MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS CO /MI/
S-3, 1996-11-18
NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION
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<PAGE>   1
 
   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 18, 1996
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                               ------------------
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
 
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               ------------------
 
                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>
                      MICHIGAN                                            38-0478040
           (State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. Employer
           incorporation or organization)                             Identification No.)
</TABLE>
 
                              500 GRISWOLD STREET
                            DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226
                                 (313) 965-2430
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
                               ------------------
 
                             SUSAN K. MCNISH, ESQ.
                 VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
                              500 GRISWOLD STREET
                            DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226
                                 (313) 965-2430
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                               ------------------
 
                                    Copy To:
                             WILLIAM S. LAMB, ESQ.
                     LEBOEUF, LAMB, GREENE & MACRAE, L.L.P.
                              125 WEST 55TH STREET
                         NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019-5389
                                 (212) 424-8000
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time as determined by market conditions after the effective date of this
Registration Statement.
 
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                PROPOSED           PROPOSED
                                                                 MAXIMUM            MAXIMUM
                                               AMOUNT           OFFERING           AGGREGATE          AMOUNT OF
   TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES           TO BE              PRICE            OFFERING         REGISTRATION
            TO BE REGISTERED                 REGISTERED         PER UNIT             PRICE              FEE**
<S>                                        <C>               <C>                <C>                <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Mortgage Bonds....................    $260,000,000          100%*          $ 260,000,000         $78,788
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 * Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
** Does not include certain First Mortgage Bonds of Michigan Consolidated Gas
   Company covered by Registration Statement No. 33-59093 which are being
   carried over to this Registration Statement. Also does not include the
   Registration Fee of $13,793 which was previously paid with respect to such
   First Mortgage Bonds.
 
    Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 429 under the Securities Act of 1933, the
Prospectus contained herein constitutes a combined Prospectus relating also to
$40,000,000 of unsold First Mortgage Bonds registered pursuant to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-59093) which are being
carried forward in connection with this Registration Statement. In the event
that any of such previously registered First Mortgage Bonds are offered prior to
the effective date of this Registration Statement, the amount of such First
Mortgage Bonds will not be included in any Prospectus hereunder. The amount of
First Mortgage Bonds being registered, together with the remaining First
Mortgage Bonds registered under Registration Statement No. 33-59093, represents
the maximum amount of First Mortgage Bonds which are expected to be offered for
sale.
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
     Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
     registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor
     may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement
     becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or
     the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these
     securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
     unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws
     of any such State.
 
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED NOVEMBER 18, 1996
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  $300,000,000
 
                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
                              FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS
 
                            ------------------------
 
     Michigan Consolidated Gas Company ("MichCon" or the "Company") from time to
time may offer, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $300,000,000, its
First Mortgage Bonds. First Mortgage Bonds aggregating $40,000,000 have been
designated as Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series B and will be issued under the
Company's Thirty-third Supplemental Indenture and First Mortgage Bonds
aggregating $260,000,000 designated as Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series C will
be issued under the Company's Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture. The
combination of First Mortgage Bonds designated as Secured Medium-Term Notes,
Series B and First Mortgage Bonds designated as secured Medium-Term Notes Series
C (the "New Bonds") may be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be
determined at the time of sale. Certain terms of the New Bonds including, where
applicable, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, interest rate,
interest payment dates, maturity, public offering price, any redemption terms or
other specific terms of each series of New Bonds in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus
Supplement or Supplements (a "Prospectus Supplement").
 
     MichCon may sell the New Bonds to or through underwriters, through dealers,
directly to purchasers or through agents. See "Plan of Distribution".
Underwriters may include Merrill Lynch & Co. (Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated) or such other underwriter or underwriters as may be
designated by MichCon, or an underwriting syndicate represented by one or more
of such firms. Such firms may also act as agents. The Prospectus Supplement will
set forth the names of such underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, any
applicable commissions or discounts and the proceeds to MichCon from such sale.
 
     This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of New Bonds unless
accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement applicable to the New Bonds being sold.
 
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
    AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR
       HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
          SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
              ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
                 TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
               The date of this Prospectus is             , 1996.
<PAGE>   3
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     MichCon is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "1934 Act") and in accordance therewith
files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC"). Such reports and other information can be inspected and copied at
the SEC's Public Reference Room; Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as the following Regional Offices of the SEC: 7
World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048; and Northwestern
Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference
Section of the SEC at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission also maintains a Web Site on the
Internet that contains reports and other information regarding registrants that
file electronically with the Commission (http://www.sec.gov).
 
     This Prospectus constitutes a part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the "Registration
Statement") filed by MichCon with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act") with respect to the New Bonds. This Prospectus
does not contain all of the information set forth in such Registration
Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the SEC. Reference is made to such Registration Statement and to
the exhibits relating thereto for further information with respect to MichCon
and the New Bonds. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of
any document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise
filed with the SEC or incorporated by reference herein are not necessarily
complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such document so
filed for a more complete description of the matter involved. Each such
statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
                           -------------------------
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     There are hereby incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and made a
part hereof the following documents heretofore filed with the SEC pursuant to
the 1934 Act:
 
          1. MichCon's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
     31, 1995.
 
          2. MichCon's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
     March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996, and September 30, 1996.
 
     All documents filed by MichCon pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the 1934 Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of the offering of the securities offered hereby shall be deemed to
be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing such documents.
 
     Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or in any Prospectus Supplement
shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus or
any Prospectus Supplement to the extent that a statement contained in this
Prospectus or in any Prospectus Supplement or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus or in any Prospectus Supplement modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except
as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus or any
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     MichCon hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person to whom
a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, on the written or oral request of
any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which
have been or may be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, other than
exhibits to such documents. Requests for such copies should be directed to:
Investor Relations, MCN Corporation, 500 Griswold Street, Detroit, Michigan
48226; telephone 1-800-548-4655.
 
     NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS OR THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR
AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY
JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR
THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY
TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     MichCon is a Michigan corporation that was organized in 1898 and, with its
predecessors, has been in business for nearly 150 years. The Company is a public
utility engaged in the distribution and transmission of natural gas in the State
of Michigan. The Company serves 1.2 million residential, commercial and
industrial customers in more than 500 communities throughout Michigan with gas
sales and transportation markets of approximately 700 billion cubic feet (Bcf).
MichCon is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCN Corporation, a Michigan corporation.
 
     At December 31, 1995, MichCon and its subsidiaries employed 3,128 persons.
 
     The mailing address of MichCon's principal executive office is 500 Griswold
Street, Detroit, Michigan 48226, and its telephone number is (313) 965-2430.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Except as otherwise stated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, net
proceeds from the sale of the New Bonds offered hereby will be used for the
acquisition of property; the construction, completion, extension or improvement
of facilities; working capital requirements; the improvement or maintenance of
service; the discharge or lawful retirement of short or long-term debt and
borrowings made or expected to be made; and for other corporate purposes.
Specific allocations of proceeds for such purposes have not been made at this
time. Funds may be borrowed in anticipation of future requirements.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The following table sets forth MichCon's earnings to fixed charges for the
periods indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    TWELVE MONTHS
                                                        ENDED              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                    SEPTEMBER 30,    ------------------------------------
                                                        1996         1995    1994    1993    1992    1991
                                                    -------------    ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(1)(2).........        3.62        3.47    3.26    3.58    2.99    2.53
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
(1) The Company is a guarantor of certain other debt. Fixed charges related to
    such debt, deemed to be immaterial, have been excluded in computing the
    above ratios.
 
(2) For the purpose of computing these ratios, earnings consists of net income
    plus income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of total
    interest, amortization of debt discount, premium and expense and the
    estimated portion of interest implicit in rentals.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW BONDS
 
     The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions
of the New Bonds to which any Prospectus Supplement will relate. The particular
terms of the New Bonds offered by any Prospectus Supplement will be described in
such Prospectus Supplement. The statements made herein are a summary only, do
not purport to be complete, and are subject to the detailed provisions of the
Twenty-ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 1989 providing for the
restatement of the Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated as of March 1,
1944 which became effective on April 1, 1994 upon the retirement of all bonds
issued prior to March 1, 1987 and upon the filing of the required certificates
with the Trustee by the Company, as supplemented and amended by the supplemental
indentures thereto (collectively, the "Indenture"). The bonds of all series
issued, or which may be issued, under the Indenture are hereinafter referred to
as the "Bonds".
 
     This summary incorporates by reference certain Articles and Sections of the
Indenture and is qualified in its entirety by such reference. Terms defined in
the Indenture are used in this summary without definition.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
GENERAL
 
     The First Mortgage Bonds designated as Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series C
will constitute a new series of Bonds under the Indenture. There are five series
of Bonds currently outstanding under the Indenture. The Trustees under the
Indenture are Citibank, N.A., New York, N.Y. (the "Trustee") and Robert T.
Kirchner (collectively, the "Trustees").
 
     The New Bonds will be offered on a continuing basis and will mature nine
months or more from the Issue Date (hereinafter defined) as selected by the
purchaser and agreed to by MichCon. Each New Bond will bear interest at a fixed
or variable rate selected by the purchaser and agreed to by MichCon.
 
     Reference is made to the applicable Prospectus Supplement for the following
terms of the New Bonds: (1) the specific designation and series of such New
Bonds; (2) the purchase price of such New Bonds (the "Issue Price"), which may
be expressed as a percentage of the principal amount at which such New Bonds
will be issued; (3) the date on which such New Bonds will be issued (the "Issue
Date"); (4) the date or dates on which the principal of such New Bonds will be
payable (the "Maturity Date"); (5) the rate(s) per annum at which such New Bonds
will bear interest (the "Interest Rate") if any, or the method of determination
of such rate; (6) the date from which any such interest shall accrue; (7) the
terms of redemption, if any; and (8) any other terms of such New Bonds not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture.
 
     The New Bonds will be issued as fully registered bonds without coupons. If
so provided in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company may provide for the
issuance of uncertificated bonds in addition to or in place of certificated
bonds. The New Bonds will be exchangeable by holders for New Bonds of the same
aggregate principal amount, but of different authorized denomination or
denominations, which have the same Issue Date, Maturity Date, Interest Rate, and
redemption provisions, if any. Such exchanges are to be made without service
charge (other than any stamp tax or other governmental charge).
 
SECURITY AND PRIORITY
 
     The Indenture constitutes a first mortgage lien (subject to exceptions and
reservations set forth therein, to "permissible encumbrances", and to various
matters specified under "Business; Franchises" and "Properties" in MichCon's
Form 10-K) upon substantially all of the fixed property and franchises of
MichCon, consisting principally of gas distribution and transmission lines and
systems, underground storage fields and buildings, including property of the
character initially mortgaged which has been or may be acquired by MichCon
subsequent to the execution and delivery of the Indenture. It prohibits creation
of prior liens upon the mortgaged property, other than "permissible
encumbrances", but, within specified limitations in certain cases, property may
be acquired subject to preexisting liens or purchase money and other liens
created at the time or in connection with the acquisition of such property. The
property excepted from the lien of the Indenture consists principally of cash
(unless deposited with the Trustee under the Indenture), accounts receivable,
gas stored in reservoirs except to the extent specially pledged, materials and
supplies, securities, vehicles and leases. (Granting Clauses, Part II, Article I
and Section 5.08, 5.10 and 5.11.)
 
     The Indenture does not contain any debt covenants or provisions which would
afford bondholders protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.
 
     The New Bonds will rank equally and ratably (except as to sinking fund and
other analogous funds established for the exclusive benefit of a particular
series) with all Bonds, regardless of series, from time to time issued and
outstanding under the Indenture.
 
RELEASE OF PROPERTY
 
     Unless an event of default shall have occurred and be continuing, the
Company is entitled to possess, use and enjoy all the property and
appurtenances, franchise and rights conveyed by the Indenture. Subject to
various limitations and requirements, the Company may obtain a release of any
part of the mortgaged property, except prior lien bonds, upon receipt by the
Trustee of cash, as adjusted, equal to the consideration, if any, received or to
be received from the sale, surrender or other disposition of the property to be
released or the then fair value thereof (which ever shall be greater). (Article
VII.)
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL BONDS
 
     Additional Bonds may be issued under the Indenture in principal amounts
(unlimited except as provided by law) equal to:
 
          (1) 70% of the cost or fair value to the Company, whichever is less,
     of unbonded net property additions made after December 31, 1943 (subject to
     deductions in certain cases, if such net property additions secure prior
     lien bonds); and
 
          (2) the sum of the principal amount of Bonds previously issued under
     the Indenture, and of prior lien bonds theretofore deducted under the
     Indenture, which have been retired or are then being retired and have not
     theretofore been bonded; and
 
          (3) the amount of cash deposited with the Trustee for such purpose.
 
     Bonds may be issued on the basis of net property additions which include
substantially all utility property subject to the Indenture (Part II, Article
III) or deposit of cash only if net earnings available for interest and
depreciation (before deduction for income taxes) for any specified 12
consecutive calendar months within the preceding 15 months equal 2 1/2 times
annual interest charges on the Bonds and any prior lien bonds. Such earnings
requirement need not be met where Bonds are to be issued against Bonds or prior
lien bonds which have been or are being retired as described in (2) above if the
Bonds to be issued bear interest at a lower rate than the Bonds or prior lien
bonds which have been or are to be retired, or if the proceeds from the Bonds to
be issued are used to refund Bonds or prior lien bonds which have been retired
within two years prior to such issuance unless additional Bonds requiring an
earnings certificate have been issued in the period between the retirement of
the retired Bonds and the issuance of the New Bonds.
 
     As of September 30, 1996, MichCon had approximately $1.079 billion of
unbonded net property additions, which would entitle it to issue approximately
$755 million principal amount of additional Bonds on the basis of unbonded net
property additions as discussed under (1) in the second preceding paragraph, and
had further additional capacity to issue $5 million principal amount of New
Bonds on the basis of Bonds previously issued under the Indenture, which have
been retired and have not theretofore been bonded as discussed under (2) in the
second preceding paragraph. The New Bonds will be issued upon the basis of 70%
of the cost or fair value of unbonded net property additions as discussed under
(1) in the second preceding paragraph, upon the basis of retired Bonds, as
discussed under (2) in the second preceding paragraph and/or cash deposited with
the Trustee for such purpose, as discussed under (3) in the second preceding
paragraph.
 
WITHDRAWAL OF CERTAIN CASH
 
     Cash deposited with the Trustee as a basis for the issuance of additional
Bonds may be withdrawn by MichCon in amounts described in (1) and (2) under
"Issuance of Additional Bonds". (Part II, Section 8.01.)
 
DEFEASANCE
 
     The Company may require the discharge of the Indenture or treat a series of
Bonds as no longer outstanding thereunder if: (1) the Company deposits with the
Trustee monies or certain obligations of the United States of America or certain
securities which are guaranteed by, or backed by obligations of, the United
States of America, in an amount sufficient to pay, when due, the principal,
premium if any, and any interest due and to become due; and (2) the Company
delivers an opinion of counsel to the effect that registration is not required
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, applicable laws are not violated, and
such discharge will not result in a taxable event with respect to the Bonds the
payment of which is being provided for. In such event, the obligation of the
Company duly and punctually to pay and cause to be paid the principal, premium,
if any, and interest in respect of such Bonds shall be completely discharged.
Thereafter, the holders of such Bonds shall be entitled to payment only out of
funds on deposit with the Trustee as aforesaid for their payment. (Part II,
Article XVI.)
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE
 
     In general, modifications or alterations of the Indenture and of the rights
or obligations of the Company and of the bondholders, as well as waivers of
compliance with the Indenture, may be made with the consent of holders of 60% of
the Bonds, or, if less than all series of Bonds are adversely affected, the
consent of the holders of 60% of the Bonds adversely affected. No such
modification, alteration or waiver may be made which will (1) permit the
extension of the time or times of payment of the principal of, or the interest
or the premium (if any) on, any Bond, or a reduction in the rate of interest
thereon, or otherwise affect the terms of payment of the principal of, or the
interest or the premium (if any) on, any Bond, or affect the right of any
bondholder to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after
the due date thereof, (2) otherwise than as permitted by the Indenture, permit
the creation of any lien ranking prior or equal to the lien of the Indenture
with respect to any of the mortgaged properties or (3) permit the reduction of
the percentage of Bonds required for the making of any such modification,
alteration or waiver. (Part II, Article XIV.)
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEES
 
     The Trustee (Citibank, N.A.) has acted as paying agent on the outstanding
Bonds and will act in the same capacity with respect to the New Bonds. It is
also a depositary of funds of the Company. Robert T. Kirchner is Individual
Trustee. Mr. Kirchner is an Officer of Citibank, N.A.
 
DEFAULT AND NOTICE THEREOF TO BONDHOLDERS
 
     The Indenture provides that, in case of an event of default as defined
therein, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of
the Bonds may declare the principal and all accrued and unpaid interest of all
Bonds, if not already due, to be immediately due and payable. The Trustee, upon
request of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Bonds, shall waive such default and rescind any such declaration if such default
is cured. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Bonds shall have
the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Trustees and of exercising any power or trust
conferred upon the Trustees, but under certain circumstances, the Trustees may
decline to follow such directions or to exercise certain of their powers.
 
     Bondholders have no right to enforce any remedy under the Indenture unless
the Trustees have first had a reasonable opportunity to do so following notice
of default to the Trustee and request by the holders of 25% in principal amount
of the Bonds for action by the Trustees with offer of indemnity satisfactory to
the Trustees against cost, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred
thereby, but this provision does not impair the absolute right of any bondholder
to enforce payment of the principal of and interest on his Bond when due. (Part
II, Article IX.)
 
     The Indenture provides that the following shall constitute events of
default: failure to pay any installment of interest on any Bond when due and
payable, and continuance of such failure for 60 days; failure to pay the
principal of any Bond when due and payable, whether at maturity, in connection
with any sinking fund payment, or otherwise; failure to pay any installment of
interest on any prior lien bonds, and continuance of such failure for the period
of grace, if any, specified in the prior lien securing such bonds; failure to
pay any installment applied to the purchase or redemption of any Bond, and
continuance of such failure for 60 days; failure to pay the principal of any
prior lien bond when due and payable, whether at maturity or otherwise; failure
on the part of the Company to perform or observe any other covenant, agreement
or condition contained in the Indenture or in the Bonds or any prior lien bonds,
continuance of such failure for 90 days after written notice to the Company by
the Trustee or by the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
Bonds; and insolvency or bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings
initiated by the Company, or initiated against the Company and not dismissed or
stayed within 45 days; and failure to renew or extend its corporate charter upon
or prior to the expiration of such under the provision of its Articles of
Incorporation or of law.
 
     The Indenture provides that the Trustees shall give to the bondholders
notice of the happening of a default known to them within 90 days after the
occurrence thereof (disregarding any period of grace in the
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
defaults referred to above) unless such default shall have been cured, but
except in case of default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest on the Bonds or in the payment of any sinking fund installment, the
Trustees may withhold such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the
executive committee or a trust committee of directors or responsible officers of
the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in
the interest of the bondholders. (Part II, Sections 9.01 and 12.03.)
 
BOOK-ENTRY NOTES
 
     The New Bonds may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more
Global Securities (as such term is defined below) that will be deposited with,
or on behalf of, a Depositary ("Depositary") or its nominee identified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. In such a case, one or more Global Securities
will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denomination equal to the portion
of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding New Bonds to be represented by
such Global Security or Global Securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in
whole or in part for New Bonds in registered form, a Global Security may not be
registered for transfer or exchange except as a whole by the Depositary for such
Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such
Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such
Depositary or any nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such
successor Depositary and except in the circumstances described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. The term "Global Security", when used with respect to any
New Bonds, means a New Bond that is executed by the Company and authenticated
and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary's
instruction, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its
nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal
to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the outstanding New Bonds or any
portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without
limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is
due, and interest rate or method of determining interest.
 
     The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any
portion of New Bonds to be represented by a Global Security will be described in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company expects that the following
provisions will apply to depositary arrangements.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, New
Bonds which are to be represented by a Global Security to be deposited with or
on behalf of a Depositary will be represented by a Global Security registered in
the name of such Depositary or its nominee. Upon the issuance of such Global
Security, and the deposit of such Global Security with or on behalf of the
Depositary for such Global Security, the Depositary will credit, on its
book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of
the New Bonds represented by such Global Security to the accounts of
institutions that have accounts with such Depositary or its nominee
("participants"). The accounts to be credited will be designated by the
underwriters or agents of such New Bonds or, if such New Bonds are offered and
sold directly by the Company, by the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests
in such Global Security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold
interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests by
participants in such Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that
ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by the
Depositary or its nominee for such Global Security. Ownership of beneficial
interests in such Global Security by persons that hold through participants will
be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership interest within such participant
will be effected only through, records maintained by such participant. The laws
of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take
physical delivery of such securities in certificated form. The foregoing
limitations and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in such Global Security.
 
     So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Securities
represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Statement, owners of beneficial
interests in such Global Security will not be entitled to have New Bonds
represented by such Global Security registered in their names, will not receive
or be entitled to receive physical delivery of New Bonds in certificated form
and will not be considered the holders thereof for any purposes under the
Indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in such Global
Security must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such person is
not a
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns
its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the Indenture. The
Company understands that under existing industry practices, if the Company
requests any action of holders or an owner of a beneficial interest in such
Global Security desires to give any notice or take any action a holder is
entitled to give or take under the Indenture, the Depositary would authorize the
participants to give such notice or take such action, and participants would
authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to give such notice
or take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial
owners owning through them.
 
     Principal of and any premium and interest on a Global Security will be
payable in the manner described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                             VALIDITY OF SECURITIES
 
     The validity of the New Bonds offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Susan K. McNish, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of
MichCon and for any agents or underwriters by LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae,
L.L.P., a limited liability partnership including professional corporations, 125
West 55th Street, New York, New York. LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P.
from time to time renders legal services to MichCon.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements and related financial statement
schedule incorporated in this prospectus by reference from MichCon's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is
incorporated herein by reference and have been so incorporated in reliance upon
the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell any series of the New Bonds (i) to or through
underwriters; (ii) to or through dealers; (iii) directly to purchasers; or (iv)
through agents. A Prospectus Supplement will set forth the terms of the offering
of the New Bonds; including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or
agents, the purchase price of such New Bonds and the proceeds to the Company
from such sale, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting
underwriters' or agents' compensation, any initial public offering price, any
discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any
securities exchange on which such New Bonds may be listed. Any initial public
offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers may be changed from time to time. Only firms named in the Prospectus
Supplement or a related pricing supplement, if applicable, will be deemed to be
underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the New Bonds offered
thereby, and if any of the firms expressly referred to below is not named in
such Prospectus Supplement or a related pricing supplement, then such firm will
not be a party to the underwriting or distribution agreement in respect of such
New Bonds, will not be purchasing any such New Bonds from the Company and will
have no direct or indirect participation in the underwriting or other
distribution of such New Bonds, although it may participate in the distribution
of such New Bonds under circumstances entitling it to a dealer's commission.
 
     If underwriters are used in the sale, the New Bonds will be acquired by the
underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or
more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering
price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The New Bonds may be
offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one
or more managing underwriters (which may include Merrill Lynch & Co. (Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated), or such other underwriter or
underwriters as may be designated by the Company) or directly by one or more
underwriters. The underwriter or underwriters with respect to a particular
underwritten offering of New Bonds will be named in the Prospectus relating to
such offering and, if an underwriting syndicate is used, the managing
underwriter or underwriters will be set forth on the cover of such Prospectus
Supplement. Unless
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of the
underwriters to purchase the New Bonds offered thereby will be subject to
certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase
all of such New Bonds if any are purchased.
 
     The New Bonds may be sold directly by the Company or through agents
designated by the Company, from time to time. The Prospectus Supplement will set
forth the name of any agent involved in the offer or sale of the New Bonds in
respect of which the Prospectus Supplement is delivered and any commissions
payable by the Company to such agent. Unless otherwise indicated in the
Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for
the period of its appointment.
 
     The New Bonds may be sold directly by the Company to investors or others
who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act
with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
     If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize
agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of
institutions to purchase the New Bonds from the Company at the public offering
price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery
contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future.
Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the
commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.
 
     Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled under agreements entered
into with the Company, to indemnification by the Company against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution
with respect to payments which such underwriters, dealers or agents may be
required to make in respect thereof. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage
in transactions with, or perform services for the Company in the ordinary course
of business.
 
     The New Bonds may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange.
No assurance can be given that there will be a market for the New Bonds.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
================================================================================

     NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IN
CONNECTION WITH AN OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY OTHER PERSON,
UNDERWRITER, DEALER OR AGENT. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY STATE IN
WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information.................     2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...........................     2
The Company...........................     4
Use of Proceeds.......................     4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges....     4
Description of the New Bonds..........     4
Validity of Securities................     9
Experts...............................     9
Plan of Distribution..................     9
</TABLE>
 
================================================================================



















================================================================================



                             MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED
                                  GAS COMPANY
 


                              FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS




                          ---------------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                          ---------------------------





 
================================================================================
<PAGE>   13
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the
securities being registered, other than underwriting compensation are:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
SEC Registration Fee..............................................................   $ 78,788
Mortgage Recording Fees...........................................................      5,000*
Printing and Engraving............................................................     20,000*
Trustee Fees......................................................................     70,000*
Legal Fees........................................................................     30,000*
Accounting Fees...................................................................     50,000*
Rating Agency Fees................................................................    200,000*
Miscellaneous.....................................................................     21,212*
                                                                                     --------
     Total........................................................................   $475,000
                                                                                     ========
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
* Estimated.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     The Company's By-Laws and the Michigan Business Corporation Act ("MBCA")
permit the Company's officers and directors to be indemnified under certain
circumstances for expenses and, in some instances, for judgments, fines or
amounts paid in settlement of civil, criminal, administrative and investigative
suits or proceedings, including those involving alleged violations of the
Securities Act of 1933. There is directors' and officers' liability insurance
presently outstanding which insures the directors and officers of the Company
against claims arising out of the performance of their duties. Any agreement
relating to the issuance and sale of the New Bonds may provide for
indemnification by the underwriters, dealers or agents of the directors and
officers of the Company against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act of 1933.
        
     MichCon has entered into indemnification contracts with each officer and
director of MichCon that contain provisions similar to the provisions of the
MBCA referred to above.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   14
 
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
  NO.                                          DESCRIPTION
- -------                                        ----------- 
<S>        <C>
   1-1     Form of Distribution Agreement (to be filed on a subsequent Form 8-K).
   4-1     Twenty-ninth Supplemental Indenture dated July 15, 1989 (Exhibit 4-1 to Form 8-K
           dated July 27, 1989); Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 1, 1991
           (Exhibit 4-1 to Form 8-K dated September 27, 1991); Thirty-first Supplemental
           Indenture (Exhibit 4-1 to Form 8-K dated February 28, 1992); Thirty-second
           Supplemental Indenture (Exhibit 4-1 to 1992 Form 10-K); and Thirty-third
           Supplemental Indenture (Exhibit 4-2 to Registration Statement No. 33-59093).
   4-2     Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture relating to the Secured Medium-Term Notes,
           Series C.*
   5-1     Opinion of Susan K. McNish, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for
           MichCon.*
  12-1     Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*
  23-1     Independent Auditors' Consent -- Deloitte & Touche LLP.*
  23-2     Consent of Susan K. McNish, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of MichCon
           (included in Exhibit 5-1).
  24-1     Powers of Attorney.*
  24-2     Board resolution authorizing issuance of First Mortgage Bonds.*
  25-1     Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Citibank, N.A. and Robert T.
           Kirchner.*
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
* Indicates documents filed herein.
 
References are to MichCon (File No. 1-7310) for documents incorporated by
reference.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
The Company hereby undertakes:
 
          (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made
     of the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this
     Registration Statement:
 
             (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act");
 
             (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represents a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
        with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
        changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
        in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
        Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
 
             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement
        or any material change to such information in this Registration
        Statement;
 
          provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) do not apply if
     the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
     those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Company
     pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934 (the "1934 Act") that are incorporated by reference in this
     Registration Statement;
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   15
 
          (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the 1933
     Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
     registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
     offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
     bona fide offering thereof;
 
          (c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering;
 
          (d) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the 1933
     Act, each filing of the Company's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a)
     or Section 15(d) of the 1934 Act that is incorporated by reference in this
     Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
     relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
     securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
     offering thereof; and
 
          Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act
     may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
     Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions of the Company's By-Laws, the
     Michigan Business Corporation Act or otherwise, the Company has been
     advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
     indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and
     is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
     against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses
     incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
     Company in the successful defense of any action suit or proceeding) is
     asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in connection
     with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in the
     opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
     precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
     whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
     the 1933 Act and will be covered by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   16
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Detroit, State of Michigan, on November 18, 1996.
 
                                          MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
 
                                          By:     /s/ DAVID R. NOWAKOWSKI
 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                    DAVID R. NOWAKOWSKI
                                                Vice President, Controller,
                                                    Treasurer and Chief
                                                     Accounting Officer
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on the date indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        TITLE                        DATE
                                                        -----                        ---- 
<S>                                        <C>                                <C>
                   *                       Director, Chairman                 November 18, 1996
- ----------------------------------------
          Alfred R. Glancy III

                   *                       Director, President and            November 18, 1996
- ----------------------------------------     Chief Executive Officer
            Stephen E. Ewing

                   *                       Director, Vice President and       November 18, 1996
- ----------------------------------------     Chief Financial Officer
           Howard L. Dow III

        /s/ DAVID R. NOWAKOWSKI            Vice President, Controller,        November 18, 1996
- ----------------------------------------     Treasurer and Chief
          David R. Nowakowski                Accounting Officer

                   *                       Director, Senior Vice President,   November 18, 1996
- ----------------------------------------     Regional Operations
            Carl J. Croskey

                   *                       Director                           November 18, 1996
- ----------------------------------------
          William K. McCrackin

                   *                       Director                           November 18, 1996
- ----------------------------------------
           Daniel L. Schiffer

                   *                       Director, Senior Vice President,   November 18, 1996
- ----------------------------------------     Process Development
            John E. vonRosen

*By:  /s/ DAVID R. NOWAKOWSKI
- ----------------------------------------
          David R. Nowakowski
            Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   17
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
 NO.                                          DESCRIPTION
- ------                                        ----------- 
<S>       <C>
  1-1     Form of Distribution Agreement (to be filed on a subsequent Form 8-K).
  4-1     Twenty-ninth Supplemental Indenture dated July 15, 1989
          (Exhibit 4-1 to Form 8-K dated July 27, 1989); Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture
          dated as of September 1, 1991 (Exhibit 4-1 to Form 8-K dated September 27, 1991);
          Thirty-first Supplemental Indenture (Exhibit 4-1 to Form 8-K dated February 28,
          1992); Thirty-second Supplemental Indenture (Exhibit 4-1 to 1992 Form 10-K); and
          Thirty-third Supplemental Indenture (Exhibit 4-2 to Registration Statement No.
          33-59093).
  4-2     Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture relating to the New Bonds.*
  5-1     Opinion of Susan K. McNish, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for
          MichCon.*
 12-1     Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*
 23-1     Independent Auditors' Consent -- Deloitte & Touche LLP.*
 23-2     Consent of Susan K. McNish, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of MichCon
          (included in Exhibit 5-1).
 24-1     Powers of Attorney.*
 24-2     Board resolution authorizing issuance of First Mortgage Bonds.*
 25-1     Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Citibank, N.A. and Robert T.
          Kirchner.*
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------------
* Indicates documents filed herein.
 
     References are to MichCon (File No. 1-7310) for documents incorporated by
reference.
 
                                      II-5

<PAGE>   1

                                                                EXHIBIT 4.2


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 THIRTY-FOURTH
                             SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
                                       TO
                           INDENTURE OF MORTGAGE AND
                                 DEED OF TRUST
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 1, 1944

                            ---------------------
                                 AS RESTATED IN
                          PART II OF THE TWENTY-NINTH
                SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE DATED AS OF JULY 15, 1989
                    WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE ON APRIL 1, 1994

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

                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY

                                       TO

                                 CITIBANK, N.A.

                                      AND

                               ROBERT T. KIRCHNER
                                    TRUSTEES

                         DATED AS OF  NOVEMBER 1, 1996

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


                   CREATING AN ISSUE OF FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS,
                                   DESIGNATED
                      SECURED MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES C
                 DUE FROM 9 MONTHS OR  MORE FROM DATE OF ISSUE


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



<PAGE>   2



                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY

                      THIRTY-FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
                          DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 1996
                     SUPPLEMENTAL TO INDENTURE OF MORTGAGE
                               AND DEED OF TRUST
                           DATED AS OF MARCH 1, 1944


                               TABLE OF CONTENTS*


                                                                  PAGE
                                                                  ----

             Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1

             Recitals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1

             Description of Property Acquired after Execution
                And Delivery of the Thirty-third Supplemental
                Indenture  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
                                                                 

                         PROVISIONS RELATING TO SECURED
                          MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES C

                                   ARTICLE I
                     CREATION OF AN ISSUE OF FIRST MORTGAGE
                     BONDS, DESIGNATED AND DISTINGUISHED AS
                     "SECURED MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES C"


             SECTION 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
                Bonds of Thirty-first Series . . . . . . . . . . .  3
             SECTION 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
                Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
             SECTION 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
                Form of Redeemable Bond  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
                Form of Non-Redeemable Bond  . . . . . . . . . . . 11
             SECTION 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
                Transfer and Exchange  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
             SECTION 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
                Temporary Bonds  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16


                                   ARTICLE II

                     ISSUE OF BONDS OF THIRTY-FIRST SERIES

             Aggregate Principal Amount  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16





<PAGE>   3



                                  ARTICLE III

                                  THE TRUSTEES





                The Trustees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17

                                   ARTICLE IV

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS


                Miscellaneous Provisions  . . . . . . . . . . .  17

                Testimonium   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18

                Executions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18

                Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19

                Schedule A  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20


     * NOTE: The Table of Contents is not part of the original Indenture as
       executed.


<PAGE>   4

                                       1



     THIS THIRTY-FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of the 1st day of
November, 1996, between MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY, a corporation duly
organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Michigan
(hereinafter called the "Company"), having its principal place of business at
500 Griswold Street, Detroit, Michigan, party of the first part, and CITIBANK,
N.A. (formerly First National City Bank), a national banking association
incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the United States
of America, having an office at 111 Wall Street in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, New York, successor to CITY BANK FARMERS TRUST COMPANY
(hereinafter with its predecessors as trustee called the "Trustee"), and ROBERT
T. KIRCHNER, having an office at 120 Wall Street, 13th Floor, New York, New
York, successor to RALPH E. MORTON as individual trustee (hereinafter with his
predecessors as individual trustee called the "Individual Trustee"), as
Trustees under the Indenture hereinafter mentioned, parties of the second part
(the Trustee and Individual Trustee being hereinafter together referred to as
the "Trustees"):

     WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustees
an Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust (hereinafter called the "Original
Indenture"), dated as of March 1, 1944;

     WHEREAS, the Twenty-ninth Supplemental Indenture, which became effective
April 1, 1994 provided for the modification and restatement of the Original
Indenture, as previously amended (the "Indenture") and secures the Company's
First Mortgage Bonds, unlimited in aggregate principal amount except as therein
otherwise provided:


    a    Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 1, 1991;
    a    Thirty-first Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 15, 1991;
    a    Thirty-second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 5, 1993;
    a    Thirty-third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 1995; and


<PAGE>   5

                                       2



     WHEREAS, at the date hereof there were outstanding First Mortgage Bonds of
the Company issued under the Indenture, of 5 series (all outstanding bonds of
25 other series having been previously retired) in the principal amounts set
forth below:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Amount
                                                                   Outstanding
     Designation                                    Amount            As of
      of Series                                 Initially Issued     6/30/96
<S>                                              <C>              <C>
First Mortgage Bonds
     (Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series A)
     9-1/8% Series due 2004...................        55,000,000    55,000,000
     9-1/2% Series due 2019...................         5,000,000     5,000,000
First Mortgage Bonds
     9-1/2% Series due 2021...................        40,000,000    40,000,000
First Mortgage Bonds
     (Secured Term Notes, Series A)
     6-1/4% Series due 1997...................        50,000,000    50,000,000
     8% Series due 2002.......................        70,000,000    70,000,000
     7-1/2% Series due 2020...................        10,000,000    10,000,000
     6-3/4% Series due 2023...................        20,000,000    18,132,000
First Mortgage Bonds
 (Secured Term Notes, Series B)
     5-3/4% Series due 2001...................        60,000,000    60,000,000
     8-1/4% Series due 2014...................        80,000,000    80,000,000
     7-1/2% Series due 2020...................        20,000,000    19,928,000
     7% Series due 2025.......................        40,000,000    40,000,000
First Mortgage Bonds
 (Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series B)
     6.30%  Series due 1998...................        20,000,000    20,000,000
     6.51%  Series due 1999...................        30,000,000    30,000,000
     6.72%  Series due 2003...................         4,150,000     4,150,000
     6.80%  Series due 2003...................        15,850,000    15,850,000
     7.15%  Series due 2006...................        40,000,000    40,000,000

</TABLE>

and

     WHEREAS, the Company desires in and by this Thirty-fourth Supplemental
Indenture to create a Thirty-first series of bonds to be issued under the
Indenture, to designate or otherwise distinguish such series, to specify the
particulars necessary to describe and define the same, and to specify such
other provisions and agreements in respect thereof as are in the Indenture
provided or permitted; and

     WHEREAS, the Company also desires in and by this Thirty-fourth
Supplemental Indenture to record the description of, and confirm unto the
Trustees, certain property acquired after the execution and delivery of the
Thirty-third Supplemental Indenture, and now subject to the lien of the
Indenture by virtue of the provisions thereof conveying to the Trustees
property acquired after its execution and delivery; and


<PAGE>   6

                                      3

     WHEREAS, all the conditions and requirements necessary to make this
Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture, when duly executed and delivered, a
valid, binding and legal instrument in accordance with its terms and for the
purposes herein expressed, have been done, performed and fulfilled, and the
execution and delivery of this Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture in the form
and with the terms hereof have been in all respects duly authorized;


     NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed by and between the Company and the Trustees
as follows:

         DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY ACQUIRED AFTER EXECUTION AND DELIVERY
                   OF THE THIRTY-THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

     The Company hereby confirms unto the Trustees, and records the description
of, the property described in Schedule A attached hereto and expressly made a
part hereof, which property has been acquired by the Company after the
execution and delivery of the Thirty-third Supplemental Indenture and which is
now subject to the lien of the Indenture in all respects as if originally
described therein.

           PROVISIONS RELATING TO SECURED MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES C

                                   ARTICLE I
          CREATION OF AN ISSUE OF FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS, DESIGNATED AND
            DISTINGUISHED AS "SECURED MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES C."

     SECTION 1.  There is hereby created a Thirty-first series of bonds to be
issued under and secured by the Indenture, to be known as "First Mortgage
Bonds," designated and distinguished as "Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series C"
of the Company (herein sometimes called "Bonds of Thirty-first Series").  The
Bonds of Thirty-first Series may be issued without limitation as to aggregate
principal amount except as provided in the Indenture and in this Thirty-fourth
Supplemental Indenture.  The Bonds of Thirty-first Series shall be registered
bonds without coupons and shall be dated as of the date of the authentication
thereof by the Trustee.

     Each Bond of Thirty-first Series shall mature on such date nine months or
more from date of issue, shall bear interest at such rate or rates selected by
the purchaser and agreed to by the Company, or selected by the Company and
agreed to by the purchaser payable semi-annually on the first day of February
and August of each year and at maturity (each an interest payment date) and
have such other terms and provisions not inconsistent with the Indenture as the
Board of Directors may determine in accordance with a resolution filed with the
Trustee referring to this Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture; the principal,
premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds of Thirty-first Series shall be
payable in lawful money of the United States of America; the place where such
principal and premium, if any, shall be payable shall be the corporate trust
office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New
York, and the place where such interest shall be payable shall be the office or
agency of the Company in said Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New
York.


<PAGE>   7

                                      4


     So long as there is no existing default in the payment of interest on the
Bonds of Thirty-first Series, all Bonds of Thirty-first Series authenticated by
the Trustee after the record date hereinafter specified for any interest
payment date, and prior to such interest payment date (unless the issue date
hereinafter specified is after such record date) shall be dated the date of
authentication, but shall bear interest from such interest payment date, and
the person in whose name any Bond of Thirty-first Series is registered at the
close of business on any record date with respect to any interest payment date
shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such interest payment date
notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Bond of Thirty-first Series
subsequent to the record date and on or prior to such interest payment date,
except if and to the extent the Company shall default in the payment of the
interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted
interest shall be paid to the person in whose name such Bond of Thirty-first
Series is registered on the record date for the interest payment date fixed by
the Company for the payment of such defaulted interest, provided that in no
case shall such record date be less than ten days after notice thereof shall
have been mailed to all registered holders of Bonds of Thirty-first Series; and
provided that interest payable on a maturity date will be payable to the person
to whom the principal thereof is payable.  If the issue date of any Bond of
Thirty-first Series is after such record date, such Bond shall bear interest
from the issue date but payment of interest shall commence on the second
interest payment date next succeeding the issue date.  Any notice which is
mailed as herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been properly
and sufficiently given on the date of such mailing, whether or not the holder
receives notice.

     The term "record date" as used herein with respect to any interest payment
date shall mean the close of business on January 15 next preceding a February 1
Interest Payment Date or July 15 next preceding an August 1 Interest Payment
Date, as the case may be.  The term "business day" as used herein shall mean
any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which the offices of the
Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City and State of New York, are
authorized or required to be closed pursuant to authorization of law.

     The term "issue date" as used herein with respect to Bonds of Thirty-first
Series of a designated interest rate and maturity shall mean the date of first
authentication of Bonds of such designated interest rate and maturity.

     As used in this Section 1, the term "default in the payment of interest"
means failure to pay interest on the applicable interest payment date
disregarding any period of grace permitted by Section 9.01 of the Indenture.

     SECTION 2.  Each Bond of Thirty-first Series may be redeemable prior to
maturity, at the option of the Company in whole at any time or in part from
time to time, or may be repayable by the Company at the option of the holder
prior to its stated maturity, as the Board of Directors may determine in
accordance with a resolution filed with the Trustee referring to this Thirty-
fourth Supplemental Indenture, on notice given in the manner set forth in
Article IV of the Indenture and as in this Section 2 provided; provided,
however, that if at the time of mailing of any notice of redemption of Bonds of
Thirty-first Series, the Company shall not have deposited with the Trustee
and/or irrevocably directed the Trustee to apply, from money held by it

<PAGE>   8


                                      5

available to be used for the redemption of Bonds of Thirty-first Series, an
amount in cash sufficient to redeem all of the Bonds of Thirty-first Series
called for redemption, such notice may state that it is subject to the receipt
of the redemption monies by the Trustee before the date fixed for redemption
and such notice shall be of no effect unless such monies are so received before
such date; provided further, however, that any Bond of the Thirty-first Series
may state that it may not be redeemed at the option of the Company through a
refunding, directly or indirectly, by or in anticipation of the incurring of
any debt which has an interest cost to the Company of less than the effective
interest cost of such Bond.  The term "interest cost to the Company" shall mean
the annual percentage yield to stated maturity of the debt at the net price to
the Company therefore, determined by reference to a standard table of bond
yields, with a straight-line interpolation if necessary.  The "net price to the
Company" shall be determined after adding all premiums and deducting all
discounts, commissions, stand-by or commitment charges and any other
compensation received or receivable directly from the Company by underwriters,
investment bankers or other financing agents or purchasers.  Prior to each
redemption of any Bonds of Thirty-first Series at the option of the Company
which by their terms are subject to the restrictions of this proviso, the
Company will deliver to the Trustee an officers' certificate showing compliance
with the proviso in the third preceding sentence prior to the "Limitation Date"
specified on such Bonds.

     In case the Company shall at any time elect to redeem all or any part of
the Bonds of Thirty-first Series, it shall give notice to the effect that it
intends to redeem all or a part thereof, as the case may be, on a date therein
designated, specifying in case of a redemption of a part of the Bonds of
Thirty-first Series the distinctive numbers of the bonds to be redeemed and, if
applicable, the portion of the bond to be redeemed and if at the time of
mailing of any such notice of redemption of Bonds of Thirty-first Series the
Company shall not have deposited with the Trustee and/or irrevocably directed
the Trustee to apply, from money held by it available to be used for the
redemption of Bonds of Thirty-first Series an amount in cash sufficient to
redeem all of the bonds called for redemption, including accrued interest to
such date fixed for redemption, such notice may state that it is subject to the
receipt of the redemption monies by the Trustee before the date fixed for
redemption and such notice shall be of no effect unless such monies are so
received before such date.

     Such notice, in the case of redemption of Bonds of Thirty-first Series at
the option of the Company, shall be given by mail by the Company, postage
prepaid, at least thirty days prior to such redemption date, to the holders of
all Bonds of Thirty-first Series to be so redeemed, at the addresses that shall
appear upon the register thereof.  Any notice which is mailed as herein
provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been properly and sufficiently
given on the date of such mailing, whether or not the holder receives the
notice.  In any case, failure to give due notice by mail, or any defect in the
notice, to the registered owners of any Bonds of Thirty-first Series designated
for redemption as a whole or in part, shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the redemption of any other bonds.

     If less than the whole principal amount of a Bond of Thirty-first Series
shall be called for redemption or be repurchased, the Company shall execute 


<PAGE>   9



                                      6

and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without charge, to the
holder thereof, a Bond or Bonds of Thirty-first Series (but only of authorized
denominations) for the unredeemed or unpurchased balance of the principal
amount of the Bond of Thirty-first Series surrendered.

     SECTION 3.  The Bonds of Thirty-first Series shall be registered bonds
without coupons.  The Trustee shall be the registrar and paying agent for the
Bonds of the Thirty-first Series, which duties it hereby accepts.  Bonds of
Thirty-first Series may be issued in the denomination of $1,000 or any integral
multiple thereof.

     The forms of Bonds of Thirty-first Series shall be substantially as
follows or in the form set forth in a resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Company referring to this Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture filed with
the Trustee (any of the provisions of such Bond may be set forth on the reverse
side thereof):
______________________________________________________________________________

           [FORM OF REDEEMABLE BOND, IF ANY, OF THIRTY-FIRST SERIES]

     Unless and until this Bond is exchanged in whole or in part for
certificated Bonds registered in the names of the various beneficial holders
hereof as then certified to the Trustee by The Depository Trust Company or its
successor (the "Depositary"), this Bond may not be transferred except as a
whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee or by
the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of
such successor Depositary. Unless this certificate is presented by an
authorized representative of the Depositary to the issuer or its agent for
registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is
registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as requested by an
authorized representative of the Depositary and any amount payable thereunder
is made payable to Cede & Co. or such other name, ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER
USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE
REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
                       SECURED MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES C
                               being a series of
                              FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS

ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:
INITIAL REDEMPTION DATE:
LIMITATION DATE:
MATURITY DATE:
INITIAL REDEMPTION PERCENTAGE:
INTEREST DATE:
ANNUAL REDEMPTION PERCENTAGE REDUCTION:
[REPAYMENT DATE(S) :]
[REPAYMENT PRICE(S) :]
[OTHER PROVISION(S) :]

<PAGE>   10

                                      7

     MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY (hereinafter called the "Company"), a
corporation of the State of Michigan, for value received, hereby promises to
pay to............................or registered assigns, the sum
of...............Dollars on the Maturity Date specified above, at the corporate
trust office of the Trustee hereinafter named in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York, New York or at the principal office of any successor in
trust, in lawful money of the United States of America, and to pay interest
thereon at the Interest Rate specified above, in like lawful money payable
semi-annually at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, New York on the first day of February and
August in each year and on the Maturity Date (each an Interest Payment Date)
from the Issue Date specified above or from the most recent Interest Payment
Date to which interest has been paid, commencing on the Interest Payment Date
next succeeding the Issue Date, until the Company's obligation with respect to
the payment of such principal sum shall be discharged as provided in the
indentures hereinafter mentioned; provided, however, if the date of this bond
is after a Record Date (defined below) with respect to any Interest Payment
Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, then interest shall be payable
only from such Interest Payment Date (unless the Issue Date is after such
Record Date).  If the Issue Date is after such Record Date, then payment of
interest shall commence on the second Interest Payment Date succeeding the
Issue Date (but shall be payable from the Issue Date).  If the Company shall
default in the payment of interest due on any Interest Payment Date, then
interest shall be payable from the next preceding Interest Payment Date to
which interest has been paid, or, if no such interest has been paid on the
bonds, from the Issue Date.  So long as there is no existing default in the
payment of interest, the person in whose name this bond was registered at the
close of business on any Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date
shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such Interest Payment
Date, except that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest due
on such Interest Payment Date such defaulted interest shall be paid to the
person in whose name this bond is registered on the Record Date for the
Interest Payment Date fixed by the Company for the payment of such defaulted
interest, provided that in no case shall such Record Date be less than ten days
after notice thereof shall have been mailed to all registered holders of bonds
of this series.  The term "Record Date" shall mean the  close of business on
January 15 next preceding a February 1 Interest Payment Date or July 15 next
preceding an August 1 Interest Payment Date, as the case may be.

     This bond is one, of the series hereinafter specified, of the bonds of the
Company (herein called the "bonds") known as its "First Mortgage Bonds," issued
and to be issued in one or more series under, and all equally and ratably
secured by, an Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated as of March 1,
1944, duly executed by the Company to City Bank Farmers Trust Company
(Citibank, N.A., successor trustee, herein called the "Trustee") and Ralph E.
Morton (Robert T. Kirchner, successor Individual Trustee), Trustees, as
restated in Part II of the Twenty-ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July
15, 1989, which became effective on April 1, 1994, to which Indenture and all
indenture supplemental thereto executed on and after July 15, 1989 reference is
hereby made for a description of the property mortgaged and pledged, the nature
and extent of the security, the terms and conditions upon which the bonds are,
and are to be, issued and secured, and the rights of the 

<PAGE>   11
                                      8

holders of the bonds and of the Trustees in respect of such security (which
Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto, including the Thirty-fourth
Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 1, 1996, are hereinafter
collectively called the Indenture).  As provided in said Indenture, the bonds
may be for various principal sums and are issuable in series, which may mature
at different times, may bear interest at different rates and may otherwise vary
as therein provided; and this bond is one of a series entitled "First Mortgage
Bonds," designated "Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series C," herein called Secured
Medium-Term Notes, Series C, created by the Thirty-fourth Supplemental
Indenture dated as of November 1, 1996 as provided for in said Indenture.

     With the consent of the Company and to the extent permitted by and as
provided in the Indenture, the rights and obligations of the Company and/or the
rights of the holders of the Bonds of the Thirty-first Series and/or the terms
and provisions of the Indenture may be modified or altered by such affirmative
vote or votes of the holders of the bonds then outstanding as are specified in
the Indenture.

     The bonds of this series are subject to redemption at the option of the
Company on any date on and after the Initial Redemption Date, if any, specified
above (any date fixed for redemption shall hereinafter be called a "Redemption
Date").  If no Initial Redemption Date is set forth above, this bond may not be
redeemed at the option of the Company prior to the Maturity Date specified
above.  On and after the Initial Redemption Date, if any, this bond may be
redeemed at any time in whole or from time to time in part at the option of the
Company at the applicable Redemption Price (as defined below) together with
interest accrued and unpaid hereon to such Redemption Date.  In the event of
redemption of this bond in part only, a new bond or bonds for the unredeemed
portion hereof will be issued to the holder hereof upon the cancellation
hereof.

     If this bond is redeemable in the foregoing manner at the option of the
Company, the Redemption Price shall initially be the Initial Redemption
Percentage specified above of the principal amount of this bond to be redeemed
and shall decline at each anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date by the
Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if any, specified above of the
principal amount to be redeemed until the Redemption Price is 100% of such
principal amount.

     If a Limitation Date is specified above, this bond shall not be redeemed
at the option of the Company prior to such Limitation Date, through a
refunding, directly or indirectly, by or in anticipation of the incurring of
any debt which has an effective interest cost to the Company (as defined in the
Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture) of less than the effective interest cost
of this bond.

     [This bond will be subject to repayment at the option of the holder hereof
on the Repayment Date(s) and at the Repayment Price(s) (expressed as a
percentage of principal amount hereof), if any specified above.  If no
Repayment Dates are set forth above, this bond may not be so repaid prior to
the Maturity Date.  On each Repayment Date, if any, this bond shall be
repayable in whole or in part at the option of the holder hereof at the

<PAGE>   12

                                      9

applicable Repayment Price set forth above, together with interest accrued and
unpaid hereon to such Repayment Date.  For this bond to be repaid in whole or
in part at the option of the holder hereof, this bond must be received with the
form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" below duly completed, by the Trustee
at its corporate trust office not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to a
Repayment Date. Exercise of such repayment option shall be irrevocable.  Such
option may be exercised by the holder for less than the principal amount
provided that the principal amount remaining outstanding after repayment is at
least $1,000 or any amount that is a multiple of $1,000, or such other minimum
denomination specified above.]

     Notice of any redemption of this bond to be redeemed at the option of the
Company (which notice may be made subject to receipt of the redemption monies
by the Trustee before the date fixed for redemption) shall be given by mail at
least thirty days prior to the redemption date, subject to the conditions set
forth as more fully provided in said Indenture and in said Thirty-fourth
Supplemental Indenture.

     In the event that any bond shall not be presented for payment when all or
a portion of the principal thereof becomes due, either at maturity or otherwise
or at the date fixed for the redemption thereof, and the Company shall have on
deposit with the Trustee in trust for the purpose, on the date when such
payment is so due, funds sufficient to pay the principal of such bond (and
premium, if any), together with all interest due thereon to the Maturity Date
of such bond or to the date fixed for the redemption thereof [or the date of
repurchase], for the use and benefit of the registered owner thereof, then all
liability of the Company to the registered owner of said bond for the payment
of such principal amount thereof and interest thereon (and premium, if any),
shall forthwith cease, determine and be completely discharged and such
registered owner shall no longer be entitled to any lien or benefit of said
Indenture with respect to such principal amount.

     In case an event of default as defined in said Indenture shall occur, the
principal of this bond may become or be declared due and payable in the manner,
with the effect, and subject to the conditions provided in said Indenture.

     This bond is transferable by the registered owner hereof in person, or by
an attorney duly authorized in writing, at the corporate trust office of the
Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, upon
surrender and cancellation of this bond, and upon any such transfer a new
registered bond or bonds of the same series for the same aggregate principal
amount, interest rate or rates, issue date, maturity date and redemption
provisions, if any, will be issued to the transferee or transferees in exchange
herefor; and bonds of this series may, at the option of the registered owners
and upon surrender at said office, be exchanged for registered bonds of this
series of the same aggregate principal amount, interest rate or rates, issue
date, maturity date, and redemption provisions, if any, in larger or smaller
authorized denominations, all without service charge (except for any stamp tax
or other governmental charge).

     No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of, or the
interest on, this bond, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect

<PAGE>   13

                                     10

hereof or of said Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto, against any
incorporator, or against any stockholder, director or officer, past, present or
future, of the Company, as such, or of any predecessor or successor
corporation, either directly or through the Company or any such predecessor or
successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule
of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all
such liability, whether at common law, in equity, by any constitution, statute
or otherwise, of incorporators, stockholders, directors or officers being
waived and released by every owner hereof by the acceptance of this bond and as
part of the consideration for the issue hereof, and being likewise waived and
released by the terms of said Indenture.

     This bond shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose unless
and until the certificate hereon shall have been executed by the Trustee or its
successor in trust under said Indenture.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY has caused this bond
to be executed under its name with the signature of its Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer, President, Vice Chairman or a Vice-President, or any other
officer selected by the Board of Directors, under its corporate seal, which may
be a facsimile, attested with the signature of its Secretary or one of its
Assistant Secretaries.

Dated:............................
                                     MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY,

                                     By ..................................
                                                   President

Attest:

 ..................................
          Secretary


     The form of Trustee's certificate to be borne by all Bonds of Thirty-first
Series shall be substantially as follows:
                        [FORM OF TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE]

     This bond is one of the bonds of the series designated therein, described
in the within-mentioned Indenture and Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture.

                                     CITIBANK, N.A., as Trustee,

                                     By...................................
                                            Authorized Signatory


                           [OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

     The undersigned hereby irrevocably requests and instructs the Company to
repay this bond (or portion hereof specified below) pursuant to its terms at a


<PAGE>   14

                                       11


price equal to the applicable Repayment Price thereof together with interest to
the Repayment Date, to the undersigned at _________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
     (Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

     If less than the entire principal amount of this bond is to be repaid,
specify the portion hereof which the holder elects to have repaid ____________
_________; and specify the denomination or denominations (which shall be
authorized denomination(s)) of the bond(s) to be issued to the holder for the
portion of this bond not being repaid (in the absence of any such
specification, one such bond will be issued for the portion not being repaid):
______________________.

Date: ____________________________  Signature of holder: ____________________

                                    Signature Guarantee: ____________________]
                
______________________________________________________________________________

         [FORM OF NON-REDEEMABLE BOND, IF ANY, OF THIRTY-FIRST SERIES]

     Unless and until this Bond is exchanged in whole or in part for
certificated Bonds registered in the names of the various beneficial holders
hereof as then certified to the Trustee by the Depository Trust Company or it
successor (the "Depositary"), this Bond may not be transferred except as a
whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the
Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the
Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such
successor Depositary. Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized
representative of the Depository to the issuer or its agent for registration of
transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the
name of Cede & Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized
representative of the Depositary and any amount payable thereunder is made
payable to Cede & Co. or such other name, ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE
HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE
REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.


                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
                       SECURED MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES C
                               being a series of
                              FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS

ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:
MATURITY DATE:
INTEREST RATE:
[REPAYMENT PROVISION(S) :]
[REPAYMENT PRICE(S) :]
[OTHER PROVISION(S) :]


<PAGE>   15

                                     12

     MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY (hereinafter called the "Company"), a
corporation of the State of Michigan, for value received, hereby promises to
pay to....................................... or registered assigns, the sum of
 ...........Dollars on the Maturity Date specified above, at the corporate trust
office of the Trustee hereinafter named in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
of New York, New York, or at the principal office of any successor in trust, in
lawful money of the United States of America, and to pay interest thereon at
the Interest Rate specified above, in like lawful money payable semi-annually
at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, New York on the first day of February and August in each year and on
the Maturity Date (each an Interest Payment Date) from the Issue Date specified
above or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been
paid, commencing on the Interest Payment Date next succeeding the Issue Date,
until the Company's obligation with respect to the payment of such principal
sum shall be discharged as provided in the indentures hereinafter mentioned;
provided, however, if the date of this bond is after a Record Date (defined
below) with respect to any Interest Payment Date and prior to such Interest
Payment Date, then interest shall be payable only from such Interest Payment
Date (unless the Issue Date is after such Record Date).  If the Issue Date is
after such Record Date, then payment of interest shall commence on the second
Interest Payment Date succeeding the Issue Date (but shall be payable from the
Issue Date).  If the Company shall default in the payment of interest due on
any Interest Payment Date, then interest shall be payable from the next
preceding Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid, or, if no such
interest has been paid on the bonds, from the Issue Date.  So long as there is
no existing default in the payment of interest, the person in whose name this
bond was registered at the close of business on any Record Date with respect to
any Interest Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on
such Interest Payment Date, except that if the Company shall default in the
payment of interest due on such Interest Payment Date such defaulted interest
shall be paid to the person in whose name this bond is registered on the Record
Date for the Interest Payment Date fixed by the Company for the payment of such
defaulted interest, provided that in no case shall such Record Date be less
than ten days after notice thereof shall have been mailed to all registered
holders of bonds of this series.  The term "Record Date" shall mean the close
of business on January 15 next preceding a February 1 Interest Payment Date or
July 15 next preceding an August 1 Interest Payment Date, as the case may be.

     This bond is one, of the series hereinafter specified, of the bonds of the
Company (herein called the "bonds") known as its "First Mortgage Bonds," issued
and to be issued in one or more series under, and all equally and ratably
secured by, an Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated as of March 1,
1944, duly executed by the Company to City Bank Farmers Trust Company
(Citibank, N.A., successor trustee, herein called the "Trustee") and Ralph E.
Morton (Robert T. Kirchner, successor Individual Trustee), Trustees, as
restated in Part II of the Twenty-ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July
15, 1989, which became effective on April 1, 1994, to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto executed on and after July 15, 1989  reference
is hereby made for a description of the property mortgaged and pledged, the
nature and extent of the security, the terms and conditions upon which the
bonds are, and are to be, issued and secured, and the rights of the holders of
the bonds and of the Trustees in respect of such security (which 

<PAGE>   16

                                     13


Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto, including the
Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 1, 1996, are
hereinafter collectively called the Indenture).  As provided in said Indenture,
the bonds may be for various principal sums and are issuable in series, which
may mature at different times, may bear interest at different rates and may
otherwise vary as therein provided; and this bond is one of a series entitled
"First Mortgage Bonds," designated "Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series C,"
herein called Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series C, created by the Thirty-fourth
Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 1, 1996 as provided for in said
Indenture.

     With the consent of the Company and to the extent permitted by and as
provided in the Indenture, the rights and obligations of the Company and/or the
rights of the holders of the Bonds of the Thirty-first Series and/or the terms
and provisions of the Indenture may be modified or altered by such
affirmative vote or votes of the holders of the bonds then outstanding as are
specified in the Indenture.

     This Bond shall not be redeemable prior to the Maturity Date.

     [This bond will be subject to repayment at the option of the holder hereof
on the Repayment Date(s) and at the Repayment Price(s) (expressed as a
percentage of principal amount hereof), if any specified above.  If no
Repayment Dates are set forth above, this bond may not be so repaid prior to
the Maturity Date.  On each Repayment Date, if any, this bond shall be
repayable in whole or in part at the option of the holder hereof at the
applicable Repayment Price set forth above, together with interest accrued and
unpaid hereon to such Repayment Date.  For this bond to be repaid in whole or
in part at the option of the holder hereof, this bond must be received with the
form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" below duly completed, by the Trustee
at its corporate trust office not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to a
Repayment Date. Exercise of such repayment option shall be irrevocable.  Such
option may be exercised by the holder for less than the principal amount
provided that the principal amount remaining outstanding after repayment is at
least $1,000 or any amount that is a multiple of $1,000, or such other minimum
denomination specified above.]

     In the event that any bond shall not be presented for payment when all or
a portion of the principal thereof becomes due at maturity and the Company
shall have on deposit with the Trustee in trust for the purpose, on the date
when such payment is so due, funds sufficient to pay such principal amount of
such bond (and premium, if any), together with all interest due thereon to the
Maturity Date of such bond [or the date of repurchase,] for the use and benefit
of the registered owner thereof, then all liability of the Company to the
registered owner of said bond for the payment of such principal amount thereof
and interest thereon (and premium, if any), shall forthwith cease, determine
and be completely discharged and such registered owner shall no longer be
entitled to any lien or benefit of said Indenture with respect to such
principal amount.

     In case an event of default as defined in said Indenture shall occur, the
principal of this bond may become or be declared due and payable in the 




<PAGE>   17

                                     14


manner, with the effect, and subject to the conditions provided in said
Indenture.

     This bond is transferable by the registered owner hereof in person, or by
attorney duly authorized in writing, at the corporate trust office of the
Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, upon
surrender and cancellation of this bond, and upon any such transfer a new
registered bond or bonds of the same series for the same aggregate principal
amount, interest rate or rates, issue date, maturity date and redemption
provisions, if any, will be issued to the transferee or transferees in exchange
herefor; and bonds of this series may, at the option of the registered owners
and upon surrender at said office, be exchanged for registered bonds of this
series of the same aggregate principal amount, interest rate or rates, issue
date, maturity date, and redemption provisions, if any, in larger or smaller
authorized denominations, all without service charge (except for any stamp tax
or other governmental charge).

     No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of, or the
interest on, this bond, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect
hereof or of said Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto, against any
incorporator, or against any stockholder, director or officer, past, present or
future, of the Company, as such, or of any predecessor or successor
corporation, either directly or through the Company or any such predecessor or
successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule
of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all
such liability, whether at common law, in equity, by any constitution, statute
or otherwise, of incorporators, stockholders, directors or officers being
waived and released by every owner hereof by the acceptance of this bond and as
part of the consideration for the issue hereof, and being likewise waived and
released by the terms of said Indenture.

     This bond shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose unless
and until the certificate hereon shall have been executed by the Trustee or its
successor in trust under said Indenture.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY has caused this bond
to be executed in its name with the signature of its Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer, President, Vice Chairman or a Vice President or any officer selected
by the Board of Directors, and its corporate seal, which may be a facsimile,
attested with the signature of its Secretary or one of its Assistant
Secretaries.

Dated: ...........................

                                        MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY,

                                        By...................................
                                                    President

Attest:

 ..................................
     Secretary



<PAGE>   18

                                     15


     The form of Trustee's certificate to be borne by all Bonds of Thirty-first
Series shall be substantially as follows:

                        [FORM OF TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE]

     This bond is one of the bonds of the series designated therein, described
in the within-mentioned Indenture and Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture.

                                     CITIBANK, N.A., as Trustee

                                     By...................................
                                              Authorized Signatory



                           [OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

     The undersigned hereby irrevocably requests and instructs the Company to
repay this bond (or portion hereof specified below) pursuant to its terms at a
price equal to the applicable repayment Price thereof together with interest to
the Repayment Date, to the undersigned at _________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
     (Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

     If less than the entire principal amount of this bond is to be repaid,
specify the portion hereof which the holder elects to have repaid ____________
_________; and specify the denomination or denominations (which shall be
authorized denomination(s)) of the bond(s) to be issued to the holder for the
portion of this bond not being repaid (in the absence of any such
specification, one such bond will be issued for the portion not being repaid):
______________________.

Date: __________________             Signature of holder: ____________________

                                     Signature Guarantee: ____________________]

______________________________________________________________________________

     SECTION 4.  Bonds of Thirty-first Series shall be exchangeable, at the
option of the registered owners thereof and upon surrender thereof at the
corporate trust office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, New York, for registered bonds of the same aggregate principal
amount, issue date, maturity date, interest rate or rates, and redemption
provisions, if any, but of different authorized denomination or denominations,
such exchanges to be made without service charge (except for any stamp tax or
other governmental charge).

     Every bond so surrendered shall be accompanied by a proper transfer power
duly executed by the registered owner or by duly authorized attorney
transferring such bond to the Company, and the signature to such transfer power
shall be guaranteed to the satisfaction of the Trustee.  All bonds so

<PAGE>   19

                                     16


surrendered shall be forthwith canceled and delivered to or upon the order of
the Company.  All bonds executed, authenticated and delivered in exchange for
bonds so surrendered shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the
same debt as the bonds surrendered, and shall be secured by the same lien and
be entitled to the same benefits and protection as the bonds in exchange for
which they are executed, authenticated and delivered.

     The Company shall not be required to make any such exchange or any
registration of transfer (1) during a period of fifteen days next preceding any
interest payment date, but only if there is an existing default in the payment
of interest on the Bonds of Thirty-first Series or (2) after the bond so
presented for exchange or registration of transfer, or any portion thereof, has
been called for redemption and notice thereof given to the registered owner.

     SECTION 5.  Pending the preparation of definitive Bonds of Thirty-first
Series the Company may from time to time execute, and upon its written order,
the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of such definitive bonds
and subject to the same provisions, limitations and conditions, one or more
temporary bonds, in registered form, of any denomination specified in the
written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery thereof, and
with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be determined by the
Board of Directors of the Company.  Such temporary bonds shall be substantially
of the tenor of the bonds to be issued as herein before recited, but such
temporary bonds may, in lieu of the statement of the specific redemption prices
required to be set forth in Bonds of Thirty-first Series in definitive form,
include a reference to this Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture for a
statement of such redemption prices.

     If any such temporary Bonds of Thirty-first Series shall at any time be so
authenticated and delivered in lieu of definitive bonds, the Company shall upon
request at its own expense prepare, execute and deliver to the Trustee and
thereupon, upon the presentation and surrender of temporary bonds, the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor, without charge to the
holder, definitive bonds of the same series, interest rate or rates, issue
date, maturity date, redemption provision, if any, and for the same principal
sum in the aggregate as the temporary bonds surrendered.  All temporary bonds
so surrendered shall be forthwith canceled by the Trustee and delivered to or
upon the order of the Company.  Until exchanged for definitive bonds the
temporary bonds shall in all respects be entitled to the lien and security of
the Indenture and all supplemental indentures.

                                   ARTICLE II
                     ISSUE OF BONDS OF THIRTY-FIRST SERIES

     Bonds of Thirty-first Series in the aggregate principal amount of
$260,000,000 may be executed, authenticated and delivered from time to time as
permitted by the provisions of the Indenture.


<PAGE>   20


                                     17


                                 ARTICLE III
                                THE TRUSTEES

     The Trustees shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in
respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Thirty-fourth Supplemental
Indenture or the due execution hereof by the Company, or for or in respect of
the recitals and statements contained herein, all of which recitals and
statements are made solely by the Company.

     Except as herein otherwise provided, no duties, responsibilities or
liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustees
by reason of this Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture other than as set forth
in the Indenture and this Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture is executed and
accepted on behalf of the Trustees, subject to all the terms and conditions set
forth in the Indenture, as fully to all intents as if the same were herein set
forth at length.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     Except insofar as herein otherwise expressly provided, all the provisions,
terms and conditions of the Indenture, shall be deemed to be incorporated in,
and made a part of, this Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture; and the
twenty-ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 1989, by the Thirtieth
Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 1, 1991, by the Thirty-first
Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 15, 1991, by the Thirty-second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 5, 1993, by the Thirty-third
Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 1, 1995, and by this Thirty-fourth
Supplemental Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed; and the
Indenture and said Supplemental Indentures shall be read, taken and construed
as one and the same instrument.

     Nothing in this Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture is intended, or shall
be construed, to give to any person or corporation, other than the parties
hereto and the holders of bonds issued and to be issued under and secured by
the Indenture, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in
respect of this Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture, or under any covenant,
condition or provision herein contained, all the covenants, conditions and
provisions of this Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture being intended to be,
and being, for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and of the
holders of bonds issued and to be issued under the Indenture and secured
thereby.

     All covenants, promises and agreements in this Thirty-fourth Supplemental
Indenture contained by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its successors
and assigns whether so expressed or not.

     This Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of
counterparts, and each of such counterparts when so executed shall be deemed to
be an original; but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and
the same instrument.


<PAGE>   21

                                     18


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY has caused this
Thirty-fourth Supplemental Indenture to be executed by its Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer, President, Vice Chairman or a Vice President, or any other
officer selected by the Board of Directors, and its corporate seal to be
hereunto affixed, duly attested by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and
Citibank, N.A., as Trustee as aforesaid, has caused the same to be executed by
one of its authorized signatories and its corporate seal to be hereunto
affixed, duly attested by another one of its authorized signatories, and Robert
T. Kirchner, as Individual Trustee as aforesaid, has hereunto affixed his
signature, on the respective dates of their acknowledgments hereinafter set
forth, as of the date and year first above written.


     MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY


     By /s/ STEPHEN EWING               Attest: /s/ SUSAN MCNISH
       ---------------------------             --------------------------------
       Stephen Ewing, President and            Susan K. McNish, Vice President,
        Chief Executive Officer                  General Counsel and Secretary
       500 Griswold Street                          500 Griswold Street
        Detroit, Michigan                             Detroit, Michigan

     Signed, sealed, acknowledged and
     delivered by MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED
     GAS COMPANY in the presence of:


     /s/ DAVID SCHORLING
     -----------------------------
     David Schorling


     /s/ ROBERT DEGRYSE
     -----------------------------
     Robert DeGryse


     Citibank, N.A., as Trustee,


     By  /s/ WAFAA ORFY                        Attest: /s/ REYNALDO L. DUMA
       ---------------------------                    ----------------------
        Wafaa Orfy                                         Reynaldo L. Duma
     Senior Trust Officer                                  Trust Officer
       120 Wall Street
     New York, New York


     /s/ ROBERT T. KIRCHNER
       ---------------------------
       Robert T. Kirchner,
      as Individual Trustee
     120 Wall Street, 13th Floor
        New York, New York

     Signed, sealed, acknowledged and
     delivered by CITIBANK, N.A. and
     ROBERT T. KIRCHNER, in the presence of:

       /s/ ROSEMARY MELENDEZ
       ---------------------------
           Rosemary Melendez

       /s/ PAULA HOSEIN
       ---------------------------
           Paula Hosein

<PAGE>   22

                                     19


State of Michigan }
                  } ss.
County of Wayne   }


     The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 8th day of
November, 1996, by Stephen E. Ewing, President and Chief Executive Officer of
MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, on behalf of the
corporation.

                                              /s/ LINDA A. LOWE
                                             ----------------------------------
                                                 Linda A. Lowe
                                         Notary Public, Wayne County, Michigan
                                         My Commission Expires October 18, 1997




State of New York  }
                   } ss.
County of New York }


     The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 12th day of
November, 1996, by Wafaa Orfy, Senoior Trust Officer of Citibank, N.A., a
national banking association, on behalf of the association, as Trustee, and
Robert T. Kirchner, as Individual Trustee as in said instrument described.



                                           /s/ DORIS WARE
                                           ------------------------------  
                                           Doris Ware
                                           Notary Public, State of New York
                                           No. 01WA5017421
                                           Qualified in Queens County
                                           Commission Expires September 7, 1997



This instrument drafted by:

         Susan K. McNish, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
                       Michigan Consolidated Gas Company
                              500 Griswold Street
                               Detroit, Michigan



<PAGE>   23
                                       20


                                   SCHEDULE A

                                     FIRST

                The following described real estate in the State of Michigan:

                                 BENZIE COUNTY

                The following described lands in Inland Township (Township 26
                North, Range 13 West):

LEELANLAU       (1) Part of the Southwest 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section
GATE STATION        12, described as follows:  Commencing at the Southwest
                    corner of said Section 12; thence N 02 degrees 08'30" E
                    along the West section  line 85.62 feet and S 86 degrees
                    36'00" E 33.01 feet to the Point of Beginning; thence N 02
                    degrees 08'30" E along the East Right-of-Way line of Lake
                    Ann Road 150.00 feet; thence S 86 degrees 36'00" E 150.00
                    feet; thence S 02 degrees 08'30" W 150.00 feet; thence N 86
                    degrees 36'00" W along the North Right-of-Way line of
                    Highway US 31 150.00 feet to the Point of Beginning,
                    together with Rights of Ingress and Egress. 

                                CHIPPEWA COUNTY

                The following described lands in Soo Township (Township 47
                North, Range 1 West):

BAYMILLS        (2) Part of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southeast 1/4 of Section
GATE STATION        29, described as follows:  Commencing at the SE corner of
                    said Section 29, thence Westerly along the South section
                    line approximately 915 feet to the SE corner of an existing
                    Great Lakes Gas Transmission Co. site and the Point of
                    Beginning; thence Northerly along the East line of said site
                    208 feet; thence Easterly and parallel to the South line of
                    Section 29, 208 feet; thence Southerly and parallel to the
                    East line of said existing site 208 feet to the South line
                    of said Section 29; thence Westerly along said South section
                    line 208 feet to the Point of Beginning.


 



                                                        
<PAGE>   24

                                      21

                                 KENT COUNTY


            The following described lands in Nelson Township (Township 10 
            North, Range 10 West):

EVANS RADIO (3) The South 1/2 of the West 1/2 of the Southwest 1/4 of the 
   TOWER        Southwest 1/4 of Section 24.

                               MENOMINEE COUNTY

            The following described lands in Menominee Township (Township 32
            North, Range 27 West):

MENOMINEE   (4) All that part of the Southwest quarter of the Northwest quarter
SALES SITE      of Section 29, being bounded and described as follows: from the
                Northwest corner of said Section 29, S 02 degrees 03'16" E,
                2123.85 feet along the West line of said Section 29 and the
                centerline of River Road, to the Point of Beginning; thence
                continue S 02 degrees 03'16" E, 100.00 feet along said
                line; thence N 87 degrees 56'44" E, 100.00 feet; thence N 02
                degrees 03'16" W, 100.00 feet; thence S 87 degrees 56'44" W,
                100.00 feet to the Point of Beginning, subject to County Road
                Easement described as:  From the Northwest corner of said
                Section 29, measure S 02 degrees 03'16" E, 2123.85 feet along
                the West line of said Section 29 and the centerline of River
                Road, to the Point of Beginning; thence continue  S 02 degrees
                03'16" E, 100.00 feet to the East line of River Road; thence
                Northwesterly, 31.65 feet along said line; thence N87 degrees
                56'44"E, 34.11 Feet to the East line of River Road; thence
                Northwesterly, 31.65 feet along said line and along the arc of a
                445.30 foot radius curve to the right, whose cord bears N04
                degrees 05'25" W, 31.64 feet; thence N 02 degrees 03'16" W,
                63.38 feet along said East line; thence S 87 degrees 56'44" W,
                33.00 feet to the Point of Beginning.

<PAGE>   25
                                      22


                                NEWAYGO COUNTY

               The following described lands in Sherman Township
               (Township 13 North, Range 13 West):

REED CITY-     (5) A strip of land 100 feet in width situated in Section
MUSKEGON           11, lying 50 feet on either side of the following described
8" PIPELINE        centerline: Beginning at the point of intersection of
RELOCATION         the centerline of Grantor's former Freemont to Whitecloud
                   branch line track at or near Valuation Station 1428+50 with
                   the south line of Section 11; thence extending generally in
                   a northeasterly direction along the centerline of the former
                   track a distance of 1.07 miles, more or less, to the ending
                   point at the intersection of the centerline of the former
                   track at or near Valuation Station 1484+80 with east line of
                   Section 11.

                                OGEMAW COUNTY

               The following described lands in Mills Township
               (Township 21 North, Range 3 East):

SKIDWAY LAKE   (6) That part of the S 1/2 of the S 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of
AEP REGULATOR      the NE 1/4, Section 16, lying Easterly of the Easterly line
                   of a 100 foot wide strip of land described as a strip of
                   land 100 feet wide, the centerline of which may be described
                   as: Beginning at a point which is 128.04 feet west of the
                   North 1/8 corner on the east line of Section 16, T21N-R3E
                   and running thence northwesterly along a 6 degree curve
                   347.26 feet to a point which is 330 feet north and 31.50
                   feet west of said 1/8 corner on said section line.

<PAGE>   26
                                      23

                                OSCEOLA COUNTY

               The following described lands in Orient Township (Township 17
               North, Range 7 West):

EVART GATE    (7) Part of the S 1/2 of the N Fractional 1/2 of the SW Fractional
STATION           1/4 of Section 7, being more particularly described as:
                  Commencing at the SW corner of the S 1/2 of the N Fractional
                  1/2 of the SW Fractional 1/4 of said Section 7; thence
                  Easterly 208.71 feet along the S 1/8 line of said Section;
                  thence Northerly 208.71 feet and parallel to the West line of
                  said section; thence Westerly 208.71 feet parallel to said
                  South 1/8 line to the West line of said section; thence
                  Southerly 208.71 feet along West line of said section to the
                  Point of Beginning, said point being the SW corner of the S
                  1/2 of the N Fractional 1/2 of the SW Fractional 1/4 of said
                  Section 7.

                                 WAYNE COUNTY

               The following described lands in the City of Detroit:

E. EIGHT MILE (8) West 12 feet of Lot 314 all of lots 315 through 328
C.B.O             inclusive, Drennan and Seldon's Regent Park Subdivision No. 1,
                  according to the plat thereof, as recorded in Liber 55 of
                  Plats, Page 88, Wayne County Records.


<PAGE>   27
                                      24

                                    SECOND

                The pipelines of the company located in the State of Michigan,
                including transmission lines and lateral lines, together with
                easements and rights-of-way for constructing, maintaining,
                replacing and operating the same, and pipes, structures,
                compressors, valves, regulators, services, meters, machinery,
                fixtures, equipment and apparatus comprising or appurtenant to
                said transmission lines and lateral lines described as follows:

30" KALKASKA -  (i)     The 30" Natural Gas Pipeline, approximately 9.1 miles
WOOLFOLK LOOP           long extending from the Richland Meter and Regulator
(DESTEC)                Station and Main Line Valve No. 4 in the Northwest 1/4
                        of Section 29, in a general Northerly direction across
                        portions of Sections 29, 20, 17, 8 and 5, Richmond
                        Township T21N, R8W, Missaukee County, and in a general
                        Northerly direction across portions of Sections 32, 29,
                        20, 17 and 8 to the Kalkaska-Woolfolk Pipeline Loop
                        (Destec) Tap site in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 8,
                        T22N, R8W, Lake Township, Missaukee County, Michigan.



<PAGE>   28
                                       25

                                    THIRD


DISTRIBUTION    The entire gas distribution systems of the Company located in 
SYSTEMS         certain areas in the following townships and counties:  Elk
                Rapids, Milton and Torch Lake townships in Antrim;      Almira,
                Inland townships and Village of Lake Ann in Benzie; Surrey
                township in Clare; Bay Mills, Bruce, Dafter, Soo and Superior
                townships in Chippewa; Long Lake township in Grand Traverse;
                Waterloo Township in Jackson; Cold Springs township in
                Kalkaska; Caledonia township in Kent; Bingham, Centerville,
                Cleveland, Empire, Kasson, Leland and Sutton Bay townships in
                Leelanau; Brighton and Unadilla townships in Livingston;
                London, Exeter and Milan townships in Monroe; Albert township
                in Montmorency; Mills township in Ogemaw; Greenwood township in
                Oscoda; Polkton township in Ottawa; Ann Arbor, Dexter, Lyndon,
                Lima, Saline, Superior and Sylvan townships in Washtenaw;
                Canton township in Wayne, all in the State of Michigan,
                including all and singular the stations, pipes, mains,
                conduits, valves, regulators, services, meters, fixtures,
                tools, equipment, apparatus, and other property comprising or
                appurtenant to said distribution systems, together with all
                franchises, easements and rights-of-way for constructing,
                maintaining and operating the same.

                
<PAGE>   29
                                       26

                                     FOURTH

NATURAL GAS  All right, title and interest of the Company as purchaser of
PURCHASE     natural gas under the following described Contracts:
CONTRACTS


                Seller                          Contract Date
            ------------------------------------------------------

                Dominion Reserves, Inc.         January 1, 1995

                Enveron Corporation             May 30, 1995

                Coastal Gas Marketing           November 1, 1995

                Mobil Natural Gas               November 1, 1995

                Progas U.S.A.                   November 1, 1995

                TransCanada Gas                 November 1, 1995

                AIG Trading Corporation         December 1, 1995

                Chevron                         January 1, 1996 

                Coastal Gas Marketing           January 1, 1996 

                Gas Facilitators                January 1, 1996

                Shell Oil Company               January 1, 1996

                Westcoast                       January 1, 1996

                Gas Facilitators                February 1, 1996    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5-1


                                                               November 18, 1996


Michigan Consolidated Gas Company
500 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI  48226

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am acting as counsel for Michigan Consolidated Gas Company ("MichCon") in
connection with the registration of up to $260,000,000 of First Mortgage Bonds
designated as Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series C (the "Series C Bonds") to be
offered on a continuous or delayed basis pursuant to the provisions of Rule 415
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").  Pursuant
to the provisions of Rule 429 under the Securities Act, the prospectus 
contained in the Registration Statement also relates to $40,000,000 of First 
Mortgage Bonds designated as Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series B registered 
pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of MichCon (Registration 
No. 33-59093), which First Mortgage Bonds designated as Secured Medium-Term 
Notes, Series B, together with First Mortgage Bonds designated as Secured 
Medium-Term Notes, Series C are collectively referred to herein as the "New 
Bonds."  The First Mortgage Bonds designated as Secured Medium-Term Notes, 
Series C are being registered under the Securities Act, by a Registration 
Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
November 18, 1996 (the "Registration Statement").  In preparation for 
rendering my opinion hereafter expressed, I have examined the originals or 
copies, certified to my satisfaction, of such corporate records and other 
documents and certificates as I have deemed necessary.

     Based on the above, I am of the opinion that:

           1. MichCon is a corporation duly organized and validly existing
              under and pursuant to the laws of the State of Michigan.

           2. The New Bonds when sold, will be legally issued by
              MichCon, duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable.

     I hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5-1 to the
Registration Statement and to the use of my name under the caption "Validity of
Securities" in the Registration Statement.

                             Very truly yours,


                            /s/ Susan K. McNish
                            --------------------------
                                Susan K. McNish
                    Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
                         Michigan Consolidated Gas Company


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 12-1


              MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
              COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                            (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)





<TABLE>
                                                  Twelve Months                       
                                                    Ended                         Year  Ended  December 31,
                                               September 30, 1996  ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                               ------------------  1995         1994            1993          1992          1991
                                                                   ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>       
EARNINGS AS DEFINED (1)                                              
Pre-tax income (2)                                   $132,421    $112,727     $ 89,707       $ 93,315       $ 76,615      $ 57,151
Fixed charges                                          50,610      45,637       39,663         36,231         38,489        37,283
                                                     --------    --------     --------       --------       --------      --------
 Earnings as defined                                 $183,031    $158,364     $129,370       $129,546       $115,104      $ 94,434
                                                     --------    --------     --------       --------       --------      --------
                                                                 
FIXED CHARGES AS DEFINED (1)                                     
Interest on long-term debt                           $ 40,415    $ 35,820     $ 27,948       $ 25,594       $ 27,927      $ 23,224
Interest on other borrowed funds                        7,620       7,053        9,093          7,961          8,044        11,756
Amortization of debt discounts, premium                          
 and expense                                            1,077         996          950          1,057            763           607
Interest implicit in rentals (3)                        1,498       1,768        1,672          1,619          1,755         1,696
                                                     --------    --------     --------       --------       --------      --------
 Fixed charges as defined                            $ 50,610    $ 45,637     $ 39,663       $ 36,231       $ 38,489      $ 37,283
                                                     --------    --------     --------       --------       --------      --------
                                                                 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges                       3.62        3.47         3.26           3.58           2.99          2.53
                                                     --------    --------     --------       --------       --------      --------
</TABLE>                                                         


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


Notes:
(1)  Earnings and fixed charges are defined and computed in accordance with
     instructions for  Item 3 of  Form S-3.
(2)  This amount represents the aggregate of (a) the pre-tax income of
     MichCon, (b) MichCon's share of pre-tax income of its 50% owned
     companies and (c) any income actually received from less than 50% owned
     companies.
(3)  This amount is estimated to be a reasonable approximation of the
     interest portion of rentals.

MichCon is a guarantor of certain other debt.  Fixed charges related to such
debt are deemed to be immaterial and therefore have
been excluded from the above ratios.









<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23-1

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company on Form S-3 of our report dated February 8,
1996, appearing in and incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form
10-K of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company for the year ended December 31, 1995
and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which
is part of this Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Detroit, Michigan
November 18, 1996

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Stephen E.
Ewing and David R. Nowakowski, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys
and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and without the
other) to execute in his name and on his behalf, a Registration Statement on
Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments or other filings in
connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with
respect to the issuance of up to $300,000,000 of First Mortgage Bonds; granting
to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power of substitution and
revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming all that such
attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be done by virtue
of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 20th day
of September, 1996.

                                                /s/  Alfred R. Glancy III
                                                -------------------------
                                                     Alfred R. Glancy III

<PAGE>   2


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Alfred R.
Glancy III and David R. Nowakowski, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and
without the other) to execute in his name and on his behalf, a Registration
Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments or other filings
in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with
respect to the issuance of up to $300,000,000 of First Mortgage Bonds; granting
to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power of substitution and
revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming all that such
attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be done by virtue
of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 20th day
of September, 1996.

                                                           /s/  Stephen E. Ewing
                                                           ---------------------
                                                                Stephen E. Ewing


<PAGE>   3


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Alfred R.
Glancy III, Stephen E. Ewing and David R. Nowakowski, and each of them, his
true and lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority
(acting alone and without the other) to execute in his name and on his behalf,
a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments
or other filings in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, with respect to the issuance of up to $300,000,000 of First Mortgage
Bonds; granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming all
that such attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be done
by virtue of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 20th day
of September, 1996.

                                                         /s/  Howard L. Dow III
                                                         ----------------------
                                                              Howard L. Dow III


<PAGE>   4


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Alfred R.
Glancy III and Stephen E. Ewing, and each of them, his true and lawful
attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and
without the other) to execute in his name and on his behalf, a Registration
Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments or other filings
in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with
respect to the issuance of up to $300,000,000 of First Mortgage Bonds; granting
to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power of substitution and
revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming all that such
attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be done by virtue
of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 20th day
of September, 1996.

                                                       /s/  David R. Nowakowski
                                                       ------------------------
                                                            David R. Nowakowski



<PAGE>   5


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Alfred R.
Glancy III, Stephen E. Ewing and David R. Nowakowski, and each of them, his
true and lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority
(acting alone and without the others) to execute in his name and on his behalf,
a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments
or other filings in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, with respect to the issuance of up to $300,000,000 of First Mortgage
Bonds; granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming all
that such attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be done
by virtue of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 20th day
of September, 1996.


                                                      /s/  William K. McCrackin
                                                         ----------------------
                                                           William K. McCrackin


<PAGE>   6


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Alfred R.
Glancy III, Stephen E. Ewing and David R. Nowakowski, and each of them, his
true and lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority
(acting alone and without the others) to execute in his name and on his behalf,
a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments
or other filings in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, with respect to the issuance of up to $300,000,000 of First Mortgage
Bonds; granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming all
that such attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be done
by virtue of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 20th day
of September, 1996.

                                                           /s/  Carl J. Croskey
                                                           --------------------
                                                                Carl J. Croskey


<PAGE>   7


                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Alfred R.
Glancy III, Stephen E. Ewing and David R. Nowakowski, and each of them, his
true and lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority
(acting alone and without the others) to execute in his name and on his behalf,
a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments
or other filings in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, with respect to the issuance of up to $300,000,000 of First Mortgage
Bonds; granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming all
that such attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be done
by virtue of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 20th day
of September, 1996.

                                                        /s/  Daniel L. Schiffer
                                                        -----------------------
                                                             Daniel L. Schiffer


<PAGE>   8

                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-1

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

     That the undersigned Director or Officer of MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS
COMPANY, a Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint, Alfred R.
Glancy III, Stephen E. Ewing and David R. Nowakowski, and each of them, his
true and lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority
(acting alone and without the others) to execute in his name and on his behalf,
a Registration Statement on Form S-3, including any post-effective amendments
or other filings in connection therewith, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, with respect to the issuance of up to $300,000,000 of First Mortgage
Bonds; granting to such attorneys and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and ratifying and confirming all
that such attorneys and agents, or either of them, may do or cause to be done
by virtue of these presents.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 20th day
of September, 1996.

                                                          /s/  John E. vonRosen
                                                          ---------------------
                                                               John E. vonRosen



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 24-2




                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY

                            SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE


     The undersigned, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of 
Michigan Consolidated Gas Company (the "Company"), a Michigan
Corporation, hereby certifies that the following is a true and correct copy of
resolutions duly adopted by the unanimous written consent of the Company's
Board of  Directors' on November 1, 1996, and such resolutions have not been
modified, amended or rescinded and remain in full force and effect on the date
hereof.

      RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors hereby approves a
      financing program which contemplates the issuance and sale
      from time to time, of up to $300,000,000 of the Company's
      securities, including stock, bonds, notes and guarantees, and
      entering into other long-term financing arrangements, to
      finance in part its construction programs and working capital
      requirements, to refinance maturing long-term debt, to repay
      short-term borrowings and for other corporate purposes, the
      timing, terms and mix of which securities and arrangements
      will depend on market conditions and the financial condition
      of the Company as determined by the Treasurer or his
      designee; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the officers of the Company are severally authorized and
directed to:

(a) Prepare, execute and cause to be filed with the MPSC, the SEC, the NYSE and
    other regulatory authorities such applications, reports and statements,     
    including amendments and supplements thereto, as any of them may deem
    necessary or advisable to obtain requisite authority to proceed with and
    consummate the financing program; and

(b) Retain and employ, on behalf of the Company, legal counsel, independent
    public accountants, and others whose services any of  the officers may deem 
    necessary or desirable in connection with the financing program, execute
    any and all instruments, make any and all payments and do any and all other
    acts and things which such officers, and any of them, may deem necessary or
    advisable in order to proceed with and consummate such financing program.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of November,
1996.



                                                  /s/ Susan K. McNish
                                             --------------------------------
                                              Susan K. McNish, Vice President,
                                               General Counsel and Secretary



<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                          ___________________________

                                    FORM T-1


                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                   UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

             Check if an application to determine eligibility of a Trustee
             pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) _____
                            ________________________

                                 CITIBANK, N.A.
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


                                                     13-5266470
                                                     (I.R.S. employer
                                                     identification no.)

              399 Park Avenue, New York, New York       10043
              (Address of principal executive office)   (Zip Code)


                     _____________________________________

                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


        Michigan                                  38-0478040
        (State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. employer
        incorporation or organization)            identification no.)

        500 Griswold Street
        Detroit, MI                               48226
        (Address of Principal Executive Offices)  (Zip Code)


                             ______________________

                              First Mortgage Bonds
                      (Title of the indenture securities)

<PAGE>   2



Item 1.  General Information.

           Furnish the following information as to the trustee:


      (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority
           to which it is subject.

           Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.

           Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New York, NY
           33 Liberty Street, New York, NY

           Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

      (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

           Yes.



Item 2.Affiliations with Obligor.

           If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such 
           affiliation

                          None.

Item 16.   List of Exhibits.

           List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of 
           Eligibility.
           
           Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the 
           Commission, are incorprated herein by reference as exhibits hereto.
           
           Exhibit 1 - Copy of Articles of Association of the Trustee, as now 
           in effect.  (Exhibit 1 to T-1 to Registration Statement No. 2-79983)
           
           Exhibit 2 - Copy of certificate of authority of the Trustee to 
           commence business. (Exhibit 2 to T-1 to Registration Statement 
           No. 2-29577)
           
           Exhibit 3 - Copy of authorization of the Trustee to exercise 
           corporate trust powers.  (Exhibit 3 to T-1 to Registration 
           Statement No. 2-55519)
           
           Exhibit 4 - Copy of existing By-Laws of the Trustee.  (Exhibit 4 to
           T-1 to Registration Statement No. 33-34988)
           
           Exhibit 5 - Not applicable.



                                       2


<PAGE>   3

             Exhibit 6 - The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b)
             of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.  (Exhibit 6 to T-1 to
             Registration Statement No. 33-19227.)

             Exhibit 7 -Copy of the latest Report of Condition of Citibank,
             N.A. (as of June 30, 1996 - attached)

             Exhibit 8 - Not applicable.

             Exhibit 9 - Not applicable.


                             _____________________

                                   SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
Trustee, Citibank, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing
under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement
of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, all in The City of New York and State of New York, on the 4th day
of November, 1996.


                                             CITIBANK, N.A.


                                             By /s/Wafaa Orfy
                                               ---------------------------
                                                Senior Trust Officer

















                                       3

<PAGE>   4
                              Charter No. 1461
                         Comptroller of the Currency
                            Northeastern District
                             REPORT OF CONDITION
                                CONSOLIDATING
                            DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN
                               SUBSIDIARIES OF
                               CITIBANK, N.A.

OF NEW YORK IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON JUNE 30,
1996, PUBLISHED IN RESPONSE TO CALL MADE BY COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, UNDER
TITLE 12, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 161. CHARTER NUMBER 1461 COMPTROLLER OF
THE CURRENCY NORTHEASTERN DISTRICT.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     ASSETS

                                                    THOUSANDS
                                                    OF DOLLARS
               <S>                                   <C>
               Cash and balances due from de-
               pository institutions:
                Noninterest-bearing balances
                and currency and coin              $  7,503,000
               Interest-bearing balances             11,133,000
               Held-to-maturity securities                    0
               Available-for-sale securities         19,790,000
               Federal funds sold and securities
                purchased under agreements to
                resell in domestic offices of the
                bank and of its Edge and Agree-
                ment subsidiaries, and in IBFs:
                Federal funds sold                   3,275,000
                Securities purchased under
                agreements to resell                   289,000
               Loans and lease financing receiv-
                ables:
                Loans and Leases, net of un-
                 earned income     $148,323,000
                 LESS: Allowance for loan
                 and lease losses     4,426,000
                 LESS: Allocated transfer
                 risk reserve                 0
                                      --------- 
              Loans and leases, net of un-
                 earned income, allowance,
                 and reserve                       143,897,000
               Trading assets                       25,876,000
               Premises and fixed assets (includ-
                 ing capitalized leases)             3,477,000
               Other real estate owned                 757,000
               Investments in unconsolidated
                 subsidiaries and associated com-
                 panies                              1,165,000
               Customers' liability to this bank
                 on acceptances outstanding          1,981,000
               Intangible assets                        59,000
               Other assets                          7,733,000
                                                  ------------
               TOTAL ASSETS                       $226,935,000
                                                  ============

                          LIABILITIES
               Deposits:
                 In domestic offices              $ 34,406,000
                 Noninterest-
                  bearing   $ 11,994,000
                  Interest-
                  bearing     22,412,000
                            ------------
               In foreign offices, Edge and
                 A subsidiaries, and
                 IBFs                              128,771,000
                 Noninterest-
                  bearing      8,568,000
                 Interest-
                  bearing    120,203,000
                            ------------
               Federal funds purchased and se-
                 curities sold under agreements
                 to repurchase in domestic offices
                 of the bank and of its Edge and
                Agreement subsidiaries, and in
                IBFs:
                Federal funds purchased              1,687,000
                Securities sold under agree-
                ments to repurchase                    458,000
                Demand notes issued to
                the U.S. Treasury                            0
               Trading liabilities                  16,538,000
               Other borrowed money:
                With a remaining maturity of one
                year or less                         9,864,000
                With a remaining maturity of more
                than one year                        4,695,000
               Mortgage indebtedness and obli-
                gations under capitalized leases       138,000
               Bank's liability on acceptances ex-
                ecuted and outstanding               2,033,000
               Subordinated notes and
               debentures                            4,700,000
               Other liabilities                     8,230,000
                                                  ------------
               TOTAL LIABILITIES                  $211,520,000
                                                  ============
             Limited-life preferred stock
               and related surplus                           0
                          EQUITY CAPITAL
             Perpetual preferred stock
               and related surplus                           0
             Common stock                         $    751,000
             Surplus                                 6,863,000
             Undivided profits and capital re-
               serves                                8,036,000
             Net unrealized holding gains (losses)
               on available-for-sale securities        343,000
             Cumulative foreign currency
               translation adjustments                (578,000)
                                                  ------------
             TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL                 $ 15,415,000
                                                  ------------
             TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-
               LIFE PREFERRED STOCK, AND
               EQUITY CAPITAL                     $226,935,000
                                                  ============
</TABLE>

             I, Roger W. Trupin, Controller of the above-
             named bank do hereby declare that this
             Report of Condition is true and correct to the
             best of my knowledge and belief.
                                            ROGER W. TRUPIN
             We, the undersigned directors, attest to
             the correctness of this Report of Condition.
             We declare that it has been examined by us,
             and to the best of our knowledge and belief
             has been prepared in conformance with the
             instructions and is true and correct.
                                            PAUL J. COLLINS
                                               JOHN S. REED
                                          WILLIAM R. RHODES
                                                  DIRECTORS
<PAGE>   5
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                          ___________________________

                                    FORM T-2

                   STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION
                  UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF AN
                    INDIVIDUAL DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

            Check if an application to determine eligibility of a trustee
            pursuant to Section 305(b) (2)


                  ROBERT T. KIRCHNER        ###-##-####
                  (Name of Trustee)   (Social Security Number)


                   120 Wall Street, New York, New York  10043
                 (Business Address: Street, City and Zip Code)
                               __________________

                       MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)



               MICHIGAN                           38-0478040
        (State or other jurisdiction of           (I.R.S. employee
        incorporation or organization)            identification no.)

        500 Griswold Street
        Detroit, MI                               48226
        (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)


                              FIRST MORTAGE BONDS
                      (Title of the indenture securities)

<PAGE>   6


1. Affiliations with obligor and underwriters.
     If the obligor or any underwriter for the obligor is an affiliate of the
   trustee, describe each such affiliation.
     None.

2. Trusteeships under other indentures.
        If the trustee is a trustee under another indenture under which any
   other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in any other
   securities, of the obligor are outstanding, file a copy of each such
   indenture as an exhibit and furnish the following information.

      (a)  Title of the securities outstanding under each other indenture.

      None.-The Trustee is one of the Trustees under the obligor's Indenture
   of Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated as of March 1, 1944, as supplemented.
   The securities, proposed to be offered, will be issued under said Mortgage
   Indenture, as supplemented by a Thirty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated
   as of November 1, 1996, which has been qualified under the Trust Indenture
   Act of 1939.

     (b) A brief statement of the facts relied upon by the trustee as a
   basis for the claim that no conflicting interest within the meaning of
   section 310(b)(1) of the Act arises as a result of the trusteeship under
   such other indenture, including a statement whether the indenture securities
   will rank equally with the securities issued under such other indentures.

   Inapplicable.

3. Certain relationships between trustee and the obligor or an underwriter.

        If the trustee is a director, officer, partner, employee, appointee or
   representative of the obligor or of any underwriter for the obligor, state
   the nature of each such connection.

        None.

4. Securities of the obligor owned or held by the trustee.

        Furnish the following information as to securities of the obligor owned
   beneficially by the trustee or held by the trustee as collateral for
   obligations in default:

                                       2


<PAGE>   7


                             As of November 1, 1996

<TABLE>
<S>             <C>                   <C>                   <C>
Col. A          Col. B                Col. C                Col. D
                Whether the           Amount owned          Percent of Class
                securities are        beneficially or       represented by
                voting or nonvoting   held as collateral    amount given in
                securities            security for          Col. C
Title of Class                        obligations in        
</TABLE>                              default               

None.

5.   Securities of underwriters owned or held by the trustee.

        If the trustee owns beneficially or holds as collateral security for
   obligations in default any securities of an underwriter for the obligor,
   furnish the following information as to each class of securities of such
   underwriter any of which are so owned or held by the trustee.

                             As of November 1, 1996

<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>                 <C>                   <C>
     Col. A              Col. B            Col. C                Col. D
                                        Amount owned          Percent of voting
                                        beneficially or       securities
                                        held as collateral    represented by
                                        security for          amount given in
Name of Issuer and                      obligations in        Col. C
Title of Class      Amount Outstanding  default               
</TABLE>

None.

6.   Holdings by the trustee of voting securities of certain affiliates or
     principal holders of voting securities of the obligor.

        If the trustee owns beneficially or holds as collateral security for
   obligations in default voting securities of a person who, to the knowledge
   of the trustee (1) owns 10% or more of the voting securities of the obligor
   or (2) is an affiliate, other than a subsidiary, of the obligor, furnish the
   following information as to the voting securities of such person.

                             As of November 1, 1996

<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>                 <C>                   <C>
     Col. A              Col. B            Col. C                Col. D
                                        Amount owned          Percent of voting
                                        beneficially or       securities
                                        held as collateral    represented by
                                        security for          amount given in
Name of Issuer and                      obligations in        Col. C
Title of Class      Amount Outstanding  default               

None.
</TABLE>

                                       3


<PAGE>   8


7.   Holdings by the trustee of any securities of a person owning 50 per cent
     or more of the voting securities of the obligor.

        If the trustee owns beneficially or holds as collateral security for
   obligations in default any securities of a person who, to the knowledge of
   the trustee, owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the obligor,
   furnish the following information as to each class of securities of such
   person any of whom are so owned or held by the trustee.

                             As of November 1, 1996

<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>                 <C>                   <C>
    Col. A              Col. B              Col. C                Col. D
                                        Amount owned          Percent of voting
                                        beneficially or       securities       
                                        held as collateral    represented by   
                                        security for          amount given in  
Name of Issuer and                      obligations in        Col. C           
Title of Class      Amount Outstanding  default               
</TABLE>

None.

8.   List of exhibits.
        List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of
        eligibility and qualification.
        None.

                                   SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, I, Robert
T. Kirchner, have signed this statement of eligibility and qualification in the
city of New York and State of New York, on the 4th day of November, 1996.


                                     By /s/Robert T. Kirchner, Trustee
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        (Robert T. Kirchner, Trustee)


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