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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.5
    
 
   
                         CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
    
 
   
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this Registration Statement File No. 333-51789 of our report
dated March 31, 1998 covering the audited combined financial statements of BHP
Petroleum Americas Refining Inc., and BHP Petroleum South Pacific Inc. included
in Tesoro Petroleum Corporation's Form 8-K dated May 13, 1998.
    
 
                                          /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
   
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
    
 
   
Honolulu, Hawaii
    
   
May 13, 1998