Exhibit 23(b)

                               CONSENT OF EXPERTS

      As petroleum engineers, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-37175, 33-44541,
33-44542, 33-58613, 33-59253, 33-59255, 333-07949, 333-34135, 333-34161 and
333-34165) of our oil and gas reserve reports as of December 31, 1994, December
31, 1995, December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1997 included in the Santa Fe
Energy Resources, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

Ryder Scott Company
Petroleum Engineers
March 6, 1998