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                                                                   Exhibit 23.3


               [NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC. LETTERHEAD]


           CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS


         We hereby consent to the filing of the Post-Effective Amendment No. 3
to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-85930) for TransAmerican
Refining Corporation and TransAmerican Energy Corporation in accordance with
the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, with the inclusion in such
Registration Statement and related Prospectus of portions of our reserve report
incorporated therein, and references to our name in the form and context in
which they appear.


                                           NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.


                                           By:  /s/ DANNY D. SIMMONS 
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Danny D. Simmons 
                                              Senior Vice President


Houston, Texas
August 7, 1996