K N ENERGY INC
S-4/A, 1997-11-20
NATURAL GAS TRANSMISISON & DISTRIBUTION
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 20, 1997
    
 
   
                                                   REGISTRATION NUMBER 333-40111
    
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
    
   
                                       TO
    
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
 
                                K N ENERGY, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                      4932
            (Primary standard industrial classification code number)
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                                  <C>
                       KANSAS                                             48-0290000
          (State or other jurisdiction of                              (I.R.S. Employer
           incorporation or organization)                            Identification No.)
               370 VAN GORDON STREET                                   MARTHA B. WYRSCH
                  P.O. BOX 281304                        VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL & SECRETARY
           LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80228-8304                    370 VAN GORDON STREET, P.O. BOX 281304
                   (303)989-1740                                LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80228-8304
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,                     (303)989-1740
   including area code, of registrant's principal     (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
                  executive offices)                                       number,
                                                          including area code, of agent for service)
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                   Copies to:
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                                  <C>
            C. MICHAEL HARRINGTON, ESQ.                            MICHAEL S. QUINN, ESQ.
              VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P.                                 HOLLAND & HART LLP
               2300 FIRST CITY TOWER                             555 17TH STREET, SUITE 3200
                1001 FANNIN STREET                                 DENVER, COLORADO 80202
             HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-6760                                  (303)295-8000
                   (713)758-2148
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
 
    Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the
public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes
effective.
 
    If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
 
    If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
 
    If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ] ____________
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===========================================================================================================================
                                                            PROPOSED                PROPOSED
                                                            MAXIMUM                 MAXIMUM
  TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF          AMOUNT TO BE           OFFERING PRICE            AGGREGATE               AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED      REGISTERED(1)            PER SHARE(1)         OFFERING PRICE(1)        REGISTRATION FEE
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
Common Stock, par value
  $5.00 per share..........         675,000                  $10.32                $6,966,275              $2,111(2)
===========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
(1) A maximum of 675,000 shares of Common Stock of the registrant are to be
    offered in exchange for a maximum of 2,406,893 shares of Common Stock, par
    value $.01 per share, of Interenergy Corporation ("Interenergy"), and
    500,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per
    share, of Interenergy. In addition, the registrant will acquire for cash
    aggregating at least $1,662,725 a total of 194,159 shares of Series B
    Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share, of Interenergy.
    Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant
    to Rule 457(f) under the Securities Act of 1933, based upon the book value
    ($8,629,000) as of June 30, 1997, of all shares of Interenergy Common Stock,
    Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B Convertible Preferred
    Stock that may be acquired by the registrant in the transaction described
    herein minus the amount of such cash ($1,662,725) to be paid by the
    registrant.
 
   
(2) Previously paid.
    
                             ---------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
                                K N ENERGY, INC.
 
                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
 
                   PURSUANT TO ITEM 501(B) OF REGULATION S-K
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          ITEM OF FORM S-4                          CAPTION IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                          ----------------                          ---------------------------------
<C>  <S>                                                          <C>
 A.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION
 1.  Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside Front
       Cover Page of Prospectus.................................  Forepart of Registration Statement;
                                                                    Outside Front Cover Page of
                                                                    Prospectus
 
 2.  Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of Prospectus....  Inside Front Cover Page of
                                                                    Prospectus; Available Information;
                                                                    Incorporation of Certain Documents
                                                                    by Reference; Table of Contents
 
 3.  Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Other
       Information..............................................  Outside Front and Inside Front Cover
                                                                    Pages of Prospectus; Summary
 
 4.  Terms of the Transaction...................................  Outside Front Cover Page of
                                                                    Prospectus; Summary; Interenergy
                                                                    Special Meeting; The Merger;
                                                                    Management and Operations After the
                                                                    Merger; Certain Terms of the Merger
                                                                    Agreement; Comparative Rights of
                                                                    Interenergy and K N Shareholders
 
 5.  Pro Forma Financial Information............................  *
 
 6.  Material Contracts With the Company Being
       Acquired.................................................  *
 
 7.  Additional Information Required For Reoffering by Persons
       and Parties Deemed to be Underwriters....................  *
 
 8.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.....................  Legal Matters; Experts
 
 9.  Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification For
       Securities Act Liabilities...............................  Undertakings
 
 B.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE REGISTRANT
 
10.  Information with Respect to S-3 Registrants................  *
 
11.  Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference..........  Incorporation of Certain Documents by
                                                                    Reference; Principal Shareholders
                                                                    of K N; K N Selected Historical
                                                                    Financial Data
 
12.  Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3 Registrants.........  *
 
13.  Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference..........  *
 
14.  Information with Respect to Registrants Other than S-2 or
       S-3 Registrants..........................................  *
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          ITEM OF FORM S-4                          CAPTION IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                          ----------------                          ---------------------------------
<C>  <S>                                                          <C>
 C.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY BEING ACQUIRED
 
15.  Information with Respect to S-3 Companies..................  *
 
16.  Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3 Companies...........  *
 
17.  Information with Respect to Companies Other Than S-2 or S-3
       Companies................................................  Summary -- Summary Historical
                                                                    Financial Information; Parties to the
                                                                    Merger Agreement -- Interenergy;
                                                                    Additional Information Regarding
                                                                    Interenergy; Interenergy Financial
                                                                    Statements
 
 D.  VOTING AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
 
18.  Information if Proxies, Consents or Authorizations Are to
       be Solicited.............................................  Notice of Special Meeting of
                                                                    Shareholders; Summary; Interenergy
                                                                    Special Meeting; Dissenters'
                                                                    Rights; The Merger -- Interests of
                                                                    Certain Persons in the Merger;
                                                                    Comparative Rights of Interenergy
                                                                    and K N Shareholders; Additional
                                                                    Information regarding
                                                                    Interenergy -- Voting Securities
                                                                    and the Principal Holders Thereof
 
19.  Information if Proxies, Consents or Authorizations Are Not
       to be Solicited in an Exchange Offer.....................  *
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* Not applicable or answer is negative.
<PAGE>   4
 
                    [Letterhead of Interenergy Corporation]
 
   
November 20, 1997
    
 
Dear Shareholder:
 
   
     You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of shareholders (the
"Interenergy Special Meeting") of Interenergy Corporation ("Interenergy") to be
held at the offices of Holland & Hart LLP, 555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 3200,
Denver, Colorado 80202, on December 19, 1997 at 10:00 a.m., mountain time.
    
 
     At the Special Meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon: (i)
the merger of Interenergy with KN Acquisition Company ("Sub"), a wholly-owned,
special purpose subsidiary of K N Energy, Inc. ("K N"), as discussed more fully
below; and (ii) such other business as may properly come before the Special
Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
 
     Interenergy has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
August 25, 1997, among K N, Sub and Interenergy (as amended to the date hereof,
the "Merger Agreement"), a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to the
accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus, pursuant to which, among other things,
Sub would merge with and into Interenergy (the "Merger"), and on the date on
which the Merger becomes effective (the "Effective Date"), each share of common
stock of Interenergy, $.01 par value per share ("Interenergy Common Stock"),
would be converted into a number of shares of common stock, par value $5.00 per
share of K N ("K N Common Stock"), to be based on the arithmetic average of the
daily closing price per share of K N Common Stock for the twenty trading days
ending two days prior to the Effective Date, as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange (the "Average Market Price"), as follows:
 
          (i) if the Average Market Price is between $38.00 and $44.00,
     inclusive, holders of Interenergy Common Stock will receive 0.17165 shares
     of K N Common Stock for each share of Interenergy Common Stock, less the
     Escrow Adjustment and the Price Adjustment, each as described below;
 
          (ii) if the Average Market Price is less than $38.00, the number of
     shares of K N Common Stock that each holder of a share of Interenergy
     Common Stock will receive will equal the quotient of $6.52 divided by the
     Average Market Price, less the Escrow Adjustment and the Price Adjustment;
     and
 
          (iii) if the Average Market Price exceeds $44.00, the number of shares
     of K N Common Stock that each holder of a share of Interenergy Common Stock
     will receive will equal the quotient of $7.55 divided by the Average Market
     Price, less the Escrow Adjustment and the Price Adjustment.
 
     As more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the
number of shares of K N Common Stock that each holder of Interenergy Common
Stock and Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share, of
Interenergy (the "Series A Preferred") will receive in the Merger will be
reduced by the "Escrow Adjustment" to take into account the per share allocation
of the aggregate sum of $500,000 that will be deposited in an escrow account
pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement pending an audit of certain
specified liabilities of Interenergy. In the event that such liabilities are
less than or equal to the amount specified in the Merger Agreement, the funds on
deposit in the escrow account will be distributed pro rata to holders of
Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred as of the Effective Date (each
share of Series A Preferred will be treated as though converted in the Merger
into three shares of Interenergy Common Stock). In addition, to the extent that
such liabilities are less than the amount specified in the Merger Agreement, K N
will contribute additional funds, up to a maximum of $500,000, for distribution
on a pro rata basis to holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A
Preferred as of the Effective Date in an amount equal to the amount by which
such liabilities are less than the amount specified in the Merger Agreement. If
the specified liabilities of Interenergy exceed the amount specified in the
Merger Agreement, such excess amount, up to a maximum of $500,000, will be
distributed to K N from the funds in the escrow account, with any balance being
distributed to holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred as of
the Effective Date. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE (I) THAT THERE WILL BE ANY
REMAINING AMOUNT IN THE ESCROW ACCOUNT OR (II) THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDS WILL BE
CONTRIBUTED BY K N, IN EACH CASE, FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE HOLDERS OF INTERENERGY
COMMON STOCK AND SERIES A PREFERRED. The number of shares of K N Common Stock to
be
<PAGE>   5
 
received by holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred will be
further reduced by the "Price Adjustment" to take into account a reduction in
the Merger consideration of $750,000 that reflects the agreed on resolution of
certain due diligence items. The $750,000 price reduction will be borne on a pro
rata basis by holders of Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred, options
to purchase Interenergy Common Stock and warrants to purchase Series A
Preferred.
 
     Each share of Series A Preferred will be converted on the Effective Date
into (i) the same number of shares of K N Common Stock as would have resulted
had such share been converted immediately prior to the Merger into three shares
of Interenergy Common Stock; and (ii) an amount of cash representing the accrued
but unpaid dividends owing on each such share of Series A Preferred.
 
     Each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per
share, of Interenergy ("Series B Preferred") will be converted on the Effective
Date into $8.50 in cash, plus an amount of cash representing the accrued but
unpaid dividends owing on each such share of Series B Preferred.
 
     Cash will be paid for fractional shares of K N Common Stock that otherwise
would be received by Interenergy shareholders, based on the Average Market
Price.
 
     AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
THE MERGER, THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY. THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THE PROPOSED MERGER IS FAIR, EQUITABLE AND IN
THE BEST INTERESTS OF INTERENERGY AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS AND RECOMMENDS THAT YOU
VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE MERGER AGREEMENT. THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS PROVIDES A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED MERGER.
PLEASE GIVE THIS MATERIAL YOUR THOUGHTFUL ATTENTION.
 
     Under Colorado law, there is a two-stage process for approving the Merger
Agreement. First, pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation of Interenergy,
approval of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote or concurrence of
sixty percent (60%) of the outstanding shares of Interenergy entitled to vote,
whether cast in person or by proxy at the Interenergy Special Meeting. For
purposes of this vote, the holders of Interenergy Common Stock are entitled to
one vote per share, the holders of Series A Preferred are entitled to three
votes per share and the holders of Series B Preferred are not entitled to vote.
Second, pursuant to Colorado law, each class of shares (i.e., Interenergy Common
Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred) must separately approve the
Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the
shares of such class, whether cast in person or by proxy at the Interenergy
Special Meeting. Accordingly, your vote is very important.
 
     We hope you will find it convenient to attend in person. Whether or not you
expect to attend, please vote, date, sign and mail promptly the enclosed proxy
in the return envelope provided to assure both representation of your shares at
the Interenergy Special Meeting and the presence of a quorum.
 
                                            Sincerely,
 
                                            Patrick R. McDonald
                                            President
<PAGE>   6
 
                            INTERENERGY CORPORATION
                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
   
                        TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 19, 1997
    
 
To the Shareholders of Interenergy Corporation:
 
   
     Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of shareholders (the
"Interenergy Special Meeting") of Interenergy Corporation ("Interenergy") will
be held at the offices of Holland & Hart LLP, 555 Seventeenth Street, Suite
3200, Denver, Colorado 80202, on December 19, 1997 at 10:00 a.m., mountain time,
for the following purposes:
    
 
          (i) to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Agreement and
     Plan of Merger, dated as of August 25, 1997, among K N Energy, Inc. ("K
     N"), KN Acquisition Company, a wholly-owned, special purpose subsidiary of
     K N ("Sub"), and Interenergy (as amended to the date hereof, the "Merger
     Agreement"), a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to the accompanying
     Proxy Statement/Prospectus; and
 
          (ii) to transact such other business as may properly be brought before
     the Interenergy Special Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
 
     As described more fully in the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the
Merger Agreement provides for, among other things:
 
          (i) the merger (the "Merger") of Sub into Interenergy; and
 
          (ii) the conversion on the date on which the Merger becomes effective
     (the "Effective Date") of each share of common stock, $.01 par value per
     share, of Interenergy ("Interenergy Common Stock") (other than shares held
     by Interenergy shareholders who properly exercise their dissenters' rights
     under Colorado law ("Dissenters' Shares")) into a number of shares of
     common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of K N ("K N Common Stock") to be
     based on the arithmetic average of the daily closing price per share of K N
     Common Stock for the twenty trading days ending two days prior to the
     Effective Date, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Average
     Market Price"), as follows:
 
             (a) if the Average Market Price is between $38.00 and $44.00,
        inclusive, each holder of shares of Interenergy Common Stock will
        receive 0.17165 shares of K N Common Stock for each share of Interenergy
        Common Stock, less the Escrow Adjustment and the Price Adjustment, each
        as described below;
 
             (b) if the Average Market Price is less than $38.00, the number of
        shares of K N Common Stock that each holder of a share of Interenergy
        Common Stock will receive will equal the quotient of $6.52 divided by
        the Average Market Price, less the Escrow Adjustment and the Price
        Adjustment; and
 
             (c) if the Average Market Price exceeds $44.00, the number of
        shares of K N Common Stock that each holder of a share of Interenergy
        Common Stock will receive will equal the quotient of $7.55 divided by
        the Average Market Price, less the Escrow Adjustment and the Price
        Adjustment.
 
     As more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the
number of shares of K N Common Stock that each holder of Interenergy Common
Stock and Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share, of
Interenergy ("Series A Preferred") will receive in the Merger will be reduced by
the "Escrow Adjustment" to take into account the per share allocation of the
aggregate sum of $500,000 that will be deposited in an escrow account pursuant
to the terms of the Merger Agreement pending an audit of certain specified
liabilities of Interenergy. In the event that such liabilities are less than or
equal to the amount specified in the Merger Agreement, the funds on deposit in
the escrow account will be distributed pro rata to holders of Interenergy Common
Stock and Series A Preferred as of the Effective Date (each share of Series A
Preferred will be treated as though converted in the Merger into three shares of
Interenergy Common Stock). In addition, to the extent that such liabilities are
less than the amount specified in the Merger Agreement,
<PAGE>   7
 
K N will contribute additional funds, up to a maximum of $500,000, for
distribution on a pro rata basis to holders of Interenergy Common Stock and
Series A Preferred as of the Effective Date in an amount equal to the amount by
which such liabilities are less than the amount specified in the Merger
Agreement. If the specified liabilities of Interenergy exceed the amount
specified in the Merger Agreement, such excess amount, up to a maximum of
$500,000, will be distributed to K N from the funds in the escrow account, with
any balance being distributed to holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series
A Preferred as of the Effective Date. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE (I) THAT THERE
WILL BE ANY REMAINING AMOUNT IN THE ESCROW ACCOUNT OR (II) THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDS
WILL BE CONTRIBUTED BY K N, IN EACH CASE, FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE HOLDERS OF
INTERENERGY COMMON STOCK AND SERIES A PREFERRED. The number of shares of K N
Common Stock to be received by holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A
Preferred will be further reduced by the "Price Adjustment" to take into account
a reduction in the Merger consideration of $750,000 that reflects the agreed on
resolution of certain due diligence items. The $750,000 price reduction will be
borne on a pro rata basis by holders Interenergy Common Stock, Series A
Preferred, options to purchase Interenergy Common Stock and warrants to purchase
Series A Preferred.
 
     Each share of Series A Preferred (other than Dissenters' Shares) will be
converted on the Effective Date into (i) the same number of shares of K N Common
Stock as would have resulted had such share been converted immediately prior to
the Merger into three shares of Interenergy Common Stock; and (ii) an amount of
cash representing the accrued but unpaid dividends owing on each such share of
Series A Preferred.
 
     Each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per
share, of Interenergy ("Series B Preferred") (other than Dissenters' Shares)
will be converted in the Merger into $8.50 in cash, plus an amount of cash
representing the accrued but unpaid dividends owing on each such share of Series
B Preferred.
 
     Cash will be paid for fractional shares of K N Common Stock that otherwise
would be received by Interenergy shareholders, based on the Average Market
Price.
 
     After careful consideration, your Board of Directors unanimously approved
the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. The Board of
Directors believes that the proposed Merger is fair, equitable and in the best
interests of Interenergy and its shareholders and recommends that you vote FOR
the proposal to approve the Merger Agreement.
 
   
     A record of shareholders has been taken as of the close of business on
November 20, 1997. Only holders of record of Interenergy Common Stock, Series A
Preferred and Series B Preferred as of the close of business on that date are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Interenergy Special Meeting and any
adjournment or postponement thereof.
    
 
     Under Colorado law, there is a two-stage process for approving the Merger
Agreement. First, pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation of Interenergy,
approval of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote or concurrence of
sixty percent (60%) of the outstanding shares of Interenergy entitled to vote,
whether cast in person or by proxy at the Interenergy Special Meeting. For
purposes of this vote, the holders of Interenergy Common Stock are entitled to
one vote per share, the holders of Series A Preferred are entitled to three
votes per share and the holders of Series B Preferred are not entitled to vote.
Second, pursuant to Colorado law, each class of shares (i.e., Interenergy Common
Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred) must separately approve the
Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the
shares of such class, whether cast in person or by proxy at the Interenergy
Special Meeting. It is, therefore, important that your shares be represented at
the Interenergy Special Meeting regardless of the number of shares you hold.
 
     ANY SHAREHOLDER HAS THE RIGHT TO DISSENT AND TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF THE FAIR
VALUE OF THE SHAREHOLDER'S SHARES OF INTERENERGY COMMON STOCK, SERIES A
PREFERRED OR SERIES B PREFERRED, AS THE CASE MAY BE, UPON COMPLIANCE WITH
ARTICLE 113 OF THE COLORADO BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS, SEE THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS UNDER THE CAPTION "DISSENTERS' RIGHTS." See also Appendix B
to the accompanying Proxy Statement/Prospectus for the text of Article 113
<PAGE>   8
 
of the Colorado Business Corporation Act. Notwithstanding the above, under the
Merger Agreement, if the holders of more than 10% of the outstanding shares of
Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, taken as a
whole, properly exercise dissenters' rights, K N will have the right to decline
to consummate the Merger.
 
     SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO VOTE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY
IN THE SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE PROVIDED, AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE, WHETHER OR NOT
THEY EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE INTERENERGY SPECIAL MEETING. ANY SHAREHOLDER
PRESENT AT THE MEETING MAY, NEVERTHELESS, VOTE PERSONALLY ON ALL MATTERS.
 
     Please check to be certain of the manner in which your shares are
registered -- whether individually, as joint tenants, or in a representative
capacity -- and sign the proxy accordingly. Failure to do so may disqualify your
vote.
 
                                            By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                            James P. Rode
                                            Secretary
 
Denver, Colorado
   
November 20, 1997
    
<PAGE>   9
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
   
                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 20, 1997.
    
     PRELIMINARY PROXY MATERIAL -- NO PROXIES ARE BEING SOLICITED HEREWITH.
    SOLICITATIONS WILL BE MADE ONLY PURSUANT TO A COMPLETED DEFINITIVE PROXY
                             STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.
 
                           PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
 
                               PROXY STATEMENT OF
 
                            INTERENERGY CORPORATION
                           1700 BROADWAY, SUITE 1150
                             DENVER, COLORADO 80290
                                 (303) 860-8949
                             ---------------------
 
                                 PROSPECTUS OF
 
                                K N ENERGY, INC.
                             370 VAN GORDON STREET
                         LAKEWOOD, COLORADO 80228-8304
                                 (303) 989-1740
                             ---------------------
 
   
     K N Energy, Inc. ("K N" or the "Company") has filed a registration
statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-40111) (the "Registration Statement")
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")
covering up to 675,000 shares of its Common Stock, $5.00 par value per share
(the "K N Common Stock"), issuable in connection with a transaction in which KN
Acquisition Company ("Sub"), a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of K N,
will be merged (the "Merger") with and into Interenergy Corporation
("Interenergy"). (A total of 250,000 of such 675,000 shares have been classified
by K N's Board of Directors as the equivalent of warrants purchased by K N on
August 7, 1996.)
    
   
     This Proxy Statement/Prospectus ("Proxy Statement/Prospectus") constitutes
a part of the Registration Statement and is also being furnished to shareholders
of Interenergy as a proxy statement in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of Interenergy for use at its special meeting
of shareholders (or any adjournment or postponement thereof) to be held on
December 19, 1997 (the "Interenergy Special Meeting"). At the Interenergy
Special Meeting, Interenergy's shareholders will consider and vote upon a
proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 25, 1997 (as
amended to the date hereof, the "Merger Agreement"), among K N, Sub and
Interenergy, pursuant to which the Merger shall occur. A conformed copy of the
Merger Agreement, and also of the First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated November 5, 1997 ("First Amendment"), is attached as Appendix A to
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and incorporated herein by reference. This Proxy
Statement/Prospectus also constitutes the Prospectus of K N filed as part of the
Registration Statement. The information contained or incorporated by reference
herein with respect to K N and its subsidiaries has been supplied by K N and the
information contained herein with respect to Interenergy and its subsidiaries
has been supplied by Interenergy.
    
   
     This Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the accompanying form of proxy are
first being mailed to shareholders of Interenergy on or about November 20, 1997.
    
     Approximately 32.6 million shares of K N Common Stock will be outstanding
immediately after the Merger is consummated (assuming an Average Market Price
(defined below) of $40 and no Dissenters' Shares (defined below)), of which
approximately 2% and 98% of the total will be held by former shareholders of
Interenergy and K N, respectively.
     On November 7, 1997, the closing sale price of K N Common Stock, as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") composite tape, was $45.375 per
share.
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 10 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY SHAREHOLDERS OF INTERENERGY.
                             ---------------------
 
     THE SHARES OF K N COMMON STOCK TO BE ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER
HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/ PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                             ---------------------
 
   
       The date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is November 20, 1997.
    
<PAGE>   10
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     K N is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and, in accordance therewith, files
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other
information may be inspected and copied at the offices of the Commission, Room
1024, Judiciary Plaza Building, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549,
and the Regional Offices of the Commission at Citicorp Center, Suite 1400, 500
West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and at Seven World Trade Center,
13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can also be
obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission
at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza Building, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549. The K N Common Stock is also listed on the NYSE, and the reports, proxy
statements and other information concerning K N can also be inspected at the
offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10005. The Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other materials that are filed through the
Commission's Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System. The Web
site can be accessed at http://www.sec.gov.
 
     This Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not contain all of the information set
forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto, certain parts of
which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Commission. Statements made herein as to the contents of any contract, agreement
or other document referred to are not necessarily complete; with respect to each
such contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, reference is made to the exhibit for a more complete
description of the matter involved, and each such statement shall be deemed
qualified in its entirety by such reference. The Registration Statement and any
amendments thereto, including exhibits filed as a part thereof, are available
for inspection and copying at the Commission's offices as described above.
                             ---------------------
 
     NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING
BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO
SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, THE SECURITIES OFFERED BY THIS
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, OR 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
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS NOR ANY DISTRIBUTION OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF K N OR INTERENERGY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE
HEREOF.
                             ---------------------
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
   
     THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE K N DOCUMENTS
THAT ARE NOT PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE
AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST FROM E. WAYNE LUNDHAGEN,
TREASURER, K N ENERGY, INC., 370 VAN GORDON STREET, P.O. BOX 281304, LAKEWOOD,
COLORADO 80228-8304, TELEPHONE (303) 989-1740. IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY
DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY THE COMPANY BY
DECEMBER 12, 1997.
    
 
     The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1996, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed by the Company with the
Commission (File No. 1-6446) on March 12, 1997, its Current Reports on Form 8-K
filed with the Commission on January 23, January 28 and October 27, 1997, and
its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, June
30 and September 30, 1997, are incorporated herein by reference.
 
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and
prior to the Special Meeting shall be incorporated by reference into this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and shall be deemed to be a part of this Proxy Statement/
Prospectus from the date of filing of such documents. See "Available
Information." Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>   11
 
that a statement contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any supplement
hereto or in any other subsequently filed incorporated document, modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. As used herein, the terms "Proxy Statement/Prospectus" and
"herein" mean this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, including the documents
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference, as the same may
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
 
                                       iii
<PAGE>   12
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information.................    ii
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...........................    ii
Summary...............................     1
  The Parties to the Merger...........     1
  Interenergy Special Meeting.........     1
  The Merger..........................     2
  Interests of Certain Persons in the
     Merger...........................     5
  Comparative Rights of Interenergy
     and KN Shareholders..............     5
  Risk Factors........................     5
  Summary Historical Financial
     Information......................     6
  Comparative Per Share Data of KN and
     Interenergy......................     7
  Market Price Data...................     9
Risk Factors..........................    10
  Merger Consideration................    10
The Parties to the Merger Agreement...    10
  KN and Sub..........................    10
  Interenergy.........................    10
Interenergy Special Meeting...........    11
  Date, Place and Time................    11
  Purpose.............................    11
  Record Date; Voting Rights..........    11
  Quorum..............................    11
  Proxies.............................    11
  Solicitation of Proxies.............    12
  Required Vote.......................    12
  Dissenters' Rights..................    12
  Interenergy Annual Meeting..........    12
The Merger............................    13
  General.............................    13
  Background of the Merger............    14
  K N's Reasons for the Merger........    16
  Interenergy's Reasons for the
     Merger; Recommendation of its
     Board of Directors...............    16
  Interests of Certain Persons in the
     Merger...........................    17
  Certain Material Federal Income Tax
     Consequences.....................    20
  Tax Opinion.........................    20
  Accounting Treatment................    23
  Governmental and Regulatory
     Approvals........................    23
  Resale of K N Common Stock..........    23
  New York Stock Exchange Listing.....    24
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
  Management and Operations after the
     Merger...........................    24
  Voting Agreements...................    24
Certain Terms of the Merger
  Agreement...........................    24
  Effective Date of the Merger........    24
  Manner and Basis of Converting
     Shares...........................    24
  Interenergy Options and Warrants....    26
  Conditions to the Merger............    26
  Representations and Warranties......    27
  Conduct of the Business of
     Interenergy Prior to the
     Merger...........................    27
  No Solicitation.....................    28
  Termination or Amendment of Merger
     Agreement........................    28
  Employee Benefits...................    28
  Fees and Expenses...................    28
  Governing Law.......................    28
Dissenters' Rights....................    29
  Dissenters' Rights..................    29
  Who May Dissent.....................    29
  Requirements to be Met by a
     Dissenter Before the Vote on the
     Merger Agreement is Taken........    29
  Notice Required to be Given by
     Interenergy to Dissenting
     Shareholders if the Merger
     Agreement is Approved............    30
  Dissenters' Procedures to Demand
     Payment..........................    30
  Payment for Shares..................    30
  Failure to Effect Merger............    31
  Shares Acquired After Announcement
     of Merger Agreement..............    31
  Procedure for Dissenter to Follow if
     Dissenter is Dissatisfied with
     Payment Made or Offered by
     Interenergy......................    31
  Court Action for Appraisal..........    31
Description of KN Capital Stock.......    32
  General.............................    32
  Anti-takeover Matters...............    34
  Kansas Business Combination Act.....    35
  Kansas Control Share Acquisition
     Act..............................    36
  Other Matters.......................    36
Market Prices of KN Common Stock and
  Dividend Information................    37
  Market Information..................    37
  Dividend Information................    37
  Principal Shareholders of KN........    37
</TABLE>
 
                                       iv
<PAGE>   13
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Comparative Rights of Interenergy and
  KN Shareholders.....................    38
  Number and Classification of Board
     of Directors.....................    38
  Removal of Directors................    38
  Director Nominations and Special
     Meetings.........................    38
  Shareholder Vote Required for
     Certain Transactions.............    39
Additional Information Regarding
  Interenergy.........................    41
  Description of Business.............    41
  Market Price and Dividends on
     Interenergy Common Stock and
     Related Shareholder Matters......    42
  Voting Securities and Principal
     Holders Thereof..................    42
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
  Management's Discussion and Analysis
     of Financial Conditions and
     Results of Operation.............    45
  Changes in and Disagreements with
     Accountants on Accounting and
     Financial Disclosure.............    48
Legal Matters.........................    49
Experts...............................    49
Interenergy Financial Statements......   F-1
Appendices:
  A -- Agreement and Plan of Merger;
        First Amendment to Agreement
  and Plan of Merger..................   A-1
  B -- Colorado Business Corporation
  Act,
       Article 113....................   B-1
</TABLE>
 
                                        v
<PAGE>   14
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
     The following contains a brief summary of certain information contained in
this Proxy Statement/ Prospectus. This summary does not contain a complete
statement of all material information relating to the Merger and the Merger
Agreement and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the
more detailed information and financial statements contained elsewhere in this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus, including the appendices hereto, or incorporated by
reference herein. You are urged to read this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the
Merger Agreement, a conformed copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix A and
incorporated herein by reference, and the other appendix attached hereto in
their entirety.
 
THE PARTIES TO THE MERGER
 
     K N Energy, Inc. and Sub. K N is a natural gas services company focusing on
gas gathering, processing, marketing, storage, transportation, retail gas
distribution services and gas reserves development. Sub is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of K N incorporated in Colorado on August 21, 1997 for the sole
purpose of effecting the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The principal
executive offices of K N are located at 370 Van Gordon Street, Lakewood,
Colorado 80228-8304, and its telephone number is (303) 989-1740.
 
     Interenergy Corporation. Interenergy is engaged in the business of
constructing, acquiring and operating natural gas gathering and processing
facilities and marketing natural gas and natural gas liquids to industrial and
commercial end users primarily located in the Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent
regions of the United States. Interenergy is a Colorado corporation; its
principal executive offices are located at 1700 Broadway, Suite 1150, Denver,
Colorado 80290, and its telephone number is (303) 860-8949. For further
information concerning Interenergy, see "Additional Information Regarding
Interenergy" and "Interenergy Financial Statements."
 
     As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "K N" and
"Company" refer to K N Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and the term
"Interenergy" refers to Interenergy Corporation and its subsidiaries.
 
INTERENERGY SPECIAL MEETING
 
   
     Date, Place, Time and Purpose. The Interenergy Special Meeting will be held
on December 19, 1997 at 10:00 a.m., mountain time, at the offices of Holland &
Hart LLP, 555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 3200, Denver, Colorado 80202, for the
purpose of considering and voting upon a proposal to approve the Merger
Agreement and to transact such other business as may properly come before the
Interenergy Special Meeting.
    
 
   
     Record Date, Voting Rights and Vote Required. Only holders of record of
common stock, $.01 par value per share, of Interenergy ("Interenergy Common
Stock"), Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $.10 par value per share, of
Interenergy ("Series A Preferred") and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock,
$.10 par value per share, of Interenergy ("Series B Preferred") at the close of
business on November 20, 1997 (the "Interenergy Record Date") are entitled to
receive notice of and to vote at the Interenergy Special Meeting. At the close
of business on the Interenergy Record Date, there were outstanding 1,974,527
shares of Interenergy Common Stock, 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred and
194,159 shares of Series B Preferred. The sum of (i) the number of outstanding
shares of Interenergy Common Stock and (ii) three times the number of
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred is referred to herein as the
"Interenergy Voting Shares." Approval of the Merger Agreement is governed both
by the Articles of Incorporation of Interenergy (the "Interenergy Charter") and
the Colorado Business Corporation Act ("CBCA"). Under the Interenergy Charter,
approval of the Merger Agreement will require the affirmative vote of the
holders of sixty percent of the Interenergy Voting Shares. The CBCA requires
that, under certain circumstances that Interenergy believes to apply in this
case, a class vote be held pursuant to which the Merger Agreement must also be
approved by the affirmative vote, by class, of the holders of two-thirds of each
of the Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, in
each case, outstanding on the Interenergy Record Date. At the close of business
on the Interenergy Record Date, (i) certain directors and executive officers of
Interenergy beneficially owned an aggregate of approximately 40.44% of the
Interenergy Voting Shares and 71.18% of the Interenergy Common Stock; and (ii)
entities affiliated with certain other directors directly
    
                                        1
<PAGE>   15
 
owned an aggregate of approximately 37.63% of the Interenergy Voting Shares and
87.15% of the Series A Preferred. The holders of one-third of the Interenergy
Voting Shares outstanding and entitled to vote as well as the holders of a
majority of each of the Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and Series
B Preferred must be present in person or represented by proxy at the Interenergy
Special Meeting in order for a quorum to be present.
 
THE MERGER
 
     Terms of the Merger. At the Effective Date (hereinafter defined), Sub will
merge with and into Interenergy, with Interenergy being the surviving
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of K N. In the Merger, each
outstanding share of Interenergy Common Stock, and the Interenergy Common Stock
equivalent of Series A Preferred (which will be treated as if converted), other
than shares held by Interenergy shareholders who properly exercise their
dissenters' rights under Colorado law ("Dissenters' Shares"), will be converted
into a fractional share of K N Common Stock, the amount of such fraction being
dependent on the arithmetic average of the daily closing price per share of K N
Common Stock for the 20 trading days ending two days prior to the Effective
Date, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (the "Average Market Price"),
as follows: (i) if the Average Market Price is between $38 and $44, inclusive,
the fraction will be 0.17165, less the Escrow Adjustment and the Price
Adjustment (each as defined under "Certain Terms of the Merger
Agreement -- Manner and Basis of Converting Shares"); (ii) if the Average Market
Price is less than $38, the fraction will be the quotient of $6.52 divided by
the Average Market Price, less the Escrow Adjustment and the Price Adjustment;
and (iii) if the Average Market Price exceeds $44, the fraction will be the
quotient of $7.55 divided by the Average Market Price, less the Escrow
Adjustment and the Price Adjustment. In addition, holders of Series A Preferred
will receive cash equal to accrued but unpaid dividends thereon as at the
Effective Date. Any resulting fractional shares will be settled in cash, and
each outstanding share of Series B Preferred will be converted in the Merger
into cash equal to $8.50 plus accrued but unpaid dividends thereon as at the
Effective Date. See "Certain Terms of the Merger Agreement -- Manner and Basis
of Converting Shares." Conformed copies of the Merger Agreement and the First
Amendment are attached to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix A.
 
     Based upon the number of shares of K N Common Stock and Interenergy Common
Stock and Series A Preferred outstanding as of the Interenergy Record Date and
assuming no Dissenters' Shares and an Average Market Price of $40, approximately
32.6 million shares of K N Common Stock will be outstanding immediately after
the Effective Date, of which approximately 570,000 shares, representing
approximately 2% of the total, will be held by former holders of Interenergy
Common Stock and Series A Preferred.
 
     Approval of K N's Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of K N has
determined that the issuance of shares of K N Common Stock pursuant to the
Merger Agreement is advisable and in the best interests of K N and the
shareholders of K N. See "The Merger -- Background of the Merger" and "-- K N's
Reasons for the Merger."
 
     Approval and Recommendation of Interenergy's Board of Directors. The Board
of Directors of Interenergy (the "Interenergy Board") has determined that the
Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, Interenergy's shareholders and
recommends that the shareholders of Interenergy approve and adopt the Merger
Agreement. See "The Merger -- Background of the Merger" and "-- Interenergy's
Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of its Board of Directors." In
considering the recommendation of the Interenergy Board with respect to the
Merger, Interenergy shareholders should be aware that certain officers and
directors of Interenergy have direct or indirect interests in recommending the
Merger, apart from their interests as shareholders of Interenergy, which are not
identical to those of unaffiliated shareholders of Interenergy. See "The
Merger -- Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger."
 
     Outstanding Shares held by Interenergy's Directors, Executive Officers and
their Affiliates. At the close of business on the Interenergy Record Date, (i)
certain directors and executive officers of Interenergy beneficially owned an
aggregate of approximately 71.18% of the Interenergy Common Stock and (ii)
entities affiliated with certain other directors directly owned an aggregate of
87.15% of the Series A Preferred. See "Additional Information Regarding
Interenergy -- Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof."
                                        2
<PAGE>   16
 
     Financial Advisors. K N pays Petrie Parkman & Co., Inc. ("Petrie Parkman")
a quarterly retainer fee of $60,000 for financial advisory and investment
banking services and will pay Petrie Parkman an additional transaction fee of
1.5625% of the transaction value (as defined in K N's agreement with Petrie
Parkman) upon consummation of the Merger for its services as a financial advisor
to K N in connection with the Merger, of which none has been paid. Based on the
closing price of K N Common Stock on November 7, 1997, as reported on the NYSE
composite tape, the transaction fee payable to Petrie Parkman would be
approximately $581,000. K N has also agreed to pay, on behalf of Interenergy,
Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc. ("Rauscher") and SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc.
("Dillon Read") a transaction fee of the greater of $500,000 or 1.5% of the
transaction value, up to $40 million, upon consummation of the Merger for their
services as financial advisors to Interenergy in connection with the Merger, of
which Interenergy has already paid $75,000 that will be credited against the
transaction fee. Based on the closing price of K N Common Stock on November 7,
1997, as reported on the NYSE composite tape, the transaction fee payable to
Dillon Read and Rauscher would be approximately $557,000. K N has also agreed to
indemnify Petrie Parkman, and Interenergy has agreed to indemnify Rauscher and
Dillon Read, against certain liabilities and expenses in connection with their
services as financial advisors to K N and Interenergy, respectively. Although
Petrie Parkman advised the Board of Directors of K N, and Dillon Read and
Rauscher advised the Interenergy Board, in connection with the Merger, none of
these financial advisors rendered a fairness opinion in regard to the Merger.
 
     Effective Date of the Merger. The Merger will become effective upon the
filing of Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of Colorado (the
"Effective Date"). Assuming all conditions to the Merger contained in the Merger
Agreement are satisfied or waived prior thereto, it is anticipated that the
Effective Date of the Merger will occur on the day of the Interenergy Special
Meeting or shortly thereafter.
 
     Exchange of Interenergy Stock Certificates. Promptly after consummation of
the Merger, The Bank of New York (the "Exchange Agent") will mail a letter of
transmittal with instructions to each holder of record of Interenergy Common
Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred immediately before the
Effective Date for use in exchanging certificates representing these shares of
Interenergy stock for the consideration payable to them in the Merger.
Certificates should not be surrendered by the holders of Interenergy stock until
they have received the letter of transmittal from the Exchange Agent. See
"Certain Terms of the Merger Agreement -- Manner and Basis of Converting
Shares."
 
     Payment for Interenergy Stock Options and Warrants. Prior to the Effective
Date, Interenergy will take all necessary action for the surrender by each
holder of outstanding stock options and warrants that remain unexercised in
whole or in part. On the Effective Date, (i) Interenergy shall pay (with funds
provided by KN) to each holder of an option to purchase shares of Interenergy
Common Stock granted under Interenergy's 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1996 Stock Option
Plans ("Interenergy Options") cash equal to the excess, if any, of the effective
value per share of Interenergy Common Stock received by its holders in the
Merger (based on the Average Market Price and giving effect to the Price
Adjustment but not to the Escrow Adjustment) over the per share exercise price
of such option and (ii) Interenergy shall pay (with funds provided by K N) to
each holder of a warrant to purchase Series A Preferred ("Interenergy Warrant")
cash equal to three times the positive difference, if any, between (x) the
effective value per share of Interenergy Common Stock received by its holders in
the Merger (based on the Average Market Price and giving effect to the Price
Adjustment but not to the Escrow Adjustment) and (y) one-third of the per share
exercise price of the Interenergy Warrant. See "Certain Terms of the Merger
Agreement -- Interenergy Options and Warrants."
 
     Other Conditions to the Merger. In addition to the approvals by the
requisite vote of Interenergy shareholders and the receipt by K N of regulatory
approvals, the respective obligations of K N and Interenergy to effect the
Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver, where permissible, of certain
other conditions, including (i) resolution by Interenergy of a Wyoming
environmental matter, and (ii) Interenergy's entry into post-Merger consulting
agreements with two executive officers of Interenergy and (iii) not more than
10% of the shares of Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B
Preferred taken together being Dissenters' Shares. There can be no assurance
that all of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement will be satisfied
or waived. See "Certain Terms of the Merger Agreement -- Conditions to the
Merger."
                                        3
<PAGE>   17
 
     Indemnification of Directors and Officers. For two years after the
Effective Date, K N has agreed (i) to indemnify and hold harmless all directors
and officers, among others, of Interenergy and its subsidiaries for certain acts
and omissions occurring on or prior to the Effective Date, and (ii) to maintain
directors' and officers' liability insurance for such persons with coverage no
less favorable than that currently maintained by K N for its own directors and
officers. See "The Merger -- Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger --
Indemnification of Directors and Officers."
 
     No Solicitation. The Merger Agreement provides that Interenergy will not,
directly or indirectly, solicit or participate in any proposals with respect to,
furnish any information relating to, participate in any discussions concerning,
or enter into or consummate any agreement providing for, any disposition of all
or substantially all the assets of, or the issuance of any equity securities of,
Interenergy or any subsidiary, or any merger involving Interenergy or any
subsidiary, other than the Merger.
 
   
     Termination or Amendment of Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement may be
terminated, whether before or after the Interenergy Special Meeting, (i) by the
mutual consent of K N and Interenergy or (ii) by either party if the Merger is
not effected on or before December 31, 1997 (provided that the Commission
declares this Registration Statement effective on or before December 1, 1997,
and other than as a result of a breach of the Merger Agreement by the party
seeking termination) or (iii) by either party if the Merger is not effected on
or before January 31, 1998 (provided that the Commission declares this
Registration Statement effective after December 1, 1997, and other than as a
result of a breach of the Merger Agreement by the party seeking termination).
The Merger Agreement may be amended upon the written agreement of K N, Sub and
Interenergy.
    
 
     Employee Benefits. The Merger Agreement provides that, after the Effective
Date, Interenergy will continue to maintain Interenergy's employees'
compensation levels, and other employment benefit plans, policies and programs
provided by Interenergy as of the date of the Merger Agreement, or provide
alternate compensation and benefits which are substantially equivalent in the
aggregate. See "Certain Terms of the Merger Agreement -- Employee Benefits."
 
     Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences. The Merger is intended to qualify
as a tax-free reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), so that no gain or loss would be recognized by K N, Interenergy or
the shareholders of Interenergy, except for gain or loss attributable to cash
received by such shareholders in the Merger. See "The Merger -- Certain Federal
Income Tax Consequences" and "-- Tax Opinion."
 
     Accounting Treatment. The Merger will be accounted for as a purchase in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. See "The
Merger -- Accounting Treatment."
 
     Governmental and Regulatory Approvals. On September 12, 1997, K N and
Interenergy filed notification reports under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act") with the Federal Trade
Commission (the "FTC") and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice
("DOJ"). Effective September 25, 1997, the FTC granted requests for early
termination of the waiting periods under the HSR Act, satisfying one of the
conditions to the Merger. The issuance by K N of shares of K N Common Stock in
the Merger is also subject to the approval of the Colorado Public Utility
Commission (the "PUC"). See "The Merger -- Governmental and Regulatory
Approvals." K N and Interenergy are aware of no other governmental or regulatory
approvals required for consummation of the Merger, other than compliance with
applicable securities laws.
 
     Dissenters' Rights. Colorado law affords dissenters' rights to shareholders
of Interenergy who object to the Merger and who vote against or abstain from
voting in favor of the Merger Agreement. Holders of Interenergy Common Stock,
Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred have the right to dissent from the
Merger and to receive payment of their shares upon full compliance with Article
113 of the CBCA. A copy of Article 113 of the CBCA is attached hereto as
Appendix B. See "Dissenters' Rights."
                                        4
<PAGE>   18
 
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
 
     Certain members of the Interenergy Board and certain executive officers of
Interenergy have certain interests respecting the Merger separate from their
interests as holders of Interenergy Common Stock or Series A Preferred,
including those referred to above under "-- Indemnification of Directors and
Officers." See "The Merger -- Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger" below
for additional information, including a description of the interests of two such
persons in certain proposed post-Merger consulting agreements and the extension
of certain indebtedness owed by them to a subsidiary of Interenergy, as well as
a description of the prepayment of $1,500,000 in Interenergy subordinated debt.
 
COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF INTERENERGY AND K N SHAREHOLDERS
 
     Rights of shareholders of Interenergy are currently governed by Colorado
law, the Interenergy Charter and Interenergy's Bylaws. Upon consummation of the
Merger, holders of Interenergy Common Stock and of Series A Preferred will
become common shareholders of K N and their rights as common shareholders of K N
will be governed by Kansas law, the Restated Articles of Incorporation of K N,
as amended (the "K N Charter"), and K N's Bylaws. There are various differences
between the rights of holders of Interenergy Common Stock and of Series A
Preferred and the rights of holders of K N Common Stock. See "Comparative Rights
of Interenergy and K N Shareholders" and "Description of K N Capital Stock."
 
RISK FACTORS
 
     Interenergy shareholders are urged to consider the matters set forth under
"Risk Factors" in deciding whether to vote for the approval of the Merger
Agreement.
                                        5
<PAGE>   19
 
SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
     K N Selected Historical Financial Data. The following table sets forth
selected historical consolidated statement of income data of K N, historical
consolidated statement of cash flows data, and historical consolidated balance
sheet data, in each case for each of the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995,
1994, 1993 and 1992, and also for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and
1996. The data contained in this table have been derived from K N's historical
consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with such
statements and the notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference into this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference."
    
 
                                      K N
                 DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                              SEPTEMBER 30,                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          ---------------------   ------------------------------------------------------------
                                             1997        1996        1996         1995         1994         1993        1992
                                          ----------   --------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   --------
                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
  INCOME DATA:(1)
  Operating Revenues....................  $1,362,457   $965,220   $1,440,482   $1,111,398   $1,091,277   $1,048,959   $836,102
  Operating Income......................  $   96,219   $ 88,017   $  134,801   $  115,362   $   54,879   $   80,874   $ 83,961
  Income from Continuing Operations
    Before Income Taxes.................  $   74,526   $ 62,574   $   99,716   $   81,572   $   24,821   $   49,468   $ 56,410
  Income from Continuing Operations.....  $   49,038   $ 40,048   $   63,819   $   52,522   $   15,321   $   30,869   $ 36,342
  Preferred Stock Dividends.............  $      263   $    298   $      398   $      492   $      630   $      853   $  2,976
  Income from Continuing Operations
    Available for Common Stock..........  $   48,775   $ 39,750   $   63,421   $   52,030   $   14,691   $   30,016   $ 33,366
  Income from Continuing Operations Per
    Common Share........................  $     1.55   $   1.36   $     2.14   $     1.83   $     0.52   $     1.09   $   1.34
  Dividends Per Common Share............  $     0.81   $   0.78   $     1.05   $     1.01   $     0.76   $     0.51   $   0.51
  Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges....        2.47       2.88         3.21         3.07         1.69         2.41       2.61
HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
  CASH FLOWS DATA:(1)
  Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating
    Activities..........................  $  102,399   $ 70,180   $   73,959   $  129.580   $   91,212   $   67,943   $ 51,021
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                               SEPTEMBER 30,   --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1997           1996         1995         1994         1993         1992
                                               -------------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                            <C>             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Total Assets...............................   $1,852,457     $1,629,720   $1,257,457   $1,172,384   $1,169,275   $1,007,411
                                                ==========     ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========
  Capitalization:
    Common Stockholders' Equity..............   $  564,809     $  519,794   $  426,760   $  393,686   $  391,462   $  347,738
    Preferred Stock..........................        7,000          7,000        7,000        7,000        7,000       26,310
    Preferred Stock Subject to Mandatory
      Redemption(2)..........................           --             --          572        1,715        2,858        4,500
    K N-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable
      Capital Trust Pass-through Securities
      of Subsidiary Trust....................      100,000             --           --           --           --           --
    Long-Term Debt(2)........................      410,498        423,676      315,564      334,644      335,190      303,224
                                                ----------     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Total Capitalization.........................   $1,082,307     $  950,470   $  749,896   $  737,045   $  736,510   $  681,772
                                                ==========     ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========
Book Value Per Common Share..................   $    17.96     $    17.16   $    15.19   $    14.25   $    14.39   $    13.60
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Excludes extraordinary item or discounted operations, as applicable
 
(2) Excludes current maturities.
 
     Interenergy Selected Historical Financial Data. The following table sets
forth selected consolidated historical financial data of Interenergy. Statement
of Operations data for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1996 and balance sheet data as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 have been derived
from the audited consolidated financial statements of Interenergy contained
herein. Statement of Operations data
                                        6
<PAGE>   20
 
   
for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 and balance sheet
data as of September 30, 1997 are derived from the unaudited consolidated
financial statements of Interenergy contained herein. Statement of Operations
data for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1993 and balance
sheet data as of December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992 are derived from audited
consolidated financial statements of Interenergy not contained herein. The
selected historical financial data should be read in conjunction with
"Additional Information Regarding Interenergy -- Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Interenergy
consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto, each included
elsewhere herein.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               NINE MONTHS
                                                  ENDED
                                              SEPTEMBER 30,                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                            -----------------   -----------------------------------------------
                                             1997      1996      1996      1995      1994      1993      1992
                                            -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
                                                                      (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                         <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Natural gas sales.......................  $88,777   $50,164   $86,943   $89,975   $96,794   $55,306   $12,521
  Natural gas gathering...................      651       539       753       164       192       241        55
  Natural gas liquids sales...............    1,136       942     1,423       600       458       353        60
  Management fees from partnerships.......      285       210       284       283       355       367       404
  Equity in partnership income............      292       208       384       251       165        35       101
                                            -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
         Total Revenues...................   91,141    52,063    89,787    91,273    97,964    56,302    13,141
  Natural gas purchases...................   72,529    39,794    72,263   79, 150    88,663    47,029    11,090
  Natural gas transportation..............   11,944     6,052     9,245     6,685     5,314     4,685     1,045
  Facility operations.....................    1,263       835       935     1,091       809       128
  General and administrative expenses.....    3,239     3,435     4,459     3,668     3,153     2,345       790
  Depreciation and amortization...........    1,176       790     1,172       470       426       308        76
                                            -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
    Operating income (loss)...............      990     1,157     1,359       365      (683)    1,126        12
  Interest expense........................     (636)     (369)     (571)     (272)     (203)     (195)      (66)
  Interest income.........................       56       106       123        97        91        89         2
  Other income (expenses).................      235        (9)      (22)       21        37        30        35
                                            -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
    Earnings (loss) before income taxes...      645       885       889       211      (758)    1,050       (17)
  Income tax (provision) benefit..........     (258)     (347)     (351)      (81)      258      (419)      (31)
                                            -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
    Net income (loss).....................      387       538       538       130      (500)      631       (48)
  Preferred stock dividends...............     (344)     (311)     (425)     (360)     (240)        0         0
                                            -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
    Net income (loss) attributable to
      common shareholders.................  $    43   $   227   $   113   $  (230)  $  (740)  $   631   $    48
                                            =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIODS):
  Total assets............................  $32,575   $24,510   $39,092   $14,349   $27,535   $16,014   $10,349
  Total debt and capital lease
    obligations...........................   13,180     7,969     9,186     1,545     4,682     1,576     3,189
  Preferred stock.........................    6,003     6,003     6,003     4,353     4,353     4,353         0
  Total shareholders' equity..............  $ 8,856   $ 8,723   $ 8,607   $ 4,534   $ 4,744   $ 5,504   $   556
</TABLE>
    
 
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA OF K N AND INTERENERGY
 
     The following table sets forth certain selected per share data for K N and
Interenergy on historical and pro forma combined bases. The pro forma financial
data assume that the Merger had been consummated at the beginning of the
earliest period presented and give effect to the Merger as a purchase under
generally accepted accounting principles. Book value data for all pro forma
representations are based upon the number of outstanding shares of K N Common
Stock adjusted to include the shares of K N Common Stock expected to be issued
in the Merger, assuming no Dissenters' Shares, and assuming an Average Market
Price of $40. Based on these assumptions and the number of shares of Interenergy
Common Stock and Series A Preferred outstanding at the close of business on
September 30, 1997, holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred
would receive an aggregate of approximately 567,528 shares of K N Common Stock
upon the consummation of the Merger. See also the K N historical consolidated
financial statements incorporated
                                        7
<PAGE>   21
 
herein by reference, and the Interenergy historical consolidated financial
statements and related notes included elsewhere herein.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  AT OR FOR
                                                                  THE NINE       AT OR FOR
                                                                   MONTHS         THE YEAR
                                                                    ENDED          ENDED
                                                                SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                    1997            1996
                                                                -------------   ------------
                                                                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT
                                                                     PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>
K N Historical
  Income per common share...................................     $      1.55    $      2.14
  Cash dividends declared per common share..................     $      0.81    $      1.05
  Book value per common share...............................     $     17.96    $     17.16
Interenergy Historical
  Income per common share...................................     $      0.02    $      0.05
  Cash dividends declared per common share..................     $        --    $        --
  Book value per common share...............................     $      2.07    $      2.00
K N Unaudited Pro Forma
  Income per common share...................................     $      1.45    $      2.04
  Cash dividends declared per common share..................     $      0.81    $      1.05
  Book value per common share...............................     $     18.35    $     17.58
Interenergy Equivalent Pro Forma for one share of K N Common
  Stock
  Income per common share...................................     $      0.12    $      0.31
  Cash dividends declared per common share..................     $        --    $        --
  Book value per common share...............................     $     12.67    $     12.24
Calculation of Pro Forma Number of Shares Used in Computing
  EPS:
  Historical K N............................................      31,397,417     29,624,036
  Shares of K N expected to be issued.......................         567,528        567,528
                                                                 -----------    -----------
  Pro Forma Number of Shares Used in Computing EPS..........      31,964,945     30,191,564
                                                                 ===========    ===========
Calculation of Pro Forma Number of Shares Outstanding:
  Historical K N............................................      31,446,326     30,295,792
  Shares of K N expected to be issued.......................         567,528        567,528
                                                                 -----------    -----------
  Pro Forma Number of Shares Outstanding....................      32,013,854     30,863,320
                                                                 ===========    ===========
Calculation of Pro Forma Common Stockholders' Equity:
  Historical K N............................................     $   564,809    $   519,794
  Market Value of Shares of K N expected to be issued.......          22,701         22,701
                                                                 -----------    -----------
  Pro Forma Common Stockholders' Equity.....................     $   587,510    $   542,495
                                                                 ===========    ===========
  Market Price per share of K N Common on Effective Date....                    $        40
Calculation of K N Pro Forma Earnings Available for Common:
  Historical K N............................................          48,775         63,421
  Historical Interenergy....................................              43            113
                                                                 -----------    -----------
                                                                      48,818         63,534
                                                                 -----------    -----------
  Pro Forma Adjustments:
     KNGG Gas Purchases from Interenergy....................            (217)          (387)
     KNI Transportation for Interenergy.....................          (3,061)        (2,505)
     KNGG Gathering for Interenergy (billed by KNI).........            (249)          (278)
     Income Tax Effect of Adjustments.......................           1,206          1,141
                                                                 -----------    -----------
                                                                      (2,321)        (2,029)
                                                                 -----------    -----------
  K N Pro Forma Earnings Available for Common...............     $    46,497    $    61,505
                                                                 ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
    
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   22
 
MARKET PRICE DATA
 
     The K N Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "K N." There is
no established public trading market for Interenergy Common Stock, Series A
Preferred or Series B Preferred. See "Market Prices of K N Common Stock and
Dividend Information" and "Additional Information Regarding Interenergy --
Market Price and Dividends on Interenergy Common Stock and Related Shareholder
Matters."
 
     On August 22, 1997, the last trading day prior to the announcement by K N
and Interenergy that they had reached an agreement concerning the Merger, the
closing per share sale price of K N Common Stock, as reported on the NYSE
composite tape, and the market values of the Interenergy Common Stock, Series A
Preferred and Series B Preferred, on an equivalent per share basis (and assuming
a $40 per share value for K N Common Stock and that K N is entitled to all cash
escrowed on the Effective Date), were as indicated in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    SECURITY                         MARKET VALUE (AND BASIS OF VALUE)
                    --------                         ---------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>
K N Common Stock.................................  $40 (historical)
Interenergy Common Stock.........................  $6.53 (equivalent per share basis)
Series A Preferred...............................  $19.59 (equivalent per share basis)
Series B Preferred...............................  $8.50 (equivalent per share basis)
</TABLE>
 
     See the cover page of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus for a recent closing
per share sale price of K N Common Stock.
 
     Following the Merger, K N Common Stock will continue to be traded on the
NYSE. Following the Merger, Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and
Series B Preferred will cease to exist, and so there will be no market for such
stock.
                                        9
<PAGE>   23
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred should carefully
consider all of the information contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus
including, in particular, the following:
 
MERGER CONSIDERATION
 
     In determining whether to approve the transactions pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, shareholders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred
should consider that the price of K N Common Stock at the Effective Date, as
well as the prices at the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and at the
date of the Interenergy Special Meeting, may vary as a result of changes in the
business, operations or prospects of K N, general market and economic conditions
and other factors. Although it is anticipated that the Effective Date will occur
shortly after the Interenergy Special Meeting, the Effective Date may occur at a
later date than the date of the Interenergy Special Meeting and, therefore,
there can be no assurance that the sales price of K N Common Stock on the date
of the Interenergy Special Meeting will be indicative of the sales price of K N
Common Stock at or after the Effective Date. Shareholders of Interenergy should
also consider that the number of shares of K N Common Stock to be delivered upon
consummation of the Merger to holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A
Preferred is subject to a collar mechanism, and so may also vary depending upon
what the Average Market Price for K N Common Stock is for the twenty trading
days ending two days prior to the Effective Date. See "Certain Terms of The
Merger Agreement -- Manner and Basis of Converting Shares."
 
     THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE WITH RESPECT TO ANY MARKET PRICE OF K N COMMON
STOCK. BROAD MARKET FLUCTUATIONS, AS WELL AS GENERAL ECONOMIC OR POLITICAL
CONDITIONS, MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MARKET PRICE OF THE K N COMMON STOCK,
REGARDLESS OF THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE OF K N.
 
                      THE PARTIES TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT
 
K N AND SUB
 
     K N Energy, Inc. was incorporated in Kansas in 1927. K N is an integrated
energy services company with operations that include natural gas gathering,
processing, marketing, field services, storage, transportation and energy
commodity sales of natural gas and natural gas liquids and power marketing. The
Company also sells innovative products and services, such as its Simple
Choice(SM) menu of products and call center services designed for consumers,
utilities and commercial entities. K N has operations in nine states in the
Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions.
 
     Sub is a wholly-owned subsidiary of K N, incorporated in Colorado on August
21, 1997 for the sole purpose of the Merger. Sub engages in no other business
and has no significant assets or liabilities.
 
     The principal executive offices of K N and Sub are located at 370 Van
Gordon Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80228-8304, and K N's telephone number is
(303) 989-1740.
 
     Additional information respecting K N is included in the Company's reports
and other documents incorporated by reference in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. See "Available Information" and "Incorporation of Certain
Documents by Reference."
 
INTERENERGY
 
     Interenergy is engaged in the business of constructing, acquiring and
operating natural gas gathering and processing facilities and marketing natural
gas and natural gas liquids to industrial and commercial end users primarily
located in the Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions of the United States.
Interenergy is a Colorado corporation; its principal executive offices are
located at 1700 Broadway, Suite 1150, Denver, Colorado 80290, and its telephone
number is (303) 860-8949. For further information concerning Interenergy, see
"Additional Information Regarding Interenergy" and "Interenergy Financial
Statements."
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   24
 
                          INTERENERGY SPECIAL MEETING
 
DATE, PLACE AND TIME
 
   
     The Interenergy Special Meeting will be held on December 19, 1997 at 10:00
a.m., mountain time, at the offices of Holland & Hart, LLP, 555 Seventeenth
Street, Suite 3200, Denver, Colorado 80202.
    
 
PURPOSE
 
     At the Interenergy Special Meeting, holders of Interenergy Common Stock
will consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Merger Agreement and to
transact such other business as may properly come before the Interenergy Special
Meeting.
 
     The Interenergy Board has unanimously determined that the Merger is fair,
equitable and in the best interests of Interenergy and its shareholders and has
unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby. THE INTERENERGY BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS OF
INTERENERGY VOTE IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AT THE INTERENERGY
SPECIAL MEETING. See "The Merger -- Interenergy's Reasons for the Merger;
Recommendation of its Board of Directors."
 
RECORD DATE; VOTING RIGHTS
 
   
     Only holders of record of Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and
Series B Preferred at the close of business on November 20, 1997 (the
"Interenergy Record Date") are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the
Interenergy Special Meeting. At the close of business on the Interenergy Record
Date, there were outstanding 1,974,527 shares of Interenergy Common Stock,
500,000 shares of Series A Preferred and 194,159 shares of Series B Preferred.
Under the Interenergy Charter, approval of the Merger Agreement requires the
affirmative vote of sixty percent (60%) of the Interenergy Voting Shares. In
addition, under the CBCA, each class of shares is entitled to vote separately on
the approval of the Merger Agreement at the Interenergy Special Meeting. For
purposes of this class vote, the registered holder of each share of Interenergy
Common Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, respectively, is
entitled to one vote.
    
 
QUORUM
 
     The holders of one-third of the Interenergy Voting Shares outstanding and
entitled to vote as well as the holders of a majority of each of the Interenergy
Common Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred must be present in
person or represented by proxy at the Interenergy Special Meeting in order for a
quorum to be present. Shares represented by proxies that are marked "abstain"
will be counted as shares present for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum on all matters, as will shares that are represented by proxies that are
executed by any broker, fiduciary or other nominee on behalf of the beneficial
owner(s) thereof, regardless of whether authority to vote is withheld by such
broker, fiduciary or nominee on one or more matters.
 
     In the event that a quorum is not present at the Interenergy Special
Meeting, it is expected that such meeting will be adjourned or postponed to
allow for the solicitation of additional proxies.
 
PROXIES
 
     All shares of Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B
Preferred that are represented by properly executed proxies received by
Interenergy prior to or at the Interenergy Special Meeting and not revoked will
be voted at the Interenergy Special Meeting in accordance with the instructions
indicated in such proxies. If no instructions are indicated, such shares will be
voted FOR approval of the Merger Agreement. The Interenergy Board does not know
of any other matters to be brought before the Interenergy Special Meeting. If
any other matters are properly presented at the Interenergy Special Meeting for
action, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy and acting thereunder
will have discretion to vote on such matters in accordance with their best
judgment.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   25
 
     An Interenergy shareholder who has given a proxy may revoke it at any time
prior to its exercise by filing a written notice of such revocation with the
Secretary of Interenergy at or prior to the Interenergy Special Meeting, by
delivering to Interenergy a duly executed, later dated proxy or by attending the
Interenergy Special Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the
Interenergy Special Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of
a proxy). All written notices of revocation and other communications with
respect to revocation of proxies in connection with the Interenergy Special
Meeting should be addressed to Interenergy Corporation, 1700 Broadway, Suite
1150, Denver, Colorado 80290, Attention: James P. Rode, Secretary.
 
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
 
     Proxies are being solicited hereby on behalf of the Interenergy Board,
which has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby. All expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation
of proxies by and on behalf of the Interenergy Board will be borne by
Interenergy (other than expenses associated with the preparation and printing of
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which will be borne by K N). In addition to the
use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by
directors, officers and employees of Interenergy who will not be additionally
compensated therefor, but may be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with such solicitation.
 
REQUIRED VOTE
 
     Approval of the Merger Agreement will involve a two-step process. Under the
Interenergy Charter, such approval will require the affirmative vote of the
holders of sixty percent of the Interenergy Voting Shares outstanding on the
Interenergy Record Date. In addition, Interenergy has taken the position that
the CBCA will require that a second vote be held, under which approval will
require the affirmative vote, by class, of the holders of two-thirds of the
shares of each of the Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B
Preferred, in each case outstanding on the Interenergy Record Date. Abstentions
and votes that are not cast because the nominee-broker either lacks or fails to
exercise discretionary authority with respect to the proposal to approve the
Merger Agreement will have the effect of votes against such proposal. At the
close of business on the Interenergy Record Date, (i) certain directors and
executive officers of Interenergy beneficially owned an aggregate of
approximately 40.44% of the Interenergy Voting Shares and 71.18% of the
Interenergy Common Stock; and (ii) entities affiliated with certain other
directors directly owned an aggregate of approximately 37.63% of the Interenergy
Voting Shares and 87.15% of the Series A Preferred.
 
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
     Holders of Interenergy Voting Shares and Series B Preferred have the right
to dissent from the Merger and to receive payment of the fair value of their
shares upon full compliance with Article 113 of the CBCA. A copy of Article 113
of the CBCA is attached hereto as Appendix B. If more than 10% of the shares of
Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, taken as a
whole, outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date are Dissenters'
Shares, K N will have the right to decline to consummate the Merger. See
"Dissenters' Rights" and "Certain Terms of the Merger Agreement -- Conditions to
the Merger."
 
INTERENERGY ANNUAL MEETING
 
     If the Merger is not consummated, Interenergy's next annual meeting is
scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 21, 1998. All proposals of shareholders
intended to be presented at such annual meeting must be received by Interenergy
by no later than December 12, 1997.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   26
 
                                   THE MERGER
 
     The description of the Merger and the Merger Agreement contained in this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement and the First Amendment, a
conformed copy of each of which is attached hereto as Appendix A and
incorporated herein by reference.
 
GENERAL
 
     On the Effective Date, Sub will be merged with and into Interenergy, with
Interenergy continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of K N. As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence
of Sub will cease, and Interenergy will succeed to all the rights and be
responsible for all the obligations of Sub, in accordance with the CBCA.
 
     On the Effective Date, each share of Interenergy Common Stock outstanding
(other than Dissenters' Shares) will be converted into a number of shares of K N
Common Stock to be based on the arithmetic average of the daily closing price
per share of K N Common Stock for the twenty trading days ending two days prior
to the Effective Date, as reported on the NYSE (the "Average Market Price"), as
follows:
 
          (i) if the Average Market Price is between $38 and $44, inclusive,
     each holder of shares of Interenergy Common Stock will receive 0.17165
     shares of K N Common Stock for each share of Interenergy Common Stock, less
     the Escrow Adjustment and the Price Adjustment, each as described below;
 
          (ii) if the Average Market Price is less than $38, the number of
     shares of K N Common Stock that holders will receive for each share of
     Interenergy Common Stock will equal the quotient of $6.52 divided by the
     Average Market Price, less the Escrow Adjustment and the Price Adjustment;
     and
 
          (iii) if the Average Market Price exceeds $44, the number of shares of
     K N Common Stock that holders will receive for each share of Interenergy
     Common Stock will equal the quotient of $7.55 divided by the Average Market
     Price, less the Escrow Adjustment and the Price Adjustment.
 
     The number of shares of K N Common Stock that holders of Interenergy Common
Stock and Series A Preferred will receive in the Merger will be reduced by the
Escrow Adjustment to take into account the per share allocation of the aggregate
sum of $500,000 that will be deposited by K N into an escrow account on the
Effective Date pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, pending an audit
of certain specified liabilities of Interenergy. In the event that such
liabilities are less than or equal to the amount specified in the Merger
Agreement, the funds on deposit in the escrow account will be distributed pro
rata to holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred other than
Dissenters' Shares as of the Effective Date. (Each share of Series A Preferred
will be treated as though converted in the Merger into three shares of
Interenergy Common Stock.) In addition, to the extent that such liabilities are
less than the amount specified in the Merger Agreement, K N will contribute
additional funds, up to a maximum of $500,000, for distribution on a pro rata
basis to holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred as of the
Effective Date in an amount equal to the amount by which such liabilities are
less than the amount specified in the Merger Agreement. If the specified
liabilities of Interenergy exceed the amount specified in the Merger Agreement,
such excess amount, up to a maximum of $500,000, will be distributed to K N from
the funds in the escrow account, with any balance being distributed pro rata to
holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred as of the Effective
Date. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE (I) THAT THERE WILL BE ANY REMAINING AMOUNT IN
THE ESCROW ACCOUNT OR (II) THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDS WILL BE CONTRIBUTED BY K N, IN
EACH CASE, FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE HOLDERS OF INTERENERGY COMMON STOCK AND
SERIES A PREFERRED. The number of shares of K N Common Stock to be received by
holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred will be further
reduced by the Price Adjustment to take into account a reduction in the Merger
consideration of $750,000 that reflects the agreed on resolution of certain due
diligence items. The $750,000 price reduction will be borne on a pro rata basis
by holders of Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred, Interenergy Options
and Interenergy Warrants. See "Certain Terms of the Merger Agreement -- Manner
and Basis for Converting Shares."
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   27
 
     Each share of Series A Preferred (other than Dissenters' Shares) will be
converted on the Effective Date into (i) the same number of shares of K N Common
Stock as would have resulted had such share been converted immediately prior to
the Merger into three shares of Interenergy Common Stock; and (ii) an amount of
cash representing the accrued but unpaid dividends owing on each such share of
Series A Preferred.
 
     Each share of Series B Preferred (other than Dissenters' Shares) will be
converted in the Merger into $8.50 in cash, plus an amount of cash representing
the accrued but unpaid dividends owing on each such share of Series B Preferred.
 
     Cash will be paid for fractional shares of K N Common Stock that otherwise
would be received by holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred,
based on the Average Market Price. In addition, holders of certain Interenergy
Options and Interenergy Warrants will receive cash in exchange for such options
and warrants. All Interenergy Options and Interenergy Warrants, as well as all
Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred (except
Dissenters' Shares) shall be canceled and cease to exist on the Effective Date.
See "Certain Terms of the Merger Agreement -- Interenergy Options and Warrants."
For a complete discussion of the Merger consideration, see "Certain Terms of the
Merger Agreement -- Manner and Basis of Converting Shares."
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders of Interenergy Common Stock, Series
A Preferred and Series B Preferred have the right to dissent from the Merger and
to receive payment of the fair value of their shares upon full compliance with
Article 113 of the CBCA. If holders of more than 10 percent of the shares of
Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, taken as a
whole, outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date properly exercise
dissenters' rights, K N will have the right to decline to consummate the Merger.
See "Certain Terms of the Merger Agreement -- Conditions to the Merger" and
"Dissenters' Rights."
 
     Based upon the number of shares of K N Common Stock and Interenergy Common
Stock and Series A Preferred outstanding as of the Interenergy Record Date,
approximately 32.6 million shares of K N Common Stock will be outstanding
immediately following the Effective Date (assuming an Average Market Price of
$40 and no Dissenters' Shares), of which approximately 570,000 shares,
representing approximately 2% of the total, will be held by former holders of
Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred.
 
     The Effective Date will occur on the date and time of filing of Articles of
Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Colorado, which is
anticipated to occur promptly after the approval of the Merger Agreement by the
shareholders of Interenergy, and following the satisfaction or waiver of the
other conditions to the obligations of each of the parties to the Merger
Agreement. See "Certain Terms of the Merger Agreement -- Conditions to the
Merger."
 
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
 
     As deregulation of the natural gas industry has proceeded over the past
several years, greater emphasis has been placed on the unbundling of natural gas
services previously provided and billed as aggregate service. The separation and
resulting differentiation of the various services comprising the course of
natural gas from wellhead to burner tip, including gathering, processing,
storage, transportation and marketing, have created a role for independent
gathering, processing and marketing companies such as Interenergy. Commensurate
with the disaggregation of the different sectors of the gas industry and
development of a distinct gathering, processing and marketing industry has been
a dramatic increase in the level of competition to provide natural gas services
to natural gas producers and commercial and industrial end users.
 
     Over the period from 1995 through 1997, Interenergy began to expand its
natural gas gathering and processing operations by construction and acquisition
of additional natural gas gathering and processing facilities in the Rocky
Mountain region. Interenergy significantly expanded its Hiland Gas Processing
Plant, located in Worland, Wyoming, and its Lignite Gas Processing Plant,
located in Lignite, North Dakota. Interenergy also acquired several natural gas
gathering systems from Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company. Each of
these expansions and acquisitions was conducted to provide additional gathering
and processing services to natural gas and oil producers.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   28
 
     Additionally during this period, Interenergy significantly expanded its
natural gas marketing activities through the acquisition of the natural gas
marketing assets of Premier Enterprises, Mar Oil and Gas, Nebraska Gas
Transportation Company and Kansas Gas Transport. The acquisition of these
marketing assets and the internal growth of Interenergy's existing marketing
activities allowed Interenergy to offer an increasing level of natural gas
supply and sales alternatives to a growing geographical base of industrial and
commercial end users.
 
     In the fall of 1996, the Interenergy Board began to discuss various
strategic alternatives for Interenergy, including the possible merger of
Interenergy with a larger entity. Given the multitude of growth opportunities
available to Interenergy, Interenergy was presented with the need for additional
investment capital to continue to expand its position in the gathering and
processing business in Wyoming and additional credit capacity to expand its
marketing activities in the Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions of the
United States.
 
     A decision was made by the Interenergy Board to retain Rauscher and Dillon
Read, (collectively, the "Interenergy Financial Advisors") to serve as its
financial advisors and to investigate various strategic alternatives for
Interenergy. On April 16, 1997, the Interenergy Board retained the Interenergy
Financial Advisors to explore alternatives that would maximize shareholder value
and provide additional investment capital and working capital for Interenergy to
continue to expand its business activities.
 
     The Interenergy Financial Advisors advised the Interenergy Board that
Interenergy's shareholder value would be best enhanced through the combination
of Interenergy's regional expertise and opportunities with that of a larger
national or superregional natural gas company with interests in gathering,
processing and marketing activities and with access to significantly greater
financial resources. Subsequently, the Interenergy Financial Advisors prepared
informational materials describing Interenergy.
 
     Beginning in the second quarter of 1997, the Interenergy Financial Advisors
solicited indications of interest from companies that were believed to offer the
strongest strategic opportunities for Interenergy. Upon executing a
confidentiality agreement, the contacted parties were forwarded the information
materials on Interenergy. In connection with the process, the participants were
given the opportunity to conduct limited due diligence on Interenergy and
received a set of procedures for the submission of definitive proposals. The
procedures set forth delivery instructions, requested final and binding offers,
required that offers be submitted by 12:00 noon on June 20, 1997 to Rauscher,
required that offers remain firm and binding through 5:00 p.m. on July 11, 1997,
and stated that all proposals would be evaluated by Interenergy and the
Interenergy Financial Advisors.
 
     As part of their limited due diligence, each party was invited to attend a
management presentation further describing the business and prospects of
Interenergy. These presentations were given between May 29 and June 5, 1997.
 
     The Interenergy Financial Advisors received responses from four entities,
including K N, concerning their interest in acquiring the stock or assets of
Interenergy. The Interenergy Financial Advisors presented these responses to the
Interenergy Board. The Interenergy Board determined that, based on the economic
value offered at closing, the tax treatment of the transaction and the other
considerations discussed below under "-- Interenergy's Reasons for the Merger;
Recommendation of its Board of Directors," the offer submitted by K N would
provide the best alternative for Interenergy's shareholders.
 
     Interenergy and K N entered into negotiations to further refine K N's offer
to purchase Interenergy and, on July 21, 1997, executed a letter of intent that
contained the terms on which the parties were willing to proceed toward the
consummation of a merger. Negotiations over the Merger Agreement then commenced,
leading to its execution on August 25, 1997.
 
     After K N's completion of its full due diligence investigation of
Interenergy and Interenergy's business operations and assets, pursuant to the
terms of the Merger Agreement K N and Interenergy agreed upon a reduction in the
Merger consideration to be paid by K N, and executed the First Amendment on
November 5, 1997 to document such reduction.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   29
 
K N'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER
 
     The Merger will offer K N the ability to expand its gathering and
processing segments into new areas that are located within K N's Northern Plains
Region, in particular into Wyoming's Bighorn Basin where a substantial portion
of Interenergy's gathering and processing assets and located, in a fashion that
is both economic and strategic. The transaction is consistent with the Company's
stated objectives of consolidating basin assets, contributing to the overall
value stream (from gathering to marketing), and aggregating low cost reserves at
the west end of the Company's Pony Express Pipeline.
 
     The transaction will also create benefits for, and receive benefits from,
the Company's joint venture Wildhorse LLC, as K N's co-venturer, Tom Brown,
Inc., develops acreage in the Bighorn Basin.
 
     In the marketing segment, K N will be able to consolidate Interenergy's
markets within K N's existing marketing areas which will facilitate synergies in
personnel as well as expand the existing K N coverage in terms of customers and
volumes.
 
     K N's and Interenergy's activities cover complementary gas supply basins,
service territories, and marketing areas. Integration of both companies'
operating regions, facilities and services presents opportunities for more
effective competition by the combined company. The combined company should
attain economies of scale in operations and should be able to reduce overall
administrative overhead costs, making it a more competitive service provider
from the natural gas wellhead to the burnertip. K N's shareholders should
benefit from the Merger as a result of the combined company's enhanced prospects
for future growth, which will enhance the Company's total value stream.
 
     The combined company, on a fully consolidated basis, will gather, transport
and sell an aggregate of approximately 960.1 trillion British thermal units of
natural gas per year. After the Merger, the combined company will have
approximately 16,115 total miles of transmission and gathering pipeline that
serve direct markets and also interconnect with other major pipelines.
(Estimates contained in this paragraph are based on information of K N and
Interenergy as of December 31, 1996.) The combined company will offer natural
gas shippers greater access to natural gas markets and natural gas buyers access
to more supply areas throughout the United States than either company currently
offers and, therefore, should be better able to use existing pipeline system
capacity.
 
     The Merger fulfills stated strategic goals of K N to maximize
value-creating opportunities by providing and moving natural gas in the vital
U.S. energy resource regions of the Rocky Mountains and the Mid-Continent, by
acquiring profitable new energy assets and by enhancing its position as a
significant service provider in an increasingly competitive industry.
 
     For the foregoing reasons and the reasons set forth under "-- Background of
the Merger," the Board of Directors of K N believes that the terms of the Merger
Agreement are fair to and in the best interests of K N and the shareholders of K
N. In reaching its conclusion K N's Board of Directors considered, among other
things, the prior financial performance and future operating prospects of
Interenergy, the reasonableness of achieving prospective cost savings and future
incremental revenues from the combined operation, the terms of the Merger
Agreement, and the risks associated with achieving expected results. All members
of the Board of K N, except Gordon Shearer, were present at the Board Meeting
held on August 9, 1997, and those present unanimously approved the Merger
Agreement.
 
INTERENERGY'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Interenergy Board has unanimously determined that the Merger is fair to
and in the best interests of Interenergy and its shareholders, and has
unanimously approved the Merger Agreement. Accordingly, the Interenergy Board
recommends that the shareholders of Interenergy vote in favor of approval of the
Merger Agreement at the Interenergy Special Meeting.
 
     The terms of the Merger Agreement were the result of arms-length
negotiations between K N, Interenergy and their respective representatives. In
the course of reaching its decision to approve and adopt
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   30
 
the Merger Agreement, the Interenergy Board consulted with the management of
Interenergy and its legal counsel and the Interenergy Financial Advisors and
considered a number of factors, including the following:
 
          (i) the current economic and competitive environment in the natural
     gas gathering, processing and marketing industries;
 
          (ii) the financial resources and future growth opportunities that
     would result from a combination of K N and Interenergy, the enhanced
     opportunities for operating efficiencies and marketing and asset synergies
     expected to result from the Merger and the respective contributions the
     parties would bring to the combined entity;
 
          (iii) K N's significant asset base and long-term experience in the
     natural gas industry;
 
          (iv) the historical and current financial condition, results of
     operations, business and prospects of Interenergy;
 
          (v) the projected growth and future earnings of Interenergy;
 
          (vi) the strategic and financial alternatives available to
     Interenergy, including remaining a separate company and the sale of
     Interenergy;
 
          (vii) the future capital required for Interenergy to grow as a
     separate company;
 
          (viii) the fact that, because Interenergy competes against companies
     that are much larger and benefit from greater capitalization, an
     affiliation with a larger, recognized company might provide opportunities
     for greater economic growth for Interenergy;
 
          (ix) the lack of a public market for the shares of Interenergy Common
     Stock, Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred;
 
          (x) the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement as reviewed and
     discussed with Interenergy's management, the Interenergy Financial Advisors
     and legal counsel. The Interenergy Board gave consideration to, among other
     things, the amount and form of consideration offered to Interenergy's
     shareholders and the structure of the proposed business combination;
 
          (xi) the offers made by other interested parties;
 
          (xii) the financial condition, stock valuation and future prospects of
     K N, including the ability of K N to complete the Merger in a timely
     manner; and
 
          (xiii) the absence of any term or condition that, in the opinion of
     the Interenergy Board, could materially impede or impair the consummation
     of the Merger.
 
     In the course of its discussions, the Interenergy Board extensively
discussed the price that would be obtained by the Interenergy shareholders, the
nature of the proposed Merger consideration, the tax-free nature of the Merger,
the liquidity of the K N Common Stock and K N's strategic fit with Interenergy.
However, the Interenergy Board did not assign relative weights to the foregoing
factors or determine that any factor was of more importance than other factors.
Rather, the Interenergy Board viewed its position and recommendations as being
based on the totality of the information presented to and considered by it.
Accordingly, all of the foregoing factors affected the Interenergy Board's
decision to some extent.
 
     THE INTERENERGY BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS OF
INTERENERGY VOTE IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AT THE INTERENERGY
SPECIAL MEETING.
 
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
 
     In considering the recommendation of the Interenergy Board with respect to
approval of the Merger Agreement, Interenergy shareholders should be aware that
certain members of the Interenergy Board and executive officers of Interenergy
have interests in the Merger in addition to their interests as shareholders of
Interenergy.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   31
 
     Consulting Agreements. In connection with the execution of the Merger
Agreement, K N, on the one hand, and each of Mr. McDonald, President of
Interenergy and a member of the Interenergy Board, and Mr. Rode, Executive Vice
President, Secretary and General Counsel of Interenergy and a member of the
Interenergy Board, on the other hand, have agreed in principle that Messrs.
McDonald and Rode will execute consulting agreements with Interenergy (the
"Consulting Agreements") that will replace existing employment agreements that
each has with Interenergy. These Consulting Agreements will be executed on and
will take effect on the Effective Date.
 
     Under the terms of the two Consulting Agreements (which are identical in
most material respects), Messrs. McDonald and Rode (each a "Consultant" and
collectively, the "Consultants") will provide such services as are mutually
agreed upon by the respective Consultant and Interenergy (the "Services"), which
Services may include advising Interenergy in connection with (i) Interenergy's
natural gas gathering and marketing operations, (ii) potential mergers and
acquisitions and (iii) strategic planning. Neither Consultant will be required
to provide the Services on a full-time basis.
 
     In consideration for their performance of the Services, each Consultant
will receive a consulting fee of $15,000 per month from the Effective Date
through March 31, 1998 (the "Initial Period") and $8,333.34 per month from April
1, 1998 through the termination of the Consulting Agreement, which will occur on
the second anniversary of the Effective Date. In addition, for the Initial
Period, each Consultant will receive certain benefits identified therein.
 
     The Consulting Agreements contain confidentiality provisions restricting
the Consultants' ability to disseminate proprietary or confidential information
of K N and its subsidiaries and non-compete provisions that restrict the
Consultants under certain circumstances from engaging in the natural gas and
natural gas liquids gathering, processing, transportation and marketing
businesses in the geographic areas in which K N and its subsidiaries conduct
each such operation.
 
     In addition, in connection with the execution of the Consulting Agreements,
K N has agreed to cause Interenergy Resources Corporation ("IRC"), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Interenergy, to extend the maturity of certain
indebtedness (the "Management Indebtedness"), in the original principal amount
of $530,000, plus interest accruing from May 12, 1993 at an annual rate of 6.25
percent, owed by each of Messrs. McDonald and Rode to IRC from May 12, 1998 to
May 1, 2001. Such indebtedness will be secured by a pledge of K N Common Stock.
 
  Sale of Interest in Interenergy Aircraft
 
     On August 15, 1996, Interenergy purchased a 25% beneficial ownership
interest in a Beech F90 King Air aircraft, plus engines and other related
property (the "Aircraft"). On November 4, 1997, Interenergy sold to McDonald
Energy, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company wholly owned by Mr. McDonald,
its interest in the Aircraft for $194,000. The purchase price was paid in the
form of a promissory note payable in full 90 days after the Effective Date and
bearing interest at a rate of 8% per year. From the Effective Date until its
repayment, such promissory note will be secured by a pledge of K N Common Stock.
 
     Prepayment of Subordinated Debt. In connection with the Merger, holders of
an aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000 in subordinated debt of Interenergy
evidenced by certain promissory notes (the "Subordinated Notes") will receive,
on the Effective Date, a prepayment of all outstanding principal, interest and
other amounts owing on the Subordinated Notes. See "Certain Terms of the Merger
Agreement -- Conditions to the Merger." Certain members of the Interenergy Board
were nominated to the Interenergy Board by, and are affiliated with, entities
that hold the Subordinated Notes.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   32
 
     Interenergy Stock Options. Directors and executive officers of Interenergy
hold Interenergy Options, each of which is convertible upon exercise into one
share of Interenergy Common Stock, as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     EXERCISE                     STOCK     TOTAL STOCK OPTIONS
               NAME                   PRICE      DATE GRANTED    OPTIONS           OWNED
               ----                  --------    ------------    -------    -------------------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>             <C>        <C>
Patrick R. McDonald................   $2.35        12/22/92      25,000           25,000
James P. Rode......................   $2.35        12/22/92      25,000           25,000
Thomas H. Chatfield................   $4.00        12/13/93       5,000
                                      $4.00          6/1/94       5,000
                                      $4.00          9/1/94       1,750
                                      $2.14         3/25/96       3,000
                                      $4.00         3/25/96      10,000
                                      $8.50         3/25/96      13,250           38,000
Russell T. Moran...................   $4.00          8/1/94       5,000
                                      $2.14         3/25/96       3,000
                                      $4.00         3/25/96      10,000
                                      $8.50         3/25/96      20,000
                                      $2.14          8/1/97       4,000
                                      $8.50          8/1/97       4,500           46,500
Joseph L. Schmid...................   $2.14         3/25/96       3,000
                                      $4.00         3/25/96      10,000
                                      $8.50         3/25/96      25,000
                                      $2.14          8/1/97       7,000
                                      $8.50          8/1/97       4,500           49,500
Richard C. Frantz..................   $8.50         3/25/96       2,400
                                      $2.14          8/1/97       6,000
                                      $8.50          8/1/97       2,700           11,100
John J. Tonnsen....................   $4.00          6/1/94       2,500
                                      $8.50         3/25/96       1,000            3,500
</TABLE>
 
     The Interenergy Options listed above will, if they are outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Date, be surrendered for a cash payment (less
required tax withholdings and giving effect to the Price Adjustment but not to
the Escrow Adjustment) from Interenergy (with funds provided by K N) in a
formula amount that reflects their equity value. See "Certain Terms of the
Merger Agreement -- Interenergy Options and Warrants" and "Additional
Information Regarding Interenergy -- Voting Securities and Principal Holders
Thereof."
 
     Interenergy Warrants.  No directors or executive officers of Interenergy
hold beneficially any Interenergy Warrants. Yorktown Energy Partners LP, which
is managed by Yorktown Partners LLC, holds Interenergy Warrants to purchase
63,332 shares of Series A Preferred. Bryan H. Lawrence and Peter A. Leidel,
members of the Interenergy Board, are managers of Yorktown Partners LLC, but
disclaim beneficial ownership of the Interenergy Warrants held by Yorktown
Energy Partners LP. Concord Partners, II, LP, which is managed by Ticonderoga
Capital Inc., holds Interenergy Warrants to purchase 23,834 shares of Series A
Preferred. Peter A. Leidel is a manager of Ticonderoga Capital Inc., but
disclaims beneficial ownership of the Interenergy Warrants held by Concord
Partners, II, LP.
 
     The Interenergy Warrants held by Yorktown Energy Partners LP and Concord
Partners, II, LP will, if they are outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Date, be surrendered for a cash payment (less required tax
withholdings and giving effect to the Price Adjustment but not to the Escrow
Adjustment) from Interenergy (with funds provided by K N) in a formula amount
that reflects their equity value. See "Certain Terms of the Merger
Agreement -- Interenergy Options and Warrants" and "Additional Information
Regarding Interenergy -- Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof."
 
     Indemnification of Directors and Officers.  For a period of two years after
the Effective Date, K N has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the employees,
agents, directors and officers of Interenergy and its
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   33
 
subsidiaries for certain actions taken by such individuals on behalf of
Interenergy or its subsidiaries on or prior to the Effective Date. In addition,
K N will cause Interenergy to maintain, for two years after the Effective Date,
policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance providing at least as
favorable coverage as the policies currently maintained by K N for the benefit
of its own officers and directors.
 
CERTAIN MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     Scope of Opinion and Tax Discussion.  The federal income tax discussion set
forth below is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the Merger. Holland & Hart LLP, counsel to Interenergy, will, on
the Effective Date, render a tax opinion (the "Tax Opinion") regarding certain
of these material federal income tax aspects of the Merger. However, both the
opinion and the discussion set out below are limited in scope. Among other
items, neither the Tax Opinion nor the discussion covers the special tax
consequences, if any, that might apply to holders of Interenergy Common Stock,
Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred, Interenergy Warrants, or Interenergy
Options, who may be entitled to special treatment under the Code such as foreign
persons, tax-exempt organizations, retirement plans, life insurance companies,
regulated investment companies, dealers in securities, financial institutions
and S corporations. Moreover, the Tax Opinion and the discussion do not address
any state or local tax aspects of the Merger.
 
TAX OPINION
 
     Assumptions and Conditions to Tax Opinion.  The Tax Opinion is subject to
and based on a number of assumptions and factual representations. If any of
these representations or assumptions were not true or accurate, the opinion
could be different. The material assumptions and representations are:
 
          (i) the Merger and related transactions will take place as described
     in the Merger Agreement and in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and the
     facts described in those documents are accurate, complete, and will not
     materially change, and the conduct of the parties is and will be materially
     consistent with those facts;
 
          (ii) the Merger will be a valid merger under applicable state law; and
 
          (iii) the representations made to Holland & Hart LLP by K N, Sub and
     Interenergy, dated the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which have
     not been independently verified, are true, complete and accurate in all
     material respects.
 
     Some of the principal factual representations upon which the Tax Opinion is
based include representations by K N that it will not permit Interenergy to
dispose of any significant portion of its assets during the two-year period
following the Merger except in accordance with Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the Code
and that K N will not dispose of 20% or more of its stock in Interenergy within
the two years following the Merger. The Tax Opinion is also subject to the
condition that, as a result of the Merger, the former holders of Interenergy
Common Stock and Series A Preferred will have a continuing interest in K N
through the ownership of K N Common Stock that is equal in value to at least 50
percent of the value of all of the Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred
and Series B Preferred issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger.
Interenergy has represented that, to the best of its knowledge, this condition
will be satisfied. However, whether this condition is in fact satisfied will
depend on actual dispositions of K N Common Stock made by the former holders of
Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred. If any of the referenced
representations or conditions to the Tax Opinion were not accurate, the Tax
Opinion might not be valid.
 
     Description of Tax Opinion.  Subject to the assumptions, conditions and
qualifications described above, and based on existing federal income tax law, it
is the opinion of Holland & Hart LLP that for federal income tax purposes:
 
          (1) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of
     Section 368(a) of the Code, and K N, Sub and Interenergy will each be a
     party to the reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the
     Code;
 
          (2) no gain or loss will be recognized by K N or Interenergy as a
     result of the Merger;
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   34
 
          (3) no gain or loss will be recognized by the holders of Interenergy
     Common Stock or of Series A Preferred upon their receipt of K N Common
     Stock pursuant to the Merger solely in exchange for their Interenergy
     Common Stock or Series A Preferred, except that gain or loss will be
     recognized with respect to cash, if any, received in lieu of fractional
     shares of K N Common Stock;
 
          (4) the aggregate tax basis of the shares of K N Common Stock received
     in exchange for Interenergy Common Stock or Series A Preferred pursuant to
     the Merger (including fractional shares of K N Common Stock for which cash
     is received) will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the Interenergy
     Common Stock or Series A Preferred exchanged therefor;
 
          (5) the holding period of K N Common Stock in the hands of the former
     holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred will include the
     holding period of the Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred
     exchanged therefor, provided such Interenergy Common Stock and Series A
     Preferred is held as a capital asset at the Effective Date of the Merger;
     and
 
          (6) A shareholder of Interenergy who receives cash in lieu of a
     fractional share of K N Common Stock will recognize gain or loss equal to
     the difference, if any, between such shareholder's tax basis in such
     fractional share (as described in paragraph (4) above) and the amount of
     cash received.
 
     Effect of Treatment of Interenergy as a Collapsible Corporation.  Section
341 of the Code recharacterizes what would otherwise be capital gain from the
sale of stock of a corporation as ordinary income if the corporation is a
so-called "collapsible corporation." A corporation can be treated as a
collapsible corporation if the corporation is formed or availed of principally
for (i) the purchase of property primarily held for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of business, or (ii) the manufacture, construction or production
of property with a view to the sale or exchange of the stock of the corporation
prior to the realization by the corporation of two-thirds of the taxable income
to be derived from such property. These rules are exceedingly complex, and it is
not entirely clear whether Interenergy would be classified as a collapsible
corporation. There are a number of exceptions to the treatment of a corporation
as a collapsible corporation. One of these exceptions clearly applies to certain
small shareholders (persons who never owned more than five percent of the stock
of the corporation, whether owned directly or under attribution rules). Other
exceptions are more complex and subjective. Interenergy believes that it is not
a collapsible corporation or that one or more of these exceptions should apply
in this case. Accordingly, Interenergy believes that capital gain recognized by
Interenergy shareholders (as described below) should not be characterized as
ordinary income pursuant to the collapsible corporation rules. The following
paragraphs assume that Interenergy will not be a collapsible corporation.
 
     Payment of Escrowed Amounts.  In addition, the holders of Interenergy
Common Stock and Series A Preferred may receive an additional cash payment
following the consummation of the Merger from funds escrowed in connection with
effecting the Escrow Adjustment, of up to $1,000,000. Such payment to the former
holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred can generally be
expected to result in capital gain to those shareholders. Although the issue is
not entirely free from doubt, it appears that such payments will be treated as
an installment sale for tax purposes. As such, the Interenergy shareholders
should be allowed to defer recognition of the gain attributable to such payments
until such amount is actually received by them, subject to the provisions of the
Code which convert to ordinary income a portion of deferred interest free
payments received in connection with property sales.
 
     Ordinary Income Treatment of Cash in Lieu of Dividends Paid to Holders of
Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred.  The holders of Series A Preferred
and Series B Preferred will receive an amount of cash equal to the amount of
properly declared, accrued but unpaid dividends, if any, on Series A Preferred
and Series B Preferred at the Effective Date ("Unpaid Dividends"). The receipt
of cash in lieu of any Unpaid Dividends is likely to result in taxable ordinary
income to the holders of Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, except to
the extent that such Unpaid Dividends exceed the amount of Interenergy's
earnings and profits for its current year and all prior years. The excess, if
any, of the Unpaid Dividends over Interenergy's earnings and profits will first
be applied against the shareholders' respective basis in the Series A Preferred
and/or the Series B Preferred, and will thereafter be taxed as capital gains or
losses.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   35
 
     Dissenting Shareholders.  A shareholder of Interenergy who exercises
dissenters' rights should, in general, treat the difference between the tax
basis of the Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred or Series B Preferred
held by such shareholder with respect to which such rights are exercised and the
amount received through the exercise of such rights as capital gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes.
 
     Holders of Series B Preferred.  The holders of Series B Preferred will
receive a cash payment in exchange for their Series B Preferred that is equal to
the liquidation value of such stock ($8.50 per share). The exchange of shares of
Series B Preferred for this payment will be a taxable transaction for federal
income tax purposes, and the holders of Series B Preferred will recognize
capital gain or loss, depending on their tax basis in those shares. Holders of
the Series B Preferred will also receive an additional amount equal to the
amount of Unpaid Dividends on each share of Series B Preferred. The receipt of
cash in lieu of any Unpaid Dividends is likely to result in taxable ordinary
income to the holders of Series B Preferred.
 
     Holders of Interenergy Stock Options.  The exercise of those outstanding
Interenergy Options that are incentive stock options to purchase Interenergy
Common Stock and that were issued by Interenergy in accordance with Section 422
of the Code ("ISOs"), will not be a taxable event for federal income tax
purposes. In general, a sale or disposition of those shares of K N Common Stock
that are received in exchange for Interenergy Common Stock that was received
upon the exercise of an ISO will result in the realization of capital gain or
loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and
the exercise price for such shares if such sale or other disposition occurs both
more than one year after the exercise of the ISO and more than two years after
the grant of the ISO (collectively, the "ISO Holding Period"). Upon a sale or
disposition of such shares of K N Common Stock prior to the expiration of the
ISO Holding Period, the individual generally will recognize ordinary
compensation income. Holders of ISOs should consult their tax advisors with
respect to the application of the ISO Holding Period and to the separate holding
period requirements for capital assets. Also, since the alternative minimum
taxable income of an individual is subject to an adjustment for the amount of
the deferred gain representing the difference between the exercise price of an
ISO and the fair market value of the shares acquired as of the exercise date,
holders of ISOs should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the
alternative minimum tax consequences of the exercise of such ISOs. The exercise
of the outstanding Interenergy Options that were issued by Interenergy but not
in accordance with Section 422 of the Code ("Nonqualified Options") will result
in the recognition of taxable compensation income to the holders who exercise
such nonqualified options. Holders of ISOs and Nonqualified Options that have
not been exercised prior to the Effective Date will receive a cash payment in
exchange for such options. The exchange of the options for cash will be treated
as a payment of taxable compensation income for federal income tax purposes.
Such income will be (i) subject to tax at the option holder's ordinary income
tax rate and subject to wage withholding, (ii) subject to the hospital insurance
portion of the tax under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act ("FICA Tax"),
and (iii) depending on an option holder's individual circumstances, subject, in
whole or in part, to the old-age, survivors and disability portion of the FICA
Tax. The amount of cash payable to such an option holder will generally be
reduced by any amount of tax that is required to be withheld.
 
     Holders of Interenergy Warrants. Holders of the Interenergy Warrants will
receive a cash payment in exchange for each Interenergy Warrant. The exchange of
each Interenergy Warrant for cash will be a taxable transaction for federal
income tax purposes. The holders of the Interenergy Warrants who hold the
Interenergy Warrants as capital assets should recognize capital gain on the
receipt of cash in exchange for their Interenergy Warrants, whether or not
Interenergy is a collapsible corporation.
 
     THE INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL
INFORMATION ONLY. THE TAX DISCUSSION AND THE TAX OPINION ARE BASED ON THE
EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE CODE, THE APPLICABLE TREASURY REGULATIONS ISSUED
THEREUNDER AND THE OFFICIAL PUBLISHED INTERPRETATION OF THOSE PROVISIONS BY THE
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND APPLICABLE COURTS, ALL OF WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO
CHANGE, WHICH CHANGES COULD BE APPLIED RETROACTIVELY. IF THE APPLICABLE LAW
CHANGES, THE DISCUSSION AND TAX OPINION COULD BE DIFFERENT. FURTHER, THE INCOME
TAX DISCUSSION AND THE TAX OPINION DO NOT CONSIDER THE PARTICULAR FACTS OR
CIRCUMSTANCES OF ANY SHAREHOLDER, OPTION
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   36
 
HOLDER, OR WARRANT HOLDER. SHAREHOLDERS, OPTION HOLDERS AND WARRANT
HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER IN THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS, AS
WELL AS CONSEQUENCES UNDER ANY APPLICABLE STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
     The Merger will be accounted for as a "purchase" for accounting and
financial reporting purposes. For purposes of preparing K N's consolidated
financial statements, K N will establish a new accounting basis for
Interenergy's assets and liabilities based upon the fair values thereof and K
N's purchase price, including the direct costs of the acquisition. A final
determination of required purchase accounting adjustments and of the fair value
of the assets and liabilities of Interenergy has not yet been made. After the
Merger, K N will undertake a study to determine the fair value of Interenergy's
assets and liabilities and will make appropriate purchase accounting adjustments
upon completion of such study. For financial reporting purposes, K N will
consolidate the results of Interenergy's operations with those of K N's
operations beginning with the consummation of the Merger.
 
GOVERNMENTAL AND REGULATORY APPROVALS
 
     Transactions such as the Merger are reviewed by the DOJ and the FTC to
determine whether the transactions comply with antitrust laws. Under the
provisions of the HSR Act, the Merger may not be consummated until such time as
the specified waiting period requirements of the HSR Act have been satisfied. K
N and Interenergy filed notification reports, together with requests for early
termination of the waiting period with the DOJ and the FTC under the HSR Act on
September 12, 1997. Effective September 25, 1997, the FTC granted requests for
early termination of the waiting periods under the HSR Act, satisfying one of
the conditions to the Merger.
 
     At any time, before or after the Effective Date, the DOJ, the FTC or a
private person or entity could seek under the antitrust laws, among other
things, to enjoin the Merger or to cause K N to divest itself, in whole or in
part, of Interenergy or of other businesses conducted by K N. There can be no
assurance that a challenge to the Merger will not be made or that, if such a
challenge is made, K N and Interenergy will prevail.
 
   
     The issuance by K N of shares of K N Common Stock in the Merger is also
subject to the approval of the PUC. K N expects to apply for approval from the
PUC on approximately November 21, 1997.
    
 
     K N and Interenergy are aware of no other governmental or regulatory
approvals required for consummation of the Merger, other than compliance with
applicable securities laws.
 
RESALE OF K N COMMON STOCK
 
     The shares of K N Common Stock issuable to shareholders of Interenergy upon
the Merger becoming effective have been registered under the Securities Act.
Such shares may be traded freely and without restriction by those shareholders
not deemed to be "affiliates" of Interenergy or K N as that term is defined in
the rules under the Securities Act. Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates
of Interenergy generally include individuals or entities that control, are
controlled by or are under common control with, Interenergy and may include the
executive officers and directors of Interenergy as well as certain principal
shareholders of Interenergy. K N Common Stock received by those shareholders of
Interenergy who are deemed to be "affiliates" of Interenergy may be resold
without registration only as provided for by Rule 145 under the Securities Act
(or in the case of such persons who become "affiliates" of K N, Rule 144 under
the Securities Act) or as otherwise permitted under the Securities Act. This
Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not cover any resales of K N Common Stock
received by affiliates of Interenergy. Interenergy has agreed in the Merger
Agreement to deliver to K N, prior to the Effective Date, an agreement from each
of its "affiliates" to the effect that they will not dispose of any shares of K
N Common Stock in violation of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder, including Rule 145.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   37
 
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
 
     The Merger Agreement provides for the filing by the Company of a listing
application with the NYSE covering the shares of K N Common Stock issuable upon
the Merger becoming effective. Interenergy's obligation to effect the Merger is
conditioned, in part, on the authorization for listing of such shares on the
NYSE.
 
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS AFTER THE MERGER
 
     Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, following the Merger the board of
directors and officers of Sub immediately prior to the Effective Date will be
the board of directors and officers of Interenergy, as the surviving
corporation, until their successors are duly elected. The directors of Sub are
Larry D. Hall, H. Rickey Wells and John N. DiNardo, each of whom is an employee
of K N. At present, all of the officers of Sub are also employees of K N. K N
presently anticipates that following the Merger, the directors and officers of
the surviving corporation will remain as identified herein; however, K N may in
the future determine to make changes in these officers and directors.
 
VOTING AGREEMENTS
 
     To the best of each of K N's and Interenergy's knowledge, there exist no
voting agreements relating to the approval of the Merger, the Merger Agreement,
or the transactions contemplated thereby.
 
                     CERTAIN TERMS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE MERGER
 
     The Merger Agreement provides that the Effective Date will occur at the
time that Articles of Merger are filed with the Secretary of State of Colorado
with respect to the Merger. It is anticipated that, if the Merger Agreement is
approved at the Interenergy Special Meeting and all other conditions to the
Merger have been satisfied or waived, the Effective Date will occur on the date
of the Interenergy Special Meeting or shortly thereafter.
 
MANNER AND BASIS OF CONVERTING SHARES
 
     On the Effective Date, each outstanding share of Interenergy Common Stock
(other than any Dissenters' Shares) will be converted into a fractional share of
K N Common Stock, the amount of such fraction to be based on the Average Market
Price as follows: (i) if the Average Market Price is between $38 and $44,
inclusive, the fraction will be 0.17165 less the Escrow Adjustment and the Price
Adjustment, each as defined below; (ii) if the Average Market Price is less than
$38, the fraction will equal the quotient of $6.52 divided by the Average Market
Price, less the Escrow Adjustment and the Price Adjustment; and (iii) if the
Average Market Price exceeds $44, then the fraction will equal the quotient of
$7.55 divided by the Average Market Price, less the Escrow Adjustment and the
Price Adjustment. The Merger Agreement defines the "Escrow Adjustment" as the
quotient of $500,000 divided by the Average Market Price, which quotient is then
divided by the sum of the number of shares of Interenergy Common Stock
outstanding at the Effective Date and the number of such shares issuable on
conversion of the Series A Preferred then outstanding (the "Closing Common
Amount"). The Merger Agreement defines the "Price Adjustment" as the quotient of
$750,000 divided by the Average Market Price, which quotient is then divided by
the sum of (x) the Closing Common Amount, (y) three times the number of
Interenergy Warrants outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date and (z)
the number of Interenergy Options outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Date that are entitled by the Merger Agreement to receive cash consideration in
the Merger (collectively, the "Closing Price Adjustment Share Number"). Set
forth in the table below are hypothetical examples of the determination of the
conversion rate provided for in the Merger Agreement ("Merger Conversion Rate")
depending upon different Average Market Prices and assuming that the Closing
Common Amount is 3,474,527 and that the Closing Price Adjustment Share Number is
3,978,527. AS INDICATED IN "RISK FACTORS," THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE WITH
RESPECT TO ANY FUTURE MARKET PRICE OF K N COMMON STOCK.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   38
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           MERGER
  AVERAGE        ESCROW       PRICE      CONVERSION
MARKET PRICE   ADJUSTMENT   ADJUSTMENT      RATE
- ------------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<C>            <C>          <C>          <S>
   $37.00        .003889     .005095     .167232
   $40.00        .003598     .004713     .163340
   $45.00        .003198     .004189     .160391
</TABLE>
 
     Each share of Series A Preferred outstanding on the Effective Date (other
than any Dissenters' Shares), will be converted in the Merger into the same
consideration that would have resulted had such shares been converted in
accordance with the terms of the Series A Preferred into three shares of
Interenergy Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Date, plus cash
equal to the amount of accrued but unpaid dividends on such share of Series A
Preferred as at the Effective Date.
 
     Each share of Series B Preferred outstanding on the Effective Date (other
than any Dissenters' Shares), will be converted in the Merger into cash equal to
$8.50 plus the amount of accrued but unpaid dividends thereon as at the
Effective Date.
 
     No fractional shares of K N Common Stock will be issued in the Merger. Each
shareholder of Interenergy entitled to a fractional share will be entitled to
receive an amount in cash equal to the product of such fraction and the Average
Market Price.
 
     On the Effective Date, K N will escrow $500,000 with an institutional
escrow agent (the "Escrow Agent"). Such funds will be released from the escrow
on terms identified in the Merger Agreement, which are summarized herein,
following the preparation of a consolidated balance sheet of Interenergy as of
the Effective Date and the audit of such balance sheet by Arthur Andersen LLP
("AA"). Upon completion of such audited balance sheet, AA will calculate the
liabilities of Interenergy as of the Effective Date in respect of certain items
specified in a schedule to the Merger Agreement (the "Specified Liabilities")
based on the corresponding numbers included in the audited balance sheet. If the
Specified Liabilities as of the Effective Date exceed the amount of the
Specified Liabilities set forth on such schedule to the Merger Agreement, then
the Escrow Agent will deliver to K N out of the escrow funds an amount equal to
the difference between the Specified Liabilities as of the Effective Date and
the Specified Liabilities set forth on such schedule and the Escrow Agent will
deliver to the Exchange Agent (as defined below) any remaining funds held in
escrow, for delivery to the holders of record of the Interenergy Common Stock
and Series A Preferred outstanding at the Effective Date, pro rata based on
their respective holdings (with each share of Series A Preferred treated as
though converted into three shares of Interenergy Common Stock). If the
Specified Liabilities as of the Effective Date are less than or equal to the
Specified Liabilities set forth on such schedule, then the Escrow Agent will
deliver to the Exchange Agent all the funds held in the escrow and K N will
deliver to the Exchange Agent the difference, if any, between the Specified
Liabilities set forth on such schedule and the Specified Liabilities as of the
Effective Date, but not in excess of $500,000, all for delivery to the holders
of record of the shares of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred
outstanding at the Effective Date, pro rata based on their respective holdings.
 
     The Bank of New York has been selected to act as the exchange agent
("Exchange Agent") under the Merger Agreement. On or as soon as practicable
after the Effective Date, (i) K N or Interenergy will deposit with the Exchange
Agent certificates representing the aggregate number of shares of K N Common
Stock into which the shares of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred
will have been converted in the Merger and cash sufficient to pay the
consideration owing to the holders of Series B Preferred, any accrued but unpaid
dividends owing on the Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, the
consideration owing to holders of Interenergy Options and Interenergy Warrants,
and the payments owing in respect of fractional shares of K N Common Stock, and
(ii) the Exchange Agent shall deliver to each record holder of a certificate
evidencing shares of Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred or Series B
Preferred a letter of transmittal, which shall specify that delivery shall be
effected, and risk of loss and title to such certificates shall pass, only upon
actual delivery thereof to the Exchange Agent and shall contain instructions for
use in effecting the surrender of such certificates in exchange for the
consideration payable to such holder in the Merger.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   39
 
     K N or the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the
consideration (cash, shares of K N Common Stock or any combination thereof, as
applicable) otherwise payable pursuant to the Merger Agreement to any holder of
Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred, Interenergy
Options or Interenergy Warrants such amounts as K N or the Exchange Agent is
required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under
the Code, or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent
that such amounts have been so withheld by K N or the Exchange Agent, such
withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of the Merger Agreement as
having been paid to the holders of the shares of Interenergy Common Stock,
Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred, Interenergy Options or Interenergy
Warrants in respect of which such deduction or withholding was made by K N or
the Exchange Agent. After the Effective Date, there will be no further
registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of Interenergy of its
shares that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date. SHARE
CERTIFICATES SHOULD NOT BE SURRENDERED FOR EXCHANGE BY SHAREHOLDERS OF
INTERENERGY PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE AND THE RECEIPT OF A LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL.
 
     Until such time as a holder of shares of Interenergy stock surrenders his
outstanding stock certificate to the Exchange Agent, together with the letter of
transmittal, the shares represented thereby will represent, after the Effective
Date, only the right to receive the consideration payable in the Merger with
respect to such shares, without interest.
 
INTERENERGY OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
 
     The Merger Agreement provides that on the Effective Date Interenergy will
pay to each holder of an Interenergy Option then outstanding (with funds
provided by K N), in cancellation of such Interenergy Option, cash in an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of the effective value per share to be received by
holders of Interenergy Common Stock in the Merger (based on the Average Market
Price and giving effect to the Price Adjustment but not to the Escrow
Adjustment) over the per share exercise price of such Interenergy Option, less
applicable tax withholdings. For information with respect to the holders of
Interenergy Options, see "The Merger -- Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger -- Interenergy Stock Options."
 
     The Merger Agreement further provides that on the Effective Date
Interenergy will pay to the holder of each Interenergy Warrant then outstanding
(with funds provided by K N), in cancellation of such Interenergy Warrant, cash
equal to three times the positive difference, if any, between (i) the effective
value per share to be received by holders of Interenergy Common Stock in the
Merger (based on the Average Market Price and giving effect to the Price
Adjustment but not to the Escrow Adjustment) and (ii) $3.25 which equals one-
third of the per share exercise price of each Interenergy Warrant. Such payment
will be further reduced by the amount of applicable tax withholdings. For
information respecting the holders of the Interenergy Warrants, see "The
Merger -- Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger -- Interenergy Warrants."
 
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
 
     The respective obligations of K N and Interenergy to consummate the Merger
are subject to the satisfaction of certain mutual conditions, including: (i) the
absence of any statute, rule, regulation or order of any court or governmental
authority that restrains or prohibits the Merger; (ii) the absence of any
pending or threatened suit, proceeding or investigation that seeks to restrain
the Merger or challenges its validity or seeks a material amount of damages in
connection with the Merger; (iii) expiration of the applicable waiting period
under the HSR Act; (iv) approval of the Merger Agreement by the requisite vote
of Interenergy's shareholders; (v) approval by the PUC and the Wyoming Public
Service Commission ("PSC") of K N's issuance of K N Common Stock in the Merger;
and (vi) execution and delivery of the Consulting Agreements on terms reasonably
acceptable to K N and each of Messrs. McDonald and Rode, respectively, and
extension of the Management Indebtedness on terms reasonably acceptable to K N
and the obligors of the Management Indebtedness. The condition referred to
clause (iii) occurred on September 25, 1997, when the FTC granted requests for
early termination of such waiting period. On October 23, 1997, K N received an
Order from the PSC exempting from the PSC's jurisdiction all subsequent
issuances of securities by K N, subject to K N's ongoing satisfaction of
conditions identified therein.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   40
 
     The obligation of K N to consummate the Merger is further subject to the
satisfaction of several additional conditions, including: (i) the
representations and warranties of Interenergy set forth in the Merger Agreement
are accurate in all material respects as of the Effective Date, and that all
covenants and agreements of the Merger Agreement to be complied with or
performed by Interenergy on or before the Effective Date have been complied with
and performed in all material respects; (ii) K N has received agreements by each
person deemed to be an affiliate of Interenergy confirming that such person will
not dispose of any shares of K N Common Stock received pursuant to the Merger in
violation of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission
promulgated thereunder; (iii) K N has received from Holland & Hart LLP, counsel
to Interenergy, opinions as to certain corporate matters relating to
Interenergy; (iv) not more than 10% of the shares of Interenergy Common Stock,
Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred taken together are Dissenters' Shares;
and (v) Interenergy has settled its outstanding dispute with the Wyoming
Department of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division.
 
     The obligation of Interenergy to consummate the Merger is further subject
to the satisfaction of several additional conditions, including: (i) the
representations and warranties of K N and Sub set forth in the Merger Agreement
are accurate in all material respects as of the Effective Date, and that all
covenants and agreements of the Merger Agreement to be complied with or
performed by K N or Sub on or before the Effective Date have been complied with
and performed in all material respects; (ii) all shares of K N Common Stock
issuable in the Merger have been authorized for listing on the NYSE; (iii)
Interenergy has received from Martha B. Wyrsch, General Counsel of K N, and from
Polsinelli, White, Vardeman & Shalton, opinions as to certain corporate matters
relating to K N; (iv) the Subordinated Notes are repaid on the Effective Date;
and (v) K N has funded its various obligations to pay money under the Merger
Agreement, including up to $1,235,000 for expenses of Interenergy incurred in
connection with the Merger.
 
     There can be no assurance that all of the conditions to the Merger will be
satisfied or waived.
 
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
     In the Merger Agreement, K N, Sub and Interenergy have made various
representations and warranties relating to, among other things, their respective
corporate organization, capitalization, businesses and financial condition, the
absence of any material adverse change in their respective businesses, the
satisfaction of certain legal requirements for the Merger and certain litigation
matters. The representations and warranties of each of the parties to the Merger
Agreement will expire upon consummation of the Merger.
 
CONDUCT OF THE BUSINESS OF INTERENERGY PRIOR TO THE MERGER
 
     Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Interenergy has agreed that, prior to the
Effective Date, and except as otherwise contemplated by the Merger Agreement or
consented to in writing by K N, Interenergy will, and will cause each of its
subsidiaries to, among other things, (i) carry on its business in the ordinary
course in substantially the same manner as previously conducted, (ii) not amend
its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, (iii) not acquire any other business,
(iv) not split, reclassify or combine its outstanding capital stock or pay any
dividend on its capital stock, except for dividends payable on the Series A
Preferred and the Series B Preferred, (v) not issue or sell any shares of its
capital stock, except upon the exercise of outstanding Interenergy Options or
Interenergy Warrants, (vi) not incur any indebtedness for borrowed money,
dispose of or acquire any assets having a value in excess of $250,000, enter
into any new project involving in excess of $50,000 or enter into any other
material transaction or commitment, subject to certain specified exceptions,
(vii) not make any capital expenditures other than capital expenditures in
connection with projects scheduled in the Merger Agreement, (viii) not encumber
any of its properties in excess of $250,000 or satisfy or settle any material
obligation or liability, subject to certain specified exceptions, (ix) not grant
any bonus or otherwise alter existing employee compensation or benefit
arrangements, (x) not make any change in its method of transacting business or
its accounting practices unless mandated by generally accepted accounting
principles, (xi) advise K N of any event reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect on Interenergy and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, (xii) not
perform or omit to perform any act that would cause a breach of a material
contract or of any other contract which would result in a material adverse
effect to Interenergy or any
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   41
 
of its subsidiaries, and (xiii) not enter into any related-party transaction
other than as permitted by the Merger Agreement.
 
NO SOLICITATION
 
     The Merger Agreement further provides that, prior to the Effective Date,
neither Interenergy nor any of its subsidiaries will solicit, encourage, accept
or participate in any inquiries or proposals with respect to, furnish any
information relating to, participate in any negotiations or discussions
concerning, or enter into or consummate any agreement providing for, any sale,
lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of, or the
issuance of any equity securities of, Interenergy or any of its subsidiaries, or
any merger or business combination involving Interenergy or any of its
subsidiaries, other than the Merger, and that Interenergy will ensure that no
director does, and will use its best efforts to cause any shareholder, officer
or other affiliate of itself or any of its subsidiaries not to do, any of the
foregoing.
 
TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF MERGER AGREEMENT
 
   
     The Merger Agreement provides that it may be terminated at any time prior
to the Effective Date, whether before or after approval by the shareholders of
Interenergy, (i) by mutual consent of the boards of directors of K N and
Interenergy, (ii) by either K N or Interenergy if the Merger has not been
consummated on or before December 31, 1997 (provided that the Commission
declares this Registration Statement effective on or before December 1, 1997,
and other than as a result of a breach of the Merger Agreement by the party
seeking termination) or (iii) by either K N or Interenergy if the Merger has not
been consummated on or before January 31, 1998 (provided that the Commission
declares this Registration Statement effective after December 1, 1997, and other
than as a result of a breach of the Merger Agreement by the party seeking
termination).
    
 
     The Merger Agreement may be amended by an instrument in writing signed on
behalf of each party thereto, provided that after the Merger Agreement has been
approved by the shareholders of Interenergy, the Merger Agreement may not be
amended to change the consideration payable to such shareholders in the Merger
without their further approval.
 
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
 
     Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, K N has agreed that, after the
Effective Date, it will cause Interenergy (i) to continue to maintain
Interenergy's employee compensation levels, benefit plans, programs, policies
and arrangements in effect as of the date of the Merger Agreement and (ii) to
provide alternative employee compensation levels, benefit plans, programs,
policies and arrangements to the employees it retains that provide compensation
and benefits that are in the aggregate at least substantially equivalent to the
benefits then in effect.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
     The Merger Agreement provides that, whether or not the Merger is
consummated, Interenergy and K N will each pay the costs and expenses incurred
by each of them and their respective subsidiaries in connection with the Merger
Agreement and the Merger, except that (i) Interenergy shall pay for the legal or
financial services necessary to prepare a description of its business and the
business of its subsidiaries and the "Management Discussion and Analysis" to be
included in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, (ii) K N shall pay for expenses
incurred in connection with the printing of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and
(iii) K N shall pay up to $1,235,000 toward Interenergy's expenses incurred in
connection with the Merger Agreement and the Merger on the Effective Date.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Merger Agreement provides that it is governed by Colorado law.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   42
 
                               DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
     The following is a summary of Article 113 of the CBCA ("Article 113") and
the procedures for Interenergy shareholders to dissent to the vote regarding the
Merger Agreement and to exercise dissenters' rights. This summary is qualified
in its entirety by reference to Article 113, which is attached hereto as
Appendix B. Appendix B should be reviewed carefully by any shareholder who
wishes to exercise statutory dissenters' rights or who wishes to preserve the
right to do so. FAILURE TO COMPLY STRICTLY WITH THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN
ARTICLE 113 WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS.
 
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
     Under Article 113, if the Merger Agreement is approved and the Merger
consummated, holders of Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and Series
B Preferred who exercise their dissenters' rights in accordance with Article 113
will be entitled to have the "fair value" of their shares paid to them in cash
by complying with the provisions of Article 113. The term "fair value" is
defined in Article 113 to mean the value of the shares immediately before the
Effective Date, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of
the Merger except to the extent that such exclusion would be inequitable.
Reference herein to "dissenters' rights" is a general reference to a
shareholder's right to dissent to the vote regarding the Merger Agreement and to
obtain payment for the shareholder's shares in accordance with Article 113.
 
WHO MAY DISSENT
 
     Each holder of Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred or Series B
Preferred may dissent to the vote regarding the Merger Agreement and obtain
payment of the fair value of the shareholder's shares by following the
procedures enumerated in Article 113 and summarized herein. The rights of the
shareholder may differ depending on whether the shareholder is a shareholder of
record holding shares for two or more beneficial shareholders or a beneficial
shareholder whose shares are held of record by one or more record shareholders,
as follows:
 
          (a) A record shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to fewer
     than all the shares registered in the record shareholder's name only if the
     record shareholder dissents with respect to all shares beneficially owned
     by any one person and causes Interenergy to receive written notice that
     states (i) such dissent and (ii) the name, address, and federal taxpayer
     identification number, if any, of each person on whose behalf the record
     shareholder asserts dissenters' rights.
 
          (b) A beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to the
     shares held on the beneficial shareholder's behalf only if (i) the
     beneficial shareholder causes Interenergy to receive the record
     shareholder's written consent to the dissent not later than the time the
     beneficial shareholder asserts dissenters' rights, and (ii) the beneficial
     shareholder dissents with respect to all shares beneficially owned by the
     beneficial shareholder.
 
     Interenergy may require that, when a record shareholder dissents with
respect to the shares held by any one or more beneficial shareholders, each such
beneficial shareholder must certify to Interenergy that the beneficial
shareholder and the record shareholder or record shareholders of all shares
owned beneficially by the beneficial shareholder have asserted, or will timely
assert, dissenters' rights as to all such shares as to which there is no
limitation on the ability to exercise dissenters' rights. Any such requirement
will be stated in the "Dissenters' Notice" that is referred to below.
 
REQUIREMENTS TO BE MET BY A DISSENTER BEFORE THE VOTE ON THE MERGER AGREEMENT IS
TAKEN
 
     A shareholder who wishes to assert dissenters' rights must (a) cause
Interenergy to receive, before the vote is taken on the Merger Agreement,
written notice of the shareholders' intention to demand payment for the
shareholder's shares if the Merger Agreement is approved (the "Shareholder's
Notice of Intent to Dissent") and (b) not vote the shares in favor of the Merger
Agreement. A shareholder who does not satisfy the foregoing requirements is not
entitled to demand payment for the shareholder's shares under Article 113.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   43
 
NOTICE REQUIRED TO BE GIVEN BY INTERENERGY TO DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS IF THE
MERGER AGREEMENT IS APPROVED
 
     If the Merger Agreement is approved, Interenergy will give a written
dissenters' notice (the "Dissenters' Notice") to each shareholder who has
complied with the provisions summarized above and who is entitled to demand
payment for shares under Article 113. The Dissenters' Notice may be given before
the Effective Date of the Merger and will in any event be given no later than
ten days after the Effective Date of the Merger. The Dissenters' Notice will (a)
state that the Merger Agreement was approved and state the Effective Date or the
proposed Effective Date of the Merger; (b) state an address at which Interenergy
will receive a Payment Demand (as defined below) and the address of a place
where certificates for certificated shares must be deposited; (c) inform holders
of uncertificated shares to what extent, if any, transfer of the shares will be
restricted after the Payment Demand is received; (d) supply a Payment Demand
form for demanding payment for shares, which form will request the shareholder
to state an address to which payment is to be made; (e) set the date (the
"Payment Demand Date") by which Interenergy must receive the Payment Demand and
certificates for certificated shares, which Payment Demand Date will not be less
than thirty (30) days after the date the Dissenters' Notice is given; (f) if
Interenergy has chosen to impose such a requirement, state that, when a record
shareholder dissents with respect to the shares held by any one or more
beneficial shareholders, each shareholder, and the record shareholder or record
shareholders of all shares owned beneficially by the beneficial shareholder,
have asserted, or will timely assert, dissenters' rights as to all such shares
as to which there is no limitation on the ability to exercise dissenters'
rights; and (g) be accompanied by a copy of Article 113.
 
DISSENTERS' PROCEDURES TO DEMAND PAYMENT
 
     If the shareholder has given a Shareholder's Notice of Intent to Dissent in
accordance with the provisions of Article 113 summarized above and wishes to
assert dissenters' rights (such person being referred to in this summary as a
"Dissenter"), the Dissenter must (a) cause Interenergy to receive a payment
demand (the "Payment Demand," which may be on the Payment Demand form provided
by Interenergy with the Dissenter's Notice, duly completed, or may be stated in
another writing) and (b) deposit the Dissenter's certificates for certificated
shares; provided, however, that, if the shares are uncertificated shares,
Interenergy may, in lieu of deposit of certificates representing the shares,
restrict the transfer of the shares. A Dissenter will have all rights of a
shareholder, except the right to transfer the shares, until the Effective Date
of the Merger but, after the Effective Date of the Merger, will only have the
right to receive payment of the shares as to which payment has been demanded.
 
     The Payment Demand and deposit of certificates by a Dissenter will be
irrevocable unless the Effective Date has not occurred within sixty (60) days
after the Payment Demand Date. In addition, if Interenergy fails to make payment
to the Dissenter, within sixty (60) days after the Payment Demand Date, of the
amount Interenergy estimates to be the fair value of the Dissenters' Shares,
plus accrued interest or fails to return the deposited shares or to release the
transfer restrictions on such shares, if uncertificated, or the Dissenter
believes that the amounts paid or offered to be paid by the corporation are less
than the fair value of the shares, Article 113 provides further means for the
Dissenter to pursue his rights. If the Effective Date of the Merger is more than
sixty (60) days after the Payment Demand Date, then Interenergy will be required
to send a new Dissenters' Notice and the provisions summarized above will again
be applicable.
 
     If a Dissenter fails to demand payment and deposit certificates
representing the shares as to which dissent is made by the Payment Demand Date
stated in the Dissenters' Notice, the Dissenter will not be entitled to payment
for the shares under Article 113 and will become a shareholder in K N (or, in
the case of a Series B Preferred holder, be entitled to receive cash for his
shares) as if the Dissenter had not exercised any dissenters' right.
 
PAYMENT FOR SHARES
 
     Upon the Effective Date of the Merger, or upon receipt of a Payment Demand
given in accordance with the provisions of Article 113, whichever is later,
Interenergy will pay each Dissenter who has complied with the requirements for
demanding payment stated in Article 113, at the address stated in the Payment
Demand,
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   44
 
or, if no such address is stated in the Payment Demand, at the address shown on
Interenergy's current record of shareholders for the record shareholder holding
the Dissenter's shares, the amount Interenergy estimates to be the fair value of
the Dissenter's shares, plus accrued interest. The payment will be accompanied
by: (a) Interenergy's balance sheet as of the end of its most recent fiscal
year, statement of changes in shareholders' equity, statement of cash flow and
other financial statements for that fiscal year, complying with the requirements
of Section 7-113-206(2)(a) of the CBCA; (b) a statement of Interenergy's
estimate of the fair value of the shares; (c) an explanation of how the interest
was calculated; (d) a statement of the Dissenter's right to demand payment in
accordance with the provisions of Article 113 regarding the Dissenter's
Responsive Notice summarized below; and (e) a copy of Article 113.
 
FAILURE TO EFFECT MERGER
 
     If the Effective Date of the Merger does not occur within sixty (60) days
after the Payment Demand Date, Interenergy will return the deposited
certificates and release the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated
shares. If the Effective Date of the Merger occurs more than sixty (60) days
after the Payment Demand Date, then Interenergy will send a new Dissenters'
Notice, as provided in Section 7-113-203 of the CBCA, and the appropriate
provisions of Article 113 will again be applicable.
 
SHARES ACQUIRED AFTER ANNOUNCEMENT OF MERGER AGREEMENT
 
     Interenergy may, in or with the Dissenters' Notice, state the date of the
first announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the Merger
Agreement (the "Announcement Date") and state that the Dissenter must certify in
writing, in or with the Payment Demand, whether or not the Dissenter (or the
person on whose behalf the Dissenter asserts dissenters' rights) acquired
beneficial ownership of the shares before the Announcement Date. With respect to
any Dissenter who does not so certify in writing, in or with the Payment Demand,
that the Dissenter or the person on whose behalf the Dissenter asserts
dissenters' rights acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before the
Announcement Date, Interenergy may, in lieu of making payment for the shares,
offer to make such payment if the Dissenter agrees to accept the payment in full
satisfaction of the demand. Any such offer will include: (a) Interenergy's
balance sheet as of the end of its fiscal year, statement of changes in
shareholders' equity, statement of cash flow and other financial statements for
that fiscal year, complying with the requirements of Section 7-133-206(2)(a) of
the CBCA; (b) a statement of Interenergy's estimate of the fair value of the
shares; (c) an explanation of how the interest was calculated; (d) a statement
of the Dissenter's right to demand payment in accordance with the provisions of
Article 113 regarding the Dissenter's Responsive Notice summarized below; and
(e) a copy of Article 113.
 
PROCEDURE FOR DISSENTER TO FOLLOW IF DISSENTER IS DISSATISFIED WITH PAYMENT MADE
OR OFFERED BY INTERENERGY
 
     A Dissenter may give notice (the "Dissenter's Responsive Notice") to
Interenergy in writing of the Dissenter's estimate of the fair value of the
Dissenter's shares and of the amount of interest due and may demand payment of
such estimate (less any payment made by Interenergy as contemplated above) or
may reject Interenergy's offer made as contemplated above with respect to shares
acquired after the Announcement Date and may demand payment of the fair value of
the shares and interest due, if: (a) the Dissenter believes that the amount paid
or offered by Interenergy, as the case may be, is less than the fair value of
the shares or that the interest due was incorrectly calculated; (b) Interenergy
fails to make payment within sixty (60) days after the Payment Demand Date; or
(c) Interenergy does not return the deposited certificates or release the
transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares as required if the
Effective Date of the Merger has not occurred within sixty (60) days after the
Payment Demand Date. A Dissenter waives the right to demand payment as outlined
above unless the Dissenter causes Interenergy to receive the Dissenter's
Responsive Notice within thirty (30) days after Interenergy made or offered
payment for the Dissenter's shares.
 
COURT ACTION FOR APPRAISAL
 
     If the Dissenter's demand for payment pursuant to the Dissenter's
Responsive Notice remains unresolved, Interenergy may, within sixty (60) days
after receiving the Dissenter's Responsive Notice,
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   45
 
commence a proceeding and petition the District Court of Denver County to
determine the fair value of the Dissenter's shares and accrued interest. If the
Dissenter's demand for payment remains unresolved within that sixty day period
and Interenergy does not commence the proceeding within that period, Interenergy
must pay to the Dissenter the amount demanded in the Dissenter's Responsive
Notice.
 
     Interenergy shall make all Dissenters whose demands remain thus unresolved
parties to the proceeding as in an action against their shares, and all parties
shall be served with a copy of the petition in the manner provided in Article
113. The court may appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence
and recommend a decision on the question of fair value. The appraisers have the
powers described in the order appointing them, or in any amendment to such
order. The parties to the proceeding are entitled to the same discovery rights
as parties in other civil proceedings. Each Dissenter made a party to the
proceeding will be entitled to judgment for the amount, if any, by which the
court finds the fair value of the Dissenter's shares, plus interest, exceeds the
amount paid by Interenergy, or the fair value, plus interest, of the Dissenter's
shares for which Interenergy elected to withhold payment under the provisions
for shares acquired after the Announcement Date, as outlined above.
 
     The court will determine all costs of the proceeding, including the
reasonable compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by the court, and
will assess the costs against Interenergy; except that the court may assess
costs against all or some of the Dissenters, in amounts the court finds
equitable, to the extent the court finds the dissenters acted arbitrarily,
vexatiously, or not in good faith in demanding payment. The court may also
assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the respective parties,
in amounts the court finds equitable: (a) against Interenergy and in favor of
any Dissenters if the court finds Interenergy did not substantially comply with
the requirements of part 2 of Article 113; or (b) against either Interenergy or
one or more Dissenters, in favor of any other party, if the court finds that the
party against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily,
vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to the rights provided in Article
113. If the court finds that the services of counsel for any Dissenter were of
substantial benefit to other Dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees
for those services should not be assessed against Interenergy, the court may
award to said counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded to
the Dissenters who were benefited.
 
     THE ABOVE IS MERELY A SUMMARY OF ARTICLE 113 OF THE CBCA. THIS SUMMARY IS
QUALIFIED BY REFERENCE TO THAT ARTICLE, WHICH IS SET FORTH IN ITS ENTIRETY AS
APPENDIX B TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. INTERENERGY SHAREHOLDERS DESIRING
TO EXERCISE DISSENTERS' RIGHTS SHOULD REFER TO THE FULL TEXT OF APPENDIX B AND
SHOULD CONSULT COUNSEL SINCE FAILURE TO COMPLY STRICTLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF
THE STATUTE WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS.
 
     If holders of more than 10% of the shares of Interenergy Common Stock,
Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, taken as a whole, outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Date properly exercise dissenters' rights,
K N will have the right to decline to consummate the Merger. See "Certain Terms
of the Merger Agreement -- Conditions to the Merger."
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF K N CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
     K N is currently authorized by the K N Charter to issue 50,000,000 shares
of common stock, of which 31,415,563 were outstanding on September 11, 1997;
200,000 shares of Class A Preferred Stock, no par value ("Class A Preferred
Stock"), of which 70,000 shares were outstanding as Class A $5.00 Cumulative
Preferred Stock on such date; and 2,000,000 shares of Class B Preferred Stock,
no par value ("Class B Preferred Stock"), of which no shares were outstanding on
such date.
 
     The Board of Directors of K N is authorized by the K N Charter to provide,
without further shareholder action, for the issuance of one or more series of
Class A Preferred Stock and Class B Preferred Stock. The
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   46
 
Board of Directors has the power to fix various terms with respect to each such
series, including voting power, designations, preferences, dividend rates,
conversion and exchange provisions, redemption provisions and, in the case of
the Class B Preferred Stock, the amounts which holders are entitled to receive
upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of K N. Class A Preferred Stock
and Class B Preferred Stock will rank prior to the Common Stock with respect to
both dividends and distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of K N.
 
     In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of K N, whether
voluntary or involuntary, the holders of shares of Class A Preferred Stock of
each series shall be entitled to receive in full out of the assets of K N the
sum of $100 per share of Class A Preferred Stock, plus any arrearages in
dividends thereon to the date fixed for the payment in liquidation, before any
distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of any stock junior to the
Class A Preferred Stock. K N may, at the option of its Board of Directors,
redeem the whole or any part of the Class A Preferred Stock, or of any series
thereof at any time or from time to time within the period during which such
stock is, according to the K N Charter, or the resolutions of K N's Board of
Directors providing for the issue thereof, redeemable, by paying the redemption
price thereof, including any arrearages in dividends thereon to the date fixed
for redemption. The Class A $5.00 Cumulative Preferred Stock is redeemable, in
whole or in part, at the option of K N at any time, or from time to time, at the
price of $105 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. This series has no
sinking fund requirements. Holders of shares of Class A $5.00 Cumulative
Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by K N's Board of
Directors of K N, cumulative preferential cash dividends at the annual rate of
$5.00 per share prior to the payment of any dividends or other distributions on
(or purchase or redemption of) the Class B Preferred Stock or the Common Stock.
 
     In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of K N, whether
voluntary or involuntary, the holders of shares of Class B Preferred Stock of
each series shall be entitled to receive, subject to the prior rights of the
holders of shares of Class A Preferred Stock, the full preferential amount fixed
by the K N Charter, or the resolutions of K N's Board of Directors providing for
the issue thereof, including any arrearages in dividends thereon to the date
fixed for the payment in liquidation, before any distribution shall be made to
the holders of shares of any stock junior to the Class B Preferred Stock.
Dividends may not be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any series of
Class B Preferred Stock, unless there shall be no arrearages in dividends on any
series of Class A Preferred Stock entitled to cumulative dividends for any past
dividend period and dividends in full for the current dividend period have been
paid or declared or set aside for payment on all Class A Preferred Stock.
 
     In addition, the holders of the Class A Preferred Stock then outstanding
have the right to vote separately as a class with respect to (i) certain
amendments to the K N Charter or the Bylaws of K N which adversely affect the
voting powers, rights or preferences of the holders of shares of Class A
Preferred Stock, (ii) the creation of any class of stock or any security
convertible into or exchangeable for or evidencing the right to purchase any
stock ranking prior to or on a parity with, either as to dividends or upon
liquidation, the Class A Preferred Stock, or (iii) certain mergers or
consolidations of K N with or into any other corporation. For such actions to be
taken by K N, including increasing the authorized amount of any class of stock
ranking prior to the Class A Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least 50% of the shares of the Class A Preferred Stock then
outstanding would be required. The affirmative vote of at least 50% of the
shares of any series of Class A Preferred Stock then outstanding is required for
K N to amend the K N Charter or resolutions of the Board of Directors of K N
providing for the issue of such series of Class A Preferred Stock so as to
affect adversely the powers, preferences or rights of the holders of Class A
Preferred Stock of such series. The holders of Class B Preferred Stock then
outstanding also have the right to a separate vote regarding (a) the events
described in the first sentence of this paragraph with regard to such Class B
Preferred Stock, requiring the affirmative vote of at least 50% of the shares of
Class B Preferred Stock then outstanding, and (b) amendments to the K N Charter,
or to resolutions of K N's Board of Directors providing for the issue of any
series of Class B Preferred Stock so as to affect adversely the powers,
preferences or rights of the holders of such series, requiring the affirmative
vote of at least 50% of the shares of such series then outstanding.
 
     If dividends are in arrears on the shares of any series of Class A
Preferred Stock to which the following provisions are made applicable pursuant
to the K N Charter or resolutions of K N's Board of Directors
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   47
 
providing for the issue of any such series (i) in an aggregate amount equal to
three but less than six full quarterly dividends, then the holders of the shares
of all such series of Class A Preferred Stock have the exclusive right, voting
separately as a class and without regard to series, to elect directors
constituting one-third of K N's Board of Directors or (ii) in an aggregate
amount equal to six full quarterly dividends, then such holders have the
exclusive right, voting separately as a class and without regard to series, to
elect directors constituting one-half of K N's Board of Directors plus one
additional director, in each case until all arrearages in dividends and
dividends in full for the current quarterly period have been paid on or declared
and set aside for payment on the shares of such series. These provisions are
applicable to the Class A $5.00 Cumulative Preferred Stock. The holders of the
outstanding Class B Preferred Stock have the right to elect directors of K N
similar to the Class A $5.00 Cumulative Preferred Stock in the event of
non-declaration of dividends, for the periods described above, on the Class B
Preferred Stock if the holders of the Class A $5.00 Cumulative Preferred Stock
are not then entitled to elect directors as described above.
 
     All outstanding shares of K N Common Stock are, and all such shares issued
in the Merger will be, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of
K N Common Stock and Class A $5.00 Cumulative Preferred Stock are entitled to
one vote for each share on all matters voted on by shareholders. Holders of
Common Stock, Class A Preferred Stock and Class B Preferred Stock have no
preemptive rights to subscribe for or purchase any additional securities issued
by K N. Subject to the preferential rights of the holders of the Class A
Preferred Stock and Class B Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock are
entitled to receive any dividends which may be declared by K N's Board of
Directors out of funds legally available therefor and to share pro rata in the
net assets of K N upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Shares of Common
Stock have no cumulative voting rights or redemption, sinking fund or conversion
privileges.
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER MATTERS
 
     Charter and Bylaws. Certain provisions of the K N Charter and the Bylaws of
K N could have the effect of preventing a change in control of K N in certain
situations. These provisions generally provide for (a) the classification of the
K N Board of Directors of K N into three classes of as nearly an equal number as
possible, having staggered terms of three years each; (b) the removal of
directors only for cause or by unanimous vote of the remaining members of the K
N Board of Directors; (c) the filling of any vacancy on the K N Board of
Directors by the remaining directors then in office; (d) the limitation of the
number of directors to a minimum of nine and a maximum of 15, with the exact
number to be determined by the K N Board of Directors; (e) increasing the
shareholder vote required to amend, repeal or adopt any provision in a manner
inconsistent with the foregoing provisions under (a), (b) and (d) above to
two-thirds of the outstanding voting securities of K N; (f) the requirement that
certain business combinations or transactions involving K N and any beneficial
owner of more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of K N be approved by
holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting securities of K N,
including those held by such beneficial owner, unless the business combination
or transaction is (I) approved by the K N Board of Directors before such
beneficial owner became a holder of more than 5% of K N's outstanding voting
securities or (II) approved by sufficient members of the K N Board of Directors
to constitute a majority of the members of the full K N Board of Directors in
office prior to the time such beneficial owner became a holder of more than 5%
of K N's voting securities, or (III) with an entity of which a majority of the
outstanding shares of voting securities is owed by K N and its subsidiaries; (g)
increasing the shareholder vote required to amend, repeal or adopt any provision
in a manner inconsistent with the foregoing provision under (f) above to
two-thirds or more of the then outstanding shares of voting securities of K N;
(h) the requirement that certain business combinations or transactions involving
K N and any beneficial owner of 10% or more of the outstanding voting securities
of K N be approved by holders of at least 80% of the outstanding voting
securities of K N, including those held by such beneficial owner, unless (I) the
business combination or transaction is approved by three-fourths of the K N
Board of Directors then in office who are not associated with or related to
anyone who beneficially owns, and do not themselves own, 10% or more of K N's
voting securities or (II) certain conditions relating generally to the fairness
of the price to be received by shareholders of K N in such business combination
or transaction are satisfied; (i) increasing the shareholder vote required to
amend, repeal or adopt any provision in a manner inconsistent with the foregoing
provision under (h) above to 80% or more of the outstanding voting securities of
K N unless approved by an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the K N Board of
Directors
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   48
 
then in office who are not associated with or related to anyone who beneficially
owns, and do not themselves own, 10% or more of K N's voting securities; (j)
certain procedural requirements for shareholder nominations to the K N Board of
Directors; and (k) the requirement that special meetings of shareholders may
only be called by shareholders owning 51% or more of the outstanding voting
securities of K N, by its Board of Directors, the Chairman of its Board of
Directors or the President of K N.
 
     Shareholder Rights Plan. On August 17, 1995, the Board of Directors of K N
declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") with
respect to each outstanding share of Common Stock held of record on September
15, 1995 or issued thereafter and prior to the date the rights become
exercisable. Until the Rights become exercisable, they will be evidenced by
certificates for shares of Common Stock and will automatically trade with the
Common Stock. If and when the Rights become exercisable, Rights certificates
will be distributed and the Rights will become separately tradable. The full
terms of the Rights are set forth in the Rights Agreement dated as of August 21,
1995, between the Company and the Bank of New York, as Rights Agent, a copy of
which has been filed with the Commission and is incorporated herein by
reference.
 
     Each Right entitles the holder thereof to purchase from the Company one
one-thousandth of a share of Class B Junior Participating Series Preferred
Stock, without par value (the "Preferred Shares"), for a price of $80 per one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"), subject to
adjustment. The Rights become exercisable upon the earlier of (i) ten business
days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or
associated persons has acquired beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the
outstanding voting shares of the Company or (ii) ten business days following the
commencement or announcement of an intention to commence a tender or exchange
offer the consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a
person or group of 20% or more of the outstanding voting shares of the Company.
The Rights will expire on the later of September 15, 2005 or the third
anniversary of the date on which the Rights became exercisable (the "Final
Expiration Date"), unless the Final Expiration Date is extended or the Rights
are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company as described below.
 
     If a person or group were to acquire 20% or more of the voting shares of
the Company, each Right then outstanding (other than Rights beneficially owned
by the acquiring person, which would become null and void) would become a right
to buy that number of shares of Common Stock (or, under certain circumstances,
the equivalent number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share) that at the
time of such acquisition would have a market value of two times the Purchase
Price of the Right. If the Company were acquired in a merger or other business
combination transaction or more than 50% of its consolidated assets or earning
power were sold, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right
will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then
current Purchase Price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of
the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction would have a market
value of two times the Purchase Price of the Right.
 
     At any time after the acquisition by a person or group of beneficial
ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding voting shares of the Company and
before the acquisition by a person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding
voting shares of the Company, the K N Board of Directors may, at its option,
issue shares of Common Stock (or Preferred Shares) in mandatory redemption of,
and in exchange for, all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights
(other than Rights owned by such person or group, which would become null and
void) at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock (or one one-thousandth
of a Preferred Share) for each Right, subject to adjustment. In addition, the
Company is entitled to redeem all of the outstanding Rights at a price of $0.01
per Right at any time prior to the first public announcement that a person or
group has become the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the outstanding voting
shares of the Company.
 
     Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, has no rights as a
shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or
to receive dividends.
 
KANSAS BUSINESS COMBINATION ACT
 
     K N is subject to Sections 17-12, 100 et seq. of the Kansas Statutes
Annotated (the "K.S.A."), which imposes a three-year moratorium on business
combinations between a Kansas corporation and an "interested
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   49
 
shareholder" (in general, a shareholder owning 15% or more of a corporation's
outstanding voting stock) or an affiliate or associate thereof unless (a) prior
to an interested shareholder becoming such, the board of directors of the
corporation has approved either the business combination or the transaction by
which the interested shareholder became such; (b) upon consummation of the
transaction resulting in an interested shareholder becoming such, the interested
shareholder owns 85% of the voting stock that was outstanding at the time the
transaction commenced (excluding, from the calculation of outstanding shares,
shares beneficially owned by management, directors and certain employees stock
plans); or (c) on or after the date an interested shareholder becomes such, the
business combination is approved by (i) the K N Board of Directors and (ii) the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares
(other than those shares beneficially owned by the interested shareholder) at a
meeting of shareholders.
 
KANSAS CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITIONS ACT
 
     K N is also subject to Sections 17-1286 et seq. of the K.S.A. (the "Kansas
Control Share Acquisitions Act"), which applies to public corporations
incorporated in Kansas that have certain other connections with the state. The
Kansas Control Share Acquisitions Act relates principally to the acquisition of
"control shares" in such a corporation. Under the Kansas Control Share
Acquisitions Act, a control share acquisition is one that, except for the
operation of the Act, would raise the acquiring person's voting power in the
election of directors of the subject corporation to or above any of three
thresholds: one-fifth or more but less than one-third of all voting power;
one-third of all voting power; one third or more but less than a majority of all
voting power; and at least a majority of all voting power. Whenever a control
share acquisition occurs, the acquiring person has no voting rights with respect
to those shares unless both a majority of all outstanding shares and a majority
of all such shares excluding all "interested shares" (in general, shares
beneficially controlled by the acquiring person or any officer or inside
director of the subject corporation) approve the acquisition. If the control
shares are accorded voting rights, then dissenters' rights are available under
the Kansas Control Share Acquisitions Act to shareholders who did not vote in
favor of the control share acquisition and who comply with certain prescribed
procedures. If the shareholders vote not to accord voting rights to the control
shares, however, then the issuing corporation has a 60-day option to redeem all
such shares at market value.
 
OTHER MATTERS
 
     The Bank of New York serves as registrar and transfer agent for the K N
Common Stock and for the K N Class A $5.00 Cumulative Preferred Stock.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   50
 
           MARKET PRICES OF K N COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
 
MARKET INFORMATION
 
     The K N Common Stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "K N." The
following table sets forth the range of high and low per share prices for K N
Common Stock for the periods indicated, as reported on the NYSE composite tape,
and the cash dividends paid on each share of K N Common Stock.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           HIGH      LOW      DIVIDENDS
                                                          ------    ------    ---------
<S>                                                       <C>       <C>       <C>
1995
  First Quarter.........................................  $24.75    $20.25      $0.25
  Second Quarter........................................   27.00     23.75       0.25
  Third Quarter.........................................   28.75     23.875      0.25
  Fourth Quarter........................................   30.25     25.25       0.26
1996
  First Quarter.........................................   31.75     27.00       0.26
  Second Quarter........................................   34.375    30.625      0.26
  Third Quarter.........................................   36.625    31.75       0.26
  Fourth Quarter........................................   41.25     35.00       0.26
1997
  First Quarter.........................................   41.625    36.25       0.27
  Second Quarter........................................   42.875    37.00       0.27
  Third Quarter (through November 17)...................   46.968    39.75       0.27
</TABLE>
    
 
     On August 22, 1997, the last trading day prior to the announcement by K N
and Interenergy that they had reached an agreement concerning the Merger, the
closing per share sale price of K N Common Stock, as reported on the NYSE
composite tape, was $40. On an equivalent per share basis (assuming a $40 per
share price of K N Common Stock and that K N is entitled to all cash escrowed on
the Effective Date), the market values of Interenergy Common Stock, Series A
Preferred and Series B Preferred were then approximately $6.53, $19.59 and
$8.50, respectively.
 
     See the cover page of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus for a recent closing
per share sale price of K N Common Stock.
 
     Following the Merger, K N Common Stock will continue to be traded on the
NYSE. Following the Merger, Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Preferred and
Series B Preferred will cease to exist, and so there will be no market for such
stock.
 
DIVIDEND INFORMATION
 
     K N has paid cash dividends on the K N Common Stock each year since 1938,
although future dividend payments will necessarily depend upon K N's earnings
and financial position, capital requirements and other relevant factors.
 
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS OF K N
 
     Common Stock. According to information supplied to K N by the beneficial
owners listed below and, where applicable, the books and records of K N, as of
September 11, 1997, the following entities each owned beneficially more than 5%
of the shares of K N Common Stock outstanding as of that date:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            NAME                               SHARES      PERCENTAGE
                            ----                              ---------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Cabot Corporation...........................................  2,347,954       7.49%
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co...................  1,920,000       6.12
Employees Retirement Fund Trust Profit Sharing Plan of
  K N Energy, Inc...........................................  1,710,408       5.46
Jurika & Voyles, Inc........................................  1,642,000       5.24
</TABLE>
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   51
 
     Information as to the beneficial ownership of K N Common Stock by the
directors and executive officers of K N is set forth under "Election of
Directors" and "Executive Stock Ownership" in the proxy statement of K N dated
March 10, 1997 respecting its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which
information is incorporated by reference in K N's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents
by Reference."
 
     Preferred Stock. No person is known by the Company to be the beneficial
owner of 5% or more of the 70,000 outstanding shares of Class A $5.00 Preferred
Stock of the Company.
 
                     COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF INTERENERGY AND
                                K N SHAREHOLDERS
 
     The following is a summary of material rights of holders of K N Common
Stock and the rights of holders of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A
Preferred that arise from each company's respective Charter and, for holders of
K N Common Stock, from the Kansas General Corporation Code ("KGCC"), and for
holders of Interenergy Common Stock, from the CBCA. For additional information
with respect to K N Common Stock, see "Description of K N Capital Stock."
 
NUMBER AND CLASSIFICATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
     K N. The K N Charter and K N's Bylaws provide for the classification of the
Board of Directors of K N into three classes, with directors serving staggered
three-year terms. The K N Charter also provides that the number of directors
shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors of K N, but may not
consist of fewer than nine nor more than 15 persons. (Currently there are 14 K N
Directors.) The foregoing provisions cannot be altered, amended or repealed
without the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding
voting securities of K N.
 
     Interenergy. Under the CBCA, the articles of incorporation and the bylaws
of a Colorado corporation may specify the number of directors. The Interenergy
Charter provides that the number of directors shall be no fewer than three
(unless there are fewer than three shareholders of record). The Interenergy
Bylaws provide that the Interenergy Board shall consist of four directors,
unless there are fewer than four shareholders of record, in which event there
shall not be fewer directors than there are shareholders of record, each serving
for a term of one year or until his or her successor is elected and qualified,
or until his or her death, resignation or removal.
 
REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
 
     K N. The K N Charter and K N's Bylaws provide that, subject to the rights
of the holders of K N preferred stock, a K N Director may be removed from office
(i) by the shareholders of K N only for cause, or (ii) by unanimous vote of the
other directors then in office, with or without cause. The K N Charter provides
that a director may be removed for "cause" if the director has been convicted of
a felony or has been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in his
performance of his duty to K N, in either case, by a court of competent
jurisdiction, and such conviction or finding of negligence or misconduct is no
longer subject to direct appeal. The foregoing provisions cannot be altered,
amended or repealed without the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of
the outstanding voting securities of K N.
 
     Interenergy. The Interenergy Bylaws provide that directors may be removed
from office with or without cause on the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote on the election
of directors at a special meeting of shareholders called and held for such
purpose.
 
DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
 
     K N. K N's Bylaws provide that a special meeting of shareholders may be
called at the request of shareholders owning 51% or more of the outstanding
voting stock of K N, by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors or the President of K N. Pursuant to K N's Bylaws, shareholders may
nominate candidates for the Board of Directors by notifying K N of the name of
such candidate and by
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   52
 
furnishing other required information at least 40 days prior to the
shareholders' meeting at which such election will be held.
 
     Interenergy. Under the CBCA, a special meeting of shareholders may be
called by (i) the board of directors or the persons authorized by the bylaws or
resolution of the board of directors to call such meeting or (ii) the written
demand of holders of 10% of the outstanding shares of a corporation entitled to
be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at the meeting. The Interenergy
Bylaws provide that special meetings of Interenergy shareholders may be called
by the President or the Interenergy Board and shall be called by the President
or the Secretary of Interenergy upon the request of a majority of the
Interenergy Board or the holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of
Interenergy stock entitled to vote at such meeting.
 
     The Interenergy Charter and Bylaws do not restrict the manner in which
nominations for directors may be made by shareholders. The Interenergy Bylaws
limit the ability of Interenergy shareholders to bring business before a special
meeting of shareholders that has not been specified in the notice of such
meeting.
 
SHAREHOLDER VOTE REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
     K N. The K N Charter contains certain provisions that require that a higher
percentage of shareholders approve certain mergers, business combinations and
other similar transactions than would otherwise be required under the KGCC.
Pursuant to the K N Charter, any Business Combination (as defined below)
involving a beneficial owner (an "Interested Person") of more than 5% of the
outstanding securities of K N then entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders
considered for the purposes thereof as one class (the "Voting Stock"), must be
approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all of the
outstanding shares of Voting Stock. The K N Charter also contains fair price
provisions applicable to certain Related Person Business Combinations (as
defined below) involving a beneficial owner (a "Related Person") of 10% or more
of the outstanding voting securities of K N. Such transactions must be approved
by the affirmative vote of 80% of the outstanding voting securities of all
classes of K N entitled to vote in elections of directors. In each case, the
required vote shall be in addition to any class vote or other vote otherwise
required, and the Board of Directors of K N has the power and duty to make a
final and binding determination as to whether the special voting provisions of
the K N Charter are applicable with respect to such Business Combination or
Related Person Business Combination, as the case may be.
 
     The special vote requirements in the case of a transaction involving an
Interested Person will not be applicable if the Business Combination satisfies
either of the following two conditions: (i) the Board of Directors has approved
the Business Combination either (a) prior to the time the Interested Person
became an Interested Person, or (b) by a majority of Disinterested Directors (as
defined below), or (ii) a majority of the outstanding shares of all classes of
stock then entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders of the Interested
Person is owned by K N and its subsidiaries. The special vote requirements
applicable to an Interested Person transaction cannot be altered, amended, or
repealed without the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding
voting securities of K N.
 
     The special vote requirements in the case of a transaction involving a
Related Person will not be applicable if the Related Person Business Combination
satisfies either of the following two conditions: (i) it has been approved by
three-fourths of the members of the Board of Directors who are not Related
Person Directors (as defined below), or (ii) certain minimum price, form of
consideration and procedural requirements are satisfied. The special vote
requirements applicable to a Related Person transaction cannot be altered,
amended or repealed without the affirmative vote of 80% or more of the
outstanding voting securities of K N entitled to vote in elections of directors,
unless approved by an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Board of
Directors then in office who are not themselves Related Person Directors.
 
     A "Business Combination" includes (i) any agreement for the merger or
consolidation of K N with or into an Interested Person, (ii) any sale, lease,
exchange, mortgage, pledge or other disposition of all, or substantially all, or
any Substantial Part (as defined below) of the assets of K N or any subsidiary
to an Interested Person or (iii) any issuance or transfer by K N of securities
of a Substantial Amount (as defined below) in exchange for the securities or
assets of an Interested Person.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   53
 
     A "Disinterested Director" is any member of the Board of Directors of K N
who was a director prior to the time that an Interested Person became an
Interested Person.
 
     A "Related Person Director" is any member of the Board of Directors of K N
who is a Related Person or an affiliate or associate of a Related Person or an
officer, director, employee or agent of a Related Person or of an affiliate or
associate of a Related Person.
 
     A "Related Person Business Combination" includes (i) any agreement for the
merger or consolidation of K N or any of its subsidiaries with or into any
Related Person, (ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or
other disposition of all, or substantially all, or any Substantial Part of the
assets of K N or its subsidiaries to a Related Person, (iii) any issuance or
transfer by K N and its subsidiaries of any Substantial Amount of voting
securities of K N in exchange for the securities or assets of a Related Person
or (iv) any recapitalization of K N or any subsidiary, or merger or
consolidation of K N with any subsidiary, which has the effect of increasing the
proportionate interest of a Related Person in the outstanding voting securities
of any class of K N or any subsidiary.
 
     The term "Substantial Part" means any assets having a then fair market
value, in the aggregate, of more than $5,000,000.
 
     The term "Substantial Amount" means (i) with respect to a Business
Combination, any securities of K N having a then fair market value of more than
$5,000,000 and (ii) with respect to a Related Person Business Combination, any
voting securities of K N having a then fair market value of more than
$5,000,000.
 
     The K N Charter also provides that K N may voluntarily liquidate and
dissolve only with the approval of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting
securities of K N.
 
     Interenergy. Each share of Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred
entitles the holder thereof to one vote and three votes, respectively, on each
matter submitted to a vote of such holders. Each share of Series B Preferred
entitles the holder thereof to one-tenth of one vote for the election of
directors to the Interenergy Board only. Neither the holders of shares of
Interenergy Common Stock nor the holders of shares Series A Preferred or Series
B Preferred have separate class voting or cumulative voting rights in the
election of directors.
 
     Under the CBCA and the Interenergy Bylaws, directors are elected by a
plurality of the votes cast. Pursuant to the Interenergy Charter and the
Interenergy Bylaws, other matters submitted to a vote of the Interenergy
shareholders require for approval the affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter
(except that certain matters, including the amendment of the Interenergy
Charter, the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
Interenergy outside the ordinary course of business, the merger of Interenergy
with another company and the voluntary dissolution of Interenergy require the
affirmative vote or concurrence of holders of sixty percent of the outstanding
shares of Interenergy entitled to vote thereon).
 
     To approve an amendment to the Interenergy Charter proposed by the
Interenergy Board, the CBCA requires, unless the articles of incorporation, the
bylaws or any action by the board of directors requires a greater vote, that the
votes cast favoring approval exceed the votes cast against such proposal or, in
cases in which class voting is required, such approval by each class. The
Interenergy Charter and Interenergy Bylaws specify that the affirmative vote of
sixty percent of the outstanding shares of Interenergy entitled to vote shall be
required to approve an amendment to the Interenergy Charter and do not provide
for class voting.
 
     With certain exceptions relating to quorum or voting requirements for
directors or shareholders, the CBCA provides that either the board of directors
or the shareholders may amend the bylaws. The Interenergy Bylaws provide that
they may be altered, amended or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by the
Interenergy Board or Interenergy's shareholders.
 
     In addition to board of directors approval, the CBCA requires that mergers,
consolidations, dissolutions, and dispositions of all or substantially all of a
corporation's assets be approved by each voting group entitled to vote
separately on such action, by a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on
such proposal by that voting group unless the articles of incorporation or the
bylaws specify a different vote required for approval. The
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   54
 
Interenergy Charter requires the approval of sixty percent of the Interenergy
Voting Shares, with no provision for class voting.
 
     The CBCA requires that mergers be approved by each class of stock, voting
separately, under certain circumstances, which Interenergy views as being
applicable to the Merger. Consequently, it is Interenergy's position that, in
addition to the sixty-percent affirmative vote of the Interenergy Common Stock
and Series A Preferred required by the Interenergy Charter, the CBCA also
requires that each class of Interenergy shares separately approve the Merger
Agreement. For corporations incorporated prior to June 30, 1994, Section
7-117-101(8) of the CBCA provides that unless the articles of incorporation of
such corporation contain a provision establishing the vote of the shareholders
required to approve a plan of merger, such plan of merger shall be approved by
each voting group entitled to vote separately on the plan of merger by
two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the plan of merger by that
voting group. Interenergy was incorporated prior to June 30, 1994 and the
Interenergy Charter does not state the required vote by each class for approving
a plan of merger under class voting. Consequently, Interenergy has taken the
position that approval of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of
the holders of two-thirds of the shares of each of the Interenergy Common Stock,
Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred, voting as a class.
 
     There are no limitations under the CBCA with respect to interested
shareholder business combinations. However, the Interenergy Bylaws require the
unanimous approval of the Interenergy Board to authorize any interested
shareholder transactions.
 
                  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING INTERENERGY
 
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
     General. Interenergy is engaged in the business of constructing, acquiring
and operating natural gas gathering and processing facilities and in the
marketing of natural gas and natural gas liquids to industrial and commercial
end users, primarily in the Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions of the
United States.
 
     Natural Gas Processing. Interenergy currently owns and operates natural gas
gathering, processing and fractionation facilities situated in the Rocky
Mountain region of the United States. These facilities connect over 500
producing oil and gas wells to approximately 615 miles of Interenergy's
gathering pipelines.
 
     Interenergy purchases natural gas and entrained natural gas liquids
("NGLs") from major and independent oil and gas producers, gathers those volumes
by means of its pipeline gathering systems, processes the natural gas and
extracts the NGLs, where applicable, combines the supply of residue gas from its
plants with other supplies of natural gas, arranges for transportation of the
natural gas and markets the natural gas to various industrial, commercial and
agricultural end users and local gas distribution companies. NGLs that are
extracted from the natural gas are, where applicable, further separated, or
fractionated, into their primary component products: ethane, propane, butane and
natural gasoline. These component products are then sold to liquid petroleum gas
wholesalers, retailers and refiners as feedstock for various chemical plants,
retail heating fuel or blending stocks.
 
     Interenergy does not own or produce crude oil or natural gas reserves. The
majority of the natural gas flowing through Interenergy's facilities is
purchased or gathered under contracts with producers ranging in size from small
independents to major oil companies. Under such purchase contracts, Interenergy
typically takes title to the natural gas at the outlet of a producer's
facilities.
 
     Interenergy currently has two natural gas processing and transportation
facilities, located in Wyoming and North Dakota, through which NGLs extracted
are further processed and separated into their individual components (ethane,
propane, butane and natural gasoline). Interenergy markets its fractionated NGLs
to a variety of wholesale and retail customers and refiners. The prices received
for these products are generally based upon the industry average published price
for NGLs at Mont Belvieu, Texas or Conway, Kansas, plus or minus a
transportation differential for product delivered in the region.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   55
 
     Interenergy also purchases and aggregates off-system supplies of natural
gas not connected to its gas gathering systems. Off-system supply is normally
purchased through short-term and long-term agreements on a reasonable-efforts
basis at wellhead prices. Interenergy takes title to the natural gas at the
producer's facilities or other mutually agreeable delivery points and arranges
for appropriate transportation in order to market this supply.
 
     Natural Gas Marketing. Marketing services provided by Interenergy include
supply and market aggregation, dispatching, balancing, regulatory compliance,
contract negotiations, transportation and storage management and related
administrative services to facilitate the movement of natural gas from the
wellhead to the end user.
 
     Interenergy's customers are located primarily in the Rocky Mountain and
Mid-Continent regions of the United States. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996, Interenergy marketed natural gas volumes of approximately
47,000,000 million British thermal units ("MMBtus") to approximately 1,275
industrial and commercial customers.
 
     A significant portion of Interenergy's sales volumes are to local
distribution companies and industrial and commercial end users that, in many
instances, purchase natural gas supplies from Interenergy under long-term sales
contracts or renewable short term contracts. In 1996, Interenergy's marketing
customer volume mix comprised 30% wholesale, 20% industrial/commercial, 9%
government, 8% agriculture and 33% to local gas distribution companies.
 
MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDENDS ON INTERENERGY COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER
MATTERS
 
     As of the Interenergy Record Date, there were issued and outstanding
1,974,527 shares of Interenergy Common Stock, held by 17 owners of record. There
is no established public market for Interenergy Common Stock.
 
     Interenergy has not paid a cash dividend on the Interenergy Common Stock
within the past two full fiscal years or since the close of the most recent
fiscal year. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Interenergy is precluded from
declaring or paying any dividend to holders of Interenergy Common Stock without
the prior consent of K N. See "Certain Terms of the Merger Agreement -- Conduct
of Business Prior to the Merger." Interenergy has no intention of paying cash
dividends to holders of Interenergy Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
 
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
 
     As of the Interenergy Record Date, there were outstanding 1,974,527 shares
of Interenergy Common Stock, 500,000 shares of Series A Preferred, and 194,159
shares of Series B Preferred. Under the Interenergy Charter, holders of
Interenergy Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be
determined by Interenergy's shareholders and holders of Series A Preferred are
entitled to three votes per share on all such matters. Holders of Series B
Preferred are entitled to one-tenth of a vote in the election of directors to
the Interenergy Board only. In addition, for purposes of approving the Merger
Agreement, Interenergy has taken the position that the CBCA requires that each
class of shares, voting separately as a class, approve the Merger Agreement by a
two-thirds affirmative vote.
 
     Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners. The following tables set
forth, respectively, certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of
Interenergy Common Stock and Series A Preferred by each shareholder known by
Interenergy to own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of the Interenergy
Common Stock or Series A Preferred, as the case may be, entitled to vote at any
meeting of the shareholders of Interenergy. This information is as of the
Interenergy Record Date.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   56
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  NAME AND ADDRESS OF                     NUMBER OF SHARES      PERCENT OF
                    BENEFICIAL OWNER                      OF COMMON STOCK        CLASS(1)
                  -------------------                     ----------------      ----------
<S>                                                       <C>                   <C>
Patrick R. McDonald.....................................      727,500(2)          36.38%
  1700 Broadway, Suite 1150
  Denver, CO 80290
James P. Rode...........................................      727,500(2)          36.38%
  1700 Broadway, Suite 1150
  Denver, CO 80290
Williston Basin Interstate..............................      288,812(3)          14.63%(4)
  Pipeline Company
  200 North Third Street, Suite 300
  Bismarck, ND 58501
AMGO II.................................................      233,714             11.84%
  First Reserve Capital Management
  475 Steamboat Road
  Greenwich, CT 06830
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The percentages stated reflect the percentage ownership of the referenced
    holder of Interenergy Common Stock, rounded to the nearest one-hundredth of
    one percent. Assumes (i) the exercise of Interenergy Options by the
    referenced holder, and (ii) no exercise of Interenergy Options held by any
    other holder.
 
(2) Includes vested Interenergy Options as follows: Mr. McDonald 25,000 and Mr.
    Rode 25,000.
 
(3) Does not include 19,416 votes, representing 194,159 shares of Series B
    Preferred, each share of which is entitled to 1/10 of a vote for purposes of
    electing directors to the Interenergy Board only.
 
(4) The percentage of Interenergy voting capital stock held by Williston Basin
    Interstate Pipeline Company is approximately 8.82%, for purposes of electing
    directors to the Interenergy Board, and 8.31%, for all other purposes (see
    note (3) above).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            NUMBER OF SHARES
                   NAME AND ADDRESS OF                        OF SERIES A       PERCENT OF
                     BENEFICIAL OWNER                          PREFERRED        CLASS (1)
                   -------------------                      ----------------    ----------
<S>                                                         <C>                 <C>
Yorktown Energy Partners, L.P.............................      379,932(2)        67.45%
  Yorktown Partners LLC
  535 Madison Avenue
  New York, NY 10022
Concord Partners II, L.P..................................      143,004(3)        27.30%
  Ticonderoga Capital Inc.
  535 Madison Avenue
  New York, NY 10022
SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc...............................       73,236(4)        14.30%
  535 Madison Avenue
  New York, NY 10022
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The percentages stated reflect the percentage ownership of the referenced
    holder of Series A Preferred, rounded to the nearest one-hundredth of one
    percent. Assumes (i) the exercise of Interenergy Warrants held only by the
    named holder and (ii) no exercise of Interenergy Warrants held by any other
    holder.
 
(2) Includes 316,660 shares of Series A Preferred and 63,332 Interenergy
    Warrants. Each such share is convertible into three shares of Interenergy
    Common Stock and each Interenergy Warrant may be exercised to purchase one
    share of Series A Preferred.
 
(3) Includes 119,170 shares of Series A Preferred and 23,834 Interenergy
    Warrants. Each such share is convertible into three shares of Interenergy
    Common Stock and each Interenergy Warrant may be exercised to purchase one
    share of Series A Preferred.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   57
 
(4) Includes 58,530 shares of Series A Preferred and 11,706 Interenergy Warrants
    held by SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc. and 2,500 shares of Series A Preferred
    and 500 Interenergy Warrants held by Lexington Partners IV, L.P., a
    partnership in which SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc. is Managing Partner and
    exercises voting control. Each such share is convertible into three shares
    of Interenergy Common Stock and each Interenergy Warrant may be exercised to
    purchase one share of Series A Preferred.
 
     On the Interenergy Record Date, Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Company
beneficially owned 100% of the 194,159 shares of Series B Preferred then
outstanding.
 
     Security Ownership of Management. The following table sets forth
information as of the Interenergy Record Date concerning the shares of
Interenergy Common Stock beneficially owned by (i) each of the directors of
Interenergy, (ii) each of the executive officers of Interenergy and (iii) all
directors and executive officers as a group:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 NAME, TITLE AND ADDRESS OF                   NUMBER OF      PERCENT OF
                      BENEFICIAL OWNER                         SHARES         CLASS(1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------  ---------      ----------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Patrick R. McDonald.........................................    727,500(2)     36.38%
  President and Director
  1700 Broadway, Suite 1150
  Denver, CO 80290
James P. Rode...............................................    727,500(2)     36.38%
  Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and
  Director
  1700 Broadway, Suite 1150
  Denver, CO 80290
Thomas H. Chatfield.........................................     38,000(2)      1.89%
  Vice President
  1700 Broadway, Suite 1150
  Denver, CO 80290
Russell T. Moran............................................     46,500(2)      2.30%
  Vice President
  1700 Broadway, Suite 1150
  Denver, CO 80290
Joseph L. Schmid............................................     49,500(2)      2.45%
  Vice President
  1700 Broadway, Suite 1150
  Denver, CO 80290
Richard C. Frantz...........................................     11,100(2)      *
  Vice President
  1700 Broadway, Suite 1150
  Denver, CO 80290
John J. Tonnsen.............................................      4,036(2)      *
  Vice President
  1700 Broadway, Suite 1150
  Denver, CO 80290
</TABLE>
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   58
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 NAME, TITLE AND ADDRESS OF                   NUMBER OF      PERCENT OF
                      BENEFICIAL OWNER                         SHARES         CLASS(1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------  ---------      ----------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Bryan H. Lawrence...........................................         --(3)*     *
  Director
  c/o Yorktown Partners LLC
  535 Madison Avenue
  New York, NY 10022
Peter A. Leidel.............................................         --(3)*     *
  Director
  c/o Yorktown Partners LLC
  535 Madison Avenue
  New York, NY 10022
All directors and executive officers as a group (9
  persons)..................................................  1,604,136(2)     73.82%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The percentages stated reflect the percentage ownership of the referenced
    holder of Interenergy Common Stock, rounded to the nearest one-hundredth of
    one percent. An asterisk indicates the percentage is less than 1.00%.
    Assumes (i) the exercise of Interenergy Options held only by the named
    holder, and (ii) no exercise of Interenergy Options by any other holder.
    Except as otherwise indicated, each director or executive officer has sole
    voting and investment power with respect to the shares owned.
 
(2) Includes vested Interenergy Options as follows: Mr. McDonald, 25,000; Mr.
    Rode, 25,000; Mr. Chatfield, 38,000; Mr. Moran, 46,500; Mr. Schmid, 49,500;
    Mr. Frantz, 11,100; and Mr. Tonnsen, 3,500.
 
(3) Messrs. Lawrence and Leidel are each a manager of Yorktown Partners LLC.
    Messrs. Lawrence and Leidel each disclaim beneficial ownership of the
    316,660 shares of Series A Preferred held by Yorktown Energy Partners LP,
    which is managed by Yorktown Partners LLC. Mr. Leidel is a manager of
    Ticonderoga Capital Inc. Mr. Leidel disclaims beneficial ownership of the
    119,170 shares of Series A Preferred owned by Concord Partners II, L.P.,
    which is managed by Ticonderoga Capital Inc.
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
 
     General. Interenergy is engaged in the business of constructing, acquiring
and operating natural gas gathering and processing facilities and in marketing
natural gas and NGLs to industrial and commercial end users, primarily in the
Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent regions of the United States.
 
     Results of Operations. A discussion of comparative operating results,
consolidated other income (expense) and income taxes of Interenergy follows. The
operating revenues, costs and expenses and volumetric data cited herein are
after intersegment eliminations.
 
     Gathering, Processing and Marketing Services.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                             SEPTEMBER 30,          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                           ------------------    -----------------------------
                                            1997       1996       1996       1995       1994
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Operating Revenues
  Gas Sales..............................  $88,777    $50,164    $86,943    $89,975    $96,794
  Natural Gas Liquids Sales..............    1,136        942      1,423        600        458
  Natural Gas Gathering..................      651        539        753        164        192
  Other..................................      577        418        668        534        520
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
          Total..........................   91,141     52,063     89,787     91,273     97,964
                                           -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   59
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Operating Costs and Expenses
  Gas Purchases and Other Costs....................     84,473     45,846     81,508     85,835     93,977
  Operations and Maintenance.......................      1,263        835      1,289        935      1,091
  General and Administrative.......................      3,239      3,435      4,459      3,668      3,153
  Depreciation and Amortization....................      1,176        790      1,172        470        426
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
          Total....................................     90,151     50,906     88,428     90,908     98,647
                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Operating Income...................................  $     990  $   1,157  $   1,359  $     365  $    (683)
                                                     =========  =========  =========  =========  =========
Gas Sales in MMBtus................................     39,369     32,451     46,909     66,120     59,073
                                                     =========  =========  =========  =========  =========
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     Natural Gas Marketing; Gas Sales and Costs of Sales. Interenergy's gas
sales revenues increased $38,613,000 from $50,164,000 during the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1996 to $88,777,000 for the corresponding nine-month
period ended September 30, 1997. This increase was the result of a 21% increase
in volumes and a 46% increase in the average sales price of natural gas.
    
 
     Gas sales revenues decreased $3,032,000 during 1996 from $89,975,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1995 to $86,943,000 for the year ended December 31,
1996. This decrease was the result of a 29% decrease in sales volumes that was
partially offset by an increase of 36% in the average sales price received for
such gas. The decrease in volumes is substantially attributable to the closing
of Interenergy's wholesale marketing operation located in Houston, Texas during
April 1995.
 
     Gas sales revenues decreased $6,819,000 during 1995 from $96,794,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1994 to $89,975,000 for the year ended December 31,
1995. This decrease was the result of a 17% decrease in the average sales price
received for such gas that was partially offset by a 12% increase in sales
volume.
 
     As the majority of Interenergy's natural gas sales and purchases are based
on price indices, information regarding price and volume increases related to
the associated costs of sales for the periods presented above are similar to the
revenue explanations.
 
     Natural Gas Processing and Gathering; Natural Gas Liquids, Gathering, Other
and Operations and Maintenance. Natural gas liquids sales have increased in all
periods due primarily to additional throughput through Interenergy's Hiland Gas
Plant complex with a resulting increase in liquids production and sales.
Gathering revenues increased during 1996 primarily due to Interenergy's
acquisition in May 1996 of gathering facilities from Williston Basin Interstate
Pipeline Company ("WBI"). Operations and maintenance expenses have increased due
to the gathering facilities acquired and the increased size and complexity of
Interenergy's Hiland Gas Plant complex.
 
   
     Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased $386,000, or 49%, from $790,000 during the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1996 to $1,176,000 for the corresponding nine-month period ended
September 30, 1997. This increase is due to the depreciation and amortization
associated with the acquisition of natural gas contracts in March 1996, the
acquisition of gathering facilities from WBI in May 1996 and the costs
associated with Interenergy's Hiland Gas Plant complex expended during for the
year ended December 31, 1996.
    
 
     Depreciation and amortization expense increased $702,000, or 149% from
$470,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995 to $1,172,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1996. This increase is due to the depreciation and amortization
associated with the acquisition of natural gas contracts in March 1996, the
acquisition of gathering facilities from WBI in May 1996 and the costs
associated with Interenergy's Hiland Gas Plant complex expended during 1996 and
1995.
 
     Depreciation and amortization expense increased $44,000, or 10%, from
$426,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994 to $470,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1995. This increase is due to the
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   60
 
depreciation and amortization associated with increased expenditures on
Interenergy's Hiland Gas Plant complex and office equipment during the years
ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
   
     General and Administrative. General and administrative expense decreased
$196,000, or 6%, from $3,435,000 during the nine-month period ended September
30, 1996 to $3,239,000 for the corresponding nine-month period ended September
30, 1997. This decrease is primarily due to a timing change in Interenergy's
marketing commission plan from a fiscal year to a calendar year.
    
 
     General and administrative expense increased $791,000, or 22%, from
$3,668,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995 to $4,459,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1996. The increase in general and administrative expense is
primarily due to increased salaries, commissions payable on the higher gross
margins earned in 1996 and increased legal and office expenses.
 
     General and administrative expense increased $515,000, or 16%, from
$3,153,000 for the year ended December 31, 1994 to $3,668,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1995. The increase in general and administrative expense is
primarily due to increased salaries, commissions payable on the higher gross
margins earned in 1995, and increased office expenses.
 
     Other Income and (Expense).
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            NINE MONTHS
                                               ENDED
                                           SEPTEMBER 30,     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                           --------------    -----------------------
                                           1997     1996     1996     1995     1994
                                           -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Interest expense.........................  $(636)   $(369)   $(571)   $(272)   $(203)
Other income (expense), net..............  $ 291       97    $ 101    $ 118    $ 128
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     Increases in interest expense for all periods presented reflect the funding
of Interenergy's capital expansions and acquisitions with cash generated from
operations plus funding available under Interenergy's loan facilities with
Norwest Bank. Other income primarily consists of interest income generated on
the temporary investment of available cash balances. Other income for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1997 includes an approximately $200,000
gain, net to Interenergy, on the sale of the assets of one of Interenergy's
managed partnerships.
    
 
                                                                    Income Taxes
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             NINE MONTHS
                                                ENDED
                                            SEPTEMBER 30,      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                            --------------    -------------------------
                                            1997     1996      1996     1995      1994
                                            -----    -----    ------    -----    ------
                                                      (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                         <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Provisions (Benefits).....................  $ 258    $ 347     $ 351     $ 81     $(258)
Effective Tax Rate........................     40%      40%       39%      38%      (34)%
</TABLE>
    
 
     Refer to Note 5 of Notes to Interenergy's Consolidated Financial Statements
for a reconciliation of statutory rates to effective rates. See "Interenergy
Financial Statements."
 
   
     Liquidity and Capital Resources. For the nine-month period ended September
30, 1997 and the year ended December 31, 1996, the primary sources of
Interenergy's cash were from internally generated cash flows and borrowings
under Interenergy's loan facility with Norwest Bank. Interenergy's cash outflows
funded capital expenditures and acquisitions, debt service and preferred stock
dividends.
    
 
   
     Cash Flows from Operating Activities. For the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1997, operating cash flows (net income increased or decreased by
depreciation and amortization, gain on sale of assets, changes in deferred
income taxes and deferred stock option compensation) of $1,563,000 remained
relatively constant with those for the period ended September 30, 1996. For the
year ended December 31, 1996, operating cash flows of $1,957,000 increased
$1,339,000 from the year ended December 31, 1995. For the year
    
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   61
 
ended December 31, 1995, operating cash flow increased $751,000 from the year
ended December 31, 1994. Interenergy believes that cash flow from operations
would be sufficient to fund its ongoing operations for the next twelve months.
 
   
     Capital Expenditures and Commitments. Capital expenditures totaled
approximately $4,700,000, $5,100,000, $1,700,000 and $700,000 for the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1997 and the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively. These expenditures primarily relate to the ongoing expansion
of Interenergy's Hiland Gas Plant complex. Interenergy's 1997 capital
expenditure budget totals approximately $5,000,000 with approximately 90 percent
of these budgeted expenditures for the completion of the expansion of
Interenergy's Hiland Gas Plant complex to a 20 million cubic feet per day
processing facility.
    
 
   
     During the nine-month period ended September 30, 1997, Interenergy expended
approximately $400,000 to acquire certain natural gas sales contracts. During
the year ended December 31, 1996, Interenergy expended $6,700,000 on
acquisitions, which included $5,100,000 to purchase several gathering facilities
located in Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and North Dakota from WBI
(approximately $4,000,000 of the consideration for this acquisition was in the
form of Interenergy Common Stock and Series B Preferred) and $1,600,000 to
purchase natural gas contracts with governmental, industrial, commercial and
agricultural customers.
    
 
     During 1997, Interenergy signed two separate letters of intent to purchase
pipeline facilities and other producing assets from unrelated third parties. The
closings of the acquisitions are contemplated to occur in 1998 after due
diligence and the receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals.
 
   
     Capital Resources. Interenergy maintains a $13,000,000 loan facility with
Norwest Bank. This loan facility is secured by the assets of Interenergy and
provides working capital funding capacity of $3,000,000 and funding capacity for
capital expenditures of $10,000,000. The capacity of the loan facility begins to
decrease in the fourth quarter of 1997. Borrowings bear interest at Norwest
Bank's prime rate. The loan facility contains certain restrictive covenants with
respect to the operations of Interenergy, including the maintenance of certain
minimum net worth levels and debt service coverage ratios. As of September 30,
1997, Interenergy had approximately $10,550,000 outstanding under this loan
facility.
    
 
   
     Interenergy also has a short-term loan facility of $1,500,000 with Norwest
Bank available to fund Interenergy's gas storage plan. Interenergy places
natural gas into storage during the summer for resale during the winter.
Interenergy had approximately $1,100,000 outstanding under this facility as of
September 30, 1997.
    
 
     Risk Management. To minimize the risk of price changes in the natural gas
markets, Interenergy uses certain financial instruments for hedging purposes.
These instruments include energy products traded on the New York Mercantile
Exchange and over-the-counter markets, including futures and option contracts
and fixed price and basis swaps.
 
     Interenergy engages in these activities as a hedging mechanism against
pre-existing or anticipated physical gas sales, gas purchases and storage in
order to protect profit margins. Gains and losses on hedging positions are
deferred and recognized as gas purchases expenses in the periods the underlying
physical transactions occurs.
 
     The Interenergy Board has approved certain speculative trading activities
whereby Interenergy enters into natural gas futures contracts, options and swaps
on natural gas contracts in order to profit in market valuation fluctuation of
these instruments. In connection with the Merger, Interenergy has agreed to no
longer engage in speculative trading activities and has closed out all open
positions.
 
     Significant Operating Variables. Historically, fluctuations in natural gas
prices have had relatively little impact on Interenergy's earnings. The majority
of Interenergy's sales contracts are those where both the selling price and the
supply price are tied to indices where the margin is, in effect, locked in.
Additionally, where price fluctuation exposure exists with respect to sales
contracts, the risk is mitigated by hedging instruments.
 
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
 
     None.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   62
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The legality of the K N Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for
K N by Martha B. Wyrsch, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of K N,
who, at October 31, 1997, beneficially owned 3,829 shares of K N Common Stock
and held options to purchase 33,250 additional shares. Certain tax consequences
of the Merger will be passed upon by Holland & Hart LLP for Interenergy.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31,
1996 and 1995 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1996, incorporated herein by reference to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1996, as amended, have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in its report with respect
thereto, and are incorporated herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm
as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said report.
 
     The consolidated financial statements of Interenergy included in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement to the extent
and for the periods indicated in their reports have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in the report with
respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said
firm as experts in giving said report.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   63
 
                        INTERENERGY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   
            AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
    
                      TOGETHER WITH REPORT OF INDEPENDENT
                               PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
<PAGE>   64
 
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
  Interenergy Corporation:
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of INTERENERGY
CORPORATION (a Colorado corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996
and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of Interenergy
Corporation'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.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Interenergy Corporation and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                            ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Denver, Colorado,
  March 28, 1997.
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   65
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
                                     ASSETS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  DECEMBER 31
                                                              SEPTEMBER 30,    ------------------
                                                                  1997          1996       1995
                                                              -------------    -------    -------
                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>              <C>        <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................     $    --       $    --    $    --
  Accounts receivable -- trade..............................      11,021        23,070      7,412
  Prepaid expenses..........................................          47            20         21
  Inventory.................................................       1,378            13        333
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
        Total current assets................................      12,446        23,103      7,766
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost:
  Gas processing and gathering facilities...................      16,633        11,381      4,716
  Office equipment and furniture............................         783           659        522
  Vehicles..................................................         296           291        109
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
                                                                  17,712        12,331      5,347
  Less -- Accumulated depreciation..........................      (2,645)       (1,920)    (1,248)
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
                                                                  15,067        10,411      4,099
  Construction in progress..................................          53           718      1,321
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
    Property and equipment, net.............................      15,120        11,129      5,420
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
OTHER ASSETS:
  Excess of cost over net assets acquired, net..............       2,399         2,496         --
  Contracts, net............................................       1,276         1,230         --
  Investment in partnerships................................         745           819        779
  Deferred charges, net.....................................         285            61        196
  Accrued interest -- stockholders' notes...................         291           241        175
  Other.....................................................          13            13         13
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
        Total other assets..................................       5,009         4,860      1,163
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
        TOTAL ASSETS........................................     $32,575       $39,092    $14,349
                                                                 =======       =======    =======
 
                              LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable --
    Trade...................................................     $ 2,485       $ 2,708    $ 1,995
    Natural gas suppliers...................................       6,995        17,498      5,457
    Managed partnerships....................................         149            84        106
  Accrued liabilities and other.............................         546           646        587
  Short-Term Credit Facility................................       1,100         3,000         --
  Current portion of bank loan facility.....................       2,915            --         --
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
        Total current liabilities...........................      14,190        23,936      8,145
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Bank Loan Facility........................................       7,635         4,647         10
  Subordinated Notes........................................       1,500         1,500      1,500
  Other.....................................................          31            39         44
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
        Total noncurrent liabilities........................       9,166         6,186      1,554
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY......................................         363           363        116
COMMITMENTS (Note 6)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares
    authorized; 1,985,527 and 1,696,715 shares issued at
    December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively................          20            20         17
  Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share; 2,000,000
    shares authorized --
    Series A Convertible, 500,000 shares issued at December
      31, 1996 and 1995 (liquidation value of $4,500,000)...          50            50         50
    Series B Convertible, 194,159 shares issued at December
      31, 1996 (liquidation value of $1,650,352)............          19            19         --
  Additional paid-in capital................................      10,022         9,816      5,878
  Stockholders' notes receivable............................      (1,060)       (1,060)    (1,060)
  Treasury stock, 11,000 shares of common stock at December
    31,1996 and 1995........................................         (44)          (44)       (44)
  Accumulated deficit.......................................        (151)         (194)      (307)
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
        Total stockholders' equity..........................       8,856         8,607      4,534
                                                                 -------       -------    -------
        TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY..........     $32,575       $39,092    $14,349
                                                                 =======       =======    =======
</TABLE>
    
 
          The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
           are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   66
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                                               ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                               -------------------   ---------------------------
                                                 1997       1996      1996      1995      1994
                                               --------   --------   -------   -------   -------
                                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
REVENUES:
  Natural gas sales..........................   $88,777    $50,164   $86,943   $89,975   $96,794
  Natural gas gathering......................       651        539       753       164       192
  Natural gas liquids sales..................     1,136        942     1,423       600       458
  Management fees from partnerships..........       285        210       284       283       355
  Equity in partnership income...............       292        208       384       251       165
  Other......................................       293         98       101       118       128
                                                -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
          Total revenues.....................    91,434     52,161    89,888    91,391    98,092
                                                -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
  Natural gas purchases......................    72,529     39,794    72,263    79,150    88,663
  Natural gas transportation.................    11,944      6,052     9,245     6,685     5,314
  Facility operations........................     1,263        835     1,289       935     1,091
  General and administrative.................     3,239      3,435     4,459     3,668     3,153
  Depreciation and amortization..............     1,176        790     1,172       470       426
  Interest and other expense.................       638        370       571       272       203
                                                -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
          Total costs and expenses...........    90,789     51,276    88,999    91,180    98,850
                                                -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
NET INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME
  TAXES......................................       645        885       889       211      (758)
                                                -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES:
  Current....................................       258        347       104        63      (153)
  Deferred...................................        --         --       247        18      (105)
                                                -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
          Total income tax provision
            (benefit)........................       258        347       351        81      (258)
                                                -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
NET INCOME (LOSS)............................       387        538       538       130      (500)
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS....................       344        311       425       360       240
                                                -------    -------   -------   -------   -------
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON
  SHAREHOLDERS...............................   $    43    $   227   $   113   $  (230)  $  (740)
                                                =======    =======   =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>
    
 
          The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
             are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   67
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           RETAINED
                                                               ADDITIONAL                 EARNINGS/
                                        COMMON    PREFERRED     PAID-IN      TREASURY    (ACCUMULATED
                                        STOCK       STOCK       CAPITAL       STOCK        DEFICIT)
                                        ------    ---------    ----------    --------    ------------
<S>                                     <C>       <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>
BALANCE, December 31, 1993............   $17         $50        $ 5,834        $ --         $ 663
  Issuance of 11,000 shares of common
     stock upon exercise of stock
     options..........................    --          --             24          --            --
  Reacquisition of 11,000 shares of
     common stock from employee.......    --          --             --         (44)           --
  Net loss............................    --          --             --          --          (500)
  Accrued preferred stock dividends...    --          --             --          --          (240)
                                         ---         ---        -------        ----         -----
BALANCE, December 31, 1994............    17          50          5,858         (44)          (77)
  Issuance of 5,000 shares of common
     stock upon exercise of stock
     options..........................    --          --             20          --            --
  Net income..........................    --          --             --          --           130
  Preferred stock dividends...........    --          --             --          --          (360)
                                         ---         ---        -------        ----         -----
BALANCE, December 31, 1995............    17          50          5,878         (44)         (307)
  Issuance of 288,812 shares of common
     stock............................     3          --          2,307          --            --
  Issuance of 194,159 shares of
     preferred stock..................    --          19          1,631          --            --
  Net income..........................    --          --             --          --           538
  Preferred stock dividends...........    --          --             --          --          (425)
                                         ---         ---        -------        ----         -----
BALANCE, December 31, 1996............    20          69          9,816         (44)         (194)
  Net income (unaudited)..............    --          --             --          --           387
  Preferred stock dividends...........    --          --             --          --          (344)
  Issuance of stock options...........    --          --            206          --            --
                                         ---         ---        -------        ----         -----
BALANCE, September 30, 1997...........   $20         $69        $10,022        $(44)        $(151)
                                         ===         ===        =======        ====         =====
</TABLE>
    
 
          The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
             are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   68
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             FOR THE NINE MONTHS
                                             ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                             -------------------   ------------------------------
                                               1997       1996       1996       1995       1994
                                             --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income (loss)........................  $    387   $    538   $    538   $    130   $   (500)
  Non-cash items included --
     Depreciation and amortization.........     1,176        790      1,172        470        426
     Accretion -- subordinated notes.......        --         --         --         --         46
     Change in deferred tax................        --         --        247         18       (105)
     (Gain)/loss on sale of assets.........      (206)        --         --         --         --
     Deferred stock option compensation....       206         --         --         --         --
  Change in accounts receivable -- trade...    12,049     (1,026)   (15,658)    10,631     (8,077)
  Change in prepaid expenses...............       (27)       (12)         1         22        (31)
  Change in inventory......................    (1,365)      (289)       320      2,791     (2,414)
  Change in accounts payable, accrued
     liabilities and other.................   (10,647)      (411)    12,761     (9,901)     9,054
  Equity in partnership income.............      (292)      (208)      (384)      (251)      (165)
  Distributions from partnerships..........       248        319        344        463        334
                                             --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
          Net cash flows provided by (used
            in) operating activities.......     1,529       (299)      (659)     4,373     (1,432)
                                             --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of property and equipment.......    (4,715)    (4,166)    (5,072)    (1,694)      (658)
  Acquisition of contracts.................      (400)    (1,605)    (1,605)        --         --
  Proceeds from sale of assets.............       310         --
  Acquisition of partnership interests.....        --         --         --         --       (708)
  Accrued interest -- stockholders'
     notes.................................       (50)       (50)       (66)       (66)       (67)
  Change in other assets...................      (209)        70        135       (101)       (39)
                                             --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
          Net cash flows used in investing
            activities.....................    (5,064)    (5,751)    (6,608)    (1,861)    (1,472)
                                             --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Issuance of common stock.................        --         --         --         20         24
  Common stock reacquired..................        --         --         --         --        (44)
  Borrowings...............................    61,208     30,223     42,047     25,002     24,305
  Repayment of borrowings..................   (57,214)   (23,813)   (34,420)   (28,039)   (21,296)
  Payment of preferred dividends...........      (459)      (360)      (360)      (360)        --
                                             --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
          Net cash flows provided by (used
            in) financing activities.......     3,535      6,050      7,267     (3,377)     2,989
                                             --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH
  EQUIVALENTS..............................        --         --         --       (865)        85
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of
  period...................................        --         --         --        865        780
                                             --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period...  $     --   $     --   $     --   $     --   $    865
                                             ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>
    
 
          The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
             are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   69
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   
              (INFORMATION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 IS UNAUDITED)
    
 
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
     Interenergy Corporation, a Colorado corporation ("Interenergy"), was
incorporated in February 1987 and is principally engaged in the gathering,
processing and marketing of natural gas, primarily in the Rocky Mountain region.
 
     The accompanying financial statements present the operations of Interenergy
on a consolidated basis. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions
have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
  Interim Results (Unaudited)
 
   
     The accompanying balance sheet as of September 30, 1997, the statements of
operations and of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and
1997, and the statement of stockholders' equity for the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 are unaudited. In the opinion of management these interim
statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial
statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments, necessary for the fair statement of the results of the interim
period. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended
December 31, 1997.
    
 
  Managed Partnerships
 
     Interenergy is managing general partner and has ownership interests of 50%
in two general partnerships (see Note 9) which own natural gas processing or
gathering facilities. As managing general partner, Interenergy manages the
operations of the facilities and the administration of the partnerships.
Interenergy, in addition to owning an interest in the partnerships, receives a
management fee and is reimbursed for certain costs incurred in managing the
facilities and the partnerships.
 
     During 1994, Interenergy purchased a 20% interest from its partner in one
of its existing partnerships for $708,000. Interenergy also in 1994 liquidated
one of its general partnerships upon that partnership's sale of its assets,
including its interests in a joint venture which owned a gathering system in
West Virginia, to an unaffiliated third party. Interenergy received
approximately $87,000 in net distributions upon liquidation of the partnership.
 
     Interenergy accounts for its partnership interests under the equity method
of accounting whereby Interenergy's investment is increased for capital
contributions and its share of partnership income and is decreased for cash
distributions and its prorata share of partnership losses. Interenergy's prorata
share of current year partnership income or loss is recorded in Interenergy's
statement of operations.
 
  Natural Gas Marketing Activities
 
     Interenergy markets natural gas to end users and other markets through a
wholly owned subsidiary. Interenergy's consolidated financial statements include
the accounts and activities of its marketing subsidiary.
 
     Revenues from natural gas sales and costs of natural gas purchases and
transportation related to marketing activities are recognized in the month in
which natural gas is delivered.
 
     Interenergy's marketing activities periodically result in pipeline
imbalances where Interenergy has either over or under sold natural gas.
Interenergy also contracts for the storage of natural gas with several pipeline
companies. Positive imbalances and natural gas in storage are valued at the
lower of cost or market. Negative pipeline balances are recorded at the current
month index price. Net positive imbalances, representing an under sold
situation, are recorded as a gas imbalance inventory whereas net negative
imbalances, representing an over sold situation, are recorded as a liability.
The cost of inventory of natural gas in storage is determined based on the
weighted average cost of gas, including transportation and carrying charges. At
December 31,
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   70
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
1996, Interenergy had a net negative imbalance of $369,000 and at December 31,
1995, a net positive imbalance of $333,000.
 
  Asset Impairment
 
     Interenergy reviews its assets for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. For assets which are held and used in operations, the asset would
be impaired if the undiscounted future cash flows related to the asset did not
exceed the net book value.
 
  Property and Equipment
 
     Depreciation is provided for in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of
depreciable assets to operations, principally on the straight-line method, over
the estimated service lives of the assets or, if required, over the term of the
related capital lease obligation. Useful lives for natural gas processing and
gathering equipment are determined based on the shorter of the life of the
equipment or the reserves serviced by the equipment. Estimated depreciable lives
are as follows: Office Equipment and Furniture, 3 to 10 years; Vehicles, 4 to 5
years; and, Gas Processing and Gathering Facilities, 5 to 20 years.
 
  Other Assets
 
     Excess of costs over net assets acquired at the date of acquisition is
being amortized on the straight line method over 20 years. Costs allocated to
contracts are being amortized over the life of the associated contracts, ranging
from 1 to 5 years. Amortization expense charged to operations related to these
assets was approximately $461,000, $0 and $0 for 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     Interenergy records income taxes under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"). SFAS 109 requires
the measurement of deferred tax assets for deductible temporary differences and
operating loss carryforwards and of deferred tax liabilities for taxable
temporary differences.
 
  Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     All of Interenergy's cash investments are of a highly liquid nature with
original maturities of three months or less and are therefore considered cash
equivalents.
 
     The following is a table of supplemental disclosures of cash flow
information (amounts in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                            ------------------------
                                                             1996      1995     1994
                                                            ------     ----     ----
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>      <C>
Cash paid for:
  Interest................................................  $  554     $210     $122
  Income taxes............................................  $   31     $ 76     $129
Noncash investing and financing activities:
  Issuance of 288,812 shares of common stock and 194,159
     shares of preferred stock in exchange for gathering
     facilities (see Note 8)..............................  $3,960     $ --     $ --
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   71
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk
 
     Interenergy's receivables are due primarily from natural gas marketing
companies, local distribution companies and end-users whose operations are
primarily in the Rocky Mountain, Midwestern and Southeastern regions of the
United States. Interenergy performs credit evaluations on its customers and when
appropriate, obtains letters of credit or prepayments to minimize exposure to
credit risk. In addition, Interenergy's cash and cash equivalents are maintained
primarily at a single bank in Denver, Colorado. These concentrations of credit
risk have not had an effect on the results of operations for Interenergy.
 
  Hedging Activities
 
     Interenergy periodically enters into natural gas futures contracts,
options, and swaps on natural gas contracts in order to hedge its exposure to
price fluctuations on fixed price sale or purchase obligations and storage
inventory programs. Gains and losses on hedging activities related to fixed
price sale or purchase obligations are deferred and recognized in natural gas
purchases in the period when the corresponding physical sale or purchase is
recorded.
 
     Under the swap agreements, Interenergy receives or makes payments to a
counterparty based on the differential between a fixed and floating price. Under
futures contracts, Interenergy receives payments from a counterparty or makes
payments to a counterparty based on applicable market prices and contract
prices. At December 31, 1996, Interenergy had open swap and futures agreements
to hedge price fluctuations on inventory in storage and/or fixed price sale or
purchase obligations through December 1997.
 
  Trading Activities
 
     Interenergy enters into natural gas futures contracts, options and swaps on
natural gas contracts in order to profit on market valuation fluctuations of
these instruments. In 1996, the net gain relating to trading activity was
$230,000. At December 31, 1996, Interenergy had open January and February 1997
swap agreements held for trading purposes as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            FIXED
                                                              VOLUMES    PRICE RANGE
                                                              -------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Short (Rocky Mountain Area Indices).........................  400,000    $1.58-2.26
Long (Rocky Mountain Area Indices)..........................  400,000    $1.69-2.83
</TABLE>
 
     At December 31, 1996, the unrealized gain related to these agreements was
approximately $80,000.
 
  Use of Estimates
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
(2) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
  Managed Partnerships
 
     In the course of managing the business of the related partnerships,
Interenergy is involved in various transactions with the partnerships. Costs
incurred by Interenergy on behalf of the partnerships, including the cost of
employees directly employed in the operation of the facilities, certain other
direct costs and, in some cases, an allocable share of administrative expenses
are reimbursed monthly to Interenergy. Reimbursements by the partnerships for
non-employee costs amounted to $3,000, $22,000 and $13,000 in the years ended
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   72
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Amounts reimbursed by the
partnerships are recorded as a reduction in general and administrative expense.
 
  Marketing Subsidiary
 
     Interenergy's marketing subsidiary buys natural gas from certain of the
managed partnerships, in addition to buying from and selling natural gas to
unaffiliated third parties. The sales price for sales from the managed
partnerships to the marketing subsidiary is determined based on similar
unaffiliated third party trades or by published market indices, taking into
consideration delivery points and transportation requirements.
 
  Stockholders' Notes Receivable
 
     In 1993, Interenergy issued 265,000 shares of common stock to each of its
two principal stockholders, officers and directors in exchange for promissory
notes of $530,000 each. The promissory notes have been recorded as a reduction
in stockholders' equity and the note principal along with cumulative accrued
interest at 6.25% per annum are due on May 12, 1998. During the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, Interenergy recorded interest income of
$66,000, $66,000 and $67,000, respectively, with respect to these notes.
 
(3) DEBT
 
  Bank Loan Facility
 
     In December 1993, Interenergy entered into a $10,000,000 loan facility with
a bank (the "Bank Loan Facility") which, as amended in 1996, incorporates both a
$7,000,000 revolving line of credit (the "Revolving Line of Credit") and a
$3,000,000 letter of credit facility (the "Letter of Credit Facility").
Borrowings available under the Revolving Line of Credit are limited to
semiannual borrowing base determination amounts. The borrowing base in existence
at December 31, 1996 was $7,000,000. Interenergy has several options in case of
a borrowing base deficiency, including the immediate repayment of the
deficiency, the repayment of the deficiency over a three month period, the
pledging of additional collateral or the termination of the revolving period and
commencement of the term loan amortization period. The loan agreement also
includes typical covenants and financial ratio requirements. Any borrowings
outstanding under the Revolving Line of Credit bear interest, at Interenergy's
option, at either the bank's prime rate (8.25% at December 31, 1996) or a fixed
rate based on the current Eurodollar rate plus 2.75 percentage points. At
December 31, 1996 and 1995, borrowings totaling $4,647,000 and $10,000,
respectively, were outstanding under the Revolving Line of Credit.
 
     The Letter of Credit Facility allows Interenergy to issue letters of credit
and obtain working capital advances. Any working capital advances are due on the
twentieth day of each calendar month. The commitment amount for the Letter of
Credit Facility is limited to the lesser of $3,000,000 or 85% of accounts
receivable that meet certain defined criteria. Any borrowings outstanding under
the Line of Credit Facility bear interest, at Interenergy's option, at either
the bank's prime rate (8.25% at December 31, 1996) or a fixed rate based on the
current Eurodollar rate plus 2.75 percentage points. At December 31, 1996, the
commitment amount for letters of credit was established at $3,000,000. At
December 31, 1996 and 1995, $543,200 and $479,600, respectively, in letters of
credit were outstanding under the Letter of Credit Facility and no letters of
credit had been drawn. Additionally, no working capital advances were
outstanding as of December 31, 1996.
 
     Interenergy pays a quarterly commitment fee of .5% on the difference
between Interenergy's elected commitment amount and the average outstanding
borrowings and letters of credit. The Bank Loan Facility is collateralized by
mortgages on Interenergy's natural gas processing and gathering facilities and
Interenergy's interest in two of its managed partnerships (see Note 9) and
financing statements on accounts receivable and inventory. Unless amended, the
revolving period under the Bank Loan Facility expires on January 31, 1998.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   73
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
Based on amounts outstanding under the Bank Loan Facility at December 31, 1996,
Interenergy would be required to make the following principal payments upon
expiration of the revolving period: 1998 -- $709,500, 1999 -- $1,562,500,
2000 -- $1,125,000, and 2001 -- $1,250,000.
 
  Short-Term Credit Facility
 
     In December 1996, Interenergy entered into an additional $3,000,000 credit
facility (the "Short-Term Credit Facility") with a maturity date of March 31,
1997. The loan agreement contains covenant, collateral and financial ratio
provisions identical to the Bank Loan Facility. Any borrowings outstanding under
the Short-Term Credit Facility bear interest at the bank's prime rate (8.25% at
December 31, 1996). At December 31, 1996, borrowings totaling $3,000,000 were
outstanding under the Short-Term Credit Facility.
 
  Subordinated Notes
 
     In 1993, Interenergy issued 9% subordinated notes (the "Subordinated
Notes") due May 15, 1999 in the face amount of $1,500,000. Interest on the
Subordinated Notes commenced to accrue on May 13, 1994 and is payable quarterly
thereafter. The Subordinated Notes amounted to $1,500,000 at December 31, 1996
and 1995.
 
  Fair Value of Debt
 
     Based on borrowing rates available for loans with similar collateral, the
fair value of borrowings under Interenergy's Bank Loan Facility, Short-Term
Credit Facility and the Subordinated Notes is estimated to be their carrying
amounts of $4,647,000, $3,000,000 and $1,500,000, respectively.
 
(4) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
  Common Stock
 
     In 1996, Interenergy issued 288,812 shares of common stock in connection
with the acquisition of certain gathering facilities (see Note 8).
 
  Series A Preferred Stock and Warrants
 
     In 1993, Interenergy issued 500,000 shares of Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred") and 100,000 Warrants to purchase Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series A Warrants"). The holders of Series A
Preferred shares are entitled to receive cumulative dividends at 8% per year
payable annually in either cash or additional shares of Series A Preferred. Each
share of Series A Preferred is convertible, at the holder's option, into three
shares of Interenergy's common stock. The Series A Preferred stock agreement
includes anti-dilution provisions wherein the conversion ratio is adjusted for
certain changes in Interenergy's capital structure. After April 30, 1999,
Interenergy has the right to call all or part of the outstanding preferred
shares for conversion into common or for redemption at $12 per share. All of the
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred are automatically converted into shares
of Interenergy's common stock if Interenergy completes an initial public
offering of its common stock.
 
     Each Series A Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Series A
Preferred at an exercise price of $9.75 per preferred share or to purchase three
shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.25 per common share if
Interenergy has completed an initial public offering of its common stock. At the
holder's option, the Series A Warrants may be exercised by canceling a like
amount of Interenergy's Subordinated Notes (see Note 3) held by such holder. The
exercise price per share is adjusted for certain changes in Interenergy's
capital structure. The Series A Warrants expire on May 15, 1998, unless extended
by Interenergy.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   74
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  Series B Preferred Stock
 
     In 1996, Interenergy issued 194,159 shares of Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred") in connection with the acquisition of
certain gathering facilities (see Note 8). The holders of Series B Preferred
shares are entitled to receive cumulative dividends at 6% per year payable
annually in cash. Each share of Series B Preferred is convertible, at the option
of the holder, into shares of common stock of Interenergy at a ratio equal to
$8.50 divided by the then applicable conversion price, as defined. Each share of
Series B Preferred is redeemable at the option of Interenergy for $8.50. The
Series B Preferred stock agreement includes anti-dilution provisions wherein the
conversion ratio is adjusted for certain changes in Interenergy's capital
structure.
 
     If Interenergy completes an initial public offering of its common stock and
the offering price of each share of common stock equals or exceeds $8.50, all of
the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred are automatically converted into
shares of common stock of Interenergy at a ratio equal to $8.50 divided by the
then applicable conversion price, as defined.
 
(5) INCOME TAXES
 
     The following schedule shows the amounts and classifications of
Interenergy's deferred tax assets and liabilities (amounts in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ----------------
                                                               1996      1995
                                                              -------    -----
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Net operating loss carryforward...........................  $   484    $ 433
  Alternative minimum taxes.................................      303      144
  Other.....................................................       --       36
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Depreciation..............................................   (1,057)    (669)
  Partnership investments...................................      (93)     (60)
                                                              -------    -----
  Net.......................................................  $  (363)   $(116)
                                                              =======    =====
</TABLE>
 
     The differences between the statutory federal income tax rate and
Interenergy's effective tax rate are summarized as follows (amounts in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                 1996             1995             1994
                                             -------------    -------------    -------------
                                             AMOUNT     %     AMOUNT     %     AMOUNT     %
                                             ------    ---    ------    ---    ------    ---
<S>                                          <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>    <C>       <C>
Tax provision (benefit) computed applying
  statutory rate...........................   $302     34%     $72      34%    $(257)    (34)%
State taxes net of federal income tax
  benefit..................................     34       4       6        3      (25)     (3)
Alternative minimum tax....................     --      --      --       --       13       2
Non-deductible expenses....................     15       1       3        1       11       1
                                              ----     ---     ---      ---    -----     ---
  Actual tax expense provision (benefit)...   $351     39%     $81      38%    $(258)    (34)%
                                              ====     ===     ===      ===    =====     ===
</TABLE>
 
     At December 31, 1996, Interenergy has approximately $1,209,000 in net
operating loss carryforwards which start to expire in the year 2009, and
approximately $303,000 of alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   75
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(6) COMMITMENTS
 
  Operating Lease Commitments
 
     Interenergy leases office space in Denver, Houston, Billings and Owensboro
under noncancelable operating leases. Rent expense under these lease agreements
amounted to $118,000, $158,000 and $125,000 in the years ended December 31,
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Rental payments under each of the lease
agreements are subject to annual escalation based on the lessor's operating
expenses. Interenergy subleased its Houston office space to an unaffiliated
third party during 1995 and recognized a loss of approximately $54,000. The net
minimum rental commitments are as follows (amounts in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            LEASE      SUBLEASE
                                                           PAYMENTS    RECEIPTS    NET
                                                           --------    --------    ----
<S>                                                        <C>         <C>         <C>
Year Ending December 31
     1997................................................    $160        $ 47      $113
     1998................................................      95          47        48
     1999................................................      51          40        11
     2000................................................      --          --        --
     2001................................................      --          --        --
                                                             ----        ----      ----
          Total..........................................    $306        $134      $172
                                                             ====        ====      ====
</TABLE>
 
(7) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
  Pension and Profit Sharing Plan
 
     Interenergy has a 401(k) pension and profit sharing plan which covers all
full time employees who have more than one year of service and which allows
participants to contribute up to 10% of their salary to the plan. Interenergy is
obligated to contribute 25% of each participant's contribution as a matching
contribution. Interenergy may, at its discretion, contribute additional amounts
as a profit sharing contribution, which amounts are allocated to all
participants based on each participant's share of the plan at the time of the
contribution. Amounts contributed by employees are 100% vested when contributed
while Interenergy's matching and profit sharing contributions are subject to a
20% per year vesting schedule. The plan also contains typical forfeiture and
reallocation provisions. During the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994, Interenergy made matching contributions to the plan totaling $32,000,
$32,000 and $26,000, respectively.
 
  Stock Option Plans
 
     Interenergy has stock option plans under which a total of 320,000 shares of
common stock may be issued upon exercise of options granted under the plan.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   76
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     A summary of Interenergy's Stock Option Plan as of December 31, 1996 and
1995 and the changes during this period are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1996                  1995
                                                -------------------   -------------------
                                                          WTD. AVG.             WTD. AVG.
                                                SHARES    EX. PRICE   SHARES    EX. PRICE
                                                -------   ---------   -------   ---------
<S>                                             <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>
Outstanding at January 1......................  162,500     $3.05     209,000     $3.16
  Granted.....................................  147,500     $6.91          --       N/A
  Exercised...................................       --       N/A       5,000     $4.00
  Canceled....................................   12,500     $5.26      41,500     $3.51
                                                -------               -------
Outstanding at December 31....................  297,500     $4.87     162,500     $3.05
                                                =======               =======
Exercisable at December 31....................  297,500     $4.87     162,500     $3.05
                                                =======               =======
</TABLE>
 
     Interenergy accounts for its stock-based compensation plans under APB No.
25. Interenergy adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123 in 1996. Had
compensation cost been determined consistent with SFAS 123, utilizing the
assumptions detailed below, Interenergy's net income would have changed to the
following pro forma amounts:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996    1995
                                                              ----    ----
                                                              (AMOUNTS IN
                                                               THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>
Net income:
  As reported...............................................  $538    $130
  Pro forma.................................................  $493    $130
</TABLE>
 
     The fair value of each option granted is estimated, for disclosure
purposes, on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model with the following
assumptions for 1996: no dividend yield, expected lives of 5-6 years and
risk-free interest rates of 6.10-6.34%. The weighted average fair value of
shares granted in 1996 was $.51 per share.
 
(8) ACQUISITIONS
 
  Gathering Assets
 
     In May 1996, Interenergy closed its acquisition from Williston Basin
Interstate Pipeline Company ("WBI") of 21 gathering systems. The purchase price
of the acquisition consisted of $1,000,000 in cash, 288,812 shares of
Interenergy's common stock and 194,159 shares of Interenergy's Series B
Preferred stock. The common and preferred shares were valued by Interenergy and
WBI at $8.00 and $8.50 per share, respectively. Interenergy also capitalized
outside legal costs and other direct costs incurred in connection with the
acquisition. The total cost to acquire these systems of approximately $5,200,000
was accounted for under purchase accounting and the operating results of the
acquired systems have been included in Interenergy's statements from the closing
date.
 
  Natural Gas Sales Contracts
 
     In February 1996, Interenergy closed its acquisition from Premier
Enterprises, Inc. of certain natural gas term sales contracts. The majority of
these contracts are with United States Government Facilities, including the
Defense Fuel Supply Center and Veterans Administration Medical Centers. The
purchase price of these contracts was approximately $1,450,000.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   77
 
                    INTERENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Interenergy also closed its acquisition from MAR Oil and Gas Company during
February 1996, of certain natural gas contracts with industrial, commercial and
agricultural end users in New Mexico. The purchase price of these contracts was
approximately $160,000.
 
     Interenergy accounted for both of these acquisitions under the purchase
method and has included the activity of the acquired contracts in Interenergy's
statements from the applicable closing dates.
 
(9) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
  Acquisition of Natural Gas Sales Contracts
 
     During March 1997, Interenergy closed its acquisition of certain natural
gas contracts with agricultural, commercial and industrial end users located
primarily in Nebraska and Kansas from Natural Gas Transport Company, Kansas Gas
Transport Company and an individual. The purchase price of the contracts and
associated noncompete agreements was approximately $350,000.
 
  Sale of Partnership Gathering System
 
     During March 1997, one of the partnerships in which Interenergy serves as
general partner completed the sale of its gathering system to an unaffiliated
third party. Interenergy expects to dissolve the partnership during 1997 after
distribution of the sales proceeds and winding up of the partnership's affairs.
Interenergy does not expect the sale of the partnership's assets to have a
material impact on Interenergy's financial position or results of operations.
 
(10) EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO AUDITORS' REPORT (UNAUDITED)
 
  Debt
 
     During July 1997, Interenergy negotiated an increase in its existing bank
facility from $10,000,000 to $13,000,000. The amended facility incorporates a
$10,000,000 revolving line of credit and $3,000,000 letter of credit facility
substantially on the same terms as the previous facility. The increase in the
loan facility will be used primarily to fund capital additions. In connection
with the above renegotiation, Interenergy also entered into a new $1,500,000
credit facility. Interenergy intends to use the new facility to finance winter
storage gas.
 
  Merger
 
     On August 25, 1997, Interenergy entered into a merger agreement with a
subsidiary of KN Energy, Inc. ("KN"), pursuant to which Interenergy will become
a wholly-owned subsidiary of KN.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   78
 
                                                                      APPENDIX B
 
                                  ARTICLE 113
 
                               DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
             PART 1. RIGHT TO DISSENT AND OBTAIN PAYMENT FOR SHARES
 
SEC. 7-113-101. DEFINITIONS
 
     For purposes of this article:
 
     (1) "Beneficial shareholder" means the beneficial owner of shares held in a
voting trust or by a nominee as the record shareholder.
 
     (2) "Corporation" means the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter before
the corporate action, or the surviving or acquiring domestic or foreign
corporation, by merger or share exchange of that issuer.
 
     (3) "Dissenter" means a shareholder who is entitled to dissent from
corporate action under section 7-113-102 and who exercises that right at the
time and in the manner required by part 2 of this article.
 
     (4) "Fair value", with respect to a dissenter's shares, means the value of
the shares immediately before the effective date of the corporate action to
which the dissenter objects, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in
anticipation of the corporate action except to the extent that exclusion would
be inequitable.
 
     (5) "Interest" means interest from the effective date of the corporate
action until the date of payment, at the average rate currently paid by the
corporation on its principal bank loans or, if none, at the legal rate as
specified in section 5-12-101, C.R.S.
 
     (6) "Record shareholder" means the person in whose name shares are
registered in the records of a corporation or the beneficial owner of shares
that are registered in the name of a nominee to the extent such owner is
recognized by the corporation as the shareholder as provided in section
7-107-204.
 
     (7) "Shareholder" means either a record shareholder or a beneficial
shareholder.
 
SEC. 7-113-102. RIGHT TO DISSENT
 
     (1) A shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, is entitled to dissent
and obtain payment of the fair value of the shareholder's shares in the event of
any of the following corporate actions:
 
          (a) Consummation of a plan of merger to which the corporation is a
     party if:
 
             (I) Approval by the shareholders of that corporation is required
        for the merger by section 7-111-103 or 7-111-104 or by the articles of
        incorporation; or
 
             (II) The corporation is a subsidiary that is merged with its parent
        corporation under section 7-111-104;
 
          (b) Consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation
     is a party as the corporation whose shares will be acquired;
 
          (c) Consummation of a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of
     all, or substantially all, of the property of the corporation for which a
     shareholder vote is required under section 7-112-102(1); and
 
          (d) Consummation of a sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of
     all, or substantially all, of the property of an entity controlled by the
     corporation if the shareholders of the corporation were entitled to vote
     upon the consent of the corporation to the disposition pursuant to section
     7-112-102(2).
 
     (1.3) A shareholder is not entitled to dissent and obtain payment, under
subsection(1) of this section, of the fair value of the shares of any class or
series of shares which either were listed on a national securities exchange
registered under the federal "Securities Exchange Act of 1934", as amended, or
on the National
<PAGE>   79
 
market system of the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated
Quotation System, or were held of record by more than two thousand shareholders,
at the time of:
 
          (a) The record date fixed under section 7-107-107 to determine the
     shareholders entitled to receive notice of the shareholders' meeting at
     which the corporate action is submitted to a vote;
 
          (b) The record date fixed under section 7-107-104 to determine
     shareholders entitled to sign writings consenting to the corporate action;
     or
 
          (c) The effective date of the corporate action if the corporate action
     is authorized other than by a vote of shareholders.
 
     (1.8) The limitation set forth in subsection(1.3) of this section shall not
apply if the shareholder will receive for the shareholder's shares, pursuant to
the corporate action, anything except:
 
          (a) Shares of the corporation surviving the consummation of the plan
     of merger or share exchange;
 
          (b) Shares of any other corporation which at the effective date of the
     plan of merger or share exchange either will be listed on a national
     securities exchange registered under the federal "Securities Exchange Act
     of 1934", as amended, or on the national market system of the National
     Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, or will be
     held of record by more than two thousand shareholders;
 
        (c) Cash in lieu of fractional shares; or
 
          (d) Any combination of the foregoing described shares or cash in lieu
     of fractional shares.
 
     (2.5) A shareholder, whether or not entitled to vote, is entitled to
dissent and obtain payment of the fair value of the shareholder's shares in the
event of a reverse split that reduces the number of shares owned by the
shareholder to a fraction of a share or to scrip if the fractional share or
scrip so created is to be acquired for cash or the scrip is to be voided under
section 7-106-104.
 
     (3) A shareholder is entitled to dissent and obtain payment of the fair
value of the shareholder's shares in the event of any corporate action to the
extent provided by the bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors.
 
     (4) A shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for the
shareholder's shares under this article may not challenge the corporate action
creating such entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with
respect to the shareholder or the corporation.
 
SEC. 7-113-103. DISSENT BY NOMINEES AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS
 
     (1) A record shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to fewer than all
the shares registered in the record shareholder's name only if the record
shareholder dissents with respect to all shares beneficially owned by any one
person and causes the corporation to receive written notice which states such
dissent and the name, address, and federal taxpayer identification number, if
any, of each person on whose behalf the record shareholder asserts dissenters'
rights. The rights of a record shareholder under this subsection (1) are
determined as if the shares as to which the record shareholder dissents and the
other shares of the record shareholder were registered in the names of different
shareholders.
 
     (2) A beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to the shares
held on the beneficial shareholder's behalf only if:
 
          (a) The beneficial shareholder causes the corporation to receive the
     record shareholder's written consent to the dissent not later than the time
     the beneficial shareholder asserts dissenters' rights; and
 
          (b) The beneficial shareholder dissents with respect to all shares
     beneficially owned by the beneficial shareholder.
 
     (3) The corporation may require that, when a record shareholder dissents
with respect to the shares held by any one or more beneficial shareholders, each
such beneficial shareholder must certify to the corporation
 
                                       B-2
<PAGE>   80
 
that the beneficial shareholder and the record shareholder or record
shareholders of all shares owned beneficially by the beneficial shareholder have
asserted, or will timely assert, dissenters' rights as to all such shares as to
which there is no limitation on the ability to exercise dissenters' rights. Any
such requirement shall be stated in the dissenters' notice given pursuant to
section 7-113-203.
 
              PART 2. PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
SEC. 7-113-201. NOTICE OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
     (1) If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under
section 7-113-102 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting, the notice
of the meeting shall be given to all shareholders, whether or not entitled to
vote. The notice shall state that shareholders are or may be entitled to assert
dissenters' rights under this article and shall be accompanied by a copy of this
article and the materials, if any, that, under articles 101 to 117 of this
title, are required to be given to shareholders entitled to vote on the proposed
action at the meeting. Failure to give notice as provided by this subsection (1)
shall not affect any action taken at the shareholders' meeting for which the
notice was to have been given, but any shareholder who was entitled to dissent
but who was not given such notice shall not be precluded from demanding payment
for the shareholder's shares under this article by reason of the shareholder's
failure to comply with the provisions of section 7-113-202(1).
 
     (2) If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under
section 7-113-102 is authorized without a meeting of shareholders pursuant to
section 7-107-104, any written or oral solicitation of a shareholder to execute
a writing consenting to such action contemplated in section 7-107-104 shall be
accompanied or preceded by a written notice stating that shareholders are or may
be entitled to assert dissenters' rights under this article, by a copy of this
article, and by the materials, if any, that, under articles 101 to 117 of this
title, would have been required to be given to shareholders entitled to vote on
the proposed action if the proposed action were submitted to a vote at a
shareholders' meeting. Failure to give notice as provided by this subsection (2)
shall not affect any action taken pursuant to section 7-107-104 for which the
notice was to have been given, but any shareholder who was entitled to dissent
but who was not given such notice shall not be precluded from demanding payment
for the shareholder's shares under this article by reason of the shareholder's
failure to comply with the provisions of section 7-113-202(2).
 
SEC. 7-113-202. NOTICE OF INTENT TO DEMAND PAYMENT
 
     (1) If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under
section 7-113-102 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting and if
notice of dissenters' rights has been given to such shareholder in connection
with the action pursuant to section 7-113-201(1), a shareholder who wishes to
assert dissenters' rights shall:
 
          (a) Cause the corporation to receive, before the vote is taken,
     written notice of the shareholder's intention to demand payment for the
     shareholder's shares if the proposed corporate action is effectuated; and
 
          (b) Not vote the shares in favor of the proposed corporate action.
 
     (2) If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under
section 7-113-102 is authorized without a meeting of shareholders pursuant to
section 7-107-104 and if notice of dissenters' rights has been given to such
shareholder in connection with the action pursuant to section 7-113-201(2), a
shareholder who wishes to assert dissenters' rights shall not execute a writing
consenting to the proposed corporate action.
 
     (3) A shareholder who does not satisfy the requirements of subsection (1)
or (2) of this section is not entitled to demand payment for the shareholder's
shares under this article.
 
                                       B-3
<PAGE>   81
 
SEC. 7-113-203. DISSENTERS' NOTICE
 
     (1) If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under
section 7-113-102 is authorized, the corporation shall give a written
dissenters' notice to all shareholders who are entitled to demand payment for
their shares under this article.
 
     (2) The dissenters' notice required by subsection (1) of this section shall
be given no later than ten days after the effective date of the corporate action
creating dissenters' rights under section 7-113-102 and shall:
 
          (a) State that the corporate action was authorized and state the
     effective date or proposed effective date of the corporate action;
 
          (b) State an address at which the corporation will receive payment
     demands and the address of a place where certificates for certificated
     shares must be deposited;
 
          (c) Inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of
     the shares will be restricted after the payment demand is received;
 
          (d) Supply a form for demanding payment, which form shall request a
     dissenter to state an address to which payment is to be made;
 
          (e) Set the date by which the corporation must receive the payment
     demand and certificates for certificated shares, which date shall not be
     less than thirty days after the date the notice required by subsection (1)
     of this section is given;
 
          (f) State the requirement contemplated in section 7-113-103(3), if
     such requirement is imposed; and
 
          (g) Be accompanied by a copy of this article.
 
SEC. 7-113-204. PROCEDURE TO DEMAND PAYMENT
 
     (1) A shareholder who is given a dissenters' notice pursuant to section
7-113-203 and who wishes to assert dissenters' rights shall, in accordance with
the terms of the dissenters' notice:
 
          (a) Cause the corporation to receive a payment demand, which may be
     the payment demand form contemplated in section 7-113-203(2)(d), duly
     completed, or may be stated in another writing; and
 
          (b) Deposit the shareholder's certificates for certificated shares.
 
     (2) A shareholder who demands payment in accordance with subsection (1) of
this section retains all rights of a shareholder, except the right to transfer
the shares, until the effective date of the proposed corporate action giving
rise to the shareholder's exercise of dissenters' rights and has only the right
to receive payment for the shares after the effective date of such corporate
action.
 
     (3) Except as provided in section 7-113-207 or 7-113-209(1)(b), the demand
for payment and deposit of certificates are irrevocable.
 
     (4) A shareholder who does not demand payment and deposit the shareholder's
share certificates as required by the date or dates set in the dissenters'
notice is not entitled to payment for the shares under this article.
 
SEC. 7-113-205. UNCERTIFICATED SHARES
 
     (1) Upon receipt of a demand for payment under section 7-113-204 from a
shareholder holding uncertificated shares, and in lieu of the deposit of
certificates representing the shares, the corporation may restrict the transfer
thereof.
 
     (2) In all other respects, the provisions of section 7-113-204 shall be
applicable to shareholders who own uncertificated shares.
 
                                       B-4
<PAGE>   82
 
SEC. 7-113-206. PAYMENT
 
     (1) Except as provided in section 7-113-208, upon the effective date of the
corporate action creating dissenters' rights under section 7-113-102 or upon
receipt of a payment demand pursuant to section 7-113-204, whichever is later,
the corporation shall pay each dissenter who complied with section 7-113-204, at
the address stated in the payment demand, or if no such address is stated in the
payment demand, at the address shown on the corporation's current record of
shareholders for the record shareholder holding the dissenter's shares, the
amount the corporation estimates to be the fair value of the dissenter's shares,
plus accrued interest.
 
     (2) The payment made pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be
accompanied by:
 
          (a) The corporation's balance sheet as of the end of its most recent
     fiscal year or, if that is not available, the corporation's balance sheet
     as of the end of a fiscal year ending not more than sixteen months before
     the date of payment, an income statement for that year, and, if the
     corporation customarily provides such statements to shareholders, a
     statement of changes in shareholders' equity for that year and a statement
     of cash flow for that year, which balance sheet and statements shall have
     been audited if the corporation customarily provides audited financial
     statements to shareholders, as well as the latest available financial
     statements, if any, for the interim or full-year period, which financial
     statements need not be audited;
 
          (b) A statement of the corporation's estimate of the fair value of the
     shares;
 
          (c) An explanation of how the interest was calculated;
 
          (d) A statement of the dissenter's right to demand payment under
     section 7-113-209; and
 
          (e) A copy of this article.
 
SEC. 7-113-207. FAILURE TO TAKE ACTION
 
     (1) If the effective date of the corporate action creating dissenters'
rights under section 7-113-102 does not occur within sixty days after the date
set by the corporation by which the corporation must receive the payment demand
as provided in section 7-113-203, the corporation shall return the deposited
certificates and release the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated
shares.
 
     (2) If the effective date of the corporate action creating dissenters'
rights under section 7-113-102 occurs more than sixty days after the date set by
the corporation by which the corporation must receive the payment demand as
provided in section 7-113-203, then the corporation shall send a new dissenters'
notice, as provided in section 7-113-203, and the provisions of sections
7-113-204 to 7-113-209 shall again be applicable.
 
SEC. 7-113-208. SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO SHARES ACQUIRED AFTER
                ANNOUNCEMENT OF PROPOSED CORPORATE ACTION
 
     (1) The corporation may, in or with the dissenters' notice given pursuant
to section 7-113-203, state the date of the first announcement to news media or
to shareholders of the terms of the proposed corporate action creating
dissenters' rights under section 7-113-102 and state that the dissenter shall
certify in writing, in or with the dissenter's payment demand under section
7-113-204, whether or not the dissenter (or the person on whose behalf
dissenters' rights are asserted) acquired beneficial ownership of the shares
before that date. With respect to any dissenter who does not so certify in
writing, in or with the payment demand, that the dissenter or the person on
whose behalf the dissenter asserts dissenters' rights acquired beneficial
ownership of the shares before such date, the corporation may, in lieu of making
the payment provided in section 7-113-206, offer to make such payment if the
dissenter agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of the demand.
 
     (2) An offer to make payment under subsection (1) of this section shall
include or be accompanied by the information required by section 7-113-206(2).
 
                                       B-5
<PAGE>   83
 
SEC. 7-113-209. PROCEDURE IF DISSENTER IS DISSATISFIED WITH PAYMENT OR OFFER
 
     (1) A dissenter may give notice to the corporation in writing of the
dissenter's estimate of the fair value of the dissenter's shares and of the
amount of interest due and may demand payment of such estimate, less any payment
made under section 7-113-206, or reject the corporation's offer under section
7-113-208 and demand payment of the fair value of the shares and interest due,
if:
 
          (a) The dissenter believes that the amount paid under section
     7-113-206 or offered under section 7-113-208 is less than the fair value of
     the shares or that the interest due was incorrectly calculated;
 
          (b) The corporation fails to make payment under section 7-113-206
     within sixty days after the date set by the corporation by which the
     corporation must receive the payment demand; or
 
          (c) The corporation does not return the deposited certificates or
     release the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares as
     required by section 7-113-207(1).
 
     (2) A dissenter waives the right to demand payment under this section
unless the dissenter causes the corporation to receive the notice required by
subsection (1) of this section within thirty days after the corporation made or
offered payment for the dissenter's shares.
 
                      PART 3. JUDICIAL APPRAISAL OF SHARES
 
SEC. 7-113-301. COURT ACTION
 
     (1) If a demand for payment under section 7-113-209 remains unresolved, the
corporation may, within sixty days after receiving the payment demand, commence
a proceeding and petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares
and accrued interest. If the corporation does not commence the proceeding within
the sixty-day period, it shall pay to each dissenter whose demand remains
unresolved the amount demanded.
 
     (2) The corporation shall commence the proceeding described in subsection
(1) of this section in the district court of the county in this state where the
corporation's principal office is located or, if the corporation has no
principal office in this state, in the district court of the county in which its
registered office is located. If the corporation is a foreign corporation
without a registered office, it shall commence the proceeding in the county
where the registered office of the domestic corporation merged into, or whose
shares were acquired by, the foreign corporation was located.
 
     (3) The corporation shall make all dissenters, whether or not residents of
this state, whose demands remain unresolved parties to the proceeding commenced
under subsection (2) of this section as in an action against their shares, and
all parties shall be served with a copy of the petition. Service on each
dissenter shall be by registered or certified mail, to the address stated in
such dissenter's payment demand, or if no such address is stated in the payment
demand, at the address shown on the corporation's current record of shareholders
for the record shareholder holding the dissenter's shares, or as provided by
law.
 
     (4) The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced
under subsection (2) of this section is plenary and exclusive. The court may
appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend a
decision on the question of fair value. The appraisers have the powers described
in the order appointing them, or in any amendment to such order. The parties to
the proceeding are entitled to the same discovery rights as parties in other
civil proceedings.
 
     (5) Each dissenter made a party to the proceeding commenced under
subsection (2) of this section is entitled to judgment for the amount, if any,
by which the court finds the fair value of the dissenter's shares, plus
interest, exceeds the amount paid by the corporation, or for the fair value,
plus interest, of the dissenter's shares for which the corporation elected to
withhold payment under section 7-113-208.
 
                                       B-6
<PAGE>   84
 
SEC. 7-113-302. COURT COSTS AND COUNSEL FEES
 
     (1) The court in an appraisal proceeding commenced under section 7-113-301
shall determine all costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable
compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall
assess the costs against the corporation; except that the court may assess costs
against all or some of the dissenters, in amounts the court finds equitable, to
the extent the court finds the dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not
in good faith in demanding payment under section 7-113-209.
 
     (2) The court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts
for the respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
 
          (a) Against the corporation and in favor of any dissenters if the
     court finds the corporation did not substantially comply with the
     requirements of part 2 of this article; or
 
          (b) Against either the corporation or one or more dissenters, in favor
     of any other party, if the court finds that the party against whom the fees
     and expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good
     faith with respect to the rights provided by this article.
 
     (3) If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were
of substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees
for those services should not be assessed against the corporation, the court may
award to said counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded to
the dissenters who were benefitted.
 
                                       B-7
<PAGE>   85
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     Section 17-6305 of the Kansas General Corporation Law provides that a
Kansas corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a
party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit (including an action by or in the right of the
corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such
person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or
is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit by or
in the right of the corporation, including attorneys fee, and against expenses,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, including
attorneys fees, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation; and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe such person's conduct was unlawful. Article Ninth of
the Restated Articles of Incorporation of K N Energy, Inc. ("K N") requires K N
to provide substantially the same indemnification of its directors and officers
as that authorized by Kansas General Corporation Law.
 
     The Company has insurance policies which, among other things, include
liability insurance coverage for directors and officers, with a $200,000
corporate reimbursement deductible clause, under which directors and officers
are covered against "loss" arising from any claim or claims which may be made
against a director of officer by reason of any "wrongful act" in their
respective capacities as directors and officers. "Loss" is defined so as to
exclude, among other things, fines or penalties, as well as matters deemed
uninsurable under the law pursuant to which the policy is to be construed.
"Wrongful act" is defined to include any actual or alleged breach of duty,
neglect, error, misstatement, misleading statement or omission done or
wrongfully attempted. The policy also contains other specific definitions and
exclusions and provides an aggregate of more than $20,000,000 of insurance
coverage.
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
(a) Exhibits:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    EXHIBIT NO.                               DESCRIPTION
    -----------                               -----------
<C>                   <S>
       **2.1          -- Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 25, 1997,
                         by and among K N Energy, Inc., KN Acquisition Company and
                         Interenergy Corporation (included as Appendix A to the
                         Proxy Statement/Prospectus).
       **2.2          -- First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated
                         November 5, 1997, by and among K N Energy, Inc., KN
                         Acquisition Company and Interenergy Corporation (included
                         as Appendix A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus).
         3.1          -- Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.
                         Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the
                         Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                         ended December 31, 1994.
         3.2          -- Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended. Incorporated herein
                         by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to the Registrant's Annual
                         Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.
         4.1          -- Rights Agreement dated as of August 21, 1995 between the
                         Registrant and the Bank of New York, as Rights Agent.
                         Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the
                         Company's Form 8-A Registration Statement dated August
                         21, 1995.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   86
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    EXHIBIT NO.                               DESCRIPTION
    -----------                               -----------
<C>                   <S>
         4.2          -- Certificate of the Voting Powers, Designation,
                         Preferences and Relative, Participating, Optional or
                         Other Special Rights, and Qualifications, Limitations or
                         Restrictions Thereof, of the Class A $8.50 Cumulative
                         Preferred Stock, Without Par Value, of the Registrant.
                         Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to
                         Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-26314).
         4.3          -- Certificate of the Voting Powers, Designation,
                         Preferences and Relative, Participating, Optional and
                         Other Special Rights, and Qualifications, Limitations or
                         Restrictions Thereof, of the Class B $8.30 Series
                         Cumulative Preferred Stock, Without Par Value, of the
                         Registrant. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                         4.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No.
                         33-26314).
        *5.1          -- Opinion of Martha B. Wyrsch, regarding the legality of
                         the securities.
        *8.1          -- Tax Opinion of Holland & Hart LLP.
      **10.1          -- Form of Consulting Agreement between Interenergy and
                         James P. Rode.
      **10.2          -- Form of Consulting Agreement between Interenergy and
                         Patrick R. McDonald.
       *23.1          -- Consent of Martha B. Wyrsch (included in Exhibit 5.1
                         hereof).
       *23.2          -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
       *23.3          -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
       *23.4          -- Consent of Holland & Hart LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1
                         hereof).
        **24          -- Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to
                         this Registration Statement).
       *99.1          -- Proxy for Interenergy Special Meeting
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
 * Filed herewith.
 
   
** Previously filed.
    
 
(b) Financial Statement Schedules:
 
     None required.
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     (a) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to any charter provision, bylaw,
contract, arrangement, statute, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised
that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
 
     (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of Form S-4, within one
business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents
by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information
contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the
registration statement through the date of responding to the request.
 
     (c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   87
 
     (d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (e) (1) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior
to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information
called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by
persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called
for by the other items of the applicable form.
 
     (2) The registrant undertakes that every prospectus: (i) that is filed
pursuant to paragraph (1) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet
the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in connection with
an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an
amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such
amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   88
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lakewood,
State of Colorado, on the 20th day of November, 1997.
    
 
                                            K N ENERGY, INC.
 
                                            By:      /s/ LARRY D. HALL
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                        Larry D. Hall
                                               Chairman of the Board, President
                                                              and
                                                   Chief Executive Officer
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on November 20, 1997.
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                             TITLE
                      ---------                                             -----
<C>                                                     <S>
          (i) Principal executive officer:
 
                     /s/  LARRY D. HALL                 Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
- -----------------------------------------------------   Executive Officer
                    Larry D. Hall
 
  (ii) Principal financial and accounting officer:
 
                  /s/  CLYDE E. McKENZIE*               Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Clyde E. McKenzie
 
                  (iii) Directors:
 
                /s/  EDWARD H. AUSTIN, JR.*             Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Edward H. Austin, Jr.
 
                  /s/  CHARLES W. BATTEY*               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Charles W. Battey
 
                   /s/  STEWART A. BLISS*               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Steward A. Bliss
 
                 /s/  DAVID W. BURKHOLDER*              Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 David W. Burkholder
 
                 /s/  DAVID M. CARMICHAEL*              Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 David M. Carmichael
 
                  /s/  ROBERT H. CHITWOOD*              Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Robert H. Chitwood
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   89
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                             TITLE
                      ---------                                             -----
<C>                                                     <S>
                  /s/  HOWARD P. COGHLAN*               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Howard P. Coghlan
 
                   /s/  JORDAN L. HAINES*               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Jordan L. Haines
 
                    /s/  LARRY D. HALL*                 Chairman of the Board
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    Larry D. Hall
 
                   /s/  WILLIAM J. HYBL*                Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   William J. Hybl
 
                 /s/  EDWARD RANDALL, III*              Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Edward Randall, III
 
                  /s/  R. GORDON SHEARER*               Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  R. Gordon Shearer
 
                   /s/  JAMES C. TAYLOR*                Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   James C. Taylor
 
                    /s/  H.S. TRUE, III*                Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   H.S. True, III
 
              *By:  /s/  LARRY D. HALL
  ------------------------------------------------
           Larry D. Hall, Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   90
 
                                  EXHIBIT LIST
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    EXHIBIT NO.                               DESCRIPTION                           PAGE
    -----------                               -----------                           ----
<C>                   <S>                                                           <C>
       **2.1          -- Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 25, 1997,
                         by and among K N Energy, Inc., KN Acquisition Company and
                         Interenergy Corporation (included as Appendix A to the
                         Proxy Statement/Prospectus).
       **2.2          -- First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated
                         November 5, 1997, by and among K N Energy, Inc., KN
                         Acquisition Company and Interenergy Corporation (included
                         as Appendix A to the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus).
         3.1          -- Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.
                         Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the
                         Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                         ended December 31, 1994.
         3.2          -- Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended. Incorporated herein
                         by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to the Registrant's Annual
                         Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.
         4.1          -- Rights Agreement dated as of August 21, 1995 between the
                         Registrant and the Bank of New York, as Rights Agent.
                         Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the
                         Company's Form 8-A Registration Statement dated August
                         21, 1995.
         4.2          -- Certificate of the Voting Powers, Designation,
                         Preferences and Relative, Participating, Optional or
                         Other Special Rights, and Qualifications, Limitations or
                         Restrictions Thereof, of the Class A $8.50 Cumulative
                         Preferred Stock, Without Par Value, of the Registrant.
                         Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to
                         Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-26314).
         4.3          -- Certificate of the Voting Powers, Designation,
                         Preferences and Relative, Participating, Optional and
                         Other Special Rights, and Qualifications, Limitations or
                         Restrictions Thereof, of the Class B $8.30 Series
                         Cumulative Preferred Stock, Without Par Value, of the
                         Registrant. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                         4.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No.
                         33-26314).
        *5.1          -- Opinion of Martha B. Wyrsch, regarding the legality of
                         the securities.
        *8.1          -- Tax Opinion of Holland & Hart LLP.
      **10.1          -- Form of Consulting Agreement between Interenergy and
                         James P. Rode.
      **10.2          -- Form of Consulting Agreement between Interenergy and
                         Patrick R. McDonald.
       *23.1          -- Consent of Martha B. Wyrsch (included in Exhibit 5.1
                         hereof).
       *23.2          -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
       *23.3          -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
       *23.4          -- Consent of Holland & Hart LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1
                         hereof).
        **24          -- Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to
                         this Registration Statement).
       *99.1          -- Proxy for Interenergy Special Meeting
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
 * Filed herewith.
 
   
** Previously filed.
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


   
                         [Opinion of Martha B. Wyrsch]
    



   
November 18, 1997
    

K N Energy, Inc.
370 Van Gordon Street
Lakewood, Colorado 80228-8304

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         I am Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of K N Energy,
Inc., a Kansas corporation (the "Company"), and I have advised the Company in
connection with the registration, pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form
S-4 being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of the
registration by the Company of up to 675,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock, par value $5.00 per share (the "Shares"). The Shares are to be issued to
holders of Common Stock and Series A Preferred of Interenergy Corporation in
connection with the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, KN
Acquisition Company, with and into Interenergy Corporation, pursuant to an
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 25, 1997 (as amended to the
date hereof, the "Merger Agreement") among the Company, KN Acquisition Company
and Interenergy Corporation.

         In this connection, I have examined the corporate records of the
Company, including its Restated Articles of Incorporation, its Bylaws and
minutes of meetings of its directors. I have also examined the Registration
Statement, together with the exhibits thereto and such other documents as I
have deemed necessary for the purpose of expressing the opinion contained
herein.

         Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that, when the
Registration Statement becomes effective under the Act and the merger is
effected in accordance with the Merger Agreement, all of the Shares issued
pursuant to the Merger Agreement will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

         I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of my name in the Prospectus forming a
part of the Registration Statement under the caption "Legal Matters." In giving
this consent, I do not thereby admit that I am within the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder.

                                   Very truly yours,

   
                                   /s/ MARTHA B. WYRSCH
    
                                   MARTHA B. WYRSCH
                                   Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

<PAGE>   1

                                  EXHIBIT 8.1
   
                        [HOLLAND & HART LLP TAX OPINION]
    





                               November ___, 1997


Interenergy Corporation
1700 Broadway, Suite 1150
Denver, Colorado 80290-1101

Gentlemen:


   
       We refer to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 25, 1997
(as amended to the date hereof, the "Merger Agreement") among K N Energy, Inc.,
a Kansas corporation ("Parent"), KN Acquisition Company, a Colorado corporation
("Acquisition Sub"), and Interenergy Corporation, a Colorado corporation (the
"Company"), which provides for the merger (the "Merger") of Acquisition Sub with
and into the Company on the terms and conditions therein set forth, the time at
which the Merger becomes effective being hereinafter referred to as the
"Effective Date." Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings
specified in the Merger Agreement.
    

   
       As provided in the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Date, by reason of
the Merger: (i) all outstanding shares of Company Common Stock then held in the
treasury of the Company will be canceled, and no capital stock of Parent, cash
or other consideration will be delivered in exchange therefor; (ii) each share
of capital stock of Acquisition Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Date will be converted into one share of common stock of the
Company; (iii) subject to the right of holders of Company Common Stock to
dissent from the Merger, each then outstanding share of Company Common Stock,
will be converted into a specified number of shares of Parent Common Stock;
(iv) subject to the right of holders of Company Series A Preferred to dissent
from the Merger, each then outstanding share of Company Series A Preferred
will be converted into a specified number of shares of Parent Common Stock plus
an additional cash payment equal to the amount of properly declared, accrued
but unpaid dividends on the Company Series A Preferred; (v) subject to the
right of holders of Company Series B Preferred to dissent from the Merger, each
then outstanding share of Company Series B Preferred will be converted into and 
represent the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the sum of 
eight dollars and fifty cents ($8.50) plus the amount of
    
<PAGE>   2
Interenergy Corporation
November ___, 1997
Page 2


properly declared, accrued but unpaid dividends on each such share of Company
Series B Preferred.  Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares of Parent
Common Stock.

       The Merger and the Merger Agreement are more fully described in Parent's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") relating to
the registration of shares of Parent Common Stock which has been filed by
Parent with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.  The Registration Statement includes the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus (the "Prospectus") of Parent and the Company.

       In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have relied upon the
accuracy of the facts, information and representations and the completeness of
the covenants contained in the Merger Agreement, the Prospectus and such other
documents we have relied on as we have deemed relevant and necessary.  Such
opinions are conditioned, among other things, not only upon such accuracy and
completeness of such items as of the date hereof, but also the continuing
accuracy and completeness thereof as of the Effective Date.  Moreover, we have
assumed the absence of any change to any of such instruments between the date
hereof and the Effective Date.

   
       We have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural
persons and the conformity with original documents of all copies submitted to
us for our examination.  We have further assumed that: (i) the transactions
related to the Merger or contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be
consummated (A) in accordance with the Merger Agreement, and (B) as described
in the Prospectus; (ii) the Merger will qualify as a statutory merger under the
laws of the State of Colorado; and (iii) as of the date hereof, and as of the
Effective Date (as if made as of the Effective Date), the written statements
made by an authorized officer of Parent and the Company contained in the 
representation letters delivered to us by Parent and the Company are true and 
accurate in all material respects.
    

       In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have considered the
applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), Regulations promulgated thereunder by the United States Treasury
Department (the "Regulations"), pertinent judicial authorities, rulings of the
Internal Revenue Service and such other authorities as we have considered
relevant.  It should be noted that the Code, the Regulations and such judicial
<PAGE>   3


Interenergy Corporation
November ___, 1997
Page 3




decisions, administrative interpretations and other authorities are subject to
change at any time and, in some circumstances, with retroactive effect; and any
such change could affect the opinions stated herein.

       Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion, as counsel
for the Company, that:

                     (i)    The Merger will constitute a "reorganization"
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Company, Acquisition
Sub and Parent will each be a party to such reorganization within the meaning
of Section 368(b) of the Code;

                     (ii)   No gain or loss will be recognized by Parent or the
Company as a result of the Merger;

                     (iii)  No gain or loss will be recognized by the holders
of Company Common Stock or Company Series A Preferred upon their receipt of
Parent Common Stock pursuant to the Merger solely in exchange for their Company
Common Stock or Company Series A Preferred, except that gain or loss will be
recognized with respect to cash, if any, received in lieu of fractional shares
of Parent Common Stock;

                     (iv)   The aggregate tax basis of the shares of Parent
Common Stock received in exchange for Company Common Stock or Company Series A
Preferred pursuant to the Merger (including fractional shares of Parent Common
Stock for which cash is received) will be the same as the aggregate tax basis
of the Company Common Stock or Series A Preferred exchanged therefor;

                     (v)    The holding period of Parent Common Stock in the
hands of the former holders of Company Common Stock and Company Series A
Preferred will include the holding period of the Company Common Stock or
Company Series A Preferred exchanged therefor, provided such Company Common
Stock and Company Series A Preferred is held as a capital asset at the
Effective Date; and

                     (vi)   A shareholder of the Company who receives cash in
lieu of a fractional share of Parent Common Stock will recognize gain or loss
equal to the difference, if any, between such shareholder's tax basis in such
fractional share (as described in clause (iv) above) and the amount of cash
received.
<PAGE>   4


Interenergy Corporation
November ___, 1997
Page 4




       Based solely upon and subject to the foregoing, it is also our opinion
that the statements under the caption "THE MERGER - Certain Material Federal
Income Tax Consequences" in the Prospectus, to the extent that they constitute
matters of law or legal conclusions, are correct in all material respects.

       Except as expressly set forth in paragraphs (i) through (vi), inclusive,
and in the preceding paragraph, you have not requested, and we do not herein
express, any opinion concerning the tax consequences of, or any other matters
related to, the Merger.

       We assume no obligation to update or supplement this letter to reflect
any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention with
respect to the opinions expressed above, including any changes in applicable
law that may hereafter occur.

       The opinions expressed herein are being rendered at your request and for
your benefit and may not be relied on by any other person without our prior
written consent. Subject to the foregoing, we hereby consent to the filing of
this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 being filed
by Parent with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, in connection with the registration of shares of Parent
Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger.



                                                  Very truly yours,

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated
February 4, 1997, included in K N Energy, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as
amended, for the year ended December 31, 1996 and to all references to our Firm
included in this Registration Statement.




                                                   /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                                       Arthur Andersen LLP



Denver, Colorado
   
November 19, 1997
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report
dated March 28, 1997, and to all references to our Firm included in or made a
part of this Registration Statement.



                                                   /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                                       Arthur Andersen LLP



Denver, Colorado
   
 November 20, 1997
    

<PAGE>   1
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                 THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
                    OF DIRECTORS OF INTERENERGY CORPORATION
 
   
    The undersigned shareholder of Interenergy Corporation ("Interenergy")
hereby (i) acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of Meeting and Proxy
Statement of Interenergy/Prospectus of K N Energy, Inc., (ii) revokes any and
all prior proxies or revocations thereof in connection with or related to the
following matters and (iii) authorizes Patrick R. McDonald, President of
Interenergy and James P. Rode, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary of Interenergy, and each of them, with full power of substitution to
vote the Common Stock, Series A Convertible Preferred Stock or Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock, as the case may be, of the undersigned at the
Special Meeting of Shareholders of Interenergy to be held on December 19, 1997
at 10:00 a.m., mountain time, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof
(the "Interenergy Special Meeting") with respect to (a) the approval of the
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated August 25, 1997 (as amended to the date
hereof, the "Merger Agreement") providing for the merger of KN Acquisition
Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of K N Energy, Inc., with and into
Interenergy and (b) in their discretion on all other business that may properly
be brought before the Interenergy Special Meeting.
    
 
    THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE
SHAREHOLDER, BUT IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, IT WILL BE VOTED FOR APPROVAL OF THE
MERGER AGREEMENT.
 
    The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposal 1.
 
         1. To approve the Merger Agreement.
 
                FOR [ ]         AGAINST [ ]         ABSTAIN [ ]
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    2. In the proxies' discretion, upon such other business as may properly come
before the meeting.
 
    Holders of shares of Interenergy Common Stock, Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock or Series B Convertible Preferred Stock who desire to have such
shares voted at the meeting (other than in person) should sign, date and return
this proxy in the enclosed envelope (no postage is required if mailed in the
United States).
 
                                         Signature(s):
                                         ---------------------------------------
 
                                         ---------------------------------------
 
                                         Date:
                                         ---------------------------------------
 
                                         Note: Please sign exactly as your name
                                         appears on this proxy. When stock is in
                                         the name of more than one person, each
                                         such person should sign this proxy.
                                         When signing as attorney, executor,
                                         administrator, trustee or guardian,
                                         please give full title as such. If
                                         shares are held jointly, both owners
                                         should sign this proxy.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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