EXHIBIT (32.1)


                          NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY
                       Certificate Pursuant to Section 906
                         of Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002


     Each of the undersigned, MARK S. DODSON, the President and Chief Executive
Officer, and BRUCE R. DEBOLT, the Senior Vice President, Finance, and Chief
Financial Officer, of NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS COMPANY (the Company), DOES HEREBY
CERTIFY that:

1.   The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
     2003 (the Report) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) of
     the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.   Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
     respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this instrument to
be executed this 9th day of March 2004.


                                         /s/ Mark S. Dodson
                                         -----------------------------------
                                         President and
                                         Chief Executive Officer


                                         /s/ Bruce R. DeBolt
                                         -----------------------------------
                                         Senior Vice President, Finance,
                                         and Chief Financial Officer


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Northwest Natural Gas Company and will be retained by Northwest
Natural Gas Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or
its staff upon request.