Exhibit 23.1










                         Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8, No. 33-92724, No. 333-29907 and No. 333-82057) pertaining to the
Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas Corp. Stock Option Plan, the Registration Statement
(Form S-8, No. 333-77185) pertaining to the Non-Employee Director Deferred
Compensation Program of Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas Corp. and the Registration
Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-21321) and related Prospectuses of our report dated
February 7, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and
schedule of Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas Corp. included in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.



                                                    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
March 6, 2000