EXHIBIT 23.2


                   CONSENT OF INDEPEDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEER



    As independent petroleum engineers, we hereby consent to the use of
our name in this Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 by McMoRan Oil & Gas Co.
We further consent to the incorporation by reference of our estimates of
reserves and present value of future net reserves as of May 31, 1997 in
the Form S-3.


                                       RYDER SCOTT COMPANY
                                       PETROLEUM ENGINEERS



Houston, Texas
August 21, 1997