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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000070145-00-000021.txt : 20000524
<SEC-HEADER>0000070145-00-000021.hdr.sgml : 20000524
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000070145-00-000021
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	35-CERT
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20000523

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONAL FUEL GAS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000070145
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION [4924]
		IRS NUMBER:				131086010
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		35-CERT
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	070-09117
		FILM NUMBER:		642042

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10 LAFAYETTE SQ
		CITY:			BUFFALO
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14203
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7168576980

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10 LAFAYETTE SQ
		STREET 2:		10 LAFAYETTE SQ
		CITY:			BUFFALO
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14203
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>35-CERT
<SEQUENCE>1
<TEXT>

                            UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
                  BEFORE THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C.

- ---------------------------------------

IN THE MATTER OF
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY,                           9th CERTIFICATE
SENECA INDEPENDENCE PIPELINE COMPANY,                PURSUANT TO RULE 24
NIAGARA INDEPENDENCE MARKETING COMPANY,
ET AL.
FILE NO. 70-9117
(Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935)

- ---------------------------------------


         This is to  certify,  pursuant  to Rule 24  under  the  Public  Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, that the transactions referred to below
have been carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions of and for the
purpose   represented  by  the   Declarations   of  National  Fuel  Gas  Company
("National"),  Seneca  Independence  Pipeline  Company  ("Seneca"),  and Niagara
Independence  Marketing Company  ("Niagara"),  et al., as amended,  in the above
file and pursuant to the Order,  dated March 13,  1998,  of the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission with respect thereto ("Order").

         The  following  exhibits  are  attached  to and  made a  part  of  this
Certificate:

         Exhibit A - Income Statement of Seneca for the quarter ended March 31,
                     2000 (Confidential Treatment Requested Pursuant to Rule
                     104(b)).

         Exhibit B - Balance Sheet of Seneca as of March 31, 2000 (Confidential
                     Treatment Requested Pursuant to Rule 104(b)).

         Exhibit C - Income Statement of Niagara for the quarter ended March 31,
                     2000 (Confidential Treatment Requested Pursuant to Rule
                     104(b)).

         Exhibit D - Balance Sheet of Niagara as of March 31, 2000 (Confidential
                     Treatment Requested Pursuant to Rule 104(b)).

         Exhibit E - Seneca's Allocated Share of the Profits/Losses of
                     Independence  Pipeline  Company for the quarter ended
                     March  31,  2000  (Confidential  Treatment  Requested
                     Pursuant to Rule 104(b)).

         Exhibit F - Niagara's  Allocated Share of the  Profits/Losses of
                     DirectLink Gas Marketing Company for the quarter ended
                     March 31, 2000 (Confidential Treatment Requested Pursuant
                     to Rule 104(b)).


         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  undersigned   companies  have  caused  this
Certificate to be executed as of this 19th day of May, 2000.

                                    NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY


                                    By:  /s/ J. R. Peterson
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       J. R. Peterson
                                       Assistant Secretary


                                    SENECA INDEPENDENCE PIPELINE
                                         COMPANY


                                    By:  /s/ W. E. DeForest
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       W. E. DeForest
                                       President, Secretary and Treasurer


                                    NIAGARA INDEPENDENCE MARKETING
                                         COMPANY


                                    By:  /s/ W. M. Petmecky
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       W. M. Petmecky
                                       Secretary


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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