Gas News Release

April 21, 1999

CNG Producing Company Receives Corporate Citizen Award, National and District "SAFE" Awards From Minerals Management Service

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The U. S. Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) recently announced that CNG Producing Company has won the 1998 Corporate Citizens Award, the National Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE), and the Houma District Safety Award for Excellence (SAFE) honors.

At an awards banquet held recently in Houston, CNG Producing Company was presented the Department of Interior's Minerals Management Service 1998 Corporate Citizen Award in recognition of its outstanding offshore operating performance and fiscal responsibility. CNG Producing Company was selected as the top Outer Continental Shelf lessee for operational safety, and for its outstanding royalty reporting record during the calendar year. These efforts reflect the professional efforts by CNG Producing Company in promoting safety and corporate responsibility consistent with the intent and spirit of the Corporate Citizen Award.

CNG Producing Company was also presented the 1998 National Safety Award for Excellence, in recognition of its outstanding performance in the category of "Moderate OCS Activity," for its oil and gas production operations on the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States. The MMS emphasized CNG Producing's cooperation, safety consciousness and knowledge of the operating requirements on all its OCS facilities.

CNG Producing Company will be presented the 1998 Houma District SAFE Award for Excellence in a separate ceremony. Chris Oynes, MMS regional director, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, said: "The winners of the District SAFE Awards have set very high standards for safety by their technical accomplishments and commitment to protection of the environment while conducting Federal offshore oil and natural gas operations."Mr. Oynes also said of the award winners that "their overall performance demonstrates that we can produce offshore energy resources while protecting and respecting environmental concerns."

The SAFE Award was established by MMS in 1983 to recognize and commend operating companies that expend extra effort and conduct their operations in a safe and pollution-free manner, adhere to all regulatory requirements, employ trained and motivated personnel, and take extra steps to enhance the safety of operations and environmental protection.

Pat Riley, president of CNG Producing, said in congratulating employees, "I couldn't be more proud of what you have done. These awards cap off an exceptional year and just confirm how strong a company we really have."

CNG Producing Company explores for and produces natural gas and oil throughout the United States and in Canada. It is a subsidiary of Pittsburgh-based Consolidated Natural Gas Company, one of the nation's largest producers, transporters, distributors and marketers of natural gas, and offers a variety of energy marketing services throughout North America.

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For further information contact:
Aline Wyman
(281) 593-7301