<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>a2083055zex-23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23
<TEXT>
<Page>

                                                                      Exhibit 23


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 33-00252) pertaining to the Equitable Resources, Inc. Employee Savings
Plan of our report dated June 17, 2002, with respect to the financial statements
and schedules of the Equitable Resources, Inc. Employee Savings Plan included in
this Annual Report (Form 11-K) for the year ended December 29, 2001.










                                               /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                         --------------------------------------
                                                 Ernst & Young LLP





Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
June 28, 2002


                                       14

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
