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                                                                    Exhibit 23.4

                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEER


        I hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration
statement of Patterson Energy, Inc. on Form S-3 of certain information
contained in Patterson Energy, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1996, which information is contained in my summary
reserve report dated February 5, 1997, relating to the oil and natural gas
reserves and revenues as of December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 of certain 
properties owned by Patterson Energy, Inc. as of December 31, 1996.


                                                /s/ M. Brian Wallace  
                                                                      
                                                M. Brian Wallace, P.E.

Dallas, Texas
June 12, 1997