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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                         CONSENT OF RYDER SCOTT COMPANY
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following registration
statements of Vastar Resources, Inc. (the "Company"), 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 January 17, 1997 on our audit of the remaining proved
reserves attributable to the properties owned by the Company as of December 31,
1996.
 
                                        RYDER SCOTT COMPANY
                                        PETROLEUM ENGINEERS
 
March 6, 1997