EXHIBIT 23.4 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT The Board of Directors Ocean Energy, Inc.: We consent to the use of our report dated January 28, 2003, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Ocean Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2002, incorporated by reference in this document and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration statement. Our report refers to a change in the method of accounting for derivative financial instruments, effective January 1, 2001. /s/ KPMG LLP Houston, Texas March 7, 2003