

                                                   EXHIBIT 99

                                                   DIANE WUYCHECK
                                                   (412) 553-5911

                                                   JULY 16, 1997



                   EQUITABLE RESOURCES CLOSES MERGER WITH NORESCO


PITTSBURGH  --  Equitable  Resources,  Inc.  (ERI)  announced  today that it has
completed  its  merger   transaction  with  Northeast  Energy  Services  Company
(NORESCO). A definitive agreement to acquire NORESCO was previously announced on
May 19.

Equitable Resources is a $2 billion integrated energy company with three primary
business segments.  ERI Services,  the company's  non-regulated  energy services
segment,  is rapidly expanding its market presence and customer base in resource
and facilities  management in both the government and private  business  sector.
ERI Supply & Logistics  is the  company's  exploration,  production  and trading
business which develops,  supplies and transports energy and operates  primarily
in the Appalachian and Gulf Coast regions. ERI Utilities comprises the company's
regulated businesses,  including the local distribution company,  Equitable Gas,
and interstate pipeline company, Equitrans.

Equitable Resources, Inc. is traded under the ticker symbol, "EQT."


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        OF CHARGE BY FAX THROUGH COMPANY NEWS ON CALL AT 1-800-758-5804,
           EXT. 289250, OR ON THE INTERNET AT HTTP://WWW.ERI2000.COM

