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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
report (and to all references to our firm) included in or made a part of this
Registration Statement and to the incorporation by reference in this
Registration Statement of our report dated March 6, 1996, included in Mesa
Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
                                            /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
                                            ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Houston, Texas
   
June 12, 1996