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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 bkHdAzs8b0Nb58O3WnaUUw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-07-013283.txt : 20070222
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-07-013283.hdr.sgml : 20070222
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070222102235
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-07-013283
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070221
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070222
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070222

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000073020
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION [4924]
		IRS NUMBER:				930256722
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OR
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		220 NW SECOND AVE
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97209
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5032264211

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Williams David R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001383905

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15973
		FILM NUMBER:		07640740

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		503-226-4211

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		220 NW SECOND AVENUE
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97209
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd145527.xml
<DESCRIPTION>2-07 OPTION GRANT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-02-21</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000073020</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NORTHWEST NATURAL GAS CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NWN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001383905</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Williams David R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>220 NW SECOND AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PORTLAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97209</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option to Buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>44.48</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-02-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Option was granted for 2,000 shares pursuant to Northwest Natural Gas Company's Restated Stock Option Plan.  Option on 500 shares will become exercisable on each of February 21, 2008, January 1, 2009, January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2011.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>C.J. Rue, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-02-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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