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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23-A


                                    CONSENT




                 As independent petroleum and natural gas consultants, we
hereby consent to the filing of this Letter Report in its entirety as an
Exhibit to the 1993 Annual Report of The Columbia Gas System, Inc., to the
Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K, and any Registration Statement
of The Columbia Gas System, Inc., relating to the issue of securities to the
public during 1994; to the quotation or summarization of portions of this
Letter Report, subject to our approval of the related page(s) of the
document(s), in the 10-K, the Prospectus included in said Registration
Statement(s) or the 1993 annual Report to Stockholders; and, subject to
approval of the related page(s) of the document(s), to the use of our name and
the reliance upon our authority as experts in said Annual Report to
Stockholders, Form 10-K and Prospectus(es) and in Part II of said Registration
Statement(s).  We have no interest of a substantial or material nature in The
Columbia Gas System, Inc., or in any affiliate, nor are we to receive any such
interest as payment for the preparation of this Letter Report; we have not been
employed for such preparation on a contingent fee basis; and we are not
connected with The Columbia Gas System, Inc., or any affiliate as a promoter,
underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer, employee, or affiliate.





                              RYDER SCOTT COMPANY
                              PETROLEUM ENGINEERS



Houston, Texas
January 24, 1994