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                                                                EXHIBIT 23-C


                                                                February 2, 1999





RE:   EVALUATION OF THE P&NG RESERVES OF COLUMBIA NATURAL RESOURCES (AS OF
      DECEMBER 31, 1998) CONSTANT PRICE AND COST VERSION FOR U.S. SECURITIES
      REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

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 1998 Annual
Report of Columbia Energy Group to the Securities and Exchange Commission on
Form 10-K, and any Registration Statement of Columbia Energy Group, relating to
the issue of securities to the public during 1999; to the quotation or
summarization of portions of this Letter Report, subject to our approval of the
related page(s) of the documents(s), in the 10-K, the Prospectus included in
said Registration Statement(s) or the 1998 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
Columbia Energy Group, 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 Columbia Energy Group or any affiliate as a promoter,
underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer, employee, or affiliate.


                                R. N. Johnson, P. Eng.
                                Senior Reservoir Engineer

                                /s/ K. H. Crowther
                                ------------------

                                K. H. Crowther, P. Eng.
                                Executive Vice-President