1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

   
       We consent to the use in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement of
TransAmerican Energy Corporation on Form S-4 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on December 8, 1997 of our report dated May 1, 1997 relating
to our audit of the consolidated balance sheet of TransAmerican Energy
Corporation as of January 31, 1997 and 1996 and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' deficit and cash flows for the year
ended January 31, 1997, the six months ended January 31, 1996 and each of the
two years in the period ended July 31, 1995.  We also consent to the reference
to our firm under the caption "Independent Accountants."
    


                                                 COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.



   
Houston, Texas
December 5, 1997