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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
  We consent to the inclusion in this registration statement on Form S-4, to be
filed on or about July 21, 1998, of our report dated February 19, 1998, on our
audit of the financial statements and financial statement schedules of Bayard
Drilling Technologies, Inc. We also consent to the reference to our firm under
the caption "Experts".
 
 /s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
July 20, 1998
 
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