CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Prospectuses
constituting  part of the  Registration  Statements on Form S-3 (No.  33-51881),
Form S-3 (No. 33-36868),  Form S-3 (No.  333-03803),  Form S-3 (No.  333-51769),
Form S-8 (No. 2-94539), Form S-8 (No. 33-49693), Form S-8 (No. 333-03057),  Form
S-8 (No.  333-03055),  and Form S-8 (No. 333-51595) of National Fuel Gas Company
of our report dated October 27, 1998, appearing on page 56 of this Form 10-K.






Buffalo, New York
December 21, 1998