EXHIBIT 23



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statements  on Form S-8 of  Northwest  Natural Gas Company  (Nos.  33-63017  and
33-63585,  Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 2-76276,
and Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 2-77195) and in
the Registration  Statements on Form S-3 of Northwest  Natural Gas Company (Nos.
33-51271 and 33-53795,  Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-15323,
and  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 1 to Registration  Statement Nos. 33-1304 and
33-20384) of our report dated May 16, 1997 relating to the financial  statements
of the Northwest Natural Gas Company  Retirement K Savings Plan which appears as
an attachment to this Form 11-K.

PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP

Portland, Oregon
June 19, 1997