<PAGE>

The Coastal Corporation                                       The Energy People






                                  March 28, 1996

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

         You are cordially invited to attend the 1996 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of The Coastal Corporation to be held on May 2, 1996, at the
Renaissance Houston Hotel, Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas, at 10:00 a.m. Your
Board of Directors and executive officers look forward to personally greeting
those stockholders able to attend.

         The matters to be acted on at the meeting are set forth in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.

         It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting. Would
you please sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy in the envelope provided at
your earliest convenience.

                                 Sincerely,

                                O. S. WYATT, JR.
                        -------------------------------

                                O. S. Wyatt, Jr.
                              Chairman of the Board

                                DAVID A. ARLEDGE
                        -------------------------------

                                David A. Arledge
                                  President and
                             Chief Executive Officer



COASTAL TOWER
NINE GREENWAY PLAZA
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77046-0995


<PAGE>



                             THE COASTAL CORPORATION
                                  Coastal Tower
                               Nine Greenway Plaza
                            Houston, Texas 77046-0995

                NOTICE OF THE 1996 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                             TO BE HELD MAY 2, 1996

To the Stockholders of The Coastal Corporation:

         NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
The Coastal Corporation ("Coastal" or the "Company") will be held at 10:00 a.m.
on May 2, 1996, at the Renaissance Houston Hotel, Greenway Plaza, Houston,
Texas, for the following purposes:

         (1)      To elect four Class I directors to terms of office expiring at
                  the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and

         (2)      To consider a stockholder proposal, described in the
                  accompanying Proxy Statement, which is opposed by the Board
                  of Directors; and

         (3)      To transact such other business as may properly come before
                  the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

         The voting stock of the Company should be represented as fully as
possible at the Annual Meeting. Therefore, it will be appreciated if you would
sign, date and return the enclosed proxy at your earliest convenience. You may,
of course, change or withdraw your proxy at any time prior to the voting at the
meeting. However, signing and returning the proxy will assure your
representation at the Annual Meeting.

         The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 13,
1996 as the record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock, Class
A Common Stock, $1.19 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, $1.83
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B, and $5.00 Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C, entitled to notice of, and to vote at,
the Annual Meeting.

                       By Order of the Board of Directors,

                                AUSTIN M. O'TOOLE
                       ------------------------------------
                                Austin M. O'Toole
                       Senior Vice President and Secretary

March 28, 1996

                             YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

TO SECURE THE LARGEST POSSIBLE REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING AND SAVE THE
EXPENSE OF A SECOND MAILING, WOULD YOU PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL YOUR PROXY
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE
UNITED STATES.



<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                           Page

Stock Ownership...........................................................   2
Proposal 1 - Election of Directors........................................   3
Information Regarding Directors...........................................   4
      Committees and Meetings.............................................   5
      Compensation of Directors...........................................   6
Executive Compensation....................................................   7
      Summary of Cash and Certain Other Compensation......................   7
      Stock Options.......................................................   8
      Option/SAR Exercises and Holdings...................................   9
Compensation and Executive Development Committee Report on Executive
  Compensation............................................................   9
Pension Plan Table........................................................  13
Performance Graph - Shareholder Return on Common Stock....................  14
Transactions with Management and Others...................................  14
Proposal 2 - Stockholder Proposal.........................................  15
Vote Required for Approval................................................  16
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.........................  17
Independent Auditors......................................................  17
Stockholder Proposals.....................................................  17
Other Matters.............................................................  17
Availability of Form 10-K Annual Report ..................................  17


                                       (i)

<PAGE>



                             THE COASTAL CORPORATION

                                 PROXY STATEMENT

      The enclosed proxy is being solicited by the Board of Directors of The
Coastal Corporation ("Coastal" or the "Company"), Coastal Tower, Nine Greenway
Plaza, Houston, Texas 77046-0995, telephone number (713) 877-1400, for use at
the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") to be held at 10:00 a.m.
on May 2, 1996, at the Renaissance Houston Hotel, Greenway Plaza, Houston,
Texas, or any adjournments thereof. Certain directors, officers and employees of
the Company will solicit proxies by telephone, telegram, mail or personal
contact at the Company's expense. In addition, the Company has retained D. F.
King & Co., Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies and will pay such firm
a fee of $6,000 plus reimbursement of expenses. Arrangements will be made with
brokers, nominees and fiduciaries to send proxies and proxy material at the
Company's expense to their principals. This proxy statement is being mailed on
or about March 28, 1996 to stockholders of record on March 13, 1996.

      The purpose of the Meeting is for the stockholders of the Company (1) to
elect four Class I directors to terms of office expiring at the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders; and (2) to consider and act on a stockholder proposal,
which is opposed by the Board of Directors; and (3) to transact such other
business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

      The total number of shares of stock of the Company outstanding and
entitled to vote at the Meeting is 105,480,598 consisting of: 61,056 shares of
$1.19 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A (the "Series A Preferred
Stock"), 77,495 shares of $1.83 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B
(the "Series B Preferred Stock"), and 32,663 shares of $5.00 Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series C (the "Series C Preferred Stock") (the
Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock
are referred to herein collectively as the "Preferred Stock"), 104,918,785
shares of Common Stock, and 390,599 shares of Class A Common Stock. Each share
of Common Stock or Preferred Stock entitles the holder to one vote with respect
to all matters to come before the Meeting and all of such shares will vote
together as a single class. Except with respect to the election of one of the
four Class I directors, each share of Class A Common Stock entitles the holder
to 100 votes with respect to all matters to come before the Meeting, voting with
the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock. In the election of directors, the
Class A Common Stock will vote, together as a class with the Common Stock and
Preferred Stock, for the election of three of the four Class I directors
standing for election. The Common Stock and Preferred Stock will vote together
as a class for the election of the one remaining Class I director standing for
election. Only holders of voting securities of record at the close of business
on March 13, 1996 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting or any
adjournments thereof. Management knows of no person that owns beneficially more
than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of any class of voting
securities of the Company, other than as set forth below under "Stock
Ownership." The aggregate of all shares entitled to vote at the meeting have
144,149,899 votes. A quorum consists of a majority of the votes entitled to be
cast, or 72,074,950 votes.

      The Annual Report of the Company for the year ended December 31, 1995,
including financial statements, is being mailed on or about March 28, 1996,
together with this Proxy Statement to all stockholders of record as of March 13,
1996, except for accounts where the stockholder has filed a written request to
eliminate duplicate reports. Additional copies of the Annual Report are
available without charge, upon request. See "Availability of Form 10-K Annual
Report."

      Each properly executed proxy received at or before the Meeting on May 2,
1996 will be voted at the Meeting as specified therein. If a stockholder does
not specify otherwise, the shares represented by his or her proxy will be voted
FOR the election of all the nominees as Class I directors and AGAINST the
stockholder proposal. The shares held by each stockholder who signs and returns
the enclosed proxy will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum at the Meeting unless such proxy is timely revoked. If the enclosed form
of proxy is executed and returned, it may nevertheless be revoked at any time
before it is voted by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Company, or
by a stockholder personally voting his or her shares at the Meeting, or by
giving a later dated proxy.




<PAGE>



                                 STOCK OWNERSHIP

      The following table sets forth information, as of March 13, 1996, with
respect to each person known or believed by the Company to be the beneficial
owner, who has or shares voting and/or investment power (other than as set forth
below), of more than five percent (5%) of any class of its voting securities.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Name and Address                                                                                 Percent (%)
     of Beneficial Owner                       Title of Class             Number of Shares            of Class <F1>
     -------------------                    --------------------          ----------------            ------------
<S>                                         <S>                             <C>                           <C> 
O. S. Wyatt, Jr.                            Class A Common Stock               154,577  <F2>               38.2
Chairman of the Board
of Coastal
Nine Greenway Plaza
Houston, Texas 77046-0995

Trustee/Custodian under the                     Common Stock                13,476,985  <F3>               12.8
Thrift Plan, ESOP and                       Class A Common Stock                71,537  <F3>               17.7
Pension Plan of Coastal
and its subsidiaries
Texas Commerce Bank
 National Association
600 Travis, 10th Flr.
Houston, Texas  77002

FMR Corp.                                       Common Stock                 7,475,935                      7.1
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109

Isabel H. Long                            Series A Preferred Stock              28,976                     47.5
485 S. Parkview Ave.,
Columbus, Ohio  43209-1075

The DeZurik Family                        Series C Preferred Stock              32,663  <F4>              100.0
c/o David DeZurik
2460 S.E. 8th St.
Pompano Beach, Florida 33062
<FN>
----------

<F1>
Class includes presently exercisable stock options held by directors and
executive officers.

<F2>
Includes 7,354 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by the spouse and a son
of Mr. Wyatt, as to which shares beneficial ownership is disclaimed.

<F3>
The Trustee/Custodian is the record owner of these shares; and also is the
record owner of 826 shares of the Series B Preferred Stock, each of which is
convertible into 3.6125 shares of Common Stock and 0.1 share of Class A Common
Stock. Voting instructions are requested from each participant in the Thrift
Plan and ESOP and from the trustees under a Pension Trust. Absent timely voting
instructions, the Trustee is permitted to vote Thrift Plan and ESOP shares on
any matter, but has no authority to vote Pension Plan shares. Nor does the
Trustee/Custodian have any authority to dispose of shares except pursuant to
instructions of the administrator of the Thrift Plan and ESOP or pursuant to
instructions from the trustees under the Pension Trust.

<F4>
Members of the DeZurik family acquired the Series C Preferred Stock in
connection with a 1972 Agreement of Merger involving the acquisition of Colorado
Interstate Gas Company, a subsidiary of the Company.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                        2

<PAGE>



                       PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

      The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for a Board
of Directors to serve in three classes having staggered terms of three years
each. At present, there are twelve directors: four directors whose terms of
office expire at the 1996 Annual Meeting; four directors whose terms of office
expire at the 1997 Annual Meeting; and four directors whose terms of office
expire at the 1998 Annual Meeting. Information regarding each of the incumbent
directors is set forth herein under the headings "Information Regarding
Directors," and "Executive Compensation." At the 1996 Annual Meeting, the
stockholders will be asked to elect four Class I directors.

     The four nominees for Class I director, each of whom is presently serving
in that capacity, and whose new terms would expire at the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, are: John M. Bissell, Harold Burrow, Roy D. Chapin, Jr. and Jerome
S. Katzin.

      The holders of Common Stock, voting as a class with the Preferred Stock,
are entitled to elect 25% of the Company's directors standing for election at
each meeting held for the election of directors. Mr. Burrow has been nominated
by the Board of Directors to stand for election by the holders of Common Stock
and Preferred Stock at the 1996 Annual Meeting. Each share of Common Stock and
Preferred Stock has one vote for the election of this director. All directors
and executive officers as a group own shares representing 3.2% of the votes
entitled to be cast for the election of Mr. Burrow.

      The holders of Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Class A Common Stock,
voting together as a class, are entitled to elect the remaining 75% of the
Company's directors standing for election. Messrs. Bissell, Chapin and Katzin
have been nominated by the Board of Directors to stand for election by the
holders of Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Class A Common Stock at the 1996
Annual Meeting. Each share of Common Stock or Preferred Stock has one vote for
the election of these three directors. Each share of Class A Common Stock has
100 votes for the election of these three directors. Holders of Class A Common
Stock entitled to vote at the Meeting have 39,059,900 votes of a total of
144,149,899 votes, or 27.1% of the votes entitled to be cast. All directors and
executive officers as a group own shares representing 15.2% of the votes
entitled to be cast for the election of Messrs. Bissell, Chapin and Katzin.

      If any nominee becomes unwilling or unable to serve, which is not
expected, the proxies will be voted for a substitute person, if any, designated
by the Board of Directors.

      The enclosed form of proxy provides a means for stockholders to vote for
the election of the Class I directors listed above, to withhold authority to
vote for one or more of such directors, or to withhold authority to vote for all
of such directors. Unless a stockholder who withholds authority votes for the
election of one or more other persons at the Meeting or votes by means of
another proxy, the withholding of authority will have no effect upon the
election of directors, assuming that a quorum (a majority of the votes entitled
to be cast), is present at the Meeting.



                                        3

<PAGE>



                         INFORMATION REGARDING DIRECTORS

      The following table sets forth information, as of March 13, 1996,
regarding each of the current directors, including Class I directors standing
for election, and all directors and executive officers as a group. Each director
has furnished the information with respect to age, principal occupation and
ownership of shares of stock of the Company. Messrs. Bissell, Burrow, Chapin and
Katzin are Class I directors whose terms expire in 1996; Messrs. Arledge,
Brundrett, Wooddy and Wyatt are Class II directors whose terms expire in 1997
and Messrs. Cordes, Gates, Johnson and McDade are Class III directors whose
terms expire in 1998.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  Number of Shares
   Name, (Age), Year          Offices with Coastal                                                  Beneficially         Percent (%)
 First Became Director     and/or Principal Occupation                    Title of Class              Owned<F1>           of Class*
 ---------------------     ---------------------------                    --------------          ----------------      -----------

<S>                       <S>                                             <S>                        <C>                   <C>
O. S. Wyatt, Jr.          Chairman of the Board                           Common Stock               2,866,558  <F2>         2.7
(71), 1955                                                                Class A Common Stock         154,577  <F2>        38.2

Harold Burrow             Vice Chairman of the Board;                     Common Stock                 154,281  <F2>
(81), 1973                Chairman of Colorado Interstate Gas             Class A Common Stock          13,603               3.4
                          Company and American Natural
                          Resources Company

David A. Arledge          President and                                   Common Stock                 234,634
(51), 1988                Chief Executive Officer                         Class A Common Stock          14,396               3.6

John M. Bissell           Chairman and Chief Executive                    Common Stock                   4,576
(65), 1985                Officer of Bissell Inc.                         Class A Common Stock             -0-

George L. Brundrett, Jr.  Attorney; Former Senior Vice President          Common Stock                   4,910
(74), 1973                and General Counsel of the Company              Class A Common Stock           2,290

Roy D. Chapin, Jr.        Former Chairman and                             Common Stock                   3,250  <F2>
(80), 1988                Chief Executive Officer                         Class A Common Stock             -0-
                          of American Motors Corporation

James F. Cordes           Executive Vice President;                       Common Stock                  38,131
(55), 1985                President of American Natural Resources         Class A Common Stock             -0-
                          Company; President, Natural Gas Group

Roy L. Gates              Retired; Ranching and Investments               Common Stock                   4,095
(67), 1969                                                                Class A Common Stock           2,736

Kenneth O. Johnson        Senior Vice President                           Common Stock                  59,128
(75), 1988                                                                Class A Common Stock           9,604               2.4

Jerome S. Katzin          Retired Investment Banker                       Common Stock                  41,803
(77), 1983                                                                Class A Common Stock             -0-

Thomas R. McDade          Senior Partner, Law Firm of McDade              Common Stock                     500
(63), 1993                & Fogler L.L.P., Houston                        Class A Common Stock             -0-

L. D. Wooddy, Jr.         Retired; Former President of Exxon              Common Stock                   2,000
(69), 1992                Pipeline Company                                Class A Common Stock             -0-

All directors and executive officers as a group                           Common Stock               3,985,862  <F3>         3.8
(31 persons, including the above)                                         Class A Common Stock         200,522  <F3>        49.5

                        (See footnotes on following page)
<FN>

      *    Less than one percent unless otherwise indicated. Class includes
           outstanding shares and presently exercisable stock options held by
           directors and executive officers. Excluding presently exercisable
           stock options, directors and executive officers as a group would own
           186,198 shares of Class A Common Stock, which would constitute 47.7%
           of the shares of such class.

                                        4

<PAGE>



<F1>
Except for the shares referred to in Notes 2 and 3 below, and the shares
represented by presently exercisable stock options, the holders are believed by
Coastal to have sole voting and investment power as to the shares indicated.
Amounts include shares in Coastal ESOP and Thrift Plan, and presently
exercisable stock options held by Messrs. Burrow (14,189 shares of Common
Stock), Arledge (215,049 shares of Common Stock and 14,324 shares of Class A
Common Stock), Cordes (21,000 shares of Common Stock), and Johnson (27,848
shares of Common Stock).

<F2>
Includes shares owned by the spouse and a son of Mr. Wyatt (266,595 shares
of Common Stock and 7,354 shares of Class A Common Stock), by the spouse of Mr.
Burrow (5,000 shares of Common Stock) and by the spouse of Mr. Chapin (1,000
shares of Common Stock), as to which shares beneficial ownership is disclaimed.

<F3>
Includes presently exercisable stock options to purchase 677,979 shares of
Common Stock and 14,324 shares of Class A Common Stock; also includes 279,811
shares of Common Stock and 7,354 shares of Class A Common Stock owned by spouses
and children, as to which shares beneficial ownership is disclaimed. In
addition, one executive officer owns 8 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, each
of which is convertible into 3.6125 shares of Common Stock and 0.1 share of
Class A Common Stock.
</FN>
</TABLE>

      No incumbent director is related by blood, marriage or adoption to another
director or to any executive officer of the Company or its subsidiaries or
affiliates.

      Except as hereafter indicated, the above table includes the principal
occupation of each of the directors during the past five years. The listed
executive officers have held various executive positions with Coastal, American
Natural Resources Company, ANR Pipeline Company and/or Colorado Interstate Gas
Company during the five-year period.

     Mr. Bissell is a member of the Boards of Directors of Old Kent Financial
Corporation and Batts Inc.

      Mr. Cordes is a member of the Board of Directors of Comerica Inc.

      Mr. Katzin is a member of the Board of Directors of Qualcomm Incorporated.

     Mr. McDade is a trial lawyer and the founding senior partner of the Houston
law firm of McDade & Fogler L.L.P. Prior to forming McDade & Fogler L.L.P., he
was a senior partner in the Houston law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski. He is a
member of the Board of Directors of Equity Corporation International.

     Messrs. Arledge, Burrow, Cordes and Wyatt are directors of Colorado
Interstate Gas Company and ANR Pipeline Company. Messrs. Bissell and Chapin are
directors of ANR Pipeline Company. Both of these subsidiaries of the Company are
subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act").

Committees and Meetings

      The Company's Board of Directors has an Executive Committee which consists
of Messrs. Wyatt (Chairman), Arledge, Burrow, Cordes and Wooddy which has
general authority to act in the management and business affairs of the Company
when the full Board of Directors is not in session, except for the review of
capital expenditures in excess of $15,000,000.

      As permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and
the Company's By-Laws, the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee took
various corporate actions during 1995 by means of unanimous written consent.
These actions included approval or review of certain capital expenditures,
credit arrangements, corporate guarantees, elections of officers, establishment
of bank accounts and similar authorizations.


                                        5

<PAGE>



      During 1995, the Board of Directors held 8 regular meetings and 2 special
meetings and also approved 7 separate actions by unanimous consent. The
Executive Committee held no meetings but approved 95 separate actions by
unanimous consent.

      Each incumbent director attended a minimum of 80% of the aggregate of (i)
the 1995 meetings of the Board of Directors and (ii) the total number of
meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which he served,
except Mr. Katzin who attended 71% of such meetings due to major surgery.

      The Company also has an Audit Committee consisting of Messrs. Katzin
(Chairman), Bissell and Gates which meets periodically to review the results of
operations of the Company with members of the Company's staff who are
responsible for accounting matters and from time to time with the Company's
independent auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP. During 1995, the Audit Committee
met 8 times.

      In addition, the Company has a Compensation and Executive Development
Committee which consists of Messrs. Bissell (Chairman), Chapin and Katzin which
meets from time to time to review compensation, stock option awards and other
matters concerning remuneration of employees of the Company. During 1995, the
Compensation and Executive Development Committee met 3 times and also approved
17 separate actions by unanimous consent.

      The Company does not have a nominating committee.

Compensation of Directors

      There is a limitation of $60,000 per annum on director fees paid by
Coastal to any non-officer director. During 1995, each director, except Messrs.
Wyatt, Burrow, Arledge, Cordes and Johnson received directors' fees at the
annual rate of $24,000 for services as a director; Mr. Wooddy also received fees
of $24,000 for services as a member of the Executive Committee; Messrs. Bissell,
Katzin and Gates also received fees of $24,000 each for services as a member of
the Audit Committee; Messrs. Bissell and Katzin also received fees of $12,000
each for services as a member of the Compensation and Executive Development
Committee. Mr. Chapin also received fees of $15,000 for services as a member of
the Compensation and Executive Development Committee. Directors can elect to
defer the receipt of all or any portion of their directors' compensation
(including interest thereon at a market-related rate) until termination of
service as a director.

      Mr. Burrow retired effective December 31, 1995 and has entered into
consulting agreements with Colorado Interstate Gas Company and ANR Pipeline
Company pursuant to which he will receive consulting fees in the aggregate of
$60,000 per annum. Effective January 1, 1996, he will receive aggregate fees of
$48,000 per annum as a director and member of the Executive Committee of
Coastal. He will also receive fees of $18,000 as a director of Colorado
Interstate Gas Company and fees of approximately $25,500 as a director of ANR
Pipeline Company. Mr. Burrow has elected to defer receipt of his directors' fees
until he is no longer serving as a director.

     Messrs. Bissell and Chapin received fees in 1995 of $26,250 and $25,500,
respectively, for services as directors of ANR Pipeline Company.

      Mr. McDade's firm received a retainer of $275,000 for legal services
rendered to the Company in 1995; and is receiving a retainer of $250,000 for
legal services rendered and to be rendered in 1996.

                                        6

<PAGE>



                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary of Cash and Certain Other Compensation

      The following table sets forth information for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 as to cash compensation paid by the Company and
its subsidiaries, as well as certain other compensation paid or accrued for
those years, to the Company's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and its four other
most highly compensated executive officers (the "Named Executive Officers").

<TABLE>
                           Summary Compensation Table


<CAPTION>
                                                                             Long Term Compensation
                                                                         ------------------------------
                                     Annual Compensation<F1>               Awards           Payouts
                              ----------------------------------         ------------     -------------
                                                                          Securities                          All Other
                                                                          Underlying          LTIP             Compen-
Name and                                                                   Options/          Payouts           sation
Principal Position           Year    Salary ($)<F2>    Bonus ($)<F3>        SARs (#)<F4>       ($)<F5>            $<F6>
------------------           ----    ----------       ---------          ------------     -------------    ---------

<S>                          <C>          <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>                <C>   
O. S. Wyatt, Jr.,            1995         849,093         300,000               -0-            -0-              67,928
Chairman of the Board        1994         849,093         200,000               -0-                             67,928
(and CEO through             1993         962,495          90,000               -0-                             71,690
October 4, 1995)

David A. Arledge,            1995         622,867         300,000            50,000          85,875             49,829
President, (CEO              1994         553,873         150,000               -0-                             44,310
commencing October 5,        1993         473,211          70,000            38,848                             42,042
1995) and Director

James F. Cordes,             1995         592,222         135,000            15,000          42,937             47,378
Executive V.P.               1994         592,223         130,000               -0-                             47,378
and Director                 1993         624,675          50,000            32,094                             48,414

James A. King,               1995         343,823          80,000            10,000           -0-               10,141
Executive V.P.               1994         343,823          75,000               -0-                              6,877
                             1993         324,658          28,000            20,000                              3,254

Sam F. Willson, Jr.          1995         334,062          75,000            10,000          25,762             26,725
Executive V.P.               1994         334,062          75,000               -0-                             26,725
                             1993         334,062          28,000            15,000                             28,600
<FN>
------------------------

<F1>
Does not include the value of perquisites and other personal benefits
because the aggregate amount of such compensation, if any, does not exceed the
lesser of $50,000 or 10 percent of annual salary and bonus for any named
individual.

<F2>
Salary amounts for Messrs. Wyatt, Arledge and Cordes for 1993 include
directors' fees paid during this period. Directors' fees for members of
management of the Company were eliminated in September 1993. There was no salary
change for Mr. Wyatt during 1994 and 1995; the reduced base pay level for 1994
and 1995 was due to the September 1993 salary reduction (reported in the 1994
Proxy Statement) being in effect for all of 1994 and 1995.

<F3>
The 1995 bonuses were based on the following factors: the individual's
position; the individual's responsibility; and the individual's ability to
impact the Company's financial success. See Committee Report on page 9.

<F4>
The options do not carry any stock appreciation rights.

                                        7

<PAGE>



<F5>
During 1995, Messrs. Arledge, Cordes and Willson received one-time cash
payments in the amounts indicated in connection with awards made in 1987 under
the Company's Performance Unit Plan. No further awards have been made under this
Plan.

<F6>
All Other Compensation for 1995 consists of: (i) Company contributions to
the Coastal Thrift Plan (O. S. Wyatt, Jr. $12,000; David A. Arledge $12,000;
James F. Cordes $12,000; James A. King $3,000; and Sam F. Willson, Jr. $12,000);
and (ii) certain payments in lieu of Thrift Plan contributions (O. S. Wyatt, Jr.
$55,928; David A. Arledge $37,829; James F. Cordes $35,378; James A. King
$7,141; and Sam F. Willson, Jr., $14,725). These payments are made to all
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries who participate in the Thrift Plan
who must discontinue their Thrift Plan participation due to federal statutory
limits.
</FN>
</TABLE>

     The Company is negotiating an employment contract with James L. Van Lanen,
Senior Vice President of the Company responsible for coal operations, at his
current annual rate of salary which will become effective upon the completion of
the previously announced prospective sale of the Company's coal subsidiaries,
and which will extend through January 26, 2000. In addition, the Company
anticipates an agreement with Mr. Van Lanen under which he will receive a bonus
based on the proceeds of the sale of such subsidiaries.

Stock Options

      The following table sets forth information with respect to stock options
granted on March 1, 1995 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 to the
Named Executive Officers.

<TABLE>
                  Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year (1995)


<CAPTION>
                                Number of       Percent of Total
                               Securities         Options/SARs
                               Underlying          Granted to          Exercise                      Grant Date
                              Options/SARs        Employees in           Price       Expiration        Present
           Name                 Granted<F1>       Fiscal Year<F2>        ($/Sh)          Date         Value ($)<F3>
           ----             ----------------- ---------------------   ----------   --------------  --------------

<S>                               <C>                    <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>
O. S. Wyatt, Jr.                    -0-                  -0-              -0-              -0-              -0-

David A. Arledge                  50,000                 -0-            28.50           2/28/05         623,153

James F. Cordes                   15,000                 -0-            28.50           2/28/05         186,946

James A. King                     10,000                 -0-            28.50           2/28/05         124,631

Sam F. Willson, Jr.               10,000                 -0-            28.50           2/28/05         124,631
<FN>
--------------------

<F1>
Options expire ten years from the date of issuance and are granted at the
fair market value of the Common Stock of the Company on the date of grant.
Options vest cumulatively at a rate of 20% of the option shares on each
anniversary date of the date of grant beginning with the second anniversary.

<F2>
The options do not carry any stock appreciation rights.

<F3>
Based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model expressed as a ratio .4373
x exercise price x number of shares. The actual value, if any, an executive may
realize will depend on the excess of the stock price over the exercise price on
the date the option is exercised, so that there is no assurance the value
realized by an executive will be at or near the value estimated by the
Black-Scholes model. The estimated values under that model are based on
assumptions that include (i) a stock price volatility of .2343, calculated using
monthly stock prices for the three years prior to the grant date, (ii) an
interest rate of 7.4%, (iii) a dividend yield of 1.42% and (iv) an option
exercise term of ten years. No adjustments were made for the non-transferability
of the options or to reflect any risk of forfeiture prior to vesting. The
Securities and Exchange Commission ("S.E.C.") requires disclosure of the
potential realizable value or present value of each grant. The Company's use of
the Black-Scholes model to indicate the

                                                       8

<PAGE>



present value of each grant is not an endorsement of this valuation, which
is based on certain assumptions, including the assumption that the option will
be held for the full ten-year term prior to exercise. Studies conducted by the
Company's independent consultants indicate that options are usually exercised
before the end of the full ten-year term.
</FN>
</TABLE>

Option/SAR Exercises and Holdings

      The following table sets forth information with respect to the Named
Executive Officers, concerning the exercise of options during the last fiscal
year and unexercised options and SARs held as of the fiscal year ("FY") ended
December 31, 1995.

<TABLE>
                                Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises In Last Fiscal Year
                                        And FY-End Option/SAR Values (1995)

<CAPTION>
                                                                             Number of
                                                                            Securities               Value of
                                                                            Underlying              Unexercised
                                                                            Unexercised            In-the-Money
                                                                           Options/SARs            Options/SARs
                                                                           at FY-End (#)         at FY-End ($)<F1>

                        Shares Acquired                                    Exercisable/            Exercisable/
        Name              on Exercise (#)       Value Realized ($)         Unexercisable           Unexercisable
--------------------    -----------------      ---------------------     -----------------       ---------------
<S>                          <C>                     <C>                 <C>                  <C>
O. S. Wyatt, Jr.               -0-                      -0-               -0-     /  -0-         -0-    /   -0-
David A. Arledge               -0-                      -0-              222,373  /  98,000   2,501,525 /  833,300
James F. Cordes              121,787                 1,036,099            16,000  /  49,000      20,000 /  414,850
James A. King                  -0-                      -0-               24,000  /  16,000     258,800 /  154,400
Sam F. Willson, Jr.          16,149                   64,743              36,000  /  31,000     226,560 /  258,350
<FN>
------------------
<F1>
$-based on the market price of $37.19 at December 31, 1995.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                COMPENSATION AND EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
                        REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The following report has been provided by The Coastal Corporation's
Compensation and Executive Development Committee (the "Committee") of the Board
of Directors in accordance with current S.E.C. proxy statement disclosure
requirements. The members of the Committee include John M. Bissell (Chairman),
Roy D. Chapin, Jr., and Jerome S. Katzin.

      This material states Coastal's current overall compensation philosophy and
program objectives. Detailed descriptions of the Company's compensation programs
are provided as well as the information on the Company's 1995 pay levels for the
CEO.

Overall Objectives of the Executive Compensation Program

      The Company's compensation philosophy and program objectives are directed
by two primary guiding principles. First, the program is intended to provide
fully competitive levels of compensation - at expected levels of performance -
in order to attract, motivate and retain talented executives. Second, the
program is intended to create an alignment of interests between the Company's
executives and stockholders such that a significant portion of each executive's
compensation is directly linked to maximizing stockholder value.


                                        9

<PAGE>



      In support of this philosophy, the executive compensation program is
designed to reward performance that is directly relevant to the Company's
short-term and long-term success. As such, the Company attempts to provide both
short-term and long-term incentive pay that varies based on corporate and
individual performance.

      To accomplish these objectives, the Committee has structured the executive
compensation program with three primary underlying components: base salary,
annual incentives, and long-term incentives (i.e., stock options). The following
sections describe the Company's plans by element of compensation and discuss how
each component relates to the Company's overall compensation philosophy.

      In reviewing this information, reference is often made to the use of
competitive market data as criteria for establishing targeted compensation
levels. The Company targets the market 50th percentile for its total
compensation program and actual total compensation rates in 1995 were at or
below the targeted level. (However, the Company's competitive pay posture varies
by pay element, as described below.) Several market data sources are used by the
Company, including energy industry norms for the publicly traded peer companies
included in the Company's shareholder return performance graph, as reflected in
these companies' proxy statements. In addition, we utilize published survey data
and data obtained from independent consultants that are for general industry
companies similar in size (i.e., revenues) to the Company. The published surveys
include data on over 50 companies of comparable size to the Company, as measured
by revenues. Greater emphasis is placed on the published data and data obtained
from consultants than on the data for proxy peers, since the published data and
consulting data are reflective of company size.

Base Salary Program

      The Company's base salary program is based on a philosophy of providing
base pay levels that fall between the market 50th and 75th percentiles. The
Company periodically reviews its executive pay levels to assure consistency with
the external market. Generally, the Company's actual base salary levels for 1995
for executives as a group were consistent with the targeted percentiles. We
believe it is crucial to provide strongly competitive salaries over time in
order to attract and retain executives who are highly talented.

      Annual salary adjustments for the Company are based on several factors:
general levels of market salary increases, individual performance, competitive
base salary levels, and the Company's overall financial results. The Company
reviews performance qualitatively considering total shareholder returns, the
level of earnings, return on equity, return on total capital and individual
business unit performance. These criteria are assessed qualitatively and are not
weighted. All base salary increases are based on a philosophy of
pay-for-performance and perceptions of an individual's long-term value to the
Company. As a result, employees with higher levels of performance sustained over
time will be paid correspondingly higher salaries.

The Annual Bonus Plan

      The Company's Annual Bonus Plan is intended to (1) reward key employees
based on company/business unit and individual performance; (2) motivate key
employees; and (3) provide competitive cash compensation opportunities to plan
participants. Under the plan, target award opportunities vary by individual
position and are expressed as a percent of base salary. The individual target
award opportunities, which are slightly below market median levels, are then
aggregated into a total target pool which is adjusted as described below. The
amount a particular executive may earn is directly dependent on the individual's
position, responsibility, and ability to impact our financial success.

      The actual bonus pool is established each year by modifying the target
pool based on the Company's overall performance against measures established by
the Committee. In fiscal year 1995, the key performance measure considered was
earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT") against plan. This measure was
weighted 50% of the total bonus program. In 1995 the Company's EBIT performance
was above threshold standards (minimum performance level for bonus payment) but
below a very aggressive plan, resulting in the EBIT portion of the bonus paid
being below target. The remaining 50% of the annual bonus opportunity in 1995 is
a discretionary annual bonus pool. As a result, no formula performance measures
were used in establishing the size of awards under this portion of the plan.
However, in establishing the size of the discretionary bonus pool, the Committee
considered the Company's Return on Equity relative to industry peers (using the
same peers included in the shareholder return graph), Return on Total Capital

                                       10

<PAGE>



compared to industry peers, the EBIT performance of each business unit, progress
made toward improving the Company's operational and financial performance, and
the need to reward unique individual contributions. These measures were not
formally weighted by the Committee. The size of the discretionary bonus pool
element was established above threshold but below target based on the
qualitative performance assessment described above. As a result, actual bonus
payments for 1995 were below target and median market levels.

      Individual awards from the established bonus pool are recommended by
senior management, with advice and consent from the Committee. Individual awards
from the pool are based on business unit and individual employee performance,
future potential, and competitive considerations. All individual performance
assessments are conducted in a non-formula fashion without specific goal
weightings. The total bonus awards made may not exceed the amount of funds in
the bonus pool.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

      The Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") is designed to focus
executive efforts on the long-term goals of the Company and to maximize total
return to our shareholders. While the Company's LTIP allows the Committee to use
a variety of long-term incentive devices, the Committee has relied solely on
stock option awards to provide long-term incentive opportunities in recent
years.

      Stock options align the interests of employees and shareholders by
providing value to the executive through stock price appreciation only. All
stock options have a ten-year term before expiration and are fully exercisable
within 7 years of the grant date.

      Stock options were granted to the Named Executive Officers in 1995 and it
is anticipated that stock option awards will be made periodically at the
discretion of the Committee in the future. As in past years, the number of
shares actually granted to a particular participant is also based on the
Company's financial success, its future business plans, and the individual's
position and level of responsibility within the Company. All of these factors
are assessed subjectively and are not weighted.

1995 Chief Executive Officer Pay

      As previously described, the Committee considers several factors in
developing an executive's compensation package. For the CEO, these include
competitive market practices (consistent with the philosophy described for other
executives), experience, achievement of strategic goals, and the financial
success of the Company (considering the factors described under the annual bonus
plan above).

O. S. Wyatt, Jr.

     Mr. Wyatt served as CEO through October 4, 1995 when, at his
recommendation, the Board of Directors elected Mr. Arledge to the CEO position.

      Mr. Wyatt received no salary increase in 1995. The Committee took no
action regarding Mr. Wyatt's base salary, in spite of significantly improved
Company performance during the year. This lack of any adjustment is not a
reflection of performance; rather, it is based on considering strong input from
the Chairman, who wants to see continued improvement in shareholder returns
before receiving any base salary increase.

      Mr. Wyatt's bonus for 1995 performance was $300,000 payable in 1996. This
bonus award was below targeted levels (and below market median levels) since the
Company's aggregate performance on the measures described in the annual bonus
section of this report was below the aggressive Company targets.

      The Committee granted no stock options to Mr. Wyatt in 1995 (consistent
with past practices), considering his strongly expressed and longstanding
opinion on this issue. Mr. Wyatt and the Committee considered Mr. Wyatt's
current level of stock ownership in reaching this decision.


                                       11

<PAGE>



David A. Arledge

     Mr. Arledge was elected CEO on October 5, 1995. During 1995, his base
annual salary was increased to $625,000.

      Mr. Arledge's bonus for 1995 was $300,000 payable in 1996. This award was
below targeted levels (and below market median levels) since the Company's
aggregate performance on the measures described in the annual bonus section of
this report were below the aggressive Company targets.

      The Committee granted stock options for 50,000 shares to Mr. Arledge in
1995 in recognition of his performance and as an incentive to continue his
efforts to increase shareholder value. These awards are tied to performance in
that the executive only realizes income from stock options if the stock price
rises. The grant is below market levels for the executive positions held by him.

$1 Million Pay Deductibility Cap

      Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, public companies are
precluded from receiving a tax deduction on compensation paid to executive
officers in excess of $1 million. To address the $1 million pay deductibility
cap issue, the Company's 1995 LTIP is structured so that stock option awards
(which are intended to be the primary long-term incentive vehicle for the
present time) qualify for an exemption from the $1 million pay deductibility
limit.

      Also, at the present time, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the
CEO are the only executives whose base salary plus target bonus exceeds $1
million. In order to preserve the Company's tax deduction for base salary plus
bonus for these individuals, the Company has established a nonqualified deferred
compensation program. Under this program, any annual incentive awards that bring
cash compensation to a level over $1 million may be deferred so that payments
occur after the individual is no longer a Named Executive Officer, thus
preserving the deductibility of the pay for the Company.

                               Compensation and Executive Development Committee

                               John M. Bissell, Chairman
                               Roy D. Chapin, Jr.
                               Jerome S. Katzin


                                       12

<PAGE>



                               Pension Plan Table

      The following table shows for illustration purposes the estimated annual
benefits payable currently under the Pension Plan and the Company's Replacement
Pension Plan described below upon retirement at age 65 based on the compensation
and years of credited service indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Years of Credited Service
      5-Year Final                     --------------------------------------------------------------------
      Average Pay                      15 Years       20 Years        25 Years       30 Years      35 Years
      -----------                      --------------------------------------------------------------------

      <S>                            <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>      
      $  125,000...................  $   34,133      $  45,511      $   56,889      $  68,266     $  67,518
         150,000...................      41,633         55,511          69,389         83,266        82,518
         175,000...................      41,633         55,511          69,389         83,266        82,518
         200,000...................      41,633         55,511          69,389         83,266        82,518
         225,000...................      41,633         55,511          69,389         83,266        82,518
         250,000...................      41,633         55,511          69,389         83,266        82,518
         300,000...................      41,633         55,511          69,389         83,266        82,518
         400,000...................      41,633         55,511          69,389         83,266        82,518
         450,000...................      41,633         55,511          69,389         83,266        82,518
         500,000...................      41,633         55,511          69,389         83,266        82,518

<FN>
(A)   Compensation covered under the Pension Plan for employees of the Company
      and the Company Replacement Pension Plan generally includes only base
      salary and is limited to $150,000 for 1995.

(B)   Federal legislation has reduced the benefit which may be earned due to
      future service; however, benefits previously earned may not be reduced. At
      December 31, 1995 each of the individuals named in the Summary
      Compensation Table had covered salary for future benefit accrual of
      $150,000 and the following years of credited service and pension payable
      at age 65 (or current age, if over 65): Mr. Wyatt, 40 years, $461,297; Mr.
      Arledge, 15 years, $56,288; Mr. Cordes, 18 years, $76,087; Mr. King, 3
      years $12,141 (not vested); and Mr. Willson, 23 years, $99,715.

(C)   The normal form of retirement income is a straight life annuity. Benefits
      payable under the Pension Plan are subject to offset by 1.5% of applicable
      monthly social security benefits multiplied by the number of years of
      credited service (up to 331/3 years).
</FN>
</TABLE>

      The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by
subsequent legislation, limits the retirement benefits payable under the
tax-qualified Pension Plan. Where this occurs, the Company will provide to
certain executives, including persons named in the Summary Compensation Table,
additional nonqualified retirement benefits under a Company Replacement Pension
Plan. These benefits, plus payments under the Pension Plan, will not exceed the
maximum amount which the Company would have been required to provide under the
Pension Plan before application of the legislative limitations, and are
reflected in the above table and footnote (B).


                                       13

<PAGE>



PERFORMANCE GRAPH - SHAREHOLDER RETURN ON COMMON STOCK

                                     [GRAPH]

<TABLE>
                           Five-Year Cumulative Values
                             $100 Invested 12/31/90
                              Dividends Reinvested

<CAPTION>
                                                      DOLLAR VALUE OF $100 INVESTMENT AT DECEMBER 31,
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1990          1991         1992         1993         1994         1995
                                        ----          ----         ----         ----         ----         ----

<S>                                  <C>             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C> 
The Company                          $   100         $  78        $  77        $  91        $  85        $ 121
S&P 500                                  100           130          140          154          156          215
Index<F1><F2>                            100            83           75           89          108           97

<FN>
<F1>
The Index is based on Value Line's Diversified Natural Gas Group - the
Performance Graph reflects total shareholder return weighted to reflect the
market capitalizations of the peer companies. The peer group is comprised of:
Arkla/NorAm, Burlington Res., Cabot, Columbia, Consolidated Nat. Gas, Eastern
Enterprises, Enron, Enserch, Equitable Res., KN Energy, Mitchell Energy,
National Fuel Gas, PanEnergy, Questar, Seagull Energy, Sonat, Southwestern
Energy, Tenneco, Valero and Williams Cos.

<F2>
Coastal is excluded from the Index.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                     TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS

      In 1987, Coastal Mart, Inc. ("Coastal Mart"), a subsidiary of the Company,
entered into a ten-year lease/purchase agreement with Pester Marketing Company
("Pester Marketing") for 220 gasoline service stations (subsequently reduced to
182 stations through disposition of assets) located in the midwestern region of
the United States. Jack Pester, a principal stockholder and Chief Executive
Officer of Pester Marketing, subsequently became an employee, officer and
director of Coastal Mart and was elected a Senior Vice President of the Company.
Mr. Pester is no longer active in the management of Pester Marketing, and his
stock interest in that company has been placed in trust. In 1994, the lease
transaction was terminated pursuant to an agreement under which Coastal Mart
acquired ownership of and title to 175 of the gasoline service stations and
Pester Marketing retained the seven remaining stations.

      During 1995 the Company and/or its subsidiaries sold approximately
13,447,600 gallons of gasoline to Pester Marketing at prevailing market prices
totaling approximately $8,352,300.


                                       14

<PAGE>



      The following table sets forth ownership of units of limited partnership
interests in the Coastal 1987 Drilling Program, Ltd. by directors and all
directors and executive officers as a group.

Directors                                                             Units
-----------                                                           -----

O. S. Wyatt, Jr....................................................... 750
Harold Burrow......................................................... 100
David A. Arledge......................................................   -
John M. Bissell.......................................................   -
George L. Brundrett, Jr...............................................   -
Roy D. Chapin, Jr.....................................................  20
James F. Cordes.......................................................   -
Roy L. Gates..........................................................   -
Kenneth O. Johnson....................................................   -
Jerome S. Katzin......................................................   -
Thomas R. McDade......................................................   -
L. D. Wooddy, Jr......................................................   -
All directors and executive
    officers as a group (31 persons,
    including the above).............................................. 890



                        PROPOSAL 2 - STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL

      Management has been advised by two stockholders that they will introduce a
resolution at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The names and addresses of the
co-sponsors, and the information they have provided as to the number of shares
of stock of the Company they own, will be furnished by the Company either orally
or in writing upon request.
The proposal follows:

                               BOARD INCLUSIVENESS

      We believe the employee and board composition of major corporations should
reflect the people in the workforce and marketplace of the 21st century if our
company is going to remain competitive. Our employees, customers and
stockholders are now made up of a greater diversity of backgrounds than ever
before. The report of the Department of Labor's 1995 bi-partisan Glass Ceiling
Commission, "Good For Business: Making Full Use of the Nation's Human Capital,"
confirms diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace has a positive impact on
the bottomline. A report of Standard and Poor 500 companies provided by Covenant
Fund revealed "...firms that succeed in shattering their own glass ceiling
racked up stock-market records that were nearly 2 1/2 times better than
otherwise - comparable companies."

      In 1994 the Investor Responsibility Research Center reported inclusiveness
at senior management and board levels was only 9% of the fortune 500 companies
in a comparable workforce of 57% diversity. The Glass Ceiling Commission
reported that companies are selecting from only half of the talent of our
workforce. Therefore we urge our corporation to enlarge its search for the best
qualified board members by casting a wider net. If we are to be prepared for the
21st century we must learn how to compete in a growingly diverse global market
place by promoting and selecting the best people regardless of race, gender or
physical challenge. We believe the judgements and perspectives of a diverse
board would serve to improve the quality of corporate decision-making.

      Since the board of directors is responsible for representing shareholder
interests in corporate meetings, a growing proportion of stockholders is now
attaching value to board inclusiveness. A 1994 Investor Responsibility Research
Center survey revealed 37% of respondents cited board diversity as the
influencing factor for supporting votes.


                                       15

<PAGE>



      The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association and College Retirement
Equities Fund, the largest institutional investor in the United States, recently
issued a set of corporate governance guidelines including a call for "diversity
of directors by experience, sex, age and race."

      Therefore be it resolved that shareholders request:

1.    The nominating committee of the Board in its search for suitable board
      candidates, make a greater effort to find qualified women and minority
      candidates for nomination to the Board of Directors.

2.    The Board of Directors issue a statement publicly committing the company
      to a policy of board inclusiveness with a program of steps to take and the
      timeline expected to move in that direction.

     3. The Company issue a report by September 1996 at a reasonable expense
that includes a description of:

      a)   efforts to encourage diversified representation on our Board of
           Directors
      b)   criteria for board qualification
      c)   the process of selecting the board candidates
      d)   the process of selecting the board committee members

Board of Directors Statement in Opposition to Stockholder Proposal

      The Company has a firm employment policy requiring fair and equal
treatment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin,
physical or mental handicap and veteran status. The Company abides by Federal
and State regulations in these regards.

      Coastal already has a diverse workforce and has women and minority members
of Boards of Directors of significant subsidiaries, particularly Colorado
Interstate Gas Company and ANR Pipeline Company, although sex and race were not
the key qualifications in the selection of these directors, but rather their
business background and experience. These are also key qualifications of the
Coastal directors.

      The Board of Directors believes that the interests of the Company and its
stockholders are best served by having highly qualified and independent
directors with diverse backgrounds and that the principal criteria for Board of
Directors membership is a person's ability to contribute to the enhancement of
stockholder value. The Company and the directors believe that Coastal has such a
Board of Directors, that the factors discussed are meaningful to stockholders,
and that the stockholder proposal is unduly restrictive.

      Your Board of Directors has therefore concluded that this proposal is not
in the best interest of the Company or its stockholders, which interests are
best served by permitting the Board of Directors maximum flexibility to seek
highly qualified directors with complimentary skills and backgrounds.

Accordingly, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote AGAINST the
stockholder proposal (Proposal 2).

                           VOTE REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL

      The nominees for director receiving a majority of the votes cast at the
Meeting by stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall
be elected. The stockholder proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority
of the votes cast attributable to shares present in person or by proxy at the
Meeting and entitled to vote. For purposes of counting the vote, abstentions,
broker non-votes and other votes not cast will not be counted as voted, and the
number of votes of which a majority is required will be reduced by the number of
votes not cast.


                                       16

<PAGE>



                COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

      Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and
officers to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of shares of the
Company's stock with the S.E.C. Directors and officers are required by S.E.C.
regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they
file. Based on its review of the copies of such reports received by it, or
written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were
required for those persons, the Company believes that, from January 1 through
December 31, 1995, its directors and officers complied with all applicable
filing requirements.

                              INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

      The Board of Directors of Coastal has designated Deloitte & Touche LLP to
audit the books and accounts of the Company for the year ending December 31,
1996. Deloitte & Touche LLP have been auditors for the Company since 1957. It is
anticipated that representatives of such firm will be present at the Annual
Meeting for the purpose of making a statement, should they desire, and
responding to appropriate stockholder questions.

                              STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

      Stockholders who desire to submit proposals to the Company for
consideration for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement and form of proxy
for the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Coastal must submit such
proposals to the Secretary of the Company by November 29, 1996.

                                  OTHER MATTERS

      Management does not intend to present any business at the Annual Meeting
other than as set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting and knows of no other
business to be presented for action at the Meeting. If, however, any other
business should properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments
thereof, it is intended that all proxies will be voted with respect thereto in
accordance with the best judgment of the persons named in the proxies.

                     AVAILABILITY OF FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

      Copies of Coastal's Annual Report to Stockholders or its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, are available without charge to stockholders upon request
to Mr. Austin M. O'Toole, Senior Vice President and Secretary, The Coastal
Corporation, Coastal Tower, Nine Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas 77046-0995.


                                       17

<PAGE>



PROXY
                             THE COASTAL CORPORATION
  Proxy solicited by the Board of Directors for the May 2, 1996 Annual Meeting

The undersigned hereby appoints O. S. WYATT, JR., HAROLD BURROW and DAVID A.
ARLEDGE, and each of them, proxies, with power of substitution, to vote all
stock owned by the undersigned of THE COASTAL CORPORATION at the Annual Meeting
of its Stockholders to be held on May 2, 1996, and at any and all adjournments
thereof, hereby revoking any proxy heretofore given.


                                   
                                   Please sign, date and return your Proxy
                                   promptly in the enclosed envelope.  Sign
                                   exactly as name(s) appear(s) hereon. Joint
                                   owners should each sign.  When signing in a
                                   fiduciary capacity, please give full title.

                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  Date
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                                       Signature(s)

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

                          - CONTINUED ON REVERSE SIDE -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  PLEASE DETACH, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL YOUR PROXY


                             YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

              To secure the largest possible representation at the
               Annual Meeting of Stockholders and save the expense
                of a second mailing, would you please return your
                  Proxy promptly in the enclosed envelope which
               requires no postage if mailed in the United States.




<PAGE>



PROXY (Continued)
This Proxy will be voted as directed, but if not otherwise directed, it will
be voted FOR all nominees named below and AGAINST Proposal 2.

    The shares represented hereby shall be voted as follows:

      (1) The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR all persons
named below:

      Elect four Class I directors to terms of office expiring at the 1999
Annual Meeting of Stockholders as follows:

           Election of one director by holders of Common and Preferred Stock
voting together as a class:
                                  Harold Burrow

          Election of three directors by holders of Common, Class A Common and
Preferred Stock voting together as a class:

            John M. Bissell, Roy D. Chapin, Jr. and Jerome S. Katzin

FOR [ ]  all persons named above except,     WITHHOLD  [ ] authority to vote
authority withheld as to the following       for all persons named above.
person(s), if any.

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


      (2) The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote AGAINST the
following proposal:

      FOR [ ]    AGAINST [ ]    ABSTAIN [ ] stockholder proposal described in
      the accompanying Proxy Statement.

     (3) In their discretion on such other matters as may properly come before
the meeting.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         PLEASE DETACH, SIGN AND DATE (ON REVERSE) AND MAIL YOUR PROXY





                             YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

              To secure the largest possible representation at the
               Annual Meeting of Stockholders and save the expense
                of a second mailing, would you please return your
                  Proxy promptly in the enclosed envelope which
               requires no postage if mailed in the United States.




<PAGE>



                            THE COASTAL CORPORATION
             Voting Instructions for the May 2, 1996 Annual Meeting

The undersigned hereby instructs Texas Commerce Bank National Association,
the Plan Trustee of the securities identified below, to vote all stock
beneficially owned by the undersigned in such plan of THE COASTAL CORPORATION at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 2, 1996, and at any and all
adjournments thereof, hereby revoking any instructions heretofore given.

                              Please sign, date and return your INSTRUCTIONS
                              promptly in the enclosed envelope. Sign
                              exactly as name appears hereon. When
                              signing in a fiduciary capacity, please
                              give full title.

                                                  -----------------------------
                                                  Date
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                                       Signature(s)

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

                          - CONTINUED ON REVERSE SIDE -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              PLEASE DETACH, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL YOUR INSTRUCTIONS


                         YOUR INSTRUCTIONS ARE IMPORTANT

              To secure the largest possible representation at the
               Annual Meeting of Stockholders and save the expense
                of a second mailing, would you please return your
              Instructions promptly in the enclosed envelope which
               requires no postage if mailed in the United States.




<PAGE>


These INSTRUCTIONS will be followed as directed, but if not otherwise
directed, the shares will be voted FOR all nominees named below and AGAINST
Proposal 2.

The shares represented hereby shall be voted as follows:

(1) The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR all persons
named below:

     Elect four Class I directors to terms of office expiring at the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders as follows:

     Election of one director by holders of Common and Preferred Stock voting
together as a class:

                                 Harold Burrow

     Election of three directors by holders of Common, Class A Common and
Preferred Stock voting together as a class:

            John M. Bissell, Roy D. Chapin, Jr. and Jerome S. Katzin

FOR [ ] all persons named above    WITHHOLD [ ]  authority to vote for all as
except, authority withheld         to the following person(s), if any. persons
                                   named above.

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

      (2) The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote AGAINST the
following proposal:

           FOR [ ]    AGAINST [ ]    ABSTAIN [ ]    stockholder proposal
described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

      (3) In their discretion on such other matters as may properly come before
the meeting.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PLEASE DETACH, SIGN AND DATE (ON REVERSE) AND MAIL YOUR INSTRUCTIONS





                         YOUR INSTRUCTIONS ARE IMPORTANT
              To secure the largest possible representation at the
               Annual Meeting of Stockholders and save the expense
                of a second mailing, would you please return your
                 Instructions promptly in the enclosed envelope
                   which requires no postage if mailed in the
                                 United States.