EXHIBIT 23.1

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Nuevo Energy Company

We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements
(Nos.333-107990 and 333-102627) on Form S-8, registration statement (No.
333-112027) on Form S-3, of Plains Exploration & Production Company of our
report dated March 5, 2004, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Nuevo
Energy Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the related
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, cash flows and
comprehensive income for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 2003, and the related financial statement schedule, which reports
appear in the March 17, 2004 Form 8-K of Plains Exploration & Production
Company.

Our report dated March 5, 2004, contains an explanatory paragraph that states
that the Company changed its method of accounting for derivative instruments
effective January 1, 2001, its method of accounting for asset retirement
obligations effective January 1, 2003, and its method of accounting for certain
convertible subordinated debentures effective December 31, 2003.


                                              KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas
March 16, 2004