CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-85711),  Form S-3 (No. 333-83497),  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),  Form S-8 (No.  333-51595),  and Form S-4
(No.  333-74887)  of National  Fuel Gas Company of our report dated  October 25,
1999, relating to the financial  statements and financial  statement  schedules,
which appears in this Form 10-K.






PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Buffalo, New York
December 21, 1999