Columbia Gas sought to amend supplier contracts.

The $800-million cash offer was made to induce producers to amend their long-term contracts and lower natural gas prices, Columbia Gas Transmission said. A spokesman said negotiations began several months ago with 23 producers, but no agreement has yet been reached. Dover, Del.-based Columbia is paying producers between $4 and $9 per 1,000 cubic feet of gas, and the proposed contracts would put the price at $3 or less.