EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Nos. 033-28389, 033-82210 and 333-29089) of Howell Corporation of our report dated February 27, 1998, relating to the Statement of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses of the Oil and Gas Properties Acquisition which appears in the Current Report on Form 8-K/A of Howell Corporation dated December 18, 1997. PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP Chicago, Illinois March 3, 1998