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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following registration
statements of Vastar Resources, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No.
33-80844), Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-80846), Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-80848), Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No.
33-80850), Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-87814), Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-87816), Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No.
33-87818), and Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-86310) of our report
dated February 12, 1997, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements
of Vastar Resources, Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, which report is included in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
                                            COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
Houston, Texas
March 6, 1997