CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


          As  independent  public  accountants,  we  hereby  consent to the
          incorporation by reference in this registration statement  of our
          report dated January 21, 1997 included in McMoRan Oil & Gas Co.'s
          Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  1996 and to all
          references to our Firm included in this registration statement.


                                             /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP


          New Orleans, Louisiana
          January 20, 1998