Chicago Bridge & Iron 10-K 2011 FY Annual report

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

(1) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-64442) pertaining to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(2) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-156004) pertaining to the 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(3) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-87081) pertaining to the 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(4) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-39975) pertaining to the Employees Stock Purchase Plan (1997) of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(5) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-24443) pertaining to the Management Defined Contribution Stock Incentive Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(6) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-24445) pertaining to the Long-Term Incentive Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(7) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-33199) pertaining to the Savings Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(8) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-159182) pertaining to the 2009 Amendment to the 2008 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(9) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-159183) pertaining to the 2009 Amendment to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

(10) Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-160852) pertaining to the Common Stock and Warrants of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V.,

of our reports dated February 23, 2012, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, N.V., included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Chicago Bridge & Iron Company N.V. for the year ended December 31, 2011.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Houston, Texas

February 23, 2012