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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
 
               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM RESERVE ENGINEERS
 
Dear Sirs:
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on
Form S-4 and to the reference to Form 10-K of portions of our reports entitled
"UMC Petroleum Corporation, Evaluation of Certain Interests in the State of
Montana, SEC Parameters, as of January 1, 1998", dated February 3, 1998; and
"UMC Resources Canada Ltd., Evaluation of Oil & Gas Reserves, SEC Parameters, as
of January 1, 1998", dated January 27, 1998, (the "Reports") and to our having
evaluated the Corporations' interest in oil and gas reserves. We also consent to
the reference of our firm under the caption "Experts".
 
Sincerely,
 
MCDANIEL & ASSOCIATES CONSULTANTS LTD.
 
/s/ W.C. SETH
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W.C. Seth, P. Eng.
President & Managing Director
 
Calgary, Alberta
Dated:  February 20, 1998