Gas News Release

March 18, 1999

CNG Producing High Bidder on Nine Leases, Six in Gulf of Mexico's Deep Water

NEW ORLEANS -- CNG Producing Company, acting alone or with partners, was high bidder on nine leases in yesterday's Central Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 172. Six of the leases are in deep water.

The company's high bids totaled $7.3 million and include the following blocks: 100 percent interests in Viosca Knoll 740, Green Canyon 691, Green Canyon 692, West Cameron 58 and South Pelto 16; 50 percent interests in Mississippi Canyon 296, Mississippi Canyon 595, Mississippi Canyon 639; and a one-third interest in Main Pass 164. Viosca Knoll, Green Canyon and Mississippi Canyon are in deep water.

As is customary, the high bids will be reviewed by the Minerals Management Service of the U.S. Interior Department before the leases are awarded. If the bids are successful, CNG will add about 37,000 acres to the approximately 385,000 acres it already holds in the Gulf of Mexico.

CNG Producing Company is one of the nation's largest independent producers of natural gas and oil, and the third largest producer in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It is responsible for all exploration and development activities of Pittsburgh-based Consolidated Natural Gas Company (NYSE:CNG), one of the nation's largest producers, transporters, distributors and retail marketers of natural gas.

CNG's recent news releases are available 24 hours a day on the Internet, by fax machine, or by voice recording. On the Internet, use CNG's Web site: www.cng.com. For faxing, call 1-800-758-5804 on a touch-tone phone and enter CNG's company extension, which is 203456. From a menu, you will then be able to select releases that will be faxed to you immediately without charge. For voice recordings, call 1-888-CNG-NEWS. This line is toll-free.

For further information contact:
Dan Donovan
412-690-1370