BUSINESS MEMO: FERRELLGAS EXPANDING

Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., headquartered in Liberty, Mo., has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Thermogas Co., a subsidiary of William (NYSE: WMB), at price of $432.5 million.

Thermogas is currently the nation's fifth largest propane retailers, with 180 retail outlets in 18 states, with sales of about 300 million gallons a year. Ferrellgas is number two in propane sales in the nation.

Based on retail gallons sold, Ferrellgas will become the largest retail marketer of propane in the United States, nearing a billion gallons and serving more than a million customers in 45 states.

Ferrellgas has a local office in Cape Girardeau, which serves customers in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

The agreement is subject to regulatory approval.