EXHIBIT 23(B)

                               CONSENT OF EXPERTS

     As petroleum engineers, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference
in the Prospectuses constituting part of the Registration Statements on Form S-8
(Nos. 33-37175, 33-44541, 33-44542, 33-58613, 33-59253 and 33-59255) and Form
S-3 (No. 333-00753) of Santa Fe Energy Resources, Inc. of our oil and gas
reserve reports as of December 31, 1992, December 31, 1993, December 31, 1994
and December 31, 1995 included in the Santa Fe Resources, Inc. Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1995.

                                          RYDER SCOTT COMPANY
                                          PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

Houston, Texas
February 27, 1996