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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2



                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Form S-4 (File No._________) of our report dated October 7,
1996 on the combined financial statements of the Mallard Bay Drilling division
of Energy Ventures, Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, and to all references to our
Firm included in this Registration Statement.


ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Houston, Texas
May 18, 1998