[EXHIBIT 99.1 - PRESS RELEASE]

MDU Resources Prices Its Offering

Bismarck, N.D. -- February 5, 2004 - MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE: MDU)
priced its offering of 2.0 million shares of common stock at the close of
trading on February 4, 2004, at a price to the public of $23.320 per share with
proceeds, before expenses, to MDU Resources of $22.527 per share. The net
proceeds from the offering will be used for the repayment of debt and general
corporate purposes.

The underwriters for the offering are A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., and Edward D.
Jones & Co., L.P. In connection with the offering, MDU Resources has granted the
underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional
300,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments.

A registration statement relating to the shares of common stock being offered
has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has become
effective. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of
these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer,
solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification
under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The offering is being made by
means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement, copies of which may be
obtained from A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., One North Jefferson, St. Louis, MO
63103 or Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., 12555 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO
63131.

MDU Resources Group, Inc., a member of the S&P MidCap 400 Index, provides
value-added natural resource products and related services that are essential to
our country's energy and transportation infrastructure. MDU Resources includes
natural gas and oil production, construction materials and mining, electric and
natural gas utilities, natural gas pipelines and energy services, domestic and
international independent power production and utility services.