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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3




                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ENGINEER

         As an independent engineering consultant, I hereby consent to the use
of my report entitled "Evaluation of Proved Oil and Gas Reserves to the
Interests of Costilla Energy, Inc. Relative to the Baimaclia and Victorovca Gas
Fields in Cantemir County and the Valeri Oil Field in Vulcaneste County of the
Republic of Moldova, Eastern Europe, Effective January 1, 1998, Pursuant to the
Requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Project 8.0128" and data
extracted therefrom (and all references to me and my Firm) included in or made a
part of this Form 10-K Annual Report and to the incorporation by reference of
this Form 10-K Annual Report (including the use of my report and references to
me and my Firm herein) into those certain Registration Statements on Form S-8
filed by Costilla Energy, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, file
numbers 333-16513, 333-16515, and 333-16517 covering the Bonus Incentive Plan of
Costilla Energy, Inc., the Outside Directors Stock Option Plan of Costilla
Energy, Inc., and the 1996 Stock Option Plan of Costilla Energy, Inc.,
respectively, and file numbers 333-38747 and 333-38751 covering additional
shares under the Outside Directors Stock Option Plan and the 1996 Stock Option
Plan, respectively.


                                             W. SCOTT EPLEY, P.E.


Midland, Texas
March 26, 1998