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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.A

                               [ONEOK LETTERHEAD]


                             ONEOK ACQUIRES RESERVES

         TULSA, Oklahoma -- ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE), announced today it has
joined Carl E. Gungoll Exploration, Inc., in completing an acquisition of
natural gas and oil reserves from an undisclosed party. ONEOK's contribution to
the acquisition was $9.8 million.

         Estimated net reserves for the acquisition should exceed 12 Bcfe and
include significant development potential. These properties are predominantly
natural gas and are located in the Cement Field in Caddo and Grady Counties,
Oklahoma, an area where ONEOK currently has other properties. This field has
been very active in recent years and continues to show promise for future
development.

         Carl E. Gungoll Exploration, Inc., is a privately held independent
producer based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The future development activity of
the properties acquired will be operated by Gungoll, which has previously been
very active in the Cement Field. ONEOK will participate in these development
activities and will also be involved in providing gas marketing services.

         This acquisition is a continuation of ONEOK's strategy to purchase
natural gas reserves in Oklahoma and other parts of the Mid-Continent, which
provide opportunities for low-risk development.

         ONEOK, Inc., is engaged in natural gas intrastate distribution and
transmission, gas processing, gas marketing and gas production. ONEOK has
approximately 31.6 million shares of common stock outstanding.

                                      ###

STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE THAT INCLUDE COMPANY EXPECTATIONS OR
PREDICTIONS OF THE FUTURE ARE FORWARD- LOOKING STATEMENTS INTENDED TO BE COVERED
BY THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE ACTUAL RESULTS OF COMPANY
EARNINGS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS. INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET WORLD WIDE WEB AT
HTTP://WWW.ONEOK.COM.





