizes wages from February 1995 through April 4, 1999 and closing of
several facilities. Management has also made long-term investments in
infrastructure and automation which are expected to impact favorably the future
results of operations. The impact certain of these initiatives can have on
performance has already been realized with the delivery of the aircraft carrier
USS John C. Stennis in November 1995, 7 1/2 months ahead of schedule and at a
savings of over one million manhours compared to the previously delivered
aircraft carrier (despite accommodating over 1,200 significant U.S. Navy
ordered design improvements). The remaining initiatives relate primarily to
projects to reduce cycle times for product development and ship delivery by
reengineering key production and design processes. Process innovation teams
have been assigned to each key process.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
 
  Management continues to reevaluate its strategy and consider additional
opportunities to enhance the value of the Company. The future results of
operations and financial position of the Company are dependent on several
factors including the allocation of defense budget funds to new ship
construction for the U.S. Navy, the successful award and completion of new
shipbuilding contracts from the U.S. Government, and the successful
diversification into the highly competitive commercial shipbuilding and foreign
military markets. Management believes that the Company is well positioned to
receive future U.S. Navy contract awards. However, there are no guarantees as
to the timing or level of future U.S. Navy contract awards to the Company.
Additionally, the level of profitability on such future contracts will be
dependent on the cost structure of the Company. The diversification of the
Company's business into the commercial market creates a heightened level of
risks and rewards. Thus, the future profitability of the proposed commercial
programs is subject to the successful management of such risks. Additionally,
there are no certainties as to the level of future commercial business which
will be secured by the Company.
 
  The information included in this "Business Outlook" section is forward-
looking and involves risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact
expected results. The Company's outlook is based predominantly on its
interpretation of what it considers key economic and market assumptions, many
of which have already been discussed above. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from current expectations include: changes in the
U.S. Navy's budgets; a reevaluation of ship requirements by the U.S. Navy; the
inability to successfully market and sell the new products and services
discussed; the award of contracts to the Company's competitors; the inability
to produce the new products or provide the new services at the costs
anticipated as a result of failure to meet productivity or learning curve
assumptions or increased cost of materials; or the inability to meet production
schedules and productivity improvement goals for contracts currently being
performed.
 
BACKLOG
 
  The following table depicts the approximate firm backlog of the Company at
December 31, 1994 and 1995 and June 30, 1996, and the portion of the June 30,
1996 backlog which is anticipated to remain at December 31, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 DECEMBER
      (BILLIONS)                                    31,             ANTICIPATED
      ----------                                 --------- JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
                                                 1994 1995   1996       1996
                                                 ---- ---- -------- ------------
      <S>                                        <C>  <C>  <C>      <C>
      Construction.............................. $5.2 $4.0   $3.6       $3.2
      Repair and Overhaul.......................   .2   .3     .3         .1
      Engineering...............................   .2   .3     .2         .1
                                                 ---- ----   ----       ----
        Total backlog........................... $5.6 $4.6   $4.1       $3.4
                                                 ==== ====   ====       ====
</TABLE>
 
  Backlog represents the total estimated remaining sales value of work under
contract. Because much of the Company's business consists of constructing
aircraft carriers, which historically have been purchased by the U.S. Navy
every 4 to 6 years, the Company's backlog has typically declined following each
carrier contract, and peaked again when the U.S. Navy orders a new carrier. For
example, the Company's backlog dropped well below $3 billion in late 1994, then
peaked at $5.6 billion with the signing of the CVN-76 contract. Backlog levels
can change and U.S. Government contracts can be unilaterally terminated at the
convenience of the U.S. Government at any time with compensation for work
completed. See "Risk Factors--Reliance on Major Customer and Uncertainty of
Future Work."
 
  More than 90% of the Company's backlog is U.S. Navy-related. The December 31,
1995 construction backlog included two Los Angeles-class submarines, two
Nimitz-class aircraft carriers (Harry S. Truman and Ronald Reagan), the two
ship Sealift conversion contract, as well as contracts to construct four Double
Eagle tankers. The majority of the June 30, 1996 backlog continued to be U.S.
Navy-related. Construction backlog at June 30, 1996 included one Los Angeles-
class submarine (Cheyenne), two Nimitz-class aircraft carriers (Truman and
Reagan), the two ship Sealift conversion contract and nine Double Eagle
tankers. Repair and overhaul
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
 
backlog at June 30, 1996 consisted of overhauling the aircraft carrier, USS
Dwight D. Eisenhower, and repairs to several other naval and commercial ships.
The engineering backlog at June 30, 1996 was consistent with that of December
31, 1995. The Company delivered its last Los Angeles-class submarine in August,
1996. Although the Company was not awarded construction contracts for the
Seawolf class submarine it was awarded the lead design contract for the Seawolf
submarine. Other engineering work is also being performed related to the NSSNs
and the next generation of aircraft carrier ("CVX"). Subject to new orders, the
Company's backlog will decline as aircraft carriers are delivered in 1998 and
2002. See "--Business Outlook" above.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- OVERVIEW
 
  The following tables reflect the net sales, operating earnings and margins of
the Company by activity type for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993 and the six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995.
 
NET SALES
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,          SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                         -------------------------------------- -----------------------------
                             1995         1994         1993         1996           1995
                         ------------ ------------ ------------ -------------- --------------
                          NET   % OF   NET   % OF   NET   % OF   NET     % OF   NET     % OF
                         SALES  TOTAL SALES  TOTAL SALES  TOTAL SALES   TOTAL  SALES   TOTAL
(MILLIONS)               ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------  ------ ------  ------ ---
<S>                      <C>    <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>
Construction............ $1,107   63  $1,144   65  $1,046   57  $  536      59 $  545      65
Repair and Overhaul.....    414   24     383   22     471   25     281      31    187      22
Engineering.............    202   11     204   12     225   12      86       9     97      11
Other...................     33    2      22    1     119    6      12       1     16       2
                         ------  ---  ------  ---  ------  ---  ------   ----- ------   -----
  Net sales............. $1,756  100  $1,753  100  $1,861  100  $  915     100 $  845     100
                         ======  ===  ======  ===  ======  ===  ======   ===== ======   =====
</TABLE>
 
OPERATING EARNINGS AND MARGINS
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                        SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                         -------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
                                1995               1994               1993               1996               1995
                         ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
                                  OPERATING          OPERATING          OPERATING          OPERATING          OPERATING
                         EARNINGS MARGIN %  EARNINGS MARGIN %  EARNINGS MARGIN %  EARNINGS MARGIN %  EARNINGS MARGIN %
(MILLIONS)               -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
<S>                      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Construction............   $ 95        9      $181       16      $135       13      $38         7      $64        12
Repair and Overhaul.....     45       11        13        3        51       11       37        13       18        10
Engineering.............     13        6        11        5         8        4        5         6        6         6
Other...................      4     N.M.        (4)    N.M.        16     N.M.        1      N.M.        2      N.M.
                           ----     ----      ----     ----      ----     ----      ---      ----      ---      ----
Operating earnings......   $157        9      $201       11      $210       11      $81         9      $90        11
                           ====     ====      ====     ====      ====     ====      ===      ====      ===      ====
</TABLE>
- --------
N.M.=Not meaningful
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS 1995, 1994, AND 1993
 
NET SALES
 
 
  Construction. The $37 million decrease in construction revenues in 1995 from
1994 is due to a decrease in submarine construction work as two of the
remaining four Los Angeles-class submarines were delivered during 1995. The
decrease in submarine work is partially offset by increased aircraft carrier
construction activity as work on the Reagan replaced construction of the
Stennis which was delivered in the fourth quarter of 1995. Additionally, work
on the Truman continued during 1995 at a level consistent with 1994. Increased
construction activity on the Sealift conversion program and the commercial
shipbuilding program also contributed to
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
 
offsetting the decrease in submarine construction work. The level of
construction activity on commercial work increased during 1995 as the Company
began work on the Double Eagle tankers under contract. Reference is made to "--
Business Outlook" above for a discussion of construction activity.
 
  The $98 million increase in construction revenues in 1994 from 1993 is due to
several factors, some offsetting. First, there were increased production
efforts on two aircraft carriers (Stennis and Truman) for 1994 as the keel of
the Truman was laid in November 1993. Second, construction efforts on the
Sealift conversions began late in 1993, doubling in 1994. These increases were
offset by decreased submarine construction work with the delivery of the USS
Montpelier and USS Hampton in 1993, and the USS Charlotte in 1994.
 
  Repair and Overhaul. The $31 million increase in repair and overhaul revenues
in 1995 from 1994 relates primarily to the repair and overhaul of the USS Thorn
during 1995, together with increases in other miscellaneous U.S. Navy repairs,
partially offset by the reduction in work as the Independence cruise ship
repair was completed in 1994. Aircraft carrier overhauls and related post-
shakedown repairs remained stable with the completion of the overhaul work for
the USS Enterprise in 1994 replaced by the overhaul work on the Eisenhower in
1995. The $88 million decrease in repair and overhaul revenues in 1994 from
1993 is attributable to lower levels of aircraft carrier overhaul work on the
Enterprise, partially offset by the repair work on the Independence cruise ship
in 1994.
 
  Engineering. Engineering revenues declined $2 million in 1995 from 1994 due
primarily to less work on the Seawolf-class submarine design program.
Engineering revenues declined $21 million in 1994 from 1993 due primarily to
less work on the Seawolf-class submarine design, partially offset by the
initiation of engineering planning work related to the NSSN program.
 
  Other. Other revenues increased $11 million in 1995 from 1994 as a result of
a variety of nonrecurring jobs for miscellaneous services. The decline in other
revenues in 1994 from 1993 is principally due to the revenues of approximately
$113 million from Sperry Marine recorded prior to its sale in November 1993
(see "--Divestiture" below), offset in part by other miscellaneous items.
 
OPERATING EARNINGS
 
 
  Construction. The $86 million decrease in operating earnings and 7% decrease
in operating margin on construction work in 1995 from 1994 relates to (i)
additional costs incurred as a result of the Company's re-entry into the highly
competitive commercial shipbuilding market, (ii) lower contributions from
aircraft carrier work in 1995 as a result of productivity gains realized and
reflected in 1994, (iii) lower levels of submarine construction work as the Los
Angeles-class submarine production program neared completion and (iv)
additional costs incurred on the Sealift conversion work which management
expects to be substantially complete in the first quarter of 1997.
 
  The $46 million increase in operating earnings and 3% increase in operating
margin on construction work in 1994 from 1993 relates to productivity gains
realized and reflected in 1994, as well as increased overall aircraft carrier
production, principally involving the Truman. Additional gains in profitability
were realized on submarine contracts resulting from productivity gains on the
Los Angeles-class program. The productivity gains realized on both the aircraft
carrier and submarine programs reflect the decreasing operating risks as these
programs mature or near completion.
 
  Repair and Overhaul. The $32 million increase in operating earnings and 8%
increase in operating margin for repair and overhaul work in 1995 from 1994 is
due to work performed on the USS Long Beach deactivation in 1995 coupled with
the fact the Company experienced additional costs on certain U.S. Navy and
commercial repair jobs in 1994. Operating earnings from carrier overhauls and
related post-shakedown repairs remained stable with the completion of the
overhaul work for the Enterprise in 1994 replaced by the overhaul work on the
Eisenhower during 1995. Repair and overhaul operating earnings and operating
margin decreased $38 million
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
 
and 8%, respectively, in 1994 from 1993, due primarily to lower levels of
aircraft carrier overhaul work on the Enterprise and the additional costs
experienced on certain U.S. Naval and commercial repair jobs during 1994.
 
  Engineering. The operating earnings for engineering work have remained
relatively stable in all years presented with the exception of higher than
anticipated costs to design a propulsion plant trainer in 1993.
 
  Other. The increase in other operating earnings in 1995 from 1994 is
primarily the result of lower expenses related to pensions and other employee
benefits not currently allocable to contracts. The decrease in other operating
earnings in 1994 from 1993 is primarily the result of the 1993 operating
earnings of $6 million of Sperry Marine prior to its sale (see "--Divestiture"
below), a 1993 benefit from recovering a portion of previously recorded
postretirement benefit costs and higher 1994 expense related to pensions and
other employee benefits not currently allocable to contracts.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND 1995
 
NET SALES
 
 
  Construction. The $9 million decrease in construction revenues is due to the
delivery of the aircraft carrier Stennis in late 1995, the continued decline in
Los Angeles Class submarine production and lower levels of revenue on the
Sealift conversions in 1996. These decreases are partially offset by an
increase in production on Double Eagle tankers and the aircraft carriers Reagan
and Truman.
 
  Repair and Overhaul. The $94 million increase in repair and overhaul revenues
relates primarily to the aircraft carrier Eisenhower in 1996. There was minimal
aircraft carrier overhaul work performed in the first half of 1995 as a result
of the delivery of the Enterprise in 1994, with the Eisenhower not arriving
until mid-1995.
 
  Engineering. Engineering revenues decreased by $11 million as a result of
less work on the Seawolf- and Los Angeles-class submarine design programs as
the production of those submarine classes nears an end.
 
  Other. Other revenues decreased by $4 million primarily as a result of lower
industrial products revenue.
 
 OPERATING EARNINGS
 
 
  Construction. The $26 million decrease in operating earnings and 5% decrease
in operating margin on construction work relates to (i) the delivery of the
Stennis in late 1995, (ii) additional costs associated with the Sealift
conversion contract that were not recoverable from the U.S. Government, and
(iii) higher than expected costs associated with the production of commercial
product tankers. Decreases in operating earnings for the period are partially
offset by (i) increased activity on the aircraft carriers Reagan and Truman,
(ii) increased margins as the Company realized productivity improvements
coupled with decreased operating risks on Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and
Los Angeles-class submarines and (iii) the recognition of certain change orders
related to previously delivered submarines.
 
  Repair and Overhaul. The $19 million increase in operating earnings and 3%
increase in operating margin for repair and overhaul work is a result of work
performed on the Eisenhower in 1996 and increased margins on submarine repair
and overhaul work. See "--Net Sales--Repair and Overhaul" above.
 
  Engineering. The decline in operating earnings for engineering is primarily
the result of less activity related to the Seawolf and Los Angeles-class
submarine design programs.
 
  Other. Other operating earnings were not significant to either period
presented.
 
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
CASH FLOWS
 
  The following table reflects the summarized components of the Company's cash
flow for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          YEAR ENDED        SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,           JUNE 30,
                                       -------------------  ------------------
                                       1995   1994   1993     1996      1995
                                       -----  -----  -----  --------  --------
(MILLIONS)
- ----------
<S>                                    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>       <C>
Net cash provided (used) by operating
 activities........................... $  63  $ 182  $ 215  $     (1) $    (18)
Capital expenditures..................   (77)   (29)   (35)      (36)      (29)
Other investing cash flows............   (10)    --     56        (9)       --
                                       -----  -----  -----  --------  --------
Subtotal..............................   (24)   153    236       (46)      (47)
Cash transfers (to) from Tenneco......    25   (154)  (241)       45        47
                                       -----  -----  -----  --------  --------
Net cash flow after transactions with
 Tenneco.............................. $   1  $  (1) $  (5) $     (1) $     --
                                       =====  =====  =====  ========  ========
</TABLE>
 
OPERATING CASH FLOWS
 
  The $119 million decrease in net cash flow from operating activities from
1994 to 1995 is due to several factors, including lower operating earnings,
increased levels of contracts in process and a higher level of payments to
Tenneco for federal and state income taxes. The lower operating earnings is
attributable to the factors discussed in "Results of Operations for the Years
1995, 1994, and 1993--Operating Earnings" above. The additional costs
accumulated in contracts in process is due principally to higher levels of
costs on the Sealift conversion work and commencement of the commercial
shipbuilding projects. The higher level of income tax payments to Tenneco
during 1995 is attributable to the Company paying its allocation of 1994 income
taxes from Tenneco (see "Income Taxes" below) during 1995. The payment of a
significant portion of taxes allocated to the Company from Tenneco has
historically occurred in the year subsequent to when such taxes are incurred
and billed. Thus, the higher level of 1994 current income taxes, due to higher
1994 pretax earnings, is reflected as a 1995 cash outflow. The higher level of
current income tax liability included in "Accounts Payable to Tenneco" at
December 31, 1994, was the principal reason that the Company was in a working
capital deficit position at that date. However, during 1995, the Company was
able to pay the December 31, 1994 current tax liability and other current
liabilities with its cash flows from operations.
 
  The $33 million decrease in net cash flow from operating activities from 1993
to 1994 is principally attributable to a lower level of operating earnings, and
offsetting amounts related to higher costs in contracts in process and lower
tax payments in 1994 compared to 1993. The higher unbilled costs in contracts
in process inventory was principally due to the continuing progression of the
Sealift conversion work, which began in late 1993, and the repair work related
to the Independence cruise ship, which began in 1994. The low tax payments in
1994 compared to 1993 is attributable to a large state tax payment made in 1993
to Tenneco and lower federal tax payments in 1994 compared to 1993.
 
  The $17 million increase in comparative cash flows from operating activities
for the six month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 is due to several
factors, some offsetting. These factors include less contracts in process
build-up and a lower level of payments to Tenneco, offset by increased levels
of accounts receivable and lower operating earnings. The lower contracts in
process build-up coupled with the increase of accounts receivable is
essentially offsetting and is a result of normal timing differences in the
submission of billings, as well as the settlement and billing of a request for
equitable adjustment in 1996. The lower level of payments to Tenneco in 1996 is
due to the higher payments for taxes in 1995 as described above.
 
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
 
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
 
  Capital expenditures increased to $77 million in 1995 from $29 million in
1994 due to the initiation of a strategic capital improvement program. The
capital improvement program consists principally of three separate projects:
(i) the development of a state-of-the-art automated steel cutting and
fabrication facility; (ii) the extension of a dry dock facility; and (iii) the
construction of an aircraft carrier refueling complex. The automated steel
cutting and fabrication facility should directly support the Company's goals of
reducing the manufacturing cycle time on ship construction projects and
reducing the production cost structure. Portions of this facility are currently
functional and the entire facility is expected to be fully functional in 1997.
The extension of the dry dock facility was completed in June 1996 and allows
for concurrent, multiple-ship construction within the same dry dock. This
improvement is expected to enable construction resources to be utilized on
multiple projects. Lastly, the aircraft carrier refueling complex includes a
one-of-a-kind, cost-efficient facility strategically located next to the dry
docks used to overhaul nuclear-powered ships. Management estimates that
approximately $39 million and $20 million will be expended in 1996 and 1997,
respectively, to complete the three capital improvement projects which are
currently in process. The Company expects to fund its planned capital
expenditures with cash flows generated from its operations. The 1994 and 1993
capital expenditures of $29 million and $35 million, respectively, consisted
principally of normal capital improvements and purchases required to maintain
the Company's facilities. In the last five years, the Company has invested
approximately $241 million in modernizing its facilities. The $7 million
increase in capital expenditures for the six month period ended June 30, 1996
compared to the six month period ended June 30, 1995 is attributable to the
ongoing capital improvement program described above.
 
OTHER INVESTING CASH FLOWS
 
  Other investing cash flow activities consisted of a $9.6 million investment
as partial payment towards the Company's 40% equity share in the Abu Dhabi Ship
Building Company joint venture during 1995 (see "--Business Outlook" above) and
$56 million in cash proceeds of the total $61 million in cash proceeds from the
sale of Sperry Marine in 1993. See "--Divestiture" above. The 1996 investing
activity relates to a $9 million investment for a 49% ownership interest in
certain limited partnerships. The Company is obligated to complete its
subscription for the 40% equity share by paying an additional $9.6 million to
Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company on December 17, 1996. It expects that this
additional payment will be funded with cash flow from operations in 1996.
 
NET CASH FLOW
 
  The Company's excess net cash flows from operating and investing activities
have historically been used by its parent to meet other Tenneco obligations.
During 1995, the Company received, on a net basis, $25 million from its parent,
primarily to cover costs of the capital improvement program discussed above.
Management of the Company believes that cash flows from operations will
generally be sufficient to meet its future capital requirements. However,
depending on market and other conditions, the Company may also utilize external
sources of capital to meet specific funding requirements. See "--Capital
Requirements and Resources--Sources of Capital Subsequent to the Shipbuilding
Distribution".
 
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND RESOURCES
 
  Requirements and Commitments. The Company's Shipbuilding Business requires
that adequate working capital be available at all times. Since an appreciable
portion of the Company's work is "negotiated" or in the form of "extras," the
price of the work must be negotiated, sometimes over a long period of time.
During this period of negotiation, the expended funds are not available for
other current work. Further, while construction and conversion contracts
provide for progress payments, they generally require extensive investment in
work in progress principally because of contract progress payment retentions.
Retainages, generally due upon completion or acceptance of the contracted work,
amounted to $64 million as of June 30, 1996. If the Company is the successful
bidder for the first LPD-17 contract, in order to satisfy the terms of the
contract, it will be required to
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
 
make capital investments to provide for, among others, the enhancement of its
computer-aided design capabilities and installation of sophisticated computer-
based data systems, which are necessary for completing the LPD-17.
 
  In addition, the Company estimates that expenditures aggregating
approximately $90 million will be required after December 31, 1995, to complete
facilities and projects authorized at such date, and substantial commitments
have been made in connection therewith. Based on current conditions, the
Company also believes it will be required to make significant tax payments in
1998 upon completion of the Stennis-Truman aircraft carrier contract with the
delivery of the Truman, which payments could be as high as $100 million.
 
  Sources of Capital Subsequent to the Shipbuilding Distribution. In connection
with the Debt Realignment and to provide for working capital needs, the Company
will enter into the Company Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount
of approximately $700 million. The Company will initially borrow $610 million
under the Company Credit Facilities and distribute: (i) $600 million to Tenneco
as a dividend for use by Tenneco in retiring certain Tenneco Consolidated Debt;
and (ii) $10 million in a payment of certain fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the Company Credit Facilities. The Company anticipates that the
Company Credit Facilities will consist of: (i) a $200 million five-year
revolving credit facility, (ii) a $400 million subordinated bridge loan
facility, and (iii) a $100 million working capital facility. [description of
credit facility to come.] The Company expects that it will subsequently
refinance the bridge loan facility through the offering of high-yield debt
securities in a private placement or public offering. The Company Credit
Facilities will have a variable interest rate feature which will affect the
Company's interest expense. See "Risk Factors--Company Debt After the
Transaction" and "The Shipbuilding Distribution--Debt and Cash Realignment."
 
  Management believes that capital requirements after the Shipbuilding
Distribution and as described above for overall operations, capital
expenditures, payment of dividends, taxes and debt service can be met by
existing cash, internally generated funds and the credit facility described
above.
 
DEBT AND INTEREST ALLOCATION
 
 Corporate Debt and Interest Allocation
 
  Tenneco's historical practice has been to incur indebtedness for its
consolidated group at the parent company level or at a limited number of
subsidiaries, rather than at the operating company level, and centrally manage
various cash functions. Consequently, corporate debt of Tenneco and its related
interest expense has been allocated to the Company based on the portion of
Tenneco's investment in the Company which is deemed to be debt, generally based
upon the ratio of the Company's net assets to Tenneco consolidated net assets
plus debt. Interest expense was allocated at a rate equivalent to the weighted-
average cost of all corporate debt, which was 7.7%, 8.3% and 7.4% for 1995,
1994, and 1993, respectively. Total pre-tax interest expense allocated to the
Company in 1995, 1994 and 1993 was $28 million, $26 million and $34 million,
respectively. The Company has also been allocated tax benefits approximating
35% of the allocated pre-tax interest expense. Although interest expense, and
the related tax effects, have been allocated to the Company for financial
reporting on a historical basis, the Company has not been billed for these
amounts. The changes in allocated corporate debt and the after-tax allocated
interest have been included as a component of the Company's Combined equity.
Although management believes that the historical allocation of corporate debt
and interest is reasonable, it is not necessarily indicative of the Company's
debt upon completion of the Debt Realignment nor debt and interest that will be
incurred by the Company as a separate public entity. Further, management
believes that the Company's interest rate and, therefore, interest expense as a
separate entity will be higher initially.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
  The Company and Tenneco, together with certain of their respective
subsidiaries which are owned 80% or more, have historically entered into an
agreement to file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. Additionally,
the Company has historically filed consolidated income tax returns with other
Tenneco businesses for applicable state and foreign jurisdictions. The income
tax amounts reflected in the Combined Financial
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
 
Statements under the provisions of these tax sharing arrangements are not
materially different from the income taxes which would have been provided had
the Company filed separate tax returns. In 1995, income tax payments to Tenneco
were higher compared to 1994. See "--Liquidity and Capital Resources--Operating
Cash Flows" above.
 
  The effective tax rate for 1995, 1994 and 1993 was approximately 44%, 44% and
41%, respectively. The difference between the Company's effective tax rate in
all periods compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% is principally
due to state income taxes associated with ship deliveries.
 
  In connection with the Distributions, the current tax sharing agreement will
be cancelled and the Company will enter into a new tax sharing agreement with
Tenneco, New Tenneco and El Paso. The new tax sharing agreement will provide,
among other things, for the allocation of taxes among the parties of tax
liabilities arising prior to, as a result of, and subsequent to the
Distributions. Generally, the Company will be liable for taxes imposed on the
Company and its affiliates engaged in the shipbuilding business. Federal income
taxes imposed on the combined activities of the consolidated group will be
allocated among the Company, New Tenneco and Tenneco in accordance with their
respective share of consolidated taxable income.
 
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
 
  The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("FAS") No.
121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed Of," in the first quarter of 1996. FAS No. 121
establishes new accounting standards for measuring the impairment of long-lived
assets. The adoption of this new standard did not have any impact on the
Company's combined financial position or results of operations.
 
  In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FAS No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." This statement defines a fair value
based method of accounting for stock-based awards issued to employees and
others but also allows companies to choose to continue to measure compensation
cost for such plans as it is measured currently. The Company has elected to
continue to use the current method of accounting for stock-based awards issued
to employees. Consequently, FAS No. 123 will have no impact on the Company's
combined financial position or results of operations.
 
  Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers'
Accounting for Postemployment Benefits." This new accounting rule requires
employers to account for postemployment benefits for former or inactive
employees after employment but before retirement on the accrual versus cash
basis of accounting. The Company recorded an after-tax charge of $4 million,
which was reported as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle.
 
OTHER
 
GOVERNMENT CLAIMS AND INVESTIGATIONS
 
  As a general practice within the defense industry, the Defense Contract Audit
Agency ("DCAA") continually reviews the cost accounting practices of government
contractors. A number of reviews and inquiries by the DCAA and certain other
agencies are pending or on-going with respect to the Company. See "Risk
Factors--Government Claims and Investigations," "Business and Properties--
Investigations and Legal Proceedings" and Note 13 of the Combined Financial
Statements.
 
SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES
 
  The Company is in the early stages of construction of a series of nine Double
Eagle tankers. Having secured these contracts in highly competitive commercial
markets, the Company has made investments related to the product line of $26
million during the first half of 1996, $30 million in 1995, and $5 million in
1994. The
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
 
Company has initiated process innovation programs designed to dramatically
reduce production costs and cycle time related to the production of these
tankers. As a result of a program review associated with the start of steel
fabrication on the second ship, management has recently increased the estimated
contract completion costs for these contracts by an additional $25 million to
$35 million. Due to uncertainties inherent in the estimation process and the
early stages of construction, these estimates could be revised further in the
future.
 
  Contracting with the U.S. Government can also result in the Company filing a
Request for Equitable Adjustment ("REA") in connection with a contract. REAs
represent claims against the U.S. Government for changes in the original
contract specifications and resulting delays and disruption in contract
performance. All major REAs filed by the Company in connection with its
contracts, have been settled as of June 1996 for approximately the same amount
recorded previously by the Company. Through 1995, costs of $18 million had been
recognized on the Sealift REA in excess of the adjudicated REA price. Cost
growth of $36 million that was not recoverable through that REA has been
recognized in the first half of 1996. Due to uncertainties inherent in the
estimation process these contract completion costs could be increased in the
future by $0 to $10 million. The first of two Sealift ships was delivered in
August 1996. Management expects this contract to be substantially complete by
the end of the first quarter of 1997.
 
DIVESTITURE
 
  During November 1993, the Company sold its Sperry Marine business ("Sperry"),
which was part of its shipbuilding business. Sperry was involved in the
domestic and international design and manufacture of advanced electronics for
maritime and other applications and contributed $113 million of revenues and $6
million of operating earnings to the Company's 1993 results of operations. In
accordance with the sale agreement, the Company received $56 million of the
total cash proceeds of $61 million from the sale of Sperry. The remaining
portion of the cash proceeds was realized by other Tenneco entities. In
addition to the cash proceeds, the Company received $17 million in preferred
stock of the purchaser. A pre-tax gain on the total sale of $15 million was
recognized by the Company in 1993. An agreement was reached to sell the
preferred stock of the purchaser in late 1995 for $18 million. See Note 5 to
the Combined Financial Statements.
 
UNION AGREEMENT
 
  During 1995, the Company executed a collective bargaining agreement which
covers approximately 60% of its work force and 98% of its hourly employees. The
collective bargaining agreement is effective to April 1999, and generally
provides for static pay rates, promotion of multi-skilling, work teams, joint
cooperation on quality programs, a new managed health care program, reduction
in paid time off and contains "no strike, no lockout" provisions. This
agreement will assist the Company in managing its cost structure and
maintaining its skilled labor force.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  The Company is subject to stringent environmental laws and regulations in all
jurisdictions in which it operates. Management of the Company believes that the
Company is in substantial compliance with all applicable environmental
regulations, and the historical environmental compliance costs incurred by the
Company have not been significant. Although there can be no certainty,
management does not believe that any future environmental compliance costs will
have a material adverse effect on the Company's combined financial position,
results of operations or cash flows.
 
INFLATION
 
  The Company's materials costs are impacted by inflation. However, the
majority of the Company's U.S. Government shipbuilding contracts allow recovery
of costs which are escalated due to inflation. Thus, the Company's net exposure
to inflation is minimal.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
 
                           BACKGROUND OF THE COMPANY
 
  Upon consummation of the Transaction the Company will be the parent of
Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company ("Newport News"). Newport News
has been in the business of building ships since its founding in 1886. At
various times prior to 1968, Newport News had been both privately and publicly
held. In 1968 Tenneco acquired all of the outstanding stock of Newport News and
Newport News has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tenneco since that time. The
Company was incorporated in 1965 (as Dixemer Petroleum Corporation which
ultimately changed its name to Tenneco InterAmerica Inc.) and, since its
incorporation, has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tenneco. In connection
with the Transaction, the Company changed its name to Newport News Shipbuilding
Inc. and will acquire all of the assets and liabilities of Newport News
Industrial Corporation.
 
                            BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
 
GENERAL
 
  The Company's primary business is the design, construction, repair and
overhaul of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the United
States Navy. The Company believes it currently is the only U.S. shipyard
capable of building nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. In addition, the Company
is one of two private yards selected by the U.S. Government to begin
construction of a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarines later this
decade. The Company also provides ongoing maintenance for navy vessels through
work in overhauling, refueling and repair. The Company possesses unique
expertise in servicing nuclear naval systems, and it believes it currently is
the only non-government-owned shipyard capable of refueling and overhauling the
U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The U.S. Navy accounted for
approximately 97% and 94% of the Company's net sales for the year ended
December 31, 1995 and for the six months ended June 30, 1996, respectively.
 
  The Company is America's largest non-government-owned shipyard. Its
facilities include seven graving docks, a floating dry dock, the largest dry
dock in the Western Hemisphere, two outfitting berths and five outfitting
piers. See "--Properties." In the last five years, the Company has invested
approximately $241 million in its facilities. See "--Capital Expenditures."
 
  The following chart shows the number of naval and commercial ships, and other
vessels built by the Company, including ships currently under construction.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       PRE  1900- 1920- 1940- 1960- 1980-
                                       1900 1919  1939  1959  1979  1996  TOTAL
                                       ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
<S>                                    <C>  <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>
U.S. NAVY SHIPS:
  Aircraft Carriers...................  --    --     3    14     3     9    29
  Amphibious Cargo; Attack Cargo;
   Amphibious Flagship; Ammunition....  --    --    --    53     5    --    58
  Battleships.........................  --    11     2     1    --    --    14
  Coast Guard Cutters.................  --     6     1    --    --    --     7
  Cruisers............................  --     5     4     9     5     1    24
  Destroyers..........................  --    17    14    --    --    --    31
  Landing Ships, Dock; Landing Ships,
   Tank...............................  --    --    --    31    --    --    31
  Submarines..........................  --     8    --    --    29    24    61
  Miscellaneous.......................   3     4    --    --     2    --     9
                                       ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---
  Total U.S. Navy Ships...............   3    51    24   108    44    34   264
                                       ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---
</TABLE>
 
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       PRE  1900- 1920- 1940- 1960- 1980-
                                       1900 1919  1939  1959  1979  1996  TOTAL
                                       ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
<S>                                    <C>  <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>
COMMERCIAL SHIPS:
  Cargo Vessels.......................   8    35     4    13    14    --    74
  Dredges; Ferry Boats................  --     7     3    --    --    --    10
  Freighters..........................  --    --    --   190    --    --   190
  Passenger Liners....................   2    17    33    11    --    --    63
  Steamers, Bay & River...............   2     4     1    --    --    --     7
  Tankers.............................  --    22    11    42    11     4    90
  Tugs................................   6     3     8     2    --    --    19
  Yachts..............................  --    --    10    --    --    --    10
  Miscellaneous.......................  --     6    --    --    --    --     6
                                       ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---
  Total Commercial Ships..............  18    94    70   258    25     4   469
                                       ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---
OTHER VESSELS (barges, caissons, car
 floats, pilot boats).................  --    --    --    --    --    --    73
                                       ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---
TOTAL U.S. NAVY, COMMERCIAL AND OTHER
 SHIPS................................  21   145    94   366    69    38   806
                                       ===   ===   ===   ===   ===   ===   ===
</TABLE>
 
  Currently, the Company's business centers primarily on three areas involving
U.S. Naval and commercial ships: (i) construction; (ii) repair and overhaul;
and (iii) engineering and design. The Company also engages in certain other
related businesses. In 1993, the Company divested its maritime electronics
manufacturing business.
 
  The following table sets forth information on the percentage of total net
sales contributed by the Company's various classes of products and services:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,          SIX MONTHS
                         --------------------------------------     ENDED
                             1995         1994         1993     JUNE 30, 1996
                         ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------------
                          NET   % OF   NET   % OF   NET   % OF   NET      % OF
       NET SALES         SALES  TOTAL SALES  TOTAL SALES  TOTAL SALES    TOTAL
       ---------         ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- -------  ------
       (MILLIONS)
<S>                      <C>    <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>    <C>   <C>      <C>
Construction............ $1,107   63  $1,144   65  $1,046   57     $536       59
Repair and Overhaul.....    414   24     383   22     471   25      281       31
Engineering.............    202   11     204   12     225   12       86        9
Other...................     33    2      22    1     119    6       12        1
                         ------  ---  ------  ---  ------  ---  -------   ------
  Net sales............. $1,756  100  $1,753  100  $1,861  100     $915      100
                         ======  ===  ======  ===  ======  ===  =======   ======
</TABLE>
 
CONSTRUCTION
 
  The Company's primary activity is constructing ships, with approximately 63%
of net sales for the year ended December 31, 1995 and 59% of net sales for the
six months ended June 30, 1996 being generated from construction work. In
recent history, the Company has relied on major carrier and submarine contracts
with the U.S. Navy, but the Company's current objective is to selectively add
to its core business with contracts for other Naval segments (e.g. LPD-17 and
Arsenal Ship), and in the commercial and foreign military markets.
 
 U.S. Navy
 
  The Company believes it currently is the only manufacturer in the U.S.
capable of constructing nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Currently, the
Company is constructing two Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carriers, the Truman
and the Reagan, which are scheduled for delivery in 1998 and 2002,
respectively. A contract for an additional Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is
currently anticipated to be awarded in 2002. The first ship in a new class of
aircraft carrier, the CVX-78, is anticipated to be awarded in 2006. Because of
its past experience in manufacturing aircraft carriers, and the lack of direct
competitors, the Company believes it is in a strong competitive position to be
awarded these contracts, although no assurances can be made that it will be
awarded these contracts, that these projects will not be delayed, or that these
contracts will be funded by Congress.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
 
  The Company is also one of two producers of nuclear-powered submarines.
Currently, the only other competitor is Electric Boat Corporation, a wholly-
owned subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation. The Company delivered its
last Los Angeles-class submarine on August 15, 1996. In 1987, the Company was
awarded the lead design contract for the Seawolf submarine. However, due to
the end of the Cold War there was a dramatic cutback in the Seawolf program
(to three submarines) and the Company did not construct any Seawolf
submarines. Construction of the three Seawolf submarines was awarded to
Electric Boat. See "Risk Factors--Reliance on Major Customer and Uncertainty
of Future Work." More recently the Company was designated to build two of the
next generation of attack submarines known as the New Attack Submarines or
NSSN program. The Company anticipates that it will construct the second and
the fourth NSSN submarines, and that Electric Boat will construct the first
and third NSSN submarines. After the fourth NSSN submarine, the Company and
Electric Boat are expected to compete against each other for additional NSSN
construction contracts by competitive bidding. The Company has constructed 31
of the U.S. Navy's 81 operational nuclear attack submarines and 14 of the 59
fleet ballistic missile submarines.
 
  The Company has formed an alliance with Ingalls Shipbuilding (the prime
contractor), Lockheed Martin and National Steel to submit a bid for the LPD-17
program. The LPD-17 is a program for the design and construction of non-
nuclear amphibious assault ships. According to current U.S. Navy estimates,
twelve ships are expected to be built in the LPD-17 program. The U.S. Navy has
stated that it currently expects that the LPD-17 vessels will be a mainstay of
the U.S. Navy over the next two decades, replacing a number of vessels nearing
the end of their useful lives. The Company (with its alliance) submitted its
bid for the LPD-17 program on June 28, 1996. Competing firms have also formed
an alliance and submitted a bid. The U.S. Navy has begun its review of the
bids and has initiated a question and answer period. Upon completion of the
question and answer period, the Company expects the U.S. Navy to request "best
and final offers" from the two competing alliances. The Company believes that
various factors including the method of allocating responsibility among
members in its alliance will help it compete against the other alliance,
however, there can be no assurance that the LPD-17 program will be awarded to
the Company's alliance or that it will be funded.
 
  The Company, again in alliance with Ingalls Shipbuilding and Lockheed
Martin, was recently awarded a contract to develop design concepts for the
Navy's "Arsenal Ship." The Company's alliance was one of five alliances to
receive such an award. Current U.S. Navy plans call for a downselect to two
alliances following evaluation of submitted concepts. Ultimately, one alliance
is expected to prevail in the award of a construction contract. The members of
the Company's alliance initially designated Lockheed Martin as the prime
contractor. Although the Company's alliance was selected to develop design
concepts there can be no assurance that it will be awarded the construction
work or other aspects of the project. The allocation of responsibilities among
members of the Company's LPD-17 alliance and the Company's Arsenal Ship
alliance is subject to future negotiation among such members and thus there
has not been a determination of the level of work which may ultimately be
assigned to the Company if its alliances are awarded these projects. See "Risk
Factors--Reliance on Major Customer and Uncertainty of Future Work."
 
  The Company is also completing conversion of two container ships to "roll-
on, roll-off" heavy armored vehicle Sealift transportation ships for the U.S.
Navy. These ships are scheduled to be delivered in August 1996 and March 1997.
 
 Foreign Military
 
  Several U.S. allies overseas have or plan to embark on navy modernization
programs. Most of these programs anticipate the purchase of one or more
frigate size ships. The Company has developed a flexible, multi-mission design
frigate called the FF-21 and has submitted bids for the construction of these
ships to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, and is in the process of
developing bids for Norway and the Philippines. A number of international
companies compete for these sales, and this market would represent a new
market for the Company. To better position itself for the United Arab Emirates
market, the Company subscribed to purchase a 40% interest in the Abu Dhabi
Ship Building Company ("ADSB") in 1995. ADSB is currently renovating an
existing shipyard and designing a new shipyard which it plans to construct to
replace the existing one. Each is to service shipbuilding and repair demands
of the United Arab Emirates military and regional maritime fleets. The Company
believes that
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
its equity investment in ADSB may also serve as a means for the Company to
satisfy offset obligations to the United Arab Emirates, if any, arising from
contracts for sales of FF-21s or other ships. Typically, offset obligations,
when applicable, require an investment, capital expenditure, training
commitment or other benefit for the country making the purchase. The Company is
obligated to make an additional payment with respect to its 40% interest in
ADSB on December 17, 1996. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital
Resources--Other Investing Cash Flows." The Company has also agreed to enter
into a Management Services Agreement pursuant to which the Company is to act as
the manager of ADSB's business. The terms of the Management Services Agreement
have not yet been finalized. A number of the Company's employees have been
seconded to ADSB and four representatives of the Company are serving on the
board of directors of ADSB. Under the Founder's Agreement relating to the
Company's investment between the Abu Dhabi Government and the Company, the
Company has agreed not to sell any of the shares representing its interest
without the consent of the Abu Dhabi Government for a number of years, except
in certain previously agreed circumstances. In addition, in certain cases,
including if the Management Services Agreement between ADSB and the Company is
terminated for any reason, or if there is a change in control of Newport News,
the Abu Dhabi Government has the right to require the Company to sell all of
its shares to the Abu Dhabi Government or such other person(s) as the Abu Dhabi
Government may nominate at a price determined as set forth in the Founder's
Agreement. The right of the Abu Dhabi Government to exercise its purchase
option in relation to a particular event is deemed to be waived if not
exercised within 90 days of the date the Abu Dhabi Government becomes aware of
such event. The Shipbuilding Distribution will cause a change in control of
Newport News under the Founder's Agreement. The Founder's Agreement reflects
the oral agreement of these matters between the parties thereto but has not yet
been executed.
 
 Commercial
 
  As part of its diversification strategy, the Company has also been pursuing
orders for products and services from commercial customers. These initiatives
have resulted in contracts with two purchasers for nine of its "Double Eagle"
commercial product tankers. The Double Eagle tankers represent a new line of
double-hulled product tankers that meet all of the new stringent domestic and
international shipping specifications, including those under the Oil Pollution
Act which require the phased-in transition of single-hulled tankers and product
carriers to double-hulled vessels beginning January 1, 1995. The Company is in
the early stages of construction and the nine Double Eagle tankers are being
produced at a loss on an aggregate basis; however, the Company has undertaken
major initiatives to reduce production costs and cycle times and based on
current estimates expects to be able to produce Double Eagle tankers at a
profit upon completion of ships later in the program. See Note 13 to the
Combined Financial Statements of the Company.
 
  Although the commercial market is growing, a current overcapacity of
suppliers has favored buyers and hindered the profitability of shipyards.
Additionally, overseas firms control almost all of the international commercial
shipbuilding building market. Many of the Company's global competitors enjoy
government and/or corporate subsidies. The Company is exploring various
possibilities to penetrate this market, however, there can be no assurance that
the Company's efforts in this market will be successful. See "Risk Factors--
Competition and Regulation."
 
REPAIRS AND OVERHAULS
 
 U.S. Navy Nuclear Refueling, Overhaul and Conversion
 
  The Company provides ongoing maintenance for the U.S. Navy's vessels through
overhauling, refueling and repair work. The Company possesses unique expertise
in servicing nuclear naval systems, and believes it currently is the only non-
government-owned shipyard capable of refueling, overhauling and decommissioning
the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The Company currently has a
majority share of the market in aircraft carrier refueling and overhauls. The
Company's only other competitors in overhauling nuclear-powered aircraft
carriers are the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard,
both operated by the U.S. Government.
 
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
 
  Since aircraft carrier work is generally assigned by the U.S. Navy based on
the type of work, location and cost, the Company intends to maintain its
leadership in this area of business by, among other things, positioning the
Company as a low-cost refueling center, and providing unique competencies such
as nuclear fuel handling. The Company completed the overhaul work for the USS
Enterprise in 1994, and is currently overhauling the USS Eisenhower. The
Company also completes "Post Shake-Down Availabilities" on submarines. This
process involves making repairs and performing maintenance after sea trials of
the completed submarine.
 
 Naval Non-Nuclear Surface Ship Repair
 
  The Company was able to diversify its overhaul work by winning its first
contract to overhaul a guided missile cruiser, the USS Thorn. In 1995, the
Company experienced a $31 million increase from 1994 in repair and overhaul
revenues as a result of the repair and overhaul of the Thorn, together with
increases in other miscellaneous U.S. Navy repairs. Subsequently, it overhauled
its first Aegis radar-equipped ship, the USS Monterey. The Company has a number
of competitors bidding for a substantial share of U.S. Navy non-nuclear repair
and overhaul contracts, such as Norfolk Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corporation
and Metro Machine.
 
 Commercial Vessels
 
  From February, 1992 through December, 1995, the Company completed over 100
ship repair or overhauls of commercial vessels. The Company believes that the
world's commercial fleet, on average, is approximately 15 years old; repair of
this fleet is undertaken on an ongoing basis. Furthermore, the Company expects
seaborne trade to exhibit steady growth over the next 10 years in all major
segments--oil, dry cargo and general cargo. While some customers are primarily
concerned with price, other customers also give substantial weight to other
factors such as geographic location, dock availability, manpower supply and the
amount of time spent in dock. The Company has successfully differentiated
itself from its competitors as a premium quality repair yard, with specialized
facilities and an extensive workforce. The Company believes that by engaging in
the commercial ship repair market, it should be able to transfer its experience
to new construction of commercial vessels, as well as to its core U.S. Navy
business.
 
ENGINEERING AND DESIGN
 
  The Company provides engineering planning and design services to both U.S.
Government and commercial customers. The Company maintains a stable level of
funded engineering support for the U.S. Navy. Support services provided by the
Company include new aircraft carrier research and development, aircraft carrier
non-nuclear overhaul planning, the reactor plant planning yard, aircraft
carrier engineering support, and training and logistics. The Company is a
leader in aircraft carrier design, accounting for the majority of ship
integration and related design development for the Naval Sea Systems Command
(NAVSEA). The Navy's Puget Sound and Norfolk Naval Shipyards, however, are
typically assigned the design contracts for the non-nuclear portions of the
aircraft carriers. The Company has been able to apply its engineering
capabilities in a variety of projects for the U.S. Navy, including being the
lead design yard for the Los Angeles and Seawolf-class submarines.
 
  The Company faces competition in the engineering, planning and design market
from other companies which provide lower cost engineering support services and
are located closer to the Company's customers. There can be no assurance that
the Company will continue to be the successful bidder on future U.S. Navy
engineering work, including new aircraft carrier research and development
funding.
 
  The Company also employs its engineering capabilities to successfully secure
and complete commercial and frigate construction contracts. In this respect,
the Company is developing generic class designs and plans to minimize new
product costs, dramatically reduce cycle times for design and production, and
develop commercial ship engineering expertise through selective international
recruiting and strategic alliances. Even though the Company is currently
developing international and domestic Double Eagle tankers, it lacks the type
of broad portfolio available to other established commercial competitors with
several mature ship designs which facilitate rapid responses to changes in
market conditions.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
 
  Research and development costs are charged to operating costs and expenses as
incurred. The amounts charged during the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994
and 1993 are $20 million, $14 million and $15 million, respectively. Research
and development costs for the six months ended June 30, 1996 were $20 million.
Research and development costs for the year ended December 31, 1996 are
expected to be between $40 million and $50 million. Under current regulations,
research and development costs can be passed through to the U.S. Government as
allowable overhead spread across all of the Company's contracts. The actual
amount of research and development costs allowed to pass through the Navy
contracts is determined annually. Research and development costs can also be
directly funded by the U.S. Government through specific contracts. These
contracts produce quantifiable deliverables for the U.S. Navy, for example,
certain research and development projects on aircraft carriers.
 
  The Company has the necessary classifications to obtain work on "Black Box"
classified programs for the U.S. Government. Black Box programs are programs
which are classified beyond top secret. Currently, Black Box programs do not
constitute a material portion of the Company's business.
 
OTHER
 
 Department of Energy--Nuclear Site Support
 
  As part of its diversification strategy, the Company also intends to actively
pursue opportunities in the management and operation of U.S. Department of
Energy nuclear sites. The Company believes that, among other things, its
ability to effectively conduct radiological control operations and manage large
integrated sites, its world-class health, safety and environmental practices,
and its experienced personnel in the areas of Spent Nuclear Energy ("SNE")
would provide for a strong foundation in pursuing such opportunities. The
Company is also forming alliances with other companies with complementary
experiences to bid on some of these site management contracts.
 
MARKETING
 
  The Company's marketing effort is generally centralized into two marketing
groups. One group is responsible for the Company's naval, commercial, and
international shipbuilding, repair, conversion, and engineering operations. The
other is responsible for commercial and nuclear operations. The marketing
effort is conducted by personnel in these marketing groups with assistance from
the functional divisions by product area. Although the principal marketing and
sales efforts are through direct personal contact with customers, the Company
also promotes its products in part through participation in major trade shows
around the world and through the use of advertising in naval and commercial
shipping publications.
 
BACKLOG
 
  The following table depicts the approximate firm backlog of the Company at
December 31, 1994 and 1995, and June 30, 1996 and the portion of the June 30,
1996 backlog which is anticipated to remain at December 31, 1996 (i.e., not
performed in 1996):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  DECEMBER
                                                     31              ANTICIPATED
                                                  --------- JUNE 30,  DECEMBER
      (BILLIONS)                                  1994 1995   1996    31, 1996
      ----------                                  ---- ---- -------- -----------
      <S>                                         <C>  <C>  <C>      <C>
      Construction..............................  $5.2 $4.0   $3.6      $3.2
      Repair and Overhaul.......................    .2   .3     .3        .1
      Engineering...............................    .2   .3     .2        .1
                                                  ---- ----   ----      ----
        Total backlog...........................  $5.6 $4.6   $4.1      $3.4
                                                  ==== ====   ====      ====
</TABLE>
 
  Backlog represents the total estimated remaining sales value of work under
contract. Because much of the Company's business consists of constructing
aircraft carriers, which historically have been purchased by the
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
 
Navy every 4 to 6 years, the Company's backlog has typically declined following
each carrier contract, and peaked again when the Navy orders a new carrier.
Backlog levels can change and U.S. Government contracts can be unilaterally
terminated for the convenience of the U.S. Government at any time with
compensation for work completed. See "Risk Factors--Reliance on Major Customer
and Uncertainty of Future Work."
 
  More than 90% of the Company's backlog is U.S. Navy-related. The December 31,
1995 construction backlog included two Los Angeles-class submarines, two
Nimitz-class aircraft carriers (Harry S. Truman and Ronald Reagan), the two
ship Sealift conversion contract, as well as contracts to construct four Double
Eagle tankers. The majority of the June 30, 1996 backlog continued to be U.S.
Navy-related. Construction backlog at June 30, 1996 included one Los-Angeles-
class sub (Cheyenne), two Nimitz-class aircraft carriers (Truman and Reagan),
the two ship Sealift conversion contract and nine Double Eagle product tankers.
Repair and overhaul backlog at June 30, 1996 consisted primarily of the
overhaul of the USS Eisenhower. The engineering backlog at June 30, 1996 was
consistent with that of December 31, 1995. The Company delivered its last Los
Angeles-class submarine on August 15, 1996. However, the Company has ongoing
engineering contracts as the lead design yard for the Los Angeles-class and
Seawolf-class submarines. Other engineering work is also being performed
related to the NSSNs and the next generation of aircraft carrier (CVX). Subject
to new orders, the Company's backlog will decline as aircraft carriers are
delivered in 1998 and 2002.
 
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
 
  The principal materials used by the Company in its shipbuilding, conversion
and repair business are standard steel shapes, steel plate and paint. Other
materials used in large quantities include aluminum, copper-nickel and steel
pipe, electrical cable and fittings. The Company also purchases component parts
such as propulsion systems, boilers, generators and other equipment. All of
these materials and parts are currently available in adequate supply from
domestic and foreign sources. Generally, for all its long-term contracts, the
Company obtains price quotations for its materials requirements from multiple
suppliers to ensure competitive pricing. In addition, through the cost
escalation provisions contained in its U.S. Government contracts, the Company
is generally protected from increases in its materials costs to the extent that
the increases in the Company's costs are in line with industry indices.
 
  In connection with its government contracts, the Company is required to
procure certain materials and component parts from supply sources approved by
the U.S. Government. The Company has not generally been dependent upon any one
supply source, however, due largely to the consolidation of the defense
industry, there are currently several components for which there is only one
supplier. The Company believes that these sole source suppliers as well as its
overall supplier base are adequate to meet its future needs.
 
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
 
  The Company's capital improvement program consists principally of three
separate projects: (i) the development of an automated steel cutting and
fabrication facility; (ii) the extension of a dry dock facility; and (iii) the
construction of an aircraft carrier refueling complex. The automated steel
cutting and fabrication facility should directly support the Company's goals of
reducing the manufacturing cycle time on ship construction projects and
reducing the production cost structure. Portions of this facility are currently
functional and the entire facility is expected to be fully functional in 1997.
The extension of the dry dock facility was completed in June 1996 and allows
for concurrent, multiple-ship construction within the same dry dock. This
improvement is expected to enable construction resources to be utilized on
multiple projects, thus reducing costs and cycle time. Lastly, the aircraft
carrier refueling complex includes a state-of-the-art facility strategically
located next to the dry docks used to overhaul nuclear-powered ships. The
Company is also required to make capital investments to maintain its extensive
facilities. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources--Capital
Expenditures."
 
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
 
HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
 
  In 1995, the Company became the only shipyard to be awarded the Star Award
from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection
Program. To earn this award, the Company and its unions joined efforts and
supported the participation in the Voluntary Protection Program in which all
parties help each other to make the Company's shipyard a safer place to work.
The Company is particularly proud of this award because it is the only shipyard
and the largest single site (of any type) in the United States to earn the Star
Award; the next largest facility to earn this award was approximately one-half
the size of the Company.
 
  The Company has also been recognized by its Local Sanitation District
(Hampton Roads Sanitation District) as a Gold Award Winner for its management
of wastes going to the local water treatment system.
 
  The Company is subject to stringent environmental laws and regulations in all
jurisdictions in which it operates. Management of the Company believes that the
Company is in general compliance with all applicable environmental regulations,
and historical environmental compliance costs incurred by the Company have not
been significant. Like all of its competitor shipbuilders, the Company will be
required to upgrade its air emission control facilities pursuant to recently
drafted regulations under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. These
regulations call for a phased-in compliance program so that the Company will
incur its expenditures over several years beginning in approximately the year
2000. The Company's preliminary estimate of the cost of these upgrades is
between $10 million to 15 million. Although there can be no certainties,
management does not believe that future environmental compliance costs for the
Company will have a material adverse effect on the Company.
 
PROPERTIES
 
  The Company's facilities are located in Newport News, Virginia on
approximately 550 acres owned by the Company at the mouth of the James River,
which is part of Chesapeake Bay, the premier deep water harbor on the east
coast of the United States. The Company's shipyard is one of the most
technically advanced in the world. Its facilities include seven graving docks,
a floating dry dock, two outfitting berths and five outfitting piers. Dry Dock
12 is the largest in the Western Hemisphere, and has recently been extended to
662 meters. Dry Dock 12 is serviced by a 900 metric ton capacity gantry crane
that spans the dry dock and work platen.
 
  The Company's shipyard also has a wide variety of other facilities including
an 11-acre all weather on-site steel fabrication shop, accessible by both rail
and transporter, a module outfitting facility which enables the Company to
assemble a ship's basic structural modules indoors and on land, machine shops
totaling 300,000 square feet, and its own school which provides a four-year
accredited apprenticeship program that trains shipbuilders.
 
  The Company believes that substantially all of its plants and equipment are,
in general, well maintained and in good operating condition. They are
considered adequate for present needs and, as supplemented by planned
construction, are expected to remain adequate for the near future. The
Company's shipbuilding facilities were originally built on dredged fill
material beginning at the southern end of the site. Over the last 100 years,
the facilities expanded northward by sequential filling. A large portion of the
fill material consists of waste generated on-site by shipbuilding activities.
 
INVESTIGATIONS AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
 Retirement Plan
 
  Tenneco and the Company have received letters from the Defense Contract Audit
Agency (the "DCAA"), inquiring about certain aspects of the Distributions,
including the disposition of the Tenneco Inc. Retirement Plan (the "TRP"),
which covers salaried employees of the Company and other Tenneco divisions. The
DCAA has been advised that (i) the TRP will retain the liability for all
benefits accrued by the Company's employees through the Distribution Date, (ii)
the Company's employees will not accrue additional benefits under the TRP after
the Distribution Date and (iii) no liabilities or assets of the TRP will be
transferred from the TRP to any
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
 
plan maintained by the Company. A determination of the ratio of assets to
liabilities of the TRP attributable to the Company will be based on facts,
assumptions and legal issues which are complicated and uncertain; however, it
is likely that the Government will assert a claim against the Company with
respect to the amount, if any, by which the assets of the TRP attributable to
the Company's employees are alleged to exceed the liabilities. New Tenneco,
with the full cooperation of the Company, will defend against any claim by the
Government, and in the event there is a determination that an amount is due to
the Government, New Tenneco and the Company will share its obligation for such
amount plus the amount of related defense expenses, in the ratio of 80% and
20%, respectively. Pending a final determination of any such claim, the
Government may, absent an agreement with the Company to defer the payment of
the amounts claimed, withhold all or a portion of all future progress payments
due the Company under its government contracts until it has recovered its
alleged share of the claimed amount plus interest. In the event of a claim by
the Government, the Company will diligently seek a deferral agreement with the
Government; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
arrange such an agreement and thus avoid an offset against future progress
payments pending a final determination. At this preliminary stage it is
impossible to predict with certainty any eventual outcome regarding this
matter, however, the Company does not believe that this matter will have a
material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
 
 CVN-76 Cost and Pricing Data Submission
 
  In March 1995, the DCAA informed the Company that it would conduct a post-
award audit of the contract to build the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan (CVN-
76), pursuant to federal regulations relating to defective cost and pricing
data. The audit concerns the Company's submission to the U.S. Navy of data
relating to labor and overhead costs in connection with the proposals and
negotiations relating to the CVN-76 contract. The audit is ongoing and the DCAA
has not issued its audit report. In informal discussions with DCAA auditors,
however, the DCAA auditors indicated that the $2.5 billion CVN-76 contract
price should be reduced by approximately $122 million based on an alleged
submission of defective cost and pricing data.
 
  In addition, in May 1996, the Company received a subpoena from the Inspector
General of the Department of Defense requesting documents in connection with a
joint inquiry being conducted by the Department of Defense, the Department of
Justice, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, and
the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Like the DCAA audit, the
investigation appears to focus on whether data relating to labor and overhead
costs that the Company supplied in connection with the proposals and
negotiations relating to the CVN-76 contract were current, accurate, and
complete. In 1995, Inspector General subpoenas were also served on at least two
of the Company's consultants. The Company believes that these subpoenas are
part of this same inquiry.
 
  The Government has not asserted any formal claims against the Company
relating to these CVN-76 contract matters. Based on the Company's present
understanding of the focus of the inquiries, it is the Company's opinion that
it has substantial defenses to claims that the Government might potentially
assert that the Company submitted cost or pricing data relating to its labor
and overhead costs that were not current, accurate, and complete in its
proposals or during the negotiations for the CVN-76 contract. It is the
Company's intention to vigorously assert these defenses in the event that the
Government should assert such claims. Based on the Company's present
understanding of the claims the Government might assert concerning the CVN-76
contract, the Company is of the opinion that the ultimate resolution of such
claims will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or
results of operations of the Company.
 
  However, the early stage of the investigation and audit relating to the CVN-
76 contract, and the uncertainties and vagaries attendant to such
investigations and audits and any litigation which may ultimately arise with
respect to these potential claims make it impossible to predict with certainty
any eventual outcome. Construction of the Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is scheduled
for completion in 2002 and the contract represents a substantial portion of the
Company's current backlog of business. Depending on the outcome of the audit
and investigation, the Company could be subject, under various civil and
criminal statutes, to a reduction to the CVN-76 contract price and to fines and
other penalties, including the suspension or debarment from government
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
 
contracting work. Any of these in substantial amounts could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
 
  Pending the ultimate resolution of the investigation and audit relating to
the CVN-76 contract and to reduce the consequences of an adverse outcome, the
Company is currently taking steps to adjust its future progress billings on the
CVN-76 contract. Although these steps will reduce the Company's cash flow
pending a final resolution, management believes these steps will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations. See "Risk Factors--Profit Recognition; Government Contracting."
 
 Other
 
  As a general practice within the defense industry, the DCAA continually
reviews the cost accounting practices of government contractors. In the course
of those reviews, cost accounting issues are identified, discussed and settled,
or resolved through legal proceedings. In addition, various government agencies
may at any time be conducting various other investigations or making specific
inquiries. The Company is currently engaged in discussions on several cost
accounting and other matters in addition to those described above. The Company
is also a party to numerous other legal proceedings relating to its business
and operations. The Company believes that the outcome of these cost accounting
or other matters and proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition or results of operations.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  Upon consummation of the Shipbuilding Distribution, the Company Board will
consist of three members. Each director will serve for a term expiring at the
annual meeting of stockholders in the year indicated below and until his
successor shall have been elected and qualified. Pursuant to the Certificate
(as defined herein), the Company Board is divided into three classes.
Information concerning the individuals who will serve as directors of the
Company as of the Distribution Date is set forth below.
 
 Term Expiring at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Class I)
 
  WILLIAM P. FRICKS has served as the President of Newport News since
September, 1994, and as its Chief Executive Officer since November, 1995. Mr.
Fricks first joined Newport News in the Industrial Engineering Department after
graduating from college in 1966. He was then appointed Controller and Treasurer
of Newport News in 1979, Vice President-Finance in 1980, Vice President in
charge of various business functions (Marketing, Human Resources and Technical)
from 1983 to 1988, Senior Vice President in 1988, Executive Vice President in
1992, and President and Chief Operating Officer in 1994. Mr. Fricks is 52 years
old. Mr. Fricks is currently the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
American Shipbuilding Association and is on the Board of Directors of the
Virginia Manufacturers Association. On July 1, 1996, Mr. Fricks was appointed
to the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary.
 
 Term Expiring at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Class II)
 
  JOSEPH J. SISCO has been a partner of Sisco Associates, a management
consulting firm, since January 1980. From 1976 until January 1980, he served as
President of The American University, and, until February 1981 he was
Chancellor of that University. Prior to 1976, Dr. Sisco was employed by the
United States Department of State for 25 years, last serving as Under Secretary
of State for Political Affairs. He is also a director of The Interpublic Group
of Companies, Inc., Raytheon Company, and Braun AG. Dr. Sisco is 76 years old
and served as a Director of Tenneco from 1977 until his retirement from the
Tenneco Board in May, 1996. Prior to his retirement, he also served as a member
of the Executive Committee, the Nominating and Management Development
Committee, and as a member and the Chairman of the Compensation and Benefits
Committee of Tenneco.
 
 Term Expiring at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Class III)
 
  DANA G. MEAD has served as an executive officer of Tenneco since April 1992,
when he joined Tenneco as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Tenneco,
Mr. Mead served as an Executive Vice President of International Paper Company,
a manufacturer of paper, pulp and wood products, from 1988, and served as
Senior Vice President of that company from 1981. He is also a director of Alco
Standard Corporation, Baker Hughes Incorporated and Case Corporation. Mr. Mead
is 60 years old and has been a director of Tenneco since April 1992. He has
served as a member and Chairman of the Executive Committee and an ex officio
member of the Audit, and Nominating and Management Development Committees of
Tenneco.
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
  The following table sets forth certain information concerning the persons who
will serve as executive officers of the Company after the Shipbuilding
Distribution. Each such person was elected to the indicated office with the
Company in anticipation of the Shipbuilding Distribution and serves at the
direction of the Company Board.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NAME (AND AGE AT JULY                                                             EFFECTIVE
       31, 1996)                              OFFICES HELD*                       DATE OF TERM
 ---------------------                        -------------                      --------------
<S>                       <C>                                                    <C>
William P. Fricks(52)...  President and Chief Executive Officer                  November 1995
                          President and Chief Operating Officer                  January 1995
                          Executive Vice President                               January 1992
                          Senior Vice President                                  September 1988
Thomas C.
 Schievelbein(43).......  Executive Vice President--Operations                   October 1995
                          Vice President--Human Resources and Administration     January 1995
                          Vice President--Strategy and Naval Program Development January 1994
                          Vice President--Naval Marketing                        March 1993
                          Director--Naval Marketing                              March 1992
                          Director--Marketing Field Office                       January 1990
David J. Anderson(47)...  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer      July 1996
Thomas J. Bradburn(53)..  Vice President--Finance                                September 1986
Stephen B. Clarkson(59).  Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary          January 1991
Wylen G. Cooper(46).....  Vice President--Sourcing                               November 1995
William G. Cridlin,
 Jr.(50)................  Vice President--Marketing                              January 1995
                          Vice President--Commercial Shipbuilding                April 1992
                          Vice President--Manufacturing                          September 1988
T. Michael Hatfield(49).  Vice President--Communications                         October 1995
                          Director--Public Relations                             November 1993
Robert C. Hoard(57).....  Vice President--Trades Management and Manufacturing    October 1995
                          Director--Trades and Manufacturing                     January 1994
                          Director--Trades                                       August 1993
                          Director--Steel Fabrication                            April 1991
                          Director--Machine Shop and Foundry                     June 1989
Alfred Little, Jr.(49)..  Vice President--Human Resources                        July 1996
James A. Palmer(59).....  Vice President--Commercial Nuclear                     October 1995
                          Vice President--Engineering                            January 1995
                          Vice President--Aircraft Carriers                      April 1992
                          Director--Engineering Administration                   January 1991
Marc Y. E. Pelaez(50)...  Vice President--Engineering                            August 1996
John E. Shephard,
 Jr.(40)................  Vice President--Strategy and Process Innovation        October 1995
                          Director--Strategic Planning                           August 1993
Patrick A. Tucker(49)...  Vice President--Government Relations                   December 1996
George A. Wade(52)......  Vice President--Submarine and Refueling Program        October 1995
                          Vice President--Construction                           January 1995
                          Vice President--Submarines                             March 1993
                          Director--Submarine Construction                       April 1992
                          Director--Construction Engineering                     January 1990
</TABLE>
- --------
*Unless otherwise indicated, all offices held are with the Company.
 
  Each of the executive officers of the Company has been continuously engaged
in the business of the Company, its subsidiaries, affiliates or predecessor
companies during the past five years except that: (i) from 1991 to 1996, David
J. Anderson was employed by RJ Reynolds Corporation, last serving in the
capacity of
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; from 1987 to 1991, he was
employed by The Quaker Oats Co., last serving in the capacity of Senior Vice
President--Finance and Customer Service; (ii) from 1991 to 1995, Wylen G.
Cooper was employed by GE Power Systems, last serving in the capacity of
Manager of Sourcing; (iii) from 1989 to 1993, T Michael Hatfield was employed
by Lockheed Co., last serving in the capacity of Director of Communications;
(iv) from 1992 to 1996, Alfred Little, Jr. was employed by Sun Co., last
serving in the capacity of Vice President--Human Resources and from 1988 to
1992 in the capacity of Director--Human Resources; (v) from 1993 to 1996, Marc
E. Pelaez was employed by the United States Navy, last serving in the capacity
of Chief of Naval Research; and from 1990 to 1993 in the capacity of Assistant
Executive Secretary to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy; (vi) from 1977 to
1991, John E. Shephard, Jr. was employed as an Infantry Officer by the United
States Army, last serving as Assistant G3, Operations of the 101st Airborne
Division; and from 1991 to 1993 was employed by the U.S. Army Reserves as an
Individual Mobilization Augmentee assigned to the U.S. Military Academy faculty
and to the 157th IMA Detachment in Washington, D.C.; and (vii) from January
1996 to December 1996, Patrick A. Tucker was and will continue to be employed
by Tenneco, last serving in the capacity of Executive Director--Government
Relations, and from 1994 to 1996, he was employed by Tenneco, serving as
Director--Federal Relations; in 1993, he was Counsel to Senator John Warner;
and from 1983 to 1993 he was the Minority Staff Director and Counsel to the
U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee.
 
STOCK OWNERSHIP
 
  Set forth below is the ownership as of July 31, 1996 (without giving effect
to the Transaction) of the number of shares of Tenneco Common Stock
beneficially owned by (i) each director of the Company, (ii) each of the
executive officers of the Company whose names are set forth on the Summary
Compensation Table and (iii) all executive officers and directors of the
Company.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   SHARES OF TENNECO
      DIRECTORS                 COMMON STOCK OWNED(A)(B)
      ---------                 ------------------------
      <S>                       <C>
      William P. Fricks                  29,324
      Dana G. Mead                      199,284
      Joseph J. Sisco                     4,148
<CAPTION>
      EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
      ------------------
      <S>                       <C>
      Thomas C. Schievelbein             14,698
      Stephen B. Clarkson                11,921
      James A. Palmer, Jr.               15,906
      George A. Wade                     14,240
      All directors and
       executive officers as a
       group:                           357,539(c)
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) Each director and executive officer has sole voting and investment power
    over the shares beneficially owned (or has the right to acquire shares as
    set forth in note (b) below) as set forth in this column, except for (i)
    shares that are held in trust for each director and executive officer under
    the Tenneco restricted stock plans, and (ii) shares that executive officers
    of the Company have the right to acquire pursuant to the Tenneco stock
    option plans. The restricted stock and stock options were granted by
    Tenneco. It is anticipated that the restricted stock held by employees
    (including executive officers) will be vested prior to the Distributions.
    As described in footnote (e) to the Option Grant Table, it is anticipated
    that Tenneco stock options held by Company employees will be replaced by
    options to purchase NNS Common Stock upon consummation of the Shipbuilding
    Distribution. The percent of the class of Tenneco Common Stock owned by
    each director and by all executive officers and directors as a group was
    less than one percent.
(b) Includes shares that are: (i) held in trust under the Company's restricted
    stock plans (at July 31, 1996, Messrs. Mead, Fricks, Schievelbein,
    Clarkson, Palmer and Wade held 24,500; 6,000; 9,100; 6,800; 8,800; and
    8,340 restricted shares, respectively, under the Tenneco restricted stock
    plans); and (ii) subject to options, which were granted under Tenneco's
    stock option plans, and are exercisable at July 31, 1996 or
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
 
   within 60 days of said date, for Messrs. Mead, Fricks, Schievelbein,
   Clarkson, Palmer and Wade to purchase 133,335; 8,880; 3,100; 3,000; 2,100;
   and 3,367 shares, respectively.
(c) Includes 164,653 shares of Tenneco Common Stock that are subject to options
    that are exercisable by all executive officers of the Company as a group,
    and includes 94,355 shares that are held in trust under the Tenneco
    restricted stock plans, for all executive officers and directors of the
    Company as a group.
 
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Company Board will establish four standing committees as permitted by the
By-laws, which will have the following described responsibilities and
authority:
 
  Audit Committee. The Company Board will establish an Audit Committee which
will initially be comprised of                . The Audit Committee will have
the responsibility, among other things, to (i) recommend the selection of the
Company's independent public accountants, (ii) review and approve the scope of
the independent public accountants' audit activity and extent of non-audit
services, (iii) review with management and such independent public accountants
the adequacy of the Company's basic accounting system and the effectiveness of
the Company's internal audit plan and activities, (iv) review with management
and the independent public accountants the Company's certified financial
statements and exercise general oversight of the Company's financial reporting
process and (v) review with the Company litigation and other legal matters that
may affect the Company's financial condition and monitor compliance with the
Company's business ethics and other policies.
 
  Compensation and Benefits Committee. The Company Board will establish a
Compensation and Benefits Committee which will initially be comprised of
                                       . The Compensation and Benefits
Committee will have the responsibility, among other things, to (i) establish
the salary rate of officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries,
(ii) examine periodically the compensation structure of the Company and (iii)
supervise the welfare and pension plans and compensation plans of the Company.
 
  Nominating and Management Development Committee. The Company Board will
establish a Nominating and Management Development Committee which will
initially be comprised of                                        . The
Nominating and Management Development Committee will have the responsibility,
among other things, to (i) review possible candidates for election to the
Company Board and recommend a slate of nominees for election as directors at
the Company's annual stockholders' meeting, (ii) review the function and
composition of the other committees of the Company Board and recommend
membership on such committees and (iii) review the qualifications and recommend
candidates for election as officers of the Company.
 
  Executive Committee. The Company Board will establish an Executive Committee
which will initially be comprised of                                        .
Other than matters assigned to the Compensation and Benefits Committee, the
Executive Committee will have, during the interval between the meetings of the
Company Board, the authority to exercise all the powers of the Company Board
that may be delegated legally to it by the Company Board in the management and
direction of the business and affairs of the Company.
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  Prior to the Shipbuilding Distribution, the Shipbuilding Business was owned
and operated by Tenneco through its direct and indirect subsidiaries and as
such, the management of the Company has been employed by Tenneco and its direct
and indirect subsidiaries. The following table sets forth the remuneration paid
by Tenneco and/or its direct and indirect subsidiaries (i) to the President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company and (ii) to each of the four key
executive officers expected to be the most highly compensated executive
officers of the Company, other than the Chief Executive Officer, whose salary
and bonus exceeded $100,000, for the years indicated in connection with his
position with the Company:
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      LONG-TERM
                                    ANNUAL COMPENSATION              COMPENSATION
                          --------------------------------------- ------------------
                                                                  RESTRICTED
        NAME AND                                   OTHER ANNUAL     STOCK               ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION(A)(B)  YEAR SALARY(C)  BONUS   COMPENSATION(D) AWARDS(E)  OPTIONS COMPENSATION(F)
- ------------------------  ---- --------- -------- --------------- ---------- ------- --------------- ---
<S>                       <C>  <C>       <C>      <C>             <C>        <C>     <C>             <C>
William P. Fricks(g)      1995 $323,759  $195,000     $29,591                12,000      $34,680
President and Chief       1994 $276,960  $145,000     $ 6,130      $161,814   7,000      $35,226
 Executive Officer        1993 $265,326  $125,000     $ 2,823      $139,875       0      $31,782
Thomas C. Schievelbein    1995 $188,202  $ 90,000     $ 7,188      $ 90,038   3,300      $ 9,810
Executive Vice President  1994 $125,000  $ 75,000     $ 2,938      $107,876   3,000      $ 8,288
                          1993 $115,000  $ 55,000     $ 2,109      $ 69,938       0      $ 6,946
David J. Anderson          --     --        --          --            --       --          --
Senior Vice President
 and Chief Financial
 Officer(h)
Stephen B. Clarkson       1995 $200,400  $ 75,000     $ 6,664      $ 85,750   3,000      $13,287
Vice President, General   1994 $199,920  $ 84,000     $ 2,312      $ 80,907   3,000      $13,767
 Counsel and Secretary    1993 $190,000  $ 60,000     $ 2,142      $ 69,938       0      $11,431
James A. Palmer, Jr.      1995 $206,760  $ 95,000     $ 6,735      $ 98,613   3,500      $31,735
Vice President            1994 $189,480  $ 95,000     $ 2,841      $107,876   3,150      $30,752
                          1993 $183,246  $ 80,000     $ 2,434      $102,575       0      $29,902
George A. Wade            1995 $195,960  $ 90,000     $ 6,664      $ 98,613   3,500      $24,299
Vice President            1994 $139,800  $ 95,000     $ 2,337      $107,876   3,150      $22,252
                          1993 $131,406  $ 80,000     $   973      $ 95,l15       0      $ 9,946
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) William R. Phillips served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
    Newport News from September 13, 1994 until his retirement effective October
    31, 1995. Mr. Phillips will not serve as an executive officer of the
    Company.
 
(b) Dana G. Mead received compensation from Tenneco for services rendered to
    Newport News. Mr. Mead will continue to serve as a director of the Company
    but will not serve as an executive officer of the Company.
 
(c) Includes base salary plus amounts paid in lieu of Company matching
    contributions to the Tenneco Inc. Thrift Plan.
 
(d) Includes amounts attributable to (i) the value of personal benefits
    provided by the Company to its executive officers, which have an aggregate
    value in excess of $50,000, such as the personal use of Company owned
    property, membership dues, assistance provided to such persons with regard
    to financial, tax and estate planning, (ii) reimbursement for taxes and
    (iii) amounts paid as dividend equivalents on performance share equivalent
    units under the Company's Stock Ownership Plan ("Dividend Equivalents").
    The amount of each such personal benefit that exceeds 25% of the estimated
    value of the total personal benefits provided by the Company, reimbursement
    for taxes and amounts paid as Dividend Equivalents to the individuals
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
 
   named in the table was as follows: During 1995: $15,191 for reimbursement
   for taxes, and $14,400 in Dividend Equivalents paid to Mr. Fricks; $7,188,
   $6,664, $6,735, and $6,664, for reimbursement for taxes for Messrs.
   Schievelbein, Clarkson, Palmer and Wade, respectively; During 1994: $6,130,
   $2,938, $2,312, $2,841, and $2,337, for reimbursement for taxes for Messrs.
   Fricks, Schievelbein, Clarkson, Palmer and Wade, respectively; During 1993:
   $2,823, $2,109, $2,142, $2,434, and $973, for reimbursement for taxes for
   Messrs. Fricks, Schievelbein, Clarkson, Palmer and Wade, respectively.
 
(e) Includes the dollar value of grants of restricted stock made pursuant to
    Tenneco restricted stock plans based on the price of the Tenneco Common
    Stock on the date of grant. At December 31, 1995, Messrs. Fricks,
    Schievelbein, Clarkson, Palmer and Wade, held 20,000; 6,435; 6,330; 8,390;
    and 7,450 restricted shares and/or performance share equivalent units,
    respectively, under such plans. The value at December 31, 1995, (based on
    per equivalent units held) was $992,500 for Mr. Fricks; $319,337 for Mr.
    Schievelbein; $314,126 for Mr. Clarkson; $416,354 for Mr. Palmer; and
    $369,706 for Mr. Wade. Dividends/Dividend Equivalents will be paid on the
    restricted shares and performance share equivalent units held by each
    individual.
 
(f) Includes amounts attributable during 1995 to benefit plans of the Company
    as follows:
 
  (1) The amounts contributed pursuant to the Tenneco Inc. Thrift Plan for
    the accounts of Messrs. Fricks, Schievelbein, Clarkson, Palmer and Wade
    were $9,240, $8,656, $7,500, $9,240, and $9,240 respectively.
 
  (2) The amounts accrued under the Tenneco Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan,
    together with adjustments based upon changes in the Consumer Price Index
    for All Urban Households, as computed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
    for Messrs., Fricks, Wade and Palmer were $19,662; $11,566; and $11,566,
    respectively.
 
  (3) Amounts imputed as income for federal income tax purposes under the
    Company's group life insurance plan for Messrs. Fricks, Schievelbein,
    Clarkson, Palmer and Wade were $5,779; $1,154; $5,787; $9,402; and
    $3,493, respectively.
 
(g) William P. Fricks has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
    Newport News since November 1, 1995, prior to which he served as President
    and Chief Operating Officer from January 24, 1995. Prior to that time, Mr.
    Fricks also served as an Executive Vice President of Newport News from
    January 1, 1992 and prior to which he served as a Senior Vice President
    from September 1, 1988.
 
(h) David J. Anderson became the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief
    Financial Officer on July 22, 1996 at an annual base salary of $260,000.
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
 
                             OPTION GRANTS IN 1995
 
  The following table sets forth the number of stock options to acquire Tenneco
Company Stock that were granted by Tenneco during 1995 to the persons named in
the Summary Compensation Table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      POTENTIAL
                                                                                  REALIZABLE VALUE
                                                                                  AT ASSUMED ANNUAL
                                                                                   RATES OF STOCK
                                                                                        PRICE
                                                                                  APPRECIATION FOR
                                            INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                      OPTION TERM(D)
                        --------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
                                           % OF TOTAL   EXERCISE
                                            OPTIONS     OR BASE
                        OPTIONS GRANTED    GRANTED TO    PRICE
                            (NO. OF        EMPLOYEES      PER
         NAME           SHARES)(A)(B)(E) IN FISCAL YEAR SHARE(C) EXPIRATION DATE     5%      10%
         ----           ---------------- -------------- -------- ---------------- -------- --------
<S>                     <C>              <C>            <C>      <C>              <C>      <C>
William P. Fricks            12,000           0.8%       $42.88  January 10, 2005 $323,520 $819,960
Thomas C. Schievelbein        3,300           0.2%       $42.88  January 10, 2005 $ 88,968 $225,489
Stephen B. Clarkson           3,000           0.2%       $42.88  January 10, 2005 $ 80,880 $204,990
James A. Palmer, Jr.          3,500           0.2%       $42.88  January 10, 2005 $ 94,360 $239,155
George A. Wade                3,500           0.2%       $42.88  January 10, 2005 $ 94,360 $239,155
</TABLE>
- --------
(a) The options reported in this column and in the Summary Compensation Table
    consist of non-qualified options. The options become exercisable at the
    rate of one-third per year on January 10, of 1996, 1997 and 1998,
    respectively. As described in footnote (e) below it is anticipated that
    Tenneco options held by Company employees will be replaced by options to
    acquire NNS Common Stock upon consummation of the Shipbuilding
    Distribution.
 
(b) These options provide that a grantee who delivers shares of Tenneco Common
    Stock to pay the option exercise price will be granted, upon such delivery
    and without further action by Tenneco, an additional option to purchase the
    number of shares so delivered. These "reload" options are granted at 100%
    of the fair market value (as defined in the plan) on the date they are
    granted become exercisable six months from that date and expire coincident
    with the options they replace. Grantees are limited to 10 reload options
    and the automatic grant of such reload options is limited to twice during
    any one calendar year.
 
(c) All options were granted by Tenneco at 100% of the fair market value on the
    date of grant.
 
(d) The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of calculations for
    the period from the date of grant to the expiration of the option at the 5%
    and 10% annual appreciation rates set by the SEC and, therefore, are not
    intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, in the price of
    Tenneco Common Stock. No gain to the optionee is possible without an
    increase in price of underlying stock. In order to realize the potential
    values set forth in the 5% and 10% columns of this table, the per share
    price of Tenneco Common Stock would be $69.84 and $111.21, respectively, or
    63% and 160%, respectively, above the exercise or base price. As described
    in footnote (e) below, however, it is anticipated that options to acquire
    Tenneco Common Stock held by Company employees will be replaced by options
    to acquire NNS Common Stock upon Consummation of the Shipbuilding
    Distribution.
 
(e) All Tenneco stock options held by employees of the Company will be
    cancelled as of the Shipbuilding Distribution. The Company has adopted a
    plan (the "Company Stock Ownership Plan") which is substantially similar to
    the 1994 Tenneco Inc. Stock Ownership Plan. Prior to the Shipbuilding
    Distribution, Tenneco will have approved the Company Stock Ownership Plan
    as the sole stockholder of the Company. Options will be granted under the
    Company Stock Ownership Plan as of the Shipbuilding Distribution to all
    employees of the Company who formerly held Tenneco options. Each such
    employee will receive options of the Company under which the excess of the
    fair market value of the shares subject to the options immediately after
    the grant over the aggregate option price is not more than the excess of
    the aggregate fair market value of all Tenneco shares subject to his or her
    Tenneco stock options immediately before such cancellation over the
    aggregate option price under such Tenneco options. The terms of the Company
    options will be the same as if the Tenneco options had remained outstanding
    except to the extent that the Company Stock Ownership Plan reflects legal
    changes adopted after the Tenneco options were granted. These options
    provide that a grantee who delivers shares of Tenneco Common Stock to pay
    the option exercise price will be granted, upon such delivery and without
    further action by the Company, an additional option to purchase the number
    of shares so delivered. These "reload" options are granted at 100% of the
    fair market value (as defined in the Company Stock Ownership Plan) on the
    date they are granted, become exercisable six months from that date and
    expire at the same time as the options they replace. Grantees are limited
    to 10 reload options and automatic grant of such reload options is limited
    to twice during any one calendar year.
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
 
               OPTIONS EXERCISED IN 1995 AND 1995 YEAR-END VALUES
 
  The following table sets forth the number of options to acquire Tenneco
Common Stock held, as of December 31, 1995, by the persons named in the Summary
Compensation Table. No options to acquire shares of Tenneco Common Stock were
exercised during 1995.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             TOTAL NUMBER OF        VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                        UNEXERCISED OPTIONS HELD  IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS HELD
                         AT DECEMBER 31, 1995(A)   AT DECEMBER 31, 1995(A)
                        ------------------------- -------------------------
         NAME           EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
         ----           ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S>                     <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
William P. Fricks          2,546       16,667       $1,811       $81,000
Thomas C. Schievelbein     1,000        5,300       $  --        $22,275
Stephen B. Clarkson        1,000        5,000       $  --        $20,250
James A. Palmer, Jr.       1,050        5,600       $  --        $23,625
George A. Wade             1,150        5,600       $  850       $23,625
</TABLE>
 
- --------
(a) As described in footnote (e) to the Option Grant Table, the options to
    acquire Tenneco Common Stock will be replaced by options to acquire NNS
    Common Stock.
 
  The following table sets forth information concerning performance based
awards made to the persons named in the Summary Compensation Table during 1995
by Tenneco.
 
                           LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS
          PERFORMANCE SHARE EQUIVALENT UNIT AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NUMBER OF  PERFORMANCE
                    SHARES,    OR OTHER     ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS UNDER
                   UNITS OR  PERIOD UNTIL   NON-STOCK PRICE BASED PLANS(A)
                     OTHER   MATURATION OR ---------------------------------
      NAME         RIGHTS(B)   PAYOUT(C)   THRESHOLD(D) TARGET(D) MAXIMUM(D)
      ----         --------- ------------- ------------ --------- ----------
<S>                <C>       <C>           <C>          <C>       <C>
William P. Fricks    9,000      4 Years         --        4,500     9,000
</TABLE>
 
- --------
(a) Estimated Future Payouts are based on earnings per share ("EPS") from
    continuing operations as shown in the record of progress included in the
    published financial statements of the Company. Earnings per share for 1995
    were $4.16 and represents achievement of 25% of the performance goal
    applicable to this award. Mr. Fricks was provisionally credited with 100%
    of his performance goal for 1995 and 2,250 shares were credited to his Plan
    account, subject to adjustment, for payout at the end of the performance
    cycle.
(b) Each performance share equivalent unit represents one share of Tenneco
    Common Stock that may be earned under this award and the number of
    performance share equivalent units listed in this column represents the
    maximum number of performance share equivalent units that may be earned
    under this award.
(c) Performance share equivalent units are earned at the rate of 25% per year
    based on achievement of annual EPS goals. However, it is anticipated that
    prior to the consummation of the Shipbuilding Distribution the conditions
    to issuance of all shares of Tenneco Common Stock underlying the
    performance share unit equivalent awards will be waived and the maximum
    number of shares of Tenneco Common Stock subject thereto will be issued.
(d) Represents maximum performance share equivalent units earned where the
    goals were consistently within the indicated performance range on an
    individual year and accumulated four-year basis.
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
 
  The following table sets forth the aggregate estimated annual benefits
payable upon normal retirement pursuant to the Company's Retirement Plan (the
"Retirement Plan"), the TRP and certain non-qualified structures. The Company
has not yet adopted or made a final decision on the design of its Retirement
Plan; however, it is anticipated that its Retirement Plan will be virtually
identical to the TRP and will count service with Tenneco for benefit accrual
purposes but with an offset for benefits accrued under the TRP. It is
anticipated that the Company will adopt one or more non-qualified structures to
provide employees with the benefits that would be provided under the Retirement
Plan but for applicable legal limits. The numbers set forth in the following
table assume that plans are adopted accordingly.
 
                               PENSION PLAN TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            YEARS OF CREDITED PARTICIPATION
                ----------------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION       15           20           25            30             35
- ------------    --------     --------     --------     ----------     ----------
<S>             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
 $  350,000     $ 82,500     $110,000     $137,500     $  165,000     $  192,500
    400,000       94,300      125,700      157,100        188,600        220,000
    450,000      106,100      141,400      176,800        212,100        247,500
    500,000      117,900      157,100      196,400        235,700        275,000
    550,000      129,600      172,900      216,100        259,300        302,500
    600,000      141,400      188,600      235,700        282,900        330,000
    650,000      153,200      204,300      255,400        306,400        357,000
    700,000      165,000      220,000      275,000        330,000        365,000
    750,000      176,800      235,700      294,600        353,600        412,500
    800,000      188,600      251,400      314,300        377,100        440,000
    850,000      200,400      267,100      333,900        400,700        467,500
    900,000      212,100      282,900      353,600        424,300        495,000
    950,000      223,900      298,600      373,200        447,900        522,500
  1,000,000      235,700      314,300      392,900        471,400        550,000
</TABLE>
 
  The benefits set forth above are computed as a straight life annuity and are
based on years of credited participation in the Retirement Plan and the
employee's average base salary during the final five years of credited
participation in the Plan; such benefits are not subject to any deduction for
Social Security or other offset amounts.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
  [To come]
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
 
BENEFIT PLANS FOLLOWING THE SHIPBUILDING DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Company will adopt two plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code:
a defined benefit pension plan and an employee stock ownership plan which will
also provide for 401(k) salary reduction contributions. It is anticipated that
the Company will adopt non-qualified plans designed to provide covered
individuals with benefits which they would receive under the qualified defined
benefit pension absent legal limitations.
 
  Prior to the consummation of the Shipbuilding Distribution, the Company will
adopt the Company Stock Ownership Plan, which will be approved by Tenneco as
the sole stockholder of the Company. The Company Stock Ownership Plan will be
substantially similar to the Tenneco Inc. 1994 Stock Ownership Plan and will
provide for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, performance shares
and other forms of awards. The Company may adopt, and Tenneco will approve as
its sole stockholder if adopted, an employee stock purchase plan which will be
substantially similar to the Tenneco employee stock purchase plan.
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK
 
  Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company Board and Tenneco, as sole
stockholder of the Company, will approve and adopt the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation ("Certificate"), and Tenneco, as sole stockholder of the Company,
will approve and adopt the Amended and Restated By-laws ("By-laws"). Under the
Certificate, the Company's authorized capital stock will consist of
shares of NNS Common Stock, and           shares of Preferred Stock, par value
$.01 per share ("NNS Preferred Stock"). In addition, it is anticipated that the
Company Board will adopt resolutions pursuant to the Certificate designating
shares of NNS Preferred Stock as Series A Participating Junior Preferred Stock,
par value $.01 per share, of the Company ("NNS Junior Preferred Stock") and
reserving shares of NNS Junior Preferred Stock for issuance in connection with
the Rights to be issued in connection with the Shipbuilding Distribution. No
NNS Preferred Stock will be issued in the Shipbuilding Distribution. Based on
the number of shares of Tenneco outstanding on July 31, 1996 up to
approximately 34,128,892 shares of the NNS Common Stock will be issued in the
Shipbuilding Distribution.
 
NNS COMMON STOCK
 
  The holders of NNS Common Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share
on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote, and except
as otherwise required by law or provided in any resolution adopted by the
Company Board with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, the holders of the
NNS Common Stock will possess 100% of the voting power. The Certificate does
not provide for cumulative voting.
 
  Subject to the preferential rights of any outstanding NNS Preferred Stock
which may be created by the Company Board under the Certificate, the holders of
NNS Common Stock will be entitled to such dividends as may be declared from
time to time by the Company Board and paid from funds legally available
therefor, and the holders of NNS Common Stock will be entitled to receive pro
rata all assets of the Company available for distribution upon liquidation. All
shares of NNS Common Stock received in the Shipbuilding Distribution will be
fully paid and nonassessable, and the holders thereof will not have any
preemptive rights.
 
  There is no established public trading market for NNS Common Stock, although
a "when issued" market is expected to develop prior to the Distribution Date.
On      , 1996, the NYSE approved the listing of NNS Common Stock upon notice
of issuance.
 
  The declaration of dividends on NNS Common Stock will be at the discretion of
the Company Board. The Company Board has not adopted a dividend policy as such.
Subject to legal and contractual restrictions, its decisions regarding
dividends will be based on all considerations that in its business judgment are
relevant at the time, including past and projected earnings, cash flows,
economic, business and securities market conditions and anticipated
developments concerning the Company's business and operations. For additional
information concerning the payment of dividends by the Company, see "Risk
Factors -- Dividends" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
 
  The Company's cash flow and the consequent ability of the Company to pay any
dividends on NNS Common Stock will be substantially dependent upon the earnings
and cash flow of the Company's subsidiaries available after its debt service
and the availability of such earnings to the Company by way of dividends,
distributions, loans and other advances. The agreements relating to Company
Credit Facilities contain provisions that limit the amount of dividends that
may be paid on NNS Common Stock. As of the Distribution Date, it is expected
that under the most restrictive provisions contained in these agreements, the
Company would be permitted to pay annual dividends in excess of $           .
 
  Under the DGCL, dividends may be paid by the Company out of "surplus" (as
defined under Section 154 of the DGCL) or, if there is no surplus, out of net
profits for the fiscal year in which the dividends are declared and/or the
preceding fiscal year. On a pro forma basis, at June 30, 1996, the Company had
surplus of
 
                                       72
<PAGE>
 
approximately $202 million for the payment of dividends, and the Company will
also be able to pay dividends out of any net profits for the current and/or
prior fiscal year, if any.
 
NNS PREFERRED STOCK
 
  Under the Certificate, the Company Board is authorized to issue NNS Preferred
Stock, in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares constituting such
series and the designation of such series, the voting powers (if any) of the
shares of such series, and the preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations
or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series. See "Antitakeover
Effects of Certain Provisions."
 
                   ANTITAKEOVER EFFECTS OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS
 
  The Certificate, the By-laws, the Rights and Delaware statutory law contain
certain provisions that could make the acquisition of the Company by means of a
tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise more difficult. The description set
forth below is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Certificate, the By-laws and the Rights Agreement which are
attached as exhibits to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 10 under
the Exchange Act relating to NNS Common Stock.
 
CLASSIFIED BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Certificate provides that the Company Board will be divided into three
classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as
possible. The Company Board consists of the persons referred to in
"Management--Board of Directors" above. The Certificate provides that, of the
initial directors of the Company, approximately one-third will continue to
serve until the first succeeding annual meeting of the Company's stockholders,
approximately one-third will continue to serve until the second succeeding
annual meeting of the Company's stockholders and approximately one-third will
continue to serve until the third succeeding annual meeting of the Company's
stockholders. Of the initial directors, Mr. Fricks, will serve until the first
succeeding annual meeting of the Company's stockholders, Mr. Sisco will serve
until the second succeeding annual meeting of the Company's stockholders and
Mr. Mead will serve until the third succeeding annual meeting of the Company's
stockholders. At each annual meeting of the Company's stockholders, one class
of directors will be elected for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual
meeting of stockholders.
 
  The classification of directors will have the effect of making it more
difficult for stockholders to change the composition of the Company Board. At
least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead of one, will generally be
required to effect a change in a majority of the members of the Company Board.
Such a delay may help ensure that the Company's directors, if confronted by a
stockholder attempting to force a proxy contest, a tender or exchange offer, or
an extraordinary corporate transaction, would have sufficient time to review
the proposal as well as any available alternatives to the proposal and to act
in what they believe to be the best interest of the stockholders. The
classification provisions will apply to every election of directors, however,
regardless of whether a change in the composition of the Company Board would be
beneficial to the Company and its stockholders and whether or not a majority of
the Company's stockholders believe that such a change would be desirable.
 
  The classification provisions could also have the effect of discouraging a
third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise
attempting to obtain control of the Company, even though such an attempt might
be beneficial to the Company and its stockholders. The classification of the
Company Board could thus increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will
retain their positions. In addition, because the classification provisions may
discourage accumulations of large blocks of the Company's stock by purchasers
whose objective is to take control of the Company and remove a majority of the
members of the Company Board, the classification of the Company Board could
tend to reduce the likelihood of fluctuations in the market price of NNS Common
Stock that might result from accumulations of large blocks for such a purpose.
Accordingly,
 
                                       73
<PAGE>
 
stockholders could be deprived of certain opportunities to sell their shares of
NNS Common Stock at a higher market price than might otherwise be the case.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Certificate provides that whenever the
holders of any one or more series of NNS Preferred Stock have the right, voting
separately as a class or series, to elect directors, such directors will not be
classified, unless expressly provided by the terms of such series of NNS
Preferred Stock.
 
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS; REMOVAL; FILLING VACANCIES
 
  The Certificate provides that the business and affairs of the Company will be
managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors, consisting of not
less than three nor more than sixteen directors, the exact number thereof to be
determined from time to time by affirmative vote of a majority of the entire
Board of Directors. In addition, the Certificate provides that any vacancy on
the Company Board that results from an increase in the number of directors may
be filled by a majority of the Company Board then in office, provided that a
quorum is present, and any other vacancy occurring in the Company Board may be
filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a
quorum, or by a sole remaining director.
 
  Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate, directors
serving on a classified board may only be removed by the stockholders for
cause. The Certificate does not provide that directors may be removed without
cause.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Certificate provides that whenever the
holders of any one or more series of NNS Preferred Stock have the right, voting
separately as a class or series, to elect directors, the election, removal,
term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships
will be governed by the terms of the Certificate applicable thereto.
 
SPECIAL MEETINGS
 
  The By-laws provide that special meetings of stockholders will be called by
the Company Board. Moreover, the business permitted to be conducted at any
special meeting of stockholders is limited to the purposes specified in the
notice of meeting given by the Company.
 
ADVANCE NOTICE PROVISIONS FOR STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS AND STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
  The By-laws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders to make
nominations of candidates for election of directors, or to bring other business
before an annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the "Stockholder
Notice Procedure").
 
  The Stockholder Notice Procedure provides that only persons who are nominated
by, or at the direction of, the Company Board, or by a stockholder who has
given timely written notice to the Secretary of the Company prior to the
meeting at which directors are to be elected, will be eligible for election as
directors of the Company. The Stockholder Notice Procedure provides that at an
annual meeting only such business may be conducted as has been brought before
the meeting by, or at the direction of, the Company Board or by a stockholder
who has given timely written notice to the Secretary of the Company of such
stockholder's intention to bring such business before such meeting. Under the
Stockholder Notice Procedure, for stockholder notice in respect of the annual
meeting of the Company's stockholders to be timely, such notice must be
delivered to the Secretary of the Company not less than 50 days nor more than
75 days prior to the annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that
less than 65 days' notice or prior public announcement of the date of the
meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be
timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the 15th day
following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was
mailed or such public announcement was made, whichever first occurs.
 
  Under the Stockholder Notice Procedure, a stockholder's notice to the Company
proposing to nominate a person for election as a director must contain certain
information, including, without limitation, the identity and
 
                                       74
<PAGE>
 
address of the nominating stockholder, the class and number of shares of stock
of the Company which are beneficially owned by such stockholder, and as to each
person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as
a director, (i) the name, age, business address and residence of the person,
(ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (iii) the class and
number of shares of capital stock of the
Company which are beneficially owned by the person and (iv) any other
information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to Rule 14A under
the Exchange Act. Under the Stockholder Notice Procedure, a stockholder's
notice relating to the conduct of business other than the nomination of
directors must contain certain information about such business and about the
proposing stockholder, including, without limitation, a brief description of
the business the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, the reasons
for conducting such business at such meeting, the name and address of such
stockholder, the class and number of shares of stock of the Company
beneficially owned by such stockholder, and any material interest of such
stockholder in the business so proposed. If the Chairman of the meeting
determines that a person was not nominated, or other business was not brought
before the meeting, in accordance with the Stockholder Notice Procedure, such
person will not be eligible for election as a director, or such business will
not be conducted at any such meeting, as the case may be.
 
  By requiring advance notice of nominations by stockholders, the Stockholder
Notice Procedure will afford the Company Board an opportunity to consider the
qualifications of the proposed nominees and, to the extent deemed necessary or
desirable by the Company Board, to inform stockholders about such
qualifications. By requiring advance notice of other proposed business, the
Stockholder Notice Procedure will also provide a more orderly procedure for
conducting annual meetings of stockholders and, to the extent deemed necessary
or desirable by the Company Board, will provide the Company Board with an
opportunity to inform stockholders, prior to such meetings, of any business
proposed to be conducted at such meetings, together with any recommendations as
to the Company Board's position regarding action to be taken with respect to
such business, so that stockholders can better decide whether to attend such a
meeting or to grant a proxy regarding the disposition of any such business.
 
  Although the By-laws do not give the Company Board any power to approve or
disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proper
stockholder proposals for action, they may have the effect of precluding a
contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder
proposals if the proper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or
deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its
own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal, without regard to
whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or
beneficial to the Company and its stockholders.
 
NNS PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Certificate authorizes the Company Board to provide for series of NNS
Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of
shares constituting such series and the designation of such series, the voting
powers (if any) of the shares of such series, and the preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and any
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the shares of such
series.
 
  Tenneco and the Company believe that the ability of the Company Board to
issue one or more series of NNS Preferred Stock will provide the Company with
flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions, and in
meeting other corporate needs which might arise. The authorized shares of NNS
Preferred Stock, as well as shares of NNS Common Stock, will be available for
issuance without further action by the Company's stockholders, unless such
action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or
automated quotation system on which the Company's securities may be listed or
traded. The NYSE currently requires stockholder approval as a prerequisite to
listing shares in several instances, including where the present or potential
issuance of shares could result in a 20% increase in the number of shares of
common stock outstanding or in the amount of voting securities outstanding. If
the approval of the Company's stockholders is not required for the issuance of
shares of NNS Preferred Stock or NNS Common Stock, the Company Board may
determine not to seek stockholder approval.
 
 
                                       75
<PAGE>
 
  Although the Company Board has no intention at the present time of doing so,
it could issue a series of NNS Preferred Stock that could, depending on the
terms of such series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other
takeover attempt. The Company Board will make any determination to issue such
shares based on its judgment as to the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. The Company Board, in so
acting, could issue NNS Preferred Stock having terms that could discourage an
acquisition attempt through which an acquiror may be able to change the
composition of the Company Board, including a tender offer or other transaction
that some, or a majority, of the Company's stockholders might believe to be in
their best interests or in which stockholders might receive a premium for their
stock over the then current market price of such stock.
 
RIGHTS
 
  The Company Board will adopt a stockholder rights plan and cause to be
issued, with each share of NNS Common Stock to be distributed in the
Shipbuilding Distribution, one preferred share purchase right (a "Right"). Each
Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company a unit
consisting of one one-hundredth of a share (a "Unit") of NNS Junior Preferred
Stock, at a price of $    per Unit (the "Purchase Price"), subject to
adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights
Agreement (the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and First Chicago Trust
Company of New York, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").
 
  Initially, the Rights will be represented by NNS Common Stock certificates,
and no separate certificates representing the Rights ("Rights Certificates")
will be distributed. The Rights will separate from the NNS Common Stock and a
distribution date (a "Rights Distribution Date") will occur upon the earlier of
(i) 10 business days following the first date of public announcement (the
"Stock Acquisition Date") that a person or group of affiliated or associated
persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire,
beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of NNS Common
Stock, (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as may be determined by the
Company Board) following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer
that would result in a person or group beneficially owning 20% or more of such
outstanding shares of NNS Common Stock or (iii) 10 business days after the
Company Board determines that any person, alone or together with its affiliates
and associates, has become the Beneficial Owner of an amount of NNS Common
Stock which the Company Board determines to be substantial (which amount shall
in no event be less than 10% of the shares of NNS Common Stock outstanding) and
at least a majority of the Company Board who are not officers of the Company,
after reasonable inquiry and investigation, including consultation with such
persons as such directors shall deem appropriate, shall determine that (a) such
beneficial ownership by such person is intended to cause the Company to
repurchase the NNS Common Stock beneficially owned by such person or to cause
pressure on the Company to take action or enter into a transaction or series of
transactions intended to provide such person with short-term financial gain
under circumstances where the Company Board determines that the best long-term
interests of the Company and its stockholders would not be served by taking
such action or entering into such transactions or series of transactions at
that time or (b) such beneficial ownership is causing or is reasonably likely
to cause a material adverse impact (including, but not limited to, impairment
of relationships with customers or impairment of the Company's ability to
maintain its competitive position) on the business or prospects of the Company
(any such person being referred to herein and in the Rights Agreement as an
"Adverse Person").
 
  Until the Rights Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by NNS
Common Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such NNS
Common Stock certificates, (ii) NNS Common Stock certificates will contain a
notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference and (iii) the
surrender for transfer of any certificates for NNS Common Stock outstanding
will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with NNS Common
Stock represented by such certificate.
 
  The Rights are not exercisable until the Rights Distribution Date and will
expire at the close of business on June 10, 1998 (the "Final Expiration Date"),
unless (i) earlier redeemed by the Company as described below or (ii) the
Rights Agreement is extended (with stockholder approval) as discussed below.
The Final Expiration Date
 
                                       76
<PAGE>
 
is the same date on which the stockholder rights issued under the current
Tenneco's stockholder's rights plan would have terminated, but for the Merger.
 
  As soon as practicable after the Rights Distribution Date, Rights
Certificates will be mailed to holders of record of the NNS Common Stock as of
the close of business on the Rights Distribution Date and, thereafter, the
separate Rights Certificates alone will represent the Rights. Except as
otherwise determined by the Company Board, only shares of NNS Common Stock
issued prior to the Rights Distribution Date will be issued with Rights.
 
  In the event that (i) any person becomes an Acquiring Person (except pursuant
to an offer for all outstanding shares of NNS Common Stock that the independent
directors determine to be fair to and otherwise in the best interests of the
Company and its stockholders) or (ii) the Company Board determines that a
person is an Adverse Person, each holder of a Right will thereafter have the
right to receive, upon exercise, NNS Common Stock (or, in certain
circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company) having a
value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right. Upon the occurrence
of either of the events set forth in the preceding sentence, all Rights that
are, or (under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were,
beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person or Adverse Person (or certain
related parties) will be null and void. Rights will not be exercisable
following the occurrence of either of such events until such time as the Rights
are no longer redeemable by the Company as set forth below.
 
  For example, at an exercise price of     per Right, each Right not owned by
an Acquiring Person or by an Adverse Person (or by certain related parties)
following an event set forth in the preceding paragraph would entitle its
holder to purchase     worth of NNS Common Stock (or other consideration, as
noted above) for    . Assuming that NNS Common Stock had a per share value of
    at such time, the holder of each valid Right would be entitled to purchase
    shares of NNS Common Stock for    .
 
  In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (i) the
Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction
(other than a merger meeting prescribed terms and conditions that follows an
offer described in the second preceding paragraph) or (ii) more than 50% of the
Company's assets or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of a
Right (except Rights that previously have been voided as set forth above) shall
thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the
acquiring company having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the
Right.
 
  The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Units of NNS Junior Preferred
Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of
a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, NNS
Junior Preferred Stock, (ii) if holders of NNS Junior Preferred Stock are
granted certain rights or warrants to subscribe for NNS Junior Preferred Stock
or convertible securities at less than the current market price of NNS Junior
Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the NNS Junior
Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular
quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than
those referred to above).
 
  With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required
until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase Price. No
fractional Units will be issued and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash
will be made based on the market price of NNS Junior Preferred Stock on the
last trading date prior to the date of exercise.
 
  In general, at any time until 10 business days following the Stock
Acquisition Date, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part,
at a price of $.02 per Right. The Company may not redeem the Rights if the
Company Board has previously declared a person to be an Adverse Person.
Immediately upon the action of the Company Board ordering redemption of the
Rights, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights
will be to receive the $.02 redemption price.
 
 
                                       77
<PAGE>
 
  Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights
as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to
vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not be
taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders may, depending upon the
circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights became
exercisable for NNS Common Stock (or other consideration) of the Company or for
common stock of the acquiring company as set forth above.
 
  Other than those provisions relating to the duration of the Rights Agreement
and the principal economic terms of the Rights, any of the provisions of the
Rights Agreement may be amended by the Company Board prior to the Rights
Distribution Date. After the Rights Distribution Date, the provisions of the
Rights Agreement may be amended by the Company Board in order to cure any
ambiguity, to make changes that do not adversely affect the interests of
holders of Rights, or to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights
Agreement; provided, however, that no amendment to adjust the time period
governing redemption shall be made at such time as the Rights are not
redeemable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless approved by a vote of the
stockholders of the Company, the Rights Agreement may not be supplemented or
amended to alter the redemption price, the Final Expiration Date, the Purchase
Price or the number of Units for which a Right is exercisable.
 
  The Rights Agreement is designed to protect the stockholders of the Company
in the event of unsolicited offers to acquire the Company and other coercive
takeover tactics which, in the opinion of the Company Board, could impair its
ability to represent stockholder interests. The provisions of the Rights
Agreement may render an unsolicited takeover of the Company more difficult or
less likely to occur, even though such takeover may offer the Company's
stockholders the opportunity to sell their stock at a price above the
prevailing market rate and may be favored by a majority of the Company's
stockholders.
 
  THE FOREGOING SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE RIGHTS IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH HAS BEEN FILED AS AN
EXHIBIT TO THE COMPANY'S REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM 10 UNDER THE EXCHANGE
ACT RELATING TO NNS COMMON STOCK. THE RIGHTS ARE BEING REGISTERED UNDER THE
EXCHANGE ACT, TOGETHER WITH NNS COMMON STOCK, PURSUANT TO SUCH REGISTRATION
STATEMENT. IN THE EVENT THAT THE RIGHTS BECOME EXERCISABLE, THE COMPANY WILL
REGISTER THE SHARES OF NNS JUNIOR PREFERRED STOCK FOR WHICH THE RIGHTS MAY BE
EXERCISED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW.
 
ANTITAKEOVER LEGISLATION
 
  Section 203 of the DGCL provides that, subject to certain exceptions
specified therein, a corporation shall not engage in any "business combination"
with any "interested stockholder" for a three-year period following the time
that such stockholder becomes an interested stockholder unless (i) prior to
such time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the
business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder
becoming an interested stockholder, (ii) upon consummation of the transaction
which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the
interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the
corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding
certain shares) or (iii) on or subsequent to such time, the business
combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and by the
affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is
not owned by the interested stockholder. Section 203 of the DGCL generally
defines an "interested stockholder" to include (x) any person that is the owner
of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or is an
affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of
the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within three years
immediately prior to the relevant date and (y) the affiliates and associates of
any such person. Section 203 of the DGCL generally defines a "business
combination" to include (1) mergers and sales or other dispositions of 10% or
more of the assets of the corporation with or to an interested stockholder, (2)
certain transactions resulting in the issuance or transfer to the interested
stockholder of any stock of the corporation or its subsidiaries, (3) certain
transactions which would result in increasing the proportionate share of the
stock of the corporation or its subsidiaries owned by the interested
stockholder and (4) receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit
(except proportionately as a stockholder) of any loans, advances, guarantees,
pledges, or other financial benefits.
 
                                       78
<PAGE>
 
  Under certain circumstances, Section 203 of the DGCL makes it more difficult
for a person who would be an "interested stockholder" to effect various
business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period, although the
certificate of incorporation or stockholder-adopted by-laws may exclude a
corporation from the restrictions imposed thereunder. Neither the Certificate
nor the By-laws exclude the Company from the restrictions imposed under Section
203 of the DGCL. It is anticipated that the provisions of Section 203 of the
DGCL may encourage companies interested in acquiring the Company to negotiate
in advance with the Company Board since the stockholder approval requirement
would be avoided if the Company Board approves, prior to the time the
stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, either the business combination
or the transaction which results in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder.
 
COMPARISON WITH RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF TENNECO COMMON STOCK
 
  Except as otherwise described herein, the provisions of the Certificate and
the By-laws (including the provisions thereof relating to the classification of
directors, the calling of special meetings of stockholders and the advance
notice requirements for stockholder nominations and proposals), are
substantially identical to the provisions of the Tenneco Certificate of
Incorporation (the "Tenneco Certificate") and the Tenneco By-laws (the "Tenneco
By-laws").
 
Capitalization
 
  Tenneco's authorized capital stock consists of 350,000,000 shares of Tenneco
Common Stock, 15,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, without par value ("Tenneco
Preferred Stock"), and 50,000,000 shares of Junior Preferred Stock, without par
value ("Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock"). The Company's authorized capital
stock consists of    shares of NNS Common Stock and    shares of NNS Preferred
Stock.
 
  The Tenneco Board is generally authorized to issue Tenneco Preferred Stock
and Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock in series and to fix the terms of such
series, but such authority is subject to numerous requirements and/or
limitations relating to, among other things, the voting rights of such series
and the ability of Tenneco to pay dividends and acquire its capital stock. The
Company Board is authorized to issue NNS Preferred Stock in series and to fix
the terms of such series, without limitation (other than as provided in the
DGCL).
 
  All series of Tenneco Preferred Stock (but not Tenneco Junior Preferred
Stock) must rank on a parity with respect to the payment of dividends. Any of
the terms of a series of NNS Preferred Stock may differ from those of any other
series.
 
Business Combinations
 
  The Tenneco Certificate prohibits certain "Business Combinations" with
"Interested Stockholders" without supermajority stockholder approval unless (i)
approved by a majority of the "Continuing Directors," or (ii) certain detailed
requirements as to, among other things, the value and type of consideration to
be paid to the Tenneco stockholders, the maintenance of Tenneco's dividend
policy, the public disclosure of the Business Combination and major change in
Tenneco's business or equity capital structure without the approval of a
majority of Continuing Directors, have been satisfied. The Certificate contains
no such restrictions on Business Combinations.
 
Charter Amendments
 
  Under the Tenneco Certificate, a majority in voting power of the outstanding
shares of voting stock is generally required to effect a charter amendment,
other than an amendment of the provisions relating to Business Combinations.
Under the Certificate, a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of
voting stock is generally required to effect a charter amendment.
 
                                       79
<PAGE>
 
Class Voting
 
  Under the Tenneco Certificate, approval of 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares
of Tenneco Preferred Stock or Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, or of a series
thereof, is required for any charter amendment which adversely
affects the rights, powers or preferences of the Tenneco Preferred Stock or
Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock, or of a series thereof, as the case may be.
Under the Certificate, there is no such two-thirds approval requirement;
however, the DGCL generally requires any charter amendment that so adversely
affects a particular class or series of stock be approved by a majority of the
outstanding shares of such class or series, as the case may be.
 
  The Tenneco Certificate requires separate class votes of Tenneco Preferred
Stock and of Tenneco Junior Preferred Stock (i) to create a class of stock
ranking senior thereto, (ii) to sell, lease, transfer or convey all or
substantially all of Tenneco's assets or (iii) to merge with another
corporation (unless Tenneco survives). No such class votes are required under
the Certificate.
 
Stockholder Meetings
 
  The By-laws provide that the Company Board and the chairman of a meeting may
adopt rules for the conduct of stockholder meetings and specify the types of
rules that may be adopted (including the establishment of an agenda, rules
relating to presence at the meeting of persons other than stockholders,
restrictions on entry at the meeting after commencement thereof and the
imposition of time limitations for questions by participants at the meeting).
Such issues are not expressly addressed by the Tenneco By-laws.
 
Number of Directors
 
  Under the Tenneco By-laws, the number of directors constituting the whole
Tenneco Board is required to be not less than 8, nor more than 16, and
determined from time to time, within such limits, by the Tenneco Board. The
Certificate provides for the number of directors to be not less than 3, nor
more than 16, and determined from time to time, within such limits, by the
Company Board. The Company Board currently consists of 3 directors.
 
Stockholder Rights Plans
 
  Tenneco adopted a stockholder rights plan on May 24, 1988, which was amended
and restated on October 1, 1989 (the "Tenneco Rights Plan"). Pursuant to and in
accordance with such plan, one preferred share purchase right (a "Tenneco
Right") is attached to each share of Tenneco Common Stock. Each Tenneco Right
entitles the registered holder thereof to, among other things, purchase, under
certain circumstances, from Tenneco a unit consisting of one one-hundredth of a
share of Tenneco Series A Junior Preferred Stock. Tenneco has amended the
Tenneco Rights Plan to exempt El Paso and El Paso Merger Company from becoming
an "acquiring person" thereunder, or otherwise triggering the Tenneco Rights,
solely by reason of the execution of the Merger Agreement and consummation of
the transactions contemplated thereby, and to cause the Tenneco Rights to
expire at the Merger Effective Time.
 
  The Company will adopt the Rights Agreement. The Rights Agreement is, in all
material respects, the same as the Tenneco Rights Plan except that the
Redemption Price (as defined therein), the Final Expiration Date, the Purchase
Price and the number of one one-hundredths of a share of NNS Junior Preferred
Stock for which a Right is exercisable (which under the Tenneco Rights Plan may
not be supplemented or amended) may be supplemented or amended with stockholder
approval.
 
Indemnification
 
  The Tenneco By-laws provide for mandatory indemnification for directors and
officers of Tenneco and for directors and officers of Tenneco serving as
directors and officers of other entities at the request of Tenneco to the
fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. The By-laws provide similar mandatory
indemnification except (i)
 
                                       80
<PAGE>
 
such indemnification includes directors and officers of the Company serving as
directors, officers, employees or agents of another entity at the request of
the Company and (ii) suits (or parts thereof) instituted by any such indemnitee
without Company Board approval are excluded from such mandatory
indemnification.
 
  The By-laws also provide for mandatory advancement of expenses in defending
any proceeding for which mandatory indemnification may be available. The
Tenneco By-laws do not provide for such mandatory advancement of expenses.
 
  Under the By-laws, persons claiming indemnification or advancement may file
suit in respect thereof if the Company does not pay such a claim within 60 days
after receipt of a written claim therefor and, if successful in whole or in
part, are entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. The By-
laws provide that in any such action, the Company has the burden of proving
that the indemnitee is not entitled to the requested indemnification or
advancement. Such issues are not expressly addressed by the Tenneco By-laws.
 
Director Exculpation
 
  Pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, the Tenneco Certificate provides
that a director thereof shall not be liable to Tenneco or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to Tenneco or
its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (iii) under Section
174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit.
 
  The Certificate provides that a director of the Company shall not be liable
to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or
limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may
thereafter be amended. The Certificate, therefore, affords directors of the
Company the benefit of any subsequent broadening of director exculpation
permitted by the DGCL without the need for a further charter amendment.
 
                                       81
<PAGE>
 
            LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
ELIMINATION OF LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Certificate provides that a director of the Company will not be liable to
the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or
limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may
thereafter be amended. Based on the DGCL as presently in effect, a director of
the Company will not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company
or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the DGCL, which concerns unlawful payments of dividends, stock
purchases or redemptions, or (iv) for any transactions from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit.
 
  While the Certificate provides directors with protection from awards for
monetary damages for breaches of their duty of care, it does not eliminate such
duty. Accordingly, the Certificate will have no effect on the availability of
equitable remedies such as an injunction or rescission based on a director's
breach of his or her duty of care. The provisions of the Certificate described
above apply to an officer of the Company only if he or she is a director of the
Company and is acting in his or her capacity as director, and do not apply to
officers of the Company who are not directors.
 
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  The By-laws provide that the Company will indemnify and hold harmless, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may
thereafter be amended, any person (an "Indemnitee") who was or is made or is
threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a
"proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he, she, or a person for whom he or
she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Company
or, while a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving at the
request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
Company or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit
entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all
liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys' fees) reasonably
incurred by such Indemnitee. The By-laws also provide that, notwithstanding the
foregoing, but except as described in the second following paragraph, the
Company will be required to indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a
proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Indemnitee only if the
commencement of such proceeding (or past thereof) by the Indemnitee was
authorized by the Company Board.
 
  The By-laws further provide that the Company will pay the expenses (including
attorneys' fees) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending any proceeding in
advance of its final disposition, provided however, that, to the extent
required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition
of the proceeding will be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the
Indemnitee to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined
that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under the relevant
section of the By-laws or otherwise.
 
  Pursuant to the By-laws, if a claim for indemnification or payment of
expenses thereunder is not paid in full within 60 days after a written claim
therefor by the Indemnitee has been received by the Company, the Indemnitee may
file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in
whole or in part, will be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such
claim. The By-laws provide that, in any such action, the Company will have the
burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to the requested
indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
 
  The By-laws also provide (i) that the rights conferred on any Indemnitee
thereby are not exclusive of any other rights which such Indemnitee may have or
thereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate, the By-
laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise,
(ii) that the Company's
 
                                       82
<PAGE>
 
obligation, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to any Indemnitee who
was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another company, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit
entity will be reduced by any amount such Indemnitee may collect as
indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other company,
partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit enterprise, and
(iii) that any repeal or modification of the relevant provisions of the By-laws
will not adversely affect any right or protection thereunder of any Indemnitee
in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or
modification.
 
  The By-laws also expressly state that the provisions thereof will not limit
the right of the Company, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to
indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees when and as
authorized by appropriate corporate action.
 
                                       83
<PAGE>
 
              INDEX TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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<S>                                                                        <C>
THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
  Report of Independent Public Accountants................................ F-2
  Combined Statements of Earnings for each of the three years in the
   period ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1996
   and 1995............................................................... F-3
  Combined Balance Sheets--December 31, 1995 and 1994 and June 30, 1996... F-4
  Combined Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the
   period ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1996
   and 1995............................................................... F-5
  Statements of Changes in Combined Equity for each of the three years in
   the period ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30,
   1996 and 1995.......................................................... F-6
  Notes to Combined Financial Statements.................................. F-7
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
  Valuation and Qualifying Accounts....................................... S-1
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Tenneco Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of the businesses of
Newport News (see Note 1) as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related
combined statements of earnings, cash flows and changes in combined equity for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995. These combined
financial statements and the schedule referred to below are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these combined financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the combined financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the combined
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall combined financial statement presentation. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of the
businesses of Newport News as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the results
of its combined operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
As discussed in Note 3 to the combined financial statements, effective January
1, 1994, the businesses of Newport News changed its method of accounting for
postemployment benefits.
 
Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
combined financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule
listed in the index to the combined financial statements and schedule is
presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange
Commission's rules and is not part of the basic combined financial statements.
The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures
applied in the audits of the basic combined financial statements and, in our
opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to
be set forth therein in relation to the basic combined financial statements of
the businesses of Newport News taken as a whole.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Washington, D.C.,
August 19, 1996
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
                        COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   SIX MONTHS
                                           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER       ENDED
                                                   31,              JUNE 30,
                                           ----------------------  ------------
(MILLIONS)                                  1995    1994    1993   1996   1995
- ----------                                 ------  ------  ------  -----  -----
                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                        <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>
NET SALES................................  $1,756  $1,753  $1,861  $ 915  $ 845
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES.............   1,599   1,552   1,651    834    755
                                           ------  ------  ------  -----  -----
OPERATING EARNINGS.......................     157     201     210     81     90
Interest Expense, net of interest
 capitalized.............................     (29)    (30)    (36)   (17)   (20)
Gain on Sale of Business.................      --      --      15     --     --
Other Income (Expense), net..............       3      (1)     --     --     --
                                           ------  ------  ------  -----  -----
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND
 CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN
 ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE....................     131     170     189     64     70
Provision for Income Taxes...............      58      75      78     27     29
                                           ------  ------  ------  -----  -----
EARNINGS BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF
 CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE..........      73      95     111     37     41
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting
Principle, net of tax....................      --      (4)     --     --     --
                                           ------  ------  ------  -----  -----
NET EARNINGS.............................  $   73  $   91  $  111  $  37  $  41
                                           ======  ======  ======  =====  =====
</TABLE>
 
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined statements of
                                   earnings.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
                            COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       DECEMBER 31,
                                                       -------------
                                                                      JUNE 30,
(MILLIONS)                                              1995   1994     1996
- ----------                                             ------ ------ -----------
                                                                     (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                    <C>    <C>    <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents............................. $    2 $    1   $    1
Accounts Receivable, net..............................     67     89      125
Contracts in Process..................................    263    184      282
Inventory.............................................     54     45       49
Notes Receivable......................................     18     --       --
Other Current Assets..................................     15     11       16
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Total Current Assets..................................    419    330      473
                                                       ------ ------   ------
NONCURRENT ASSETS
Property, Plant and Equipment, net....................    820    796      824
Other Assets..........................................    141    137      155
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Total Noncurrent Assets...............................    961    933      979
                                                       ------ ------   ------
                                                       $1,380 $1,263   $1,452
                                                       ====== ======   ======
LIABILITIES AND COMBINED EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade Accounts Payable................................ $   99 $   63   $  104
Accounts Payable to Tenneco...........................     67    117       73
Short-Term Debt.......................................     68     30       95
Deferred Income Taxes.................................     39     38        5
Other Accrued Liabilities.............................    165    157      155
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Total Current Liabilities.............................    438    405      432
                                                       ------ ------   ------
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt........................................    292    287      282
Postretirement Benefits...............................    101    104      103
Deferred Income Taxes.................................    138    141      140
Other Long-Term Liabilities...........................    139    127      146
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 13)
                                                       ------ ------   ------
Total Noncurrent Liabilities..........................    670    659      671
                                                       ------ ------   ------
COMBINED EQUITY (SEE NOTE 4)..........................    272    199      349
                                                       ------ ------   ------
                                                       $1,380 $1,263   $1,452
                                                       ====== ======   ======
</TABLE>
 
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined balance sheets.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
                       COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 SIX MONTHS
                                                YEARS ENDED         ENDED
                                                DECEMBER 31,      JUNE 30,
                                               ----------------  -------------
(MILLIONS)                                     1995  1994  1993  1996    1995
- ----------                                     ----  ----  ----  -----   -----
                                                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                            <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>     <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Earnings.................................  $ 73  $ 91  $111  $  37   $  41
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting
 Principle...................................    --    (4)   --     --      --
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings Before
 Accounting Changes to Net Cash (Used)
 Provided by Operating Activities--
  Depreciation...............................    67    70    72     32      33
  Deferred Income Taxes......................    (2)  (46)   30    (32)     --
  Gain on Sale of Business...................    --    --   (15)    --      --
  Allocated Corporate Interest, net of tax...    18    17    22     12      12
  Changes in Components of Working Capital--
   Decrease(Increase) in--
    Accounts Receivable, net.................    22   (15)  (22)   (58)     18
    Contracts in Process.....................   (95)  (20)   76    (19)    (94)
    Inventory................................    (9)   (1)   --      5     (12)
    Other Current Assets.....................    (4)   (6)   --     (1)     (2)
   Increase(Decrease) in--
    Trade Accounts Payable...................    36    (1)  (17)     5       4
    Accounts Payable to Tenneco..............   (50)   58   (69)     6     (70)
    Other Accrued Liabilities................     8    29    15    (10)     36
  Other, net.................................    (1)   10    12     22      16
                                               ----  ----  ----  -----   -----
Net Cash (Used) Provided by Operating
 Activities..................................    63   182   215     (1)    (18)
                                               ----  ----  ----  -----   -----
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from Sale of Business...............    --    --    56     --      --
Capital Expenditures.........................   (77)  (29)  (35)   (36)    (29)
Other........................................   (10)   --    --     (9)     --
                                               ----  ----  ----  -----   -----
Net Cash (Used) Provided by Investing
 Activities..................................   (87)  (29)   21    (45)    (29)
                                               ----  ----  ----  -----   -----
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Cash Transfers (to) from Tenneco.............    25  (154) (241)    45      47
                                               ----  ----  ----  -----   -----
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
 EQUIVALENTS.................................     1    (1)   (5)    (1)     --
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and
 Cash Equivalents............................    --    --    --     --      --
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF
 PERIOD......................................     1     2     7      2       1
                                               ----  ----  ----  -----   -----
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD...  $  2  $  1  $  2  $   1   $   1
                                               ----  ----  ----  -----   -----
CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR INCOME TAXES
 (SEE NOTE 3)................................  $122  $ 53  $120  $   9   $  16
                                               ----  ----  ----  -----   -----
CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR INTEREST (SEE
NOTE 4)......................................  $ --  $ --  $ --  $  --   $  --
                                               ----  ----  ----  -----   -----
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined statements of
                                  cash flows.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
                    STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN COMBINED EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   SIX MONTHS
                                                 YEARS ENDED          ENDED
                                                DECEMBER 31,        JUNE 30,
                                              -------------------  ------------
                                              1995  1994    1993   1996   1995
                                              ----  -----  ------  -----  -----
(MILLIONS)
- ----------                                                         (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                           <C>   <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>
Combined Equity, beginning of period......... $199  $ 105  $ (173) $ 272  $ 199
Net Earnings.................................   73     91     111     37     41
Net Cash Transfers (To) From Tenneco.........   25   (154)   (241)    45     47
Non-Cash Transactions With Tenneco
  Net Change in Allocated Corporate Debt.....  (43)   140     386    (17)   (63)
  Allocated Corporate Interest, net of tax...   18     17      22     12     12
                                              ----  -----  ------  -----  -----
Combined Equity, end of period............... $272  $ 199   $ 105  $ 349  $ 236
                                              ====  =====  ======  =====  =====
</TABLE>
 
 
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined statements of
                          changes in combined equity.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
                    NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
 Basis of Presentation
 
  The accompanying combined financial statements represent the financial
position, results of operations and cash flows for all shipbuilding operations
owned directly or indirectly by Tenneco Inc. ("Tenneco") and its subsidiaries
(see "Control" below).
 
  Unless the context otherwise requires, as used herein, the term "Company"
refers: (i) for periods prior to the Shipbuilding Distribution (as defined
below), to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company and certain other
operations of Tenneco, through which it conducted its shipbuilding business,
and (ii) for periods after the Shipbuilding Distribution, to Newport News
Shipbuilding Inc. (formerly Tenneco InterAmerica Inc.) and its consolidated
subsidiaries.
 
  Investments in 20% to 50% owned companies where the Company has the ability
to exert significant influence over operating and financial policies are
carried at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings since the date of
acquisition. Earnings recognized and distributions received from equity method
investees was not significant during any of the periods presented in the
accompanying combined financial statements. All significant transactions and
balances among combined businesses have been eliminated.
 
 Description of Business
 
  The Company is in the business of designing, constructing and repairing and
overhauling ships, primarily for the United States ("U.S.") Government. Prior
to November 1993, the Company was also involved in the manufacture of advanced
electronics for maritime and other applications (see Note 5).
 
  Except with respect to its interest in Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company, the
Company does not have significant operations or assets outside the U.S. The
largest single customer of the Company is the U.S. Government. Contract
revenues from the U.S. Government were $1,697 million (97%), $1,700 million
(97%) and $1,771 million (95%) in 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively.
 
2. THE SHIPBUILDING DISTRIBUTION
 
  On June 19, 1996, Tenneco and El Paso Natural Gas Company ("El Paso")
entered into a merger agreement pursuant to which a subsidiary of El Paso will
be merged into Tenneco (the "Merger"). The Merger is part of a larger Tenneco
reorganization (the "Transaction") which includes the distribution of the
common stock of the Company (the "Shipbuilding Distribution") and New Tenneco,
Inc. ("New Tenneco"), a newly formed subsidiary of Tenneco which will hold the
assets, liabilities and operations of Tenneco's current automotive and
packaging businesses and its administrative services business (the "Industrial
Distribution") (collectively the "Distributions"), to the holders of Tenneco
common stock. Upon completion of the Transaction, holders of Tenneco common
stock will receive equity securities of the Company, New Tenneco and El Paso.
 
  Prior to the Transaction Tenneco intends to initiate a realignment of its
existing indebtedness. As part of the debt realignment, certain New Tenneco
debt will be offered in exchange for certain issues of Tenneco debt. Tenneco
will initiate tender offers for other Tenneco debt, and certain debt issues
may be defeased. These tender offers and defeasances will be financed by a
combination of new lines of credit of Tenneco, New Tenneco (which will
dividend $300 million of its borrowings to Tenneco) and the Company (which
will dividend $600 million of its borrowings to Tenneco). Upon completion of
the debt realignment, Tenneco will have responsibility for $2.65 billion of
debt, subject to certain adjustments, the Company will have responsibility for
the borrowings under its credit lines, and New Tenneco will have
responsibility for the remaining debt.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The Transaction is subject to certain conditions, including receipt of a
favorable ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the
Distributions and certain internal spin-off transactions will be tax-free for
federal income tax purposes and approval by Tenneco stockholders.
 
  In order to assist in the orderly transition of the Company into a separate,
publicly held company, Tenneco intends to modify, amend or enter into certain
contractual agreements with the Company. Such agreements include a tax sharing
agreement between Tenneco and its subsidiaries (see "Income taxes" in Note 3),
an employee benefits agreement, an insurance agreement, an administrative
services agreement and other ancillary agreements. These agreements will
provide, among other things, that (i) New Tenneco will become the sole sponsor
of the Tenneco Inc. Retirement Plan, the Tenneco Inc. Thrift Plan, and various
Tenneco welfare plans, while the Company will establish new plans for its
employees subsequent to the Shipbuilding Distribution, (ii) the Company will
retain specific insurance policies which relate to its businesses and will
retain continuing rights and obligations for certain parent-company insurance
policies of Tenneco, and (iii) the Company will receive certain corporate
services, such as mainframe data processing and product purchasing services,
from New Tenneco for a specified period of time.
 
3. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 Control
 
  All of the outstanding common stock of the Company is owned directly or
indirectly by Tenneco. Thus, the Company is under the control of Tenneco.
 
 Unaudited Interim Information
 
  The unaudited interim combined financial statements as of June 30, 1996 and
for each of the six month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995, included
herein, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of
the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting
principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company's
management, the unaudited interim combined financial statements contain all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary
for a fair presentation. The interim financial results are not necessarily
indicative of operating results for an entire year.
 
 Use of Estimates
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions in determining the reported amounts of the Company's assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses. Reference is made to the "Revenue
Recognition" section of this footnote and Notes 11, 12 and 13 for additional
information on certain estimates included in the Company's combined financial
statements.
 
 Revenue Recognition
 
  The Company reports profits on its long-term contracts using the percentage-
of-completion method of accounting, determined on the basis of total costs
incurred to date to estimated final total costs. Losses on contracts,
including allocable general and administrative expenses, are reported when
first estimated. The performance of contracts usually extends over several
years, requiring periodic reviews and revisions of estimated final contract
prices and costs during the term of the contracts. The effect of these
revisions to estimates is included in earnings in the period the revisions are
made. Revenue arising from the claims process is not recognized either as
income or as an offset against a potential loss until it can be reliably
estimated and its realization is probable.
 
 General and Administrative Expenses
 
  General and administrative expenses of $254 million, $271 million and $249
million in 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively, are included in the "Operating
Costs and Expenses" caption in the Combined Statements of
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Earnings. Of the total general and administrative expenses for 1995, 1994, and
1993, $12 million, $13 million and $13 million, respectively, represent the
Company's share of Tenneco's corporate general and administrative costs for
legal, financial, communication and other administrative services. The
allocation of Tenneco's corporate general and administrative expenses to the
Company has been based on estimated levels of effort devoted to the Company's
operations and the relative size of the Company based on revenues, gross
property and payroll. The Company's management believes the method for
allocating corporate general and administrative expenses is reasonable and
that the general and administrative expenses reflected in the accompanying
combined financial statements are generally representative of the total
general and administrative costs the Company would have incurred as a separate
public entity.
 
 Income Taxes
 
  The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes
whereby it recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax
consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and
liabilities and their reported amounts in the combined financial statements.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, based upon
management's estimates, it is more likely than not that a portion of the
deferred tax assets will not be realized in a future period. No deferred tax
valuation allowances were recorded by the Company as of December 31, 1995 and
1994.
 
  The Company and Tenneco, together with certain of their respective
subsidiaries which are owned 80% or more, have entered into an agreement to
file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. Such agreement provides,
among other things, that (i) each company in a taxable income position will be
currently charged with an amount equivalent to its federal income tax computed
on a separate return basis and (ii) each company in a tax loss position will
be reimbursed currently to the extent its deductions, including general
business credits, are utilized in the consolidated return. The income tax
amounts reflected in the combined financial statements of the Company under
the provisions of the tax sharing arrangement are not materially different
from the income taxes which would have been provided had the Company filed a
separate tax return. Under the tax sharing agreement, Tenneco pays all federal
taxes directly and bills or refunds, as applicable, its subsidiaries,
including the Company, for the applicable portion of the total tax payments.
Thus, the majority of payments made by the Company for taxes included in the
Combined Statements of Cash Flows represent payments to Tenneco.
 
  In connection with the Distributions the current tax sharing agreement will
be cancelled and the Company will enter into a new tax sharing agreement among
Tenneco, New Tenneco and El Paso. The new tax sharing agreement will provide,
among other things, for the allocation of tax liabilities arising prior to, as
a result of, and subsequent to the Distributions. Generally, the Company will
be liable for taxes imposed on the Company and its affiliates engaged in the
shipbuilding business. Federal income taxes imposed on the combined activities
of the consolidated group will be allocated among the Company, New Tenneco,
and Tenneco in accordance with their respective share of consolidated taxable
income.
 
 Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
  The Company considers highly liquid investments with an original maturity of
three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
 
 Accounts Receivable, net and Contracts In Process
 
  Only amounts billed and currently due from customers are included in the
"Accounts Receivable, net" caption in the accompanying Combined Balance
Sheets. Recoverable costs and accrued earnings related to long-term contracts
on which revenue has been recognized, but billings have not been made to the
customer, are included in the "Contracts in Process" caption (See Note 6).
 
  Accounts receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.
As of December 31, 1995 and 1994, the allowance for doubtful accounts
receivable was none and $8 million, respectively.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 Inventory
 
  Inventory principally consists of raw materials and supplies which have not
been allocated to specific contracts. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost
or market. Substantially all inventory is costed using the "last-in, first-
out" method. If the first-in, first-out or average cost method of inventory
accounting had been used by the Company for all inventory, inventory would
have been approximately $8 million higher at both December 31, 1995 and 1994.
 
 Property, Plant and Equipment, net
 
  Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost, net of accumulated
depreciation. The Company provides for depreciation on a straight-line basis
in amounts which, in the opinion of management, are adequate to allocate the
cost of depreciable assets over their estimated useful lives. Estimated useful
lives for significant classes of assets are as follows.
 
<TABLE>
      <S>                                                       <C>
      Buildings................................................  30 to 60 years
      Machinery and equipment..................................   8 to 45 years
</TABLE>
 
  Total depreciation expense was $67 million, $70 million and $72 million, for
1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. Depreciation expense is included as a
component of "Operating Costs and Expenses" in the Combined Statements of
Earnings.
 
  Interest capitalized on constructed assets during the years ended December
31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 was $2 million, $1 million and $1 million,
respectively.
 
 Changes in Accounting Principles
 
  The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("FAS") No.
121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed Of," in the first quarter of 1996. FAS No. 121
establishes new accounting standards for measuring the impairment of long-
lived assets. The adoption of this new standard did not have any impact on the
Company's combined financial position or results of operations.
 
  Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted FAS No. 112, "Employers'
Accounting for Postemployment Benefits." This new accounting rule requires
employers to account for postemployment benefits for former or inactive
employees, after employment but before retirement, on the accrual versus cash
basis of accounting. The Company recorded an after-tax charge of $4 million,
which was reported as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle.
 
 Research and Development Costs
 
  Research and development costs are charged to "Operating Costs and Expenses"
as incurred. The amounts charged to operations during the years ended December
31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were $20 million, $14 million and $15 million,
respectively.
 
 Risk Management Activities
 
  The Company periodically utilizes foreign currency contracts to hedge its
exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates for firm purchase
commitments. Net gains and losses on these contracts are deferred and
recognized when the offsetting gains or losses are recognized on the hedged
items. In the Combined Statements of Cash Flows, cash receipts or payments
related to these financial instruments are classified consistent with the cash
flows from the transactions being hedged.
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 Foreign Currency Translation
 
  Financial statements of equity investments in international entities are
translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet
date for assets and liabilities and the weighted-average exchange rate for
each applicable period for amounts included in the Combined Statements of
Earnings. The amount of cumulative translation adjustments is not significant
and is included in the balance sheet caption "Combined Equity."
 
 Classification
 
  The Company's contracts range in duration up to a period of 8 years from the
signing of the contract until delivery. Because of the varying nature of the
Company's operating cycle, and consistent with industry practice, assets and
liabilities relating to long-term contracts are classified as current,
although a portion of these amounts is not expected to be realized or paid
within one year (see Note 6).
 
4. TRANSACTIONS WITH TENNECO
 
 Combined Equity
 
  The "Combined Equity" caption in the accompanying combined financial
statements represents Tenneco's cumulative net investment in the combined
businesses of the Company. Changes in the "Combined Equity" caption represent
the net earnings of the Company, net cash transfers (to) from Tenneco,
cumulative translation adjustments, changes in allocated corporate debt, and
allocated corporate interest, net of tax. Reference is made to the Statements
of Changes in Combined Equity for an analysis of the activity in the "Combined
Equity" caption for the three years ended December 31, 1995 and six months
ended June 30, 1996 and 1995.
 
 Corporate Debt and Interest Allocation
 
  Tenneco's historical practice has been to incur indebtedness for its
consolidated group at the parent company level or at a limited number of
subsidiaries, rather than at the operating company level, and to centrally
manage various cash functions. Consequently, corporate debt of Tenneco and its
related interest expense has been allocated to the Company based on the
portion of Tenneco's investment in the Company which is deemed to be debt,
generally based upon the ratio of the Company's net assets to Tenneco
consolidated net assets plus debt. Interest expense was allocated at a rate
equivalent to the weighted-average cost of all corporate debt, which was 7.7%,
8.3% and 7.4% for 1995, 1994, and 1993, respectively. Total pre-tax interest
expense allocated to the Company in 1995, 1994 and 1993 was $28 million, $26
million and $34 million, respectively. The Company has also been allocated tax
benefits approximating 35% of the allocated pre-tax interest expense. Although
interest expense, and the related tax effects, have been allocated to the
Company for financial reporting on a historical basis, the Company has not
been billed for these amounts. The changes in allocated corporate debt and the
after-tax allocated interest have been included as a component of the
Company's Combined Equity. Although management believes that the historical
allocation of corporate debt and interest is reasonable, it is not necessarily
indicative of the Company's debt upon completion of the Debt Realignment nor
debt and interest that will be incurred by the Company as a separate public
entity.
 
Notes and Advances Receivable from Tenneco
 
  "Cash transfers (to) from Tenneco" in the Statements of Changes in Combined
Equity consist of net cash changes in notes and advances receivable with
Tenneco which have been included in Combined Equity. Historically, Tenneco has
utilized notes and advances to centrally manage cash funding requirements for
its consolidated group.
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company had a non-interest bearing note
receivable from Tenneco totaling $965 million and $991 million, respectively,
which is payable on demand and is included as a component of the Company's
Combined Equity.
 
 Accounts Payable to Tenneco
 
  Certain costs are incurred by Tenneco and allocated to the Company. The
Accounts Payable to Tenneco balance consists of unpaid billings for these
allocated costs and other services. Reference is made to Note 3 for a
discussion of the types of such costs allocated to the Company.
 
 Employee Benefits
 
  Certain employees of the Company participate in the Tenneco employee stock
option and employee stock purchase plans. The Tenneco employee stock option
plan provides for the grant of Tenneco common stock options and other stock
awards at a price not greater than market value at the date of grant. The
Tenneco employee stock purchase plan allows employees to purchase Tenneco
common stock at a 15% discount subject to certain thresholds. The Company
expects to establish similar plans for its employees after the Shipbuilding
Distribution. In connection with the Shipbuilding Distribution, outstanding
options on Tenneco common stock held by Company employees will be converted
into options of the Company so as to preserve the aggregate value of the
options held prior to the Shipbuilding Distribution.
 
  Employees of the Company also participate in certain Tenneco postretirement
and pension plans. Reference is made in Notes 11 and 12 for a further
discussion of these plans.
 
5. DISPOSITION OF SPERRY MARINE BUSINESS
 
  During November 1993, the Company disposed of its Sperry Marine business
("Sperry"), which was part of its shipbuilding segment. Sperry was involved in
the domestic and international design and manufacture of advanced electronics
for maritime and other applications. The financial amounts related to Sperry
are included in the accompanying Combined Financial Statements through the
date of disposition. The accompanying Combined Financial Statements for the
year ended December 31, 1993, also include $56 million of the total cash
proceeds of $61 million from the sale of Sperry. The remaining portion of the
cash proceeds was realized by other Tenneco entities. In addition to the cash
proceeds from the sale of Sperry, the Company received $17 million in
preferred stock of the purchaser and recognized a pre-tax gain on the total
sale of $15 million. The preferred stock of the purchaser received in the
Sperry sale was subsequently sold in late 1995 for proceeds of $18 million,
which was reflected as a short-term note receivable at December 31, 1995. The
short-term note receivable was collected in 1996.
 
6. CONTRACTS IN PROCESS
 
  Contracts in process include production costs and related overhead,
including allocable general and administrative expenses, net of progress
payments of $3,023 million and $5,053 million as of December 31, 1995 and
1994, respectively. Approximately $24 million and $79 million of retainages
included in contracts in process, as of December 31, 1995 and 1994,
respectively, are not expected to be billed and collected within one year.
 
  Under the contractual arrangements by which progress payments are received,
the U.S. Government asserts that it has a security interest in the contracts
in process identified with the related contracts.
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
 
  The major classes of property, plant and equipment (at cost) are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)                                      1995    1994
      ----------------------                                     ------  ------
      <S>                                                        <C>     <C>
      Land and improvements..................................... $   26  $   26
      Buildings and improvements................................  1,150   1,081
      Machinery and equipment...................................    376     387
                                                                 ------  ------
                                                                  1,552   1,494
      Less accumulated depreciation.............................   (732)   (698)
                                                                 ------  ------
                                                                 $  820  $  796
                                                                 ======  ======
</TABLE>
 
8. DETAIL OF OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES
 
  Other accrued liabilities consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1995 1994
                                                                      ---- ----
      DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)
      ----------------------
      <S>                                                             <C>  <C>
      Accrued vacation............................................... $ 43 $ 48
      Employee payroll and benefits..................................   40   34
      Current postretirement benefits................................   16   13
      Current postemployment benefits................................    7    7
      Accrued taxes..................................................   18   26
      Other..........................................................   41   29
                                                                      ---- ----
                                                                      $165 $157
                                                                      ==== ====
</TABLE>
 
9. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
  The carrying amount and estimated fair values of the Company's financial
instruments by class are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1995            1994
                                                  --------------  --------------
                                                  CARRYING FAIR   CARRYING FAIR
                                                   AMOUNT  VALUE   AMOUNT  VALUE
                                                  -------- -----  -------- -----
      DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)                           ASSETS (LIABILITIES)
      ----------------------
      <S>                                         <C>      <C>    <C>      <C>
      Asset and liability instruments
        Accounts receivable, net.................   $ 67   $ 67     $ 89   $ 89
        Notes receivable.........................     18     18       --     --
        Preferred stock investment...............     --     --       17     18
        Accounts payable (trade and to Tenneco)..   (166)  (166)    (180)  (180)
      Instruments with off-balance sheet risk....
        Foreign currency contracts...............     --     --       --     --
</TABLE>
 
  The fair value of accounts receivable, notes receivable, and accounts
payable in the above table was considered to be the same as or was not
determined to be materially different from the carrying amount. The short-term
and long-term debt reflected in the Combined Balance Sheets represents
corporate debt allocated to the Company for financial reporting purposes by
Tenneco. As such, an estimate of fair value has not been provided.
 
  Preferred stock investment--The fair value of the preferred stock received
as part of the Sperry sale (see Note 5) was determined based on the proceeds
from the sale of such stock that were received in 1996.
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  Foreign currency contracts--The Company periodically utilizes foreign
currency contracts to hedge certain specific foreign currency transactions,
principally the purchase of raw materials and machinery denominated in a
foreign currency. Such contracts generally mature in one year or less and the
cost of replacing these contracts in the event of nonperformance by
counterparties is not significant. At December 31, 1995 and 1994, the Company
had no significant foreign currency contracts outstanding.
 
10. INCOME TAXES
 
  The Company's income before income taxes was principally domestic for all
years presented in the accompanying Combined Financial Statements. Following
is a comparative analysis of the components of the provision for income taxes:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)                        1995  1994  1993
      ----------------------------------                        ----  ----  ----
      <S>                                                       <C>   <C>   <C>
      Current--
        Federal................................................ $51   $101  $40
        State..................................................   9     20    8
                                                                ---   ----  ---
                                                                 60    121   48
                                                                ---   ----  ---
      Deferred--
        Federal................................................  (2)   (46)  30
                                                                ---   ----  ---
                                                                $58   $ 75  $78
                                                                ===   ====  ===
</TABLE>
 
  Current Federal tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993, include tax benefits of $10 million, $9 million and $12 million,
respectively, related to the allocation of corporate interest expense to the
Company from Tenneco. See Note 4.
 
  The following is a reconciliation of income taxes computed using the
statutory U.S. federal income tax rate (35% for all years presented) to the
provision for income taxes reflected in the Combined Statements of Earnings:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)                         1995 1994 1993
      ----------------------------------                         ---- ---- ----
      <S>                                                        <C>  <C>  <C>
      Tax expense computed at the statutory U.S. Federal income
       tax rate................................................. $46  $60  $66
      State and local taxes on income, net of Federal benefit...   6   14    5
      U.S. Federal income tax rate change.......................  --   --    5
      Other.....................................................   6    1    2
                                                                 ---  ---  ---
                                                                 $58  $75  $78
                                                                 ===  ===  ===
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The components of the Company's net deferred tax liability are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)                                          1995 1994
      ----------------------                                          ---- ----
      <S>                                                             <C>  <C>
      Deferred tax assets--
        Postretirement benefits...................................... $ 36 $ 36
        Postemployment benefits......................................   14   15
        Accrued vacation.............................................   13   14
        Other........................................................   13    7
                                                                      ---- ----
          Total deferred tax assets..................................   76   72
                                                                      ---- ----
      Deferred tax liabilities--
        Tax over book depreciation...................................  179  183
        Long-term shipbuilding contracts.............................   62   55
        Other........................................................   12   13
                                                                      ---- ----
          Total deferred tax liabilities.............................  253  251
                                                                      ---- ----
                                                                      $177 $179
                                                                      ==== ====
</TABLE>
 
11. POSTRETIREMENT AND POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
 
 Postretirement Benefits
 
  The Company has postretirement health care and life insurance plans which
cover its employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. For salaried
employees, the plans cover employees retiring from the Company on or after
attaining age 55 who have had at least 10 years service with the Company after
attaining age 45. For hourly employees, the postretirement benefit plans
generally cover employees who retire pursuant to one of the Company's hourly
employee retirement plans. All of these benefits may be subject to
deductibles, copayment provisions and other limitations, and the Company has
reserved the right to modify these benefits. The Company's postretirement
benefit plans are funded on a pay-as-you-go basis.
 
  Generally, the Company, will retain liabilities with respect to the welfare
benefits of its current and former employees and their dependents.
 
  The funded status of the postretirement benefit plans reconciles with
amounts recognized in the accompanying Combined Balance Sheets as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS)                                                        1995   1994
- ----------                                                        -----  -----
<S>                                                               <C>    <C>
Actuarial present value of accumulated postretirement benefit
 obligation at September 30:
  Retirees....................................................... $ 109  $ 112
  Fully eligible active plan participants........................    24     22
  Other active plan participants.................................    28     30
                                                                  -----  -----
Total accumulated postretirement benefit obligation..............   161    164
Plan assets at fair value at September 30........................    --     --
                                                                  -----  -----
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation in excess of plan
 assets at September 30..........................................  (161)  (164)
Claims paid during the fourth quarter............................     4      3
Unrecognized reduction of prior service obligations resulting
 from plan amendments............................................   (20)   (11)
Unrecognized net loss resulting from plan experience and changes
 in actuarial assumptions........................................    60     55
                                                                  -----  -----
Accrued postretirement benefit cost at December 31............... $(117) $(117)
                                                                  =====  =====
</TABLE>
 
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
  The accrued postretirement benefit cost has been recorded based upon certain
actuarial estimates as described below. Those estimates are subject to
revision in future periods given new facts or circumstances.
 
  The net periodic postretirement benefit cost consists of the following
components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)                         1995 1994 1993
      ----------------------------------                         ---- ---- ----
      <S>                                                        <C>  <C>  <C>
      Service cost for benefits earned during the year.......... $ 3  $ 3  $ 3
      Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit
       obligation...............................................  13   11   12
      Net amortization of unrecognized amounts..................   1   --   --
                                                                 ---  ---  ---
      Net periodic postretirement benefit cost.................. $17  $14  $15
                                                                 ===  ===  ===
</TABLE>
 
  The initial weighted average assumed health care cost trend rate used in
determining the 1995, 1994 and 1993 accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation was 7%, 8% and 9%, respectively, declining to 5% in 1997 and
remaining at that level thereafter.
 
  Increasing the assumed health care cost trend rate by one percentage-point
in each year would increase the 1995, 1994 and 1993 accumulated postretirement
benefit obligations by approximately $10 million each year and would increase
the aggregate of the service cost and interest cost components of the net
postretirement benefit cost for 1995, 1994 and 1993 by approximately $1
million, $1 million, and $2 million, respectively.
 
  The discount rates (which are based on long-term market rates) used in
determining the 1995, 1994 and 1993 accumulated postretirement benefit
obligations were 7.75%, 8.25% and 7.50%, respectively.
 
 Postemployment Benefits
 
  The Company adopted FAS No. 112 "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment
Benefits," in the first quarter of 1994. This new accounting rule requires
employers to account for postemployment benefits for former or inactive
employees after employment but before retirement on the accrual versus cash
basis of accounting. The postemployment benefit liability, which is based on
actuarial estimates, is recorded at its discounted present value, using discount
rates similar to those used for postretirement liabilities. Implementation of
this new rule reduced 1994 net income by $4 million, net of tax benefits of $2
million, which was reported as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle.
 
12. PENSION PLANS
 
  The Company has various defined benefit plans which cover substantially all
of its employees. Benefits are based on years of service and, for most
salaried employees, on final average compensation. The Company's funding
policies are to contribute to the plans amounts necessary to satisfy the
funding requirements of federal laws and regulations. Plan assets consist
principally of listed equity and fixed income securities. Certain employees of
the Company participate in the Tenneco Inc. Retirement Plan ("TRP").
 
  New Tenneco will become the sole sponsor of the TRP after the Distributions,
and the Company will establish benefit plans for its employees. The benefits
accrued by Company employees in the TRP will be frozen as of the last day of
the calendar month including the Distributions, and New Tenneco will amend the
TRP to provide that all benefits accrued through that day are fully vested and
non-forfeitable.
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
  The funded status of the plans reconcile with amounts recognized on the
Combined Balance Sheet at December 31, 1995 and 1994, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   ALL PLANS
                                                                   ----------
(MILLIONS)                                                         1995  1994
- ----------                                                         ----  ----
<S>                                                                <C>   <C>
Actuarial present value of benefits based on service to date and
 present pay levels at September 30:
  Vested benefit obligation....................................... $570  $514
  Non-vested benefit obligation...................................   43    44
                                                                   ----  ----
  Accumulated benefit obligation..................................  613   558
Additional amounts related to projected salary increases..........  104    92
                                                                   ----  ----
Total projected benefit obligation at September 30................  717   650
Plan assets at fair value at September 30.........................  767   666
                                                                   ----  ----
Plan assets in excess of total projected benefit obligation at
 September 30.....................................................   50    16
Contributions during the fourth quarter...........................   --    --
Unrecognized net loss resulting from plan experience and changes
 in actuarial assumptions.........................................    4    45
Unrecognized prior service obligations resulting from plan
 amendments.......................................................    7     7
Remaining unrecognized net asset at initial application...........  (49)  (55)
                                                                   ----  ----
Prepaid pension cost at December 31............................... $ 12  $ 13
                                                                   ====  ====
</TABLE>
 
  Assets of one plan may not be utilized to pay benefits of other plans.
Additionally, the prepaid pension cost has been recorded based upon certain
actuarial estimates as described below. Those estimates are subject to
revision in future periods given new facts or circumstances.
 
  The Company measures pension cost according to independent actuarial
valuations. The projected unit credit actuarial cost method is used to
determine pension cost for financial accounting purposes consistent with the
provisions of FAS No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions." Net periodic
pension costs for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 consist of
the following components:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(MILLIONS)                                         1995      1994      1993
- ----------                                       ---------  --------  --------
<S>                                              <C>   <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>
Service cost--benefits earned during the year...       $23       $27       $27
Interest on prior year's projected benefit
 obligation.....................................        52        50        48
Expected return on plan assets--
  Actual (return) loss.......................... (132)        9       (95)
  Unrecognized excess (deficiency) of actual
   return over expected return..................   65       (76)       32
                                                 ----       ---       ---
                                                       (67)      (67)      (63)
Net amortization of unrecognized amounts........        (6)       (5)       (6)
                                                       ---       ---       ---
Net pension costs...............................       $ 2       $ 5       $ 6
                                                       ---       ---       ---
</TABLE>
 
  The weighted average discount rates (which are based on long-term market
rates) used in determining the 1995, 1994 and 1993 actuarial present value of
the benefit obligations were 7.75%, 8.25% and 7.50%. The rate of increase in
future compensation was 4.9% in 1995, 1994, and 1993. The weighted average
expected long-term
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
                        THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

rate of return on plan assets was 10.0% in 1995, 1994 and 1993. Unrecognized
prior service obligations are being amortized on a straight-line basis over
the average remaining estimated service period of employees expected to
receive benefits under the plans.
 
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 Government Contracting
 
  More than 90% of the Company's business involves contracting with the U.S.
Government. These contracts are subject to possible termination for the
convenience of the U.S. Government, to audit and to possible adjustments
affecting both cost-type and fixed-price contracts. Like many government
contractors, the Company has received audit reports which recommend that
certain contract prices be reduced, or costs allocated to government contracts
be disallowed, to comply with various government regulations. Some of these
audit reports involve substantial amounts. The Company has made adjustments to
its contract prices and the costs allocated to government contracts in those
cases it believes such adjustments are appropriate.
 
  Tenneco and the Company have received letters from the Defense Contract
Audit Agency (the "DCAA"), inquiring about certain aspects of the
Distributions, including the disposition of the Tenneco Inc. Retirement Plan
(the "TRP"), which covers salaried employees of the Company and other Tenneco
divisions. The DCAA has been advised that (i) the TRP will retain the
liability for all benefits accrued by the Company's employees through the date
of the Distributions (the "Distribution Date"), (ii) the Company's employees
will not accrue additional benefits under the TRP after the Distribution Date
and (iii) no liabilities or assets of the TRP will be transferred from the TRP
to any plan maintained by the Company. A determination of the ratio of assets
to liabilities of the TRP attributable to the Company will be based on facts,
assumptions and legal issues which are complicated and uncertain; however, it
is likely that the Government will assert a claim against the Company with
respect to the amount, if any, by which the assets of the TRP attributable to
the Company's employees are alleged to exceed the liabilities. New Tenneco,
with the full cooperation of the Company, will defend against any claim by the
Government, and in the event there is a determination that an amount is due to
the Government, New Tenneco and the Company will share its obligation for such
amount plus the amount of related defense expenses, in the ratio of 80% and
20%, respectively. Pending a final determination of any such claim, the
Government may, absent an agreement with the Company to defer the payment of
the amounts claimed, withhold all or a portion of all future progress payments
due the Company under its government contracts until it has recovered its
alleged share of the claimed amount plus interest. In the event of a claim by
the Government, the Company will diligently seek a deferral agreement with the
Government; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to arrange such an agreement and thus avoid an offset against future progress
payments pending a final determination. At this preliminary stage it is
impossible to predict with certainty any eventual outcome regarding this
matter, however, the Company does not believe that this matter will have a
material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
 
  In March 1995, the DCAA informed the Company that it would conduct a post-
award audit of the contract to build the aircraft carrier Reagan (CVN-76). The
audit concerns the Company's submission to the U.S. Navy of current, accurate
and complete data relating to labor and overhead costs submitted in connection
with the proposals and negotiations relating to the CVN-76 contract. The audit
is ongoing and the DCAA has not issued its audit report. In discussions with
the DCAA auditors, however, the DCAA auditors have indicated to Company
management that the $2.5 billion CVN-76 contract should be reduced by
approximately $122 million based on an alleged submission of defective cost
and pricing data. In addition, in May 1996, the Company received a subpoena
from the Inspector General of the Department of Defense requesting documents
in connection with a joint inquiry being conducted by the Department of
Defense, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern
District of Virginia, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Like the
DCAA audit,
 
                                     F-18
<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

the investigation appears to focus on whether data relating to labor and
overhead costs that the Company supplied in connection with the proposals and
negotiations relating to the CVN-76 contract were current, accurate and
complete. The Government has not asserted any formal claims against the Company
related to these CVN-76 contract matters. Based on the Company's present
understanding of the focus of the inquiries, it is the Company's opinion that
it has substantial defenses to claims that the government might potentially
assert that the Company submitted cost or pricing data that was not current,
accurate and complete for the CVN-76 contract. It is the Company's intention to
vigorously assert these defenses in the event that the Government should assert
such claims. Although the ultimate outcome cannot be predicted, based on the
Company's present understanding of the claims the Government might assert,
together with defenses the Company believes are available to it, management is
of the opinion that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a
material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of
the Company.
 
  In addition, various government agencies may at any time be conducting other
various investigations or making specific inquiries concerning the Company. The
Company believes that the outcome of such other investigations and inquiries
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or
results of operations.
 
 Significant Estimates
 
  The Company is in the early stages of construction of a series of nine Double
Eagle tankers. Having secured these contracts in highly competitive commercial
markets, the Company has made investments related to the product line of $26
million during the first half of 1996, $30 million in 1995, and $5 million in
1994. The Company has initiated process innovation programs designed to
dramatically reduce production costs and cycle time related to the production
of these tankers. As a result of a program review associated with the start of
steel fabrication on the second ship, management has recently increased the
estimated contract completion costs for these contracts by an additional $25
million to $35 million. Due to uncertainties inherent in the estimation process
and the early stages of construction, these estimates could be revised further
in the future.
 
  Contracting with the U.S. Government can also result in the Company filing a
Request for Equitable Adjustment ("REA") in connection with a contract. REAs
represent claims against the U.S. Government for changes in the original
contract specifications and resulting delays and disruption in contract
performance. All major REAs filed by the Company in connection with its
contracts, have been settled as of June 1996 for approximately the same amount
recorded previously by the Company. Through 1995, costs of $18 million had been
recognized on the Sealift REA in excess of the adjudicated REA price. Cost
growth of $36 million that was not recoverable through that REA has been
recognized in the first half of 1996. Due to uncertainties inherent in the
estimation process these contract completion costs could be increased in the
future by $0 to $10 million. The first of two Sealift ships was delivered in
August 1996. Management expects this contract to be substantially complete by
the end of the first quarter of 1997.
 
 Litigation
 
  The Company is also a defendant in other matters of varying nature. In the
opinion of management, the outcome of these proceedings should not have a
material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of
the Company.
 
 Capital Commitments
 
  The Company estimates that expenditures aggregating approximately $90 million
will be required after December 31, 1995, to complete facilities and projects
authorized at such date, and substantial commitments have been made in
connection therewith.
 
                                      F-19

<PAGE>
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
              NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
 Lease Commitments
 
  The Company holds certain equipment under long-term operating leases. Future
minimum lease payments under existing operating leases as of December 31, 1995,
are $1 million for 1996.
 
  Rent expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993,
was $14 million, $14 million and $16 million, respectively.
 
14. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   EARNINGS
                                                    BEFORE
                                                    INCOME    EARNINGS
                                                   TAXES &     BEFORE
                                                  CUMULATIVE CUMULATIVE
                                                  EFFECT OF  EFFECT OF
                                                  CHANGE IN  CHANGE IN
                                  NET   OPERATING ACCOUNTING ACCOUNTING   NET
(MILLIONS)                       SALES  EARNINGS  PRINCIPLE  PRINCIPLE  EARNINGS
- ----------                       ------ --------- ---------- ---------- --------
<S>                              <C>    <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>
1996
1st Quarter..................... $  476   $ 41       $ 32       $19       $19
2nd Quarter.....................    439     40         32        18        18
                                 ------   ----       ----       ---       ---
                                 $  915   $ 81       $ 64       $37       $37
                                 ------   ----       ----       ---       ---
1995
1st Quarter..................... $  421   $ 44       $ 37       $20       $20
2nd Quarter.....................    424     46         39        21        21
3rd Quarter.....................    445     35         29        17        17
4th Quarter.....................    466     32         26        15        15
                                 ------   ----       ----       ---       ---
                                 $1,756   $157       $131       $73       $73
                                 ------   ----       ----       ---       ---
1994
1st Quarter..................... $  403   $ 48       $ 41       $23       $19
2nd Quarter.....................    464     53         46        28        28
3rd Quarter.....................    424     52         44        25        25
4th Quarter.....................    462     48         39        19        19
                                 ------   ----       ----       ---       ---
                                 $1,753   $201       $170       $95       $91
                                 ------   ----       ----       ---       ---
</TABLE>
 
Reference is made to the Notes 1, 2 and 3 and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained elsewhere
in this Information Statement for items affecting quarterly results.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
 
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                         THE BUSINESSES OF NEWPORT NEWS
 
                 SCHEDULE II--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                   (MILLIONS)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COLUMN A                   COLUMN B        COLUMN C         COLUMN D  COLUMN E
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           ADDITIONS
                                     ---------------------
                          BALANCE AT CHARGED TO CHARGED TO            BALANCE
                          BEGINNING  COSTS AND    OTHER    DEDUCTIONS  AT END
DESCRIPTION                OF YEAR    EXPENSES   ACCOUNTS    (NOTE)   OF YEAR
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Allowance for Doubtful
 Accounts Deducted from
 Assets to Which it
 Applies:
  Year Ended December 31,
   1995..................     $8        $--        $--        $ 8       $--
                             ===        ===        ===        ===       ===
  Year Ended December 31,
   1994..................     $2        $ 6        $--        $--       $ 8
                             ===        ===        ===        ===       ===
  Year Ended December 31,
   1993..................     $3        $ 2        $--        $ 3       $ 2
                             ===        ===        ===        ===       ===
</TABLE>
 
Note: Includes uncollectible accounts, net of recoveries, on accounts
previously written-off.
 
                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                  APPENDIX E
 
  262 APPRAISAL RIGHTS.--(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State
who holds shares of stock on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to
subsection (d) of this section with respect to such shares, who continuously
holds such shares through the effective date of the merger or consolidation,
who has otherwise complied with subsection (d) of this section and who has
neither voted in favor of the merger or consolidation nor consented thereto in
writing pursuant to (S) 228 of this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by
the Court of Chancery of the fair value of his shares of stock under the
circumstances described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in
this section, the word "stockholder" means a holder of record of stock in a
stock corporation and also a member of record of a nonstock corporation; the
words "stock" and "share" mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those
words and also membership or membership interest of a member of a nonstock
corporation; and the words "depository receipt" mean a receipt or other
instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in one or more
shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is
deposited with the depository.
 
  (b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or
series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to
be effected pursuant to (S)(S) 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to
subsection (g) of (S) 251), 252, 254, 257, 258, 263, or 264 of this title:
 
    (1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section shall
  be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which stock,
  or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to
  determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the
  meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or
  consolidation, were either (i) listed on a national securities exchange or
  designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation
  system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held
  of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no
  appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the
  constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require
  for its approval the vote of the holders of the surviving corporation as
  provided in subsection (f) of (S) 251 of this title.
 
    (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, appraisal rights
  under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series
  of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders thereof are required
  by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to
  (S)(S) 251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title to accept for
  such stock anything except:
 
      a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from
    such merger or consolidation, or depository receipts in respect
    thereof;
 
      b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts
    in respect thereof, which shares of stock or depository receipts at the
    effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on
    a national securities exchange or designated as a national market
    system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National
    Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more than
    2,000 holders;
 
      c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository
    receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a. and b. of this
    paragraph; or
 
      d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and
    cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts
    described in the foregoing subparagraphs a., b. and c. of this
    paragraph.
 
    (3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation
  party to a merger effected under (S) 253 of this title is not owned by the
  parent corporation immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights shall
  be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.
 
  (c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that
appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any
class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of
incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a
constituent corporation or the sale of all
 
                                      E-1
<PAGE>
 
or substantially all of the assets of the corporation. If the certificate of
incorporation contains such a provision, the procedures of this section,
including those set forth in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, shall
apply as nearly as is practicable.
 
  (d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:
 
    (1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights are
  provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of
  stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting,
  shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for
  such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are
  available pursuant to subsections (b) or (c) hereof that appraisal rights
  are available for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations,
  and shall include in such notice a copy of this section. Each stockholder
  electing to demand the appraisal of his shares shall deliver to the
  corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger or consolidation,
  a written demand for appraisal of his shares. Such demand will be
  sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the
  stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the
  appraisal of his shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or
  consolidation shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to
  take such action must do so by a separate written demand as herein
  provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of such merger or
  consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation shall notify each
  stockholder of each constituent corporation who has complied with this
  subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to the merger or
  consolidation of the date that the merger or consolidation has become
  effective; or
 
    (2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to (S) 228 or
  (S) 253 of this title, each constituent corporation, either before the
  effective date of the merger or consolidation or within ten days
  thereafter, shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of
  stock of such constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights
  of the approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights
  are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of
  such constituent corporation, and shall include in such notice a copy of
  this section; provided that, if the notice is given on or after the
  effective date of the merger or consolidation, such notice shall be given
  by the surviving or resulting corporation to all such holders of any class
  or series of stock of a constituent corporation that are entitled to
  appraisal rights. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective
  date of the merger or consolidation, shall, also notify such stockholders
  of the effective date of the merger or consolidation. Any stockholder
  entitled to appraisal rights may, within twenty days after the date of
  mailing of such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting
  corporation the appraisal of such holder's shares. Such demand will be
  sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the
  stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the
  appraisal of such holder's shares. If such notice did not notify
  stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation, either
  (i) each such constituent corporation shall send a second notice before the
  effective date of the merger or consolidation notifying each of the holders
  of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation that are
  entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger or
  consolidation or (ii) the surviving or resulting corporation shall send
  such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such
  effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more
  than 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second notice
  need only to be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal
  rights and who has demanded appraisal of such holder's shares in accordance
  with this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary
  or of the transfer agent of the corporation that is required to give either
  notice that such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be
  prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of
  determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each
  constituent corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be
  not more than 10 days prior to the date the notice is given; provided that,
  if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger or
  consolidation, the record date shall be such effective date. If no record
  date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the
  record date shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the
  day on which the notice is given.
 
  (e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation,
the surviving or resulting corporation or any stockholder who has complied with
subsections (a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal
rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a determination
of the
 
                                      E-2
<PAGE>
 
  value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
  at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or
  consolidation, any stockholder shall have the right to withdraw his demand
  for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or
  consolidation. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or
  consolidation, any stockholder who has complied with the requirements of
  subsections (a) and (d) hereof, upon written request, shall be entitled to
  receive from the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the
  consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not
  voted in favor of the merger or consolidation and with respect to which
  demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of
  holders of such shares. Such written statement shall be mailed to the
  stockholder within 10 days after his written request for such a statement
  is received by the surviving or resulting corporation or within 10 days
  after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under
  subsection (d) hereof, whichever is later.
 
    (f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service of a
  copy thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting corporation,
  which shall within 20 days after such service file in the office of the
  Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list
  containing the names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded
  payment for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their
  shares have not been reached by the surviving or resulting corporation. If
  the petition shall be filed by the surviving or resulting corporation, the
  petition shall be accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in
  Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and
  place fixed for the hearing of such petition by registered or certified
  mail to the surviving or resulting corporation and to the stockholders
  shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. Such notice shall also
  be given by 1 or more publications at least 1 week before the day of the
  hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of
  Wilmington, Delaware or such publication as the Court deems advisable. The
  forms of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the
  Court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting
  corporation.
 
    (g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the
  stockholders who have complied with this section and who have become
  entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may require the stockholders who
  have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented
  by certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the Register in
  Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings;
  and if any stockholder fails to comply with such direction, the Court may
  dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder.
 
    (h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the
  Court shall appraise the shares, determining their fair value exclusive of
  any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the
  merger or consolidation, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to
  be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining
  such fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. In
  determining the fair rate of interest, the Court may consider all relevant
  factors, including the rate of interest which the surviving or resulting
  corporation would have had to pay to borrow money during the pendency of
  the proceeding. Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation
  or by any stockholder entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding,
  the Court may, in its discretion, permit discovery or other pretrial
  proceedings and may proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final
  determination of the stockholder entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder
  whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving or resulting
  corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this section and who has
  submitted his certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery, if such is
  required, may participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally
  determined that he is not entitled to appraisal rights under this section.
 
    (i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares,
  together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation
  to the stockholders entitled thereto. Interest may be simple or compound,
  as the Court may direct. Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder,
  in the case of holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and the case of
  holders of shares represented by certificates upon the surrender to the
  corporation of the certificates representing such stock. The Court's decree
  may be enforced as other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced,
  whether such surviving or resulting corporation be a corporation of this
  State or of any state.
 
                                      E-3
<PAGE>
 
    (j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed
  upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon
  application of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of the
  expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal
  proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and
  the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value
  of all the shares entitled to an appraisal.
 
    (k) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, no
  stockholder who has demanded his appraisal rights as provided in subsection
  (d) of this section shall be entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or
  to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except
  dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a
  date which is prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation);
  provided, however, that if no petition for an appraisal shall be filed
  within the time provided in subsection (e) of this section, or if such
  stockholder shall deliver to the surviving or resulting corporation a
  written withdrawal of his demand for an appraisal and an acceptance of the
  merger or consolidation, either within 60 days after the effective date of
  the merger or consolidation as provided in subsection (e) of this section
  or thereafter with the written approval of the corporation, then the right
  of such stockholder to an appraisal shall cease. Notwithstanding the
  foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery shall be
  dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Court, and such
  approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just.
 
    (l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to which the
  shares of such objecting stockholders would have been converted had they
  assented to the merger or consolidation shall have the status of authorized
  and unissued shares of the surviving or resulting corporation.
 
                                      E-4
<PAGE>
 
                                  APPENDIX F
 
                          (TO BE FILED BY AMENDMENT)
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
                                                                     APPENDIX G
 
              DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION
          277 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10172 . (212) 892-3000
 
                                                                  June 24, 1996
 
Board of Directors
El Paso Energy Corporation
One Paul Kayser Center
100 North Stanton Street
El Paso, TX 79901
 
Dear Sirs:
 
  You have requested our opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of
view to El Paso Energy Corporation (the "Company") and its common shareholders
of the consideration to be paid by the Company pursuant to the terms of the
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 19, 1996, (the "Agreement")
between the Company and Tenneco Inc. ("Tenneco"). Certain terms used herein
have the meaning set forth in the Agreement.
 
  Pursuant to the Agreement, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company will be
merged (the "Merger") with and into Tenneco, subject to certain conditions. If
(i) the Merger is approved (the "Tenneco Stockholders' Approvals") by the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of (a) common stock (the
"Tenneco Common Stock"), par value $5.00 per share of Tenneco and (b) the
$4.50 Cumulative Preferred Stock of Tenneco (the "$4.50 Preferred Stock") and
the $7.40 Cumulative Preferred Stock of Tenneco (the "$7.40 Preferred Stock")
(collectively, the "Tenneco Preferred Stock") voting together as a class, and
(ii) the issuance, pursuant to the Agreement, of additional shares of common
stock (the "Company Common Stock"), par value $3.00 per share, is approved
(the "Company Stockholders' Approval") by the holders of a majority of
outstanding Company Common Stock, all issued and outstanding shares (other
than shares being canceled pursuant to the Agreement) of Tenneco Common Stock
and Tenneco Preferred Stock will be converted, on the terms and conditions set
forth in the Agreement, into the right to receive shares of Company Common
Stock having an aggregate value of $750 million, subject to adjustment, as
provided in the Agreement. If, however, the Tenneco Stockholders' Approvals
are obtained but Company Shareholders' Approval is not obtained, all issued
and outstanding shares (other than shares being canceled pursuant to the
Agreement) of Tenneco Common Stock and Tenneco Preferred Stock will be
converted, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement, into the
right to receive an aggregate of 7 million shares of Company Common Stock and
such number of shares of Adjustable Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock of the
Company, which, together with such 7 million shares of Company Common Stock,
will have an aggregate value of $750 million, subject to adjustment, as
provided in the Agreement.
 
  As contemplated by the Agreement, prior to the Merger, Tenneco will
distribute to the holders of Tenneco Common Stock all of its common equity
interest in the Industrial Business and the Shipbuilding Business pursuant to
the Distribution Agreement to be attached as Exhibit A to the Agreement (the
"Spin-offs"). Additionally, the Agreement contemplates that Tenneco will issue
$250 million of New Preferred Stock and at the effectiveness of the Merger
have outstanding indebtedness of up to $2.4 billion which, along with certain
liabilities associated with Tenneco's previously discontinued operations, will
remain obligations of Tenneco following consummation of the Merger. The terms
and conditions of the Merger, the Spin-offs and the transactions contemplated
thereby are more fully described in the Agreement and the exhibits thereof.
 
  In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed the Agreement dated as of June
19, 1996, and the exhibits thereto and financial and other information that
was publicly available or furnished to us by the Company and Tenneco,
including information provided during discussions with their respective
managements. Included in the information provided during discussions with the
respective managements were certain financial forecasts of Tenneco for the
period beginning January 1, 1996 and ending December 31, 2001 prepared by the
management
 
                                      G-1
<PAGE>
 
of Tenneco, certain financial forecasts of the Company for the period
beginning January 1, 1996 and ending December 31, 2001 prepared by the
management of the Company and certain financial forecasts of the Company and
Tenneco on a combined basis, prepared by the management of the Company. In
addition, we have (i) compared certain financial and securities data of the
Company with various other companies whose securities are traded in public
markets, (ii) reviewed prices paid in certain other business combinations
(iii) reviewed the historical stock prices and trading volumes of the common
stock of the Company and (iv) conducted such other financial studies, analyses
and investigations as we deemed appropriate for purposes of this opinion.
 
  In rendering our opinion, we have relied upon and assumed the accuracy,
completeness and fairness of all of the financial and other information that
was available to us from the public sources, that was provided to us by the
Company and Tenneco or their respective representatives, or that was otherwise
reviewed by us. In particular, we have relied upon the views and judgments of
the management of the Company as to (i) the impact of regulatory matters and
customer relationships on the business of Tenneco, (ii) the amount of
liabilities associated with Tenneco's previously discontinued operations and
(iii) the amount and timing of synergies achievable as a result of the Merger.
In addition, we have assumed that (i) the Spin-offs, (ii) the Debt Realignment
Plan and (iii) the offering and sale or distribution of the New Preferred
Stock each are consummated prior to the Merger. With respect to the financial
forecasts supplied to us, we have assumed that they have been reasonably
prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and
judgments of the management of the Company and Tenneco as to the future
operating and financial performance of the Company and Tenneco. We have not
assumed any responsibility for making any independent evaluation of Tenneco's
assets or liabilities or for making any independent verification of any of the
information reviewed by us. We have relied as to all legal matters on advice
of counsel to the Company.
 
  Our opinion is necessarily based on economic, market, financial and other
conditions as they exist on, and on the information made available to us as
of, the date of this letter. It should be understood that, although subsequent
developments may affect this opinion, we do not have any obligation to update,
revise or reaffirm this opinion. We are expressing no opinion herein as to the
recoverability of gas supply realignment costs of Tenneco or the amount of
liabilities to be assumed by the Company related to the discontinued
operations of Tenneco. We have not been requested to and do not express any
opinion regarding the financial impact of the amounts recovered or assumed, as
the case may be, on Tenneco or the Company and the effect, if any, of such
actual amounts on the fairness to the Company from a financial point of view
of the consideration to be paid in the proposed merger. In addition, we are
expressing no opinion herein as to the prices at which the Company Common
Stock or, if issued, the Adjustable Rate Preferred Stock, will actually trade
at any time. Our opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any
shareholder as to how such shareholder should vote in connection with the
proposed Merger.
 
  Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation ("DLJ"), as part of its
investment banking services, is regularly engaged in the valuation of
businesses and securities in connection with mergers, acquisitions,
underwritings, sales and distributions of listed and unlisted securities,
private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes.
 
  Based upon the foregoing and such other factors as we deem relevant, we are
of the opinion that the consideration to be paid by the Company pursuant to
the Agreement is fair to the Company and its common shareholders from a
financial point of view.
 
                                          Very truly yours,
 
                                          Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
                                           Securities Corporation
 
                                                      
                                          By:    /s/ Ralph Eads
                                             ---------------------------------
                                            Ralph Eads
                                            Managing Director
 
                                      G-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   APPENDIX H
 
                           (to be filed by amendment)
 
                                      H-1
<PAGE>
 
P
R
O
X
Y
 
 
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 99
                      SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                        EL PASO NATURAL GAS COMPANY
                      SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                        , 1996
 
    The undersigned hereby appoints William A. Wise and Britton White, Jr.,
  and each or either of them, with power of substitution, proxies for the
  undersigned and authorizes them to represent and vote, as designated, all
  of the shares of common stock of El Paso Natural Gas Company held of record
  by the undersigned on       , 1996, at the Special Meeting of Stockholders
  to be held at The Sheraton Crescent Hotel, 2620 West Dunlap Avenue,
  Phoenix, Arizona on       , 1996, in connection with the issuance of up to
  23,894,862 shares of common stock of El Paso pursuant to transactions
  contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 19,
  1996, between El Paso Natural Gas Company, El Paso Merger Company and
  Tenneco Inc., as such may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to
  time, and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) of such meeting for the
  purpose identified on the reverse side of this proxy and with discretionary
  authority as to any other matters that may properly come before the Special
  Meeting, including an adjournment of the Special Meeting to obtain a
  quorum, to solicit additional votes in favor of proposal 1 and/or to allow
  for the fulfillment of certain conditions precedent to the Merger, in
  accordance with and as described in the Notice of Special Meeting of
  Stockholders and Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus of El Paso Natural Gas
  Company and Tenneco Inc. This proxy when properly executed will be voted in
  the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder. If this proxy is
  returned without direction being given, this proxy will be voted FOR
  proposal 1.
 
           (IMPORTANT -- TO BE SIGNED AND DATED ON REVERSE SIDE)   SEE
                                                                 REVERSE
                                                                   SIDE
 
<PAGE>
 
 
 
[X]  PLEASE MARK
     VOTES AS IN THIS 
     EXAMPLE.
 
 
     
 
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 1
                           FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN
                           [_]      [_]        [_]
   
1. Approval of the issuance by El Paso of up to 23,894,862 shares of common
   stock, par value $3.00 per share, of El Paso in connection with the
   transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
   June 19, 1996, between El Paso Natural Gas Company, El Paso Merger Company
   and Tenneco Inc., as such may be amended, supplemented or modified from time
   to time.
2. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
   business as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any
   adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, including an adjournment of the
   Special Meeting to obtain a quorum, to solicit additional votes in favor of
   proposal 1 and/or to allow for the fulfillment of certain conditions
   precedent to the Merger.
 
 
MARK HERE                    
FOR ADDRESS                                                    MARK 
CHANGE AND       [_]                                           HERE FOR    [_] 
NOTE IT LEFT                                                   COMMENTS  
 
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
 
PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME APPEARS. IF ACTING AS ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR,
TRUSTEE OR IN OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY, SIGN NAME AND TITLE. IF A CORPORA-
TION, PLEASE SIGN IN FULL CORPORATION NAME BY PRESIDENT OR OTHER AUTHORIZED OF-
FICER. IF A PARTNERSHIP, PLEASE SIGN IN PARTNERSHIP NAME BY AUTHORIZED PERSON.
IF HELD JOINTLY, BOTH PARTIES MUST SIGN AND DATE.
Signature(s): _ Date: __ Signature(s): _ Date: _


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